This Guy... Has Some Seriously Thick Skin!

This Guy... Has Some Seriously Thick Skin!

The atmosphere was quite harmonious.

The small group Huang Zirui had set up beforehand had played some part.

Of course, it was also thanks to Song Shuyi, the little songbird.

Her mouth was quick, and she had plenty to say.

They had not chatted for long before a group of people approached from the distance.

Four men and one woman.

At the front was a young man with spiky hair, dressed in a flashy combat uniform.

A carefree smile hung on his face as he raised a hand to greet Wang Ye and the other three from afar.

"Good morning, newcomers!" Xia Wuguang flashed a brilliant smile. "Welcome to the Rescue Team."

"Greetings, sir!" Wang Ye and the others saluted.

"No need to be so stiff. Relax."

"I'm Xia Wuguang from the Transcendent Rescue Team." Xia Wuguang smiled. "The Rescue Team's rule is that veterans guide newcomers. This is the 7th Elite Rescue Team under my command: Tong Wu, Han Ruobin, Hong Jia, and Su Yihan."

"Tong Wu will temporarily lead you. If you have any questions, go directly to him."

"The Rescue Team has heavy duties, so you won't have much time to adjust. In three days, we'll leave camp to carry out our first Joint Operation. Don't embarrass West Camp then!"

Three days to get in sync, then straight to work.

Wang Ye approved.

The Rescue Team really was efficient!

"Sir, is the Joint Operation with the 101st Class Rescue Teams from East Camp, South Camp, and North Camp?" Song Shuyi asked curiously.

"That's right. Healthy competition improves efficiency," Xia Wuguang said. "Remember, the mission takes priority over competition. Don't get too fixated on comparing yourselves."

"As long as you don't come in last, haha."

Song Shuyi was brimming with fighting spirit. "We won't let you down, sir!"

You're the weakest among us... Wang Ye grumbled inwardly.

"Let me briefly explain the Rescue Team's duties and benefits," Xia Wuguang said. "The Rescue Team is busy and relatively dangerous, so it receives the best benefits among the Three Great Special Departments."

"All missions earn Merit Points regardless of success or failure. Merit Points can be exchanged for equipment and potions at the Gene Park's research institute and Experiment Building. Once you become an Ace Rescuer, you can enter the National Treasure Vault early."

Merit Points?

Hmm... cash vouchers.

Wang Ye got straight to the point. "Can they buy a house?"

Xia Wuguang could not help laughing. "They can only be exchanged for Evolver items. But once you accumulate enough Merit Points and become an Ace Rescuer, the state will grant you a duplex apartment."

Wang Ye's eyes lit up. "How high? How big? Fully furnished? Parking space? Which Base City? Is the location good? Can I register my household there?"

Xia Wuguang froze.

Good grief, had he become a real estate agent?

Su Yihan, the Esper, laughed. "At least five-meter ceilings, two hundred square meters, a separate training room, fully furnished, with parking. You can choose from any of the ten major Base Cities. The location is generally downtown, household registration is included, and all documents are in order."

Excellent!

That was the equivalent of getting fifty million for free.

Wang Ye was very satisfied.

Su Yihan said to Wang Ye, "Rescuers don't lack money, because they get 100% of the monster kill proceeds. By the time you become an Ace Rescuer, your assets will probably be close to our boss's."

"I'm broke!" Xia Wuguang shook his head repeatedly.

Su Yihan said admiringly, "That's because, aside from equipment and daily expenses, Boss, you donate all the money you earn."

Wang Ye and the other three were filled with respect.

This young, seemingly carefree officer with spiky hair had a truly generous heart.

"Eh, that's only because I'm alone and have no family to support." Xia Wuguang waved a hand. "All right, all right, enough about that. Let's talk about the Rescue Team's duties."

"Just as the name suggests—rescue!"

Xia Wuguang turned serious. "The Rescue Team was the first Special Department established. After the Great Catastrophe struck, monsters ravaged all across China. Refugees could barely take a step, waiting for us to rescue them. Every one of them is a living life. Our responsibility is immense."

"Aside from the monsters everywhere, everyone must remember to beware of devils."

"As order in China gradually stabilized, the growth of devils slowed. They began deliberately capturing refugees to strengthen themselves. Such incidents are frequent outside the Base Cities, and countless colleagues have died at the hands of devils."

Xia Wuguang paused and looked at Wang Ye.

Not good!

Wang Ye's heart skipped a beat. He wouldn't...

"I'd like to commend Wang Ye here." Xia Wuguang looked at Wang Ye. "Not long ago, two devils appeared north of No. 3 Garrison and killed several people, including Evolvers."

"Fortunately, Wang Ye discovered them in time and fearlessly killed the devils, preventing more innocent people from being murdered."

"Remember this: devils are the mortal enemies of our Rescue Team. If you encounter one, kill without mercy!"

It was over.

This was social death.

Wang Ye recalled the conversation he had had with Huang Zirui and Yu Shuiqin earlier and suddenly felt a little dizzy.

"Whoa, Ye Ge, you're so badass!" Song Shuyi's eyes widened, and she nearly blurted out something even more outrageous.

Beside her, Yu Shuiqin looked at Wang Ye with her beautiful eyes. A faint, irrepressible smile rested on her face, mixed with a peculiar gleam in her eyes—the feelings of a young girl.

Only Huang Zirui stood there with a bewildered expression, having no idea how to react.

"It was what I should have done." Wang Ye kept a straight face.

Since things had already come to this, whatever happened, happened.

Wang Ye grinned at Huang Zirui as though nothing had occurred.

This guy... his skin is seriously thick!

Huang Zirui had no idea how to mock him.

After the briefing ended.

Xia Wuguang left with the members of the 7th Elite Rescue Team.

Only the towering Tong Wu remained. Wearing Ox-Horn Battle Armor, he stood like a pillar, staring expressionlessly at the group.

The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat heavy.

"I'm your acting captain, Tong Wu. You may call me Team Leader Tong. For the coming period, I will lead you into becoming true Rescuers." Tong Wu's expressionless face gave off an intense pressure.

"When carrying out missions, the four of you will become each other's closest comrades, cooperating seamlessly."

"During daily training, compete with and support one another. The first among you to become an Intermediate Evolver will automatically become the captain of the West 101 Rescue Team."

"Once you accumulate enough Merit Points and everyone becomes an Intermediate Evolver, the team will be promoted to an Elite Rescue Team."

"Do you understand?"

"Yes, Team Leader Tong!"

There was no complicated ceremony.

After joining the Rescue Team, Wang Ye and the other three quickly adapted to their environment and began training.

This included wilderness knowledge, monster habits, regional distribution, and many other subjects.

After one morning, Wang Ye's mind was crammed with dense text and data.

In the afternoon, the four underwent coordination drills.

Tong Wu arranged them into various combinations based on their strength and specialties.

"When facing a Nightmare-level Monster, form a four-man formation." Tong Wu instructed them meticulously. "Huang Zirui, among the four of you, your close-combat capabilities are the most well-rounded, equally strong in offense and defense. You must take on the role of the backbone."

"Wang Ye, your attack power is no weaker than Huang Zirui's. You will serve as the main attacker."

"Yu Shuiqin, you are an Emission Type Esper, the undisputed core of the team."

"Song Shuyi, provide support and protection."

"For the upcoming combat drill, treat me as a simulated Nightmare-level Monster opponent. Attack with everything you've got!"

"Yes, Team Leader Tong!"

After an afternoon of combat drills.

The four had developed some rapport, mainly becoming familiar with one another's fighting styles.

To truly bind the four of them together and unleash extraordinary coordination, they would need at least Tens of Thousands of real battles.

Night fell.

The four entered the Medical Room.

They learned some wilderness first-aid techniques, including treating their own injuries and providing emergency aid to refugees.

"By the way, which of you can drive?" Tong Wu looked at the four.

Your smile is sweet, but you taste salty?

Wang Ye's thoughts wandered wildly.

"Me, me, me!" Song Shuyi was overjoyed. After being overwhelmed all day by Wang Ye and the other two's exceptional learning abilities, she finally had a chance to shine. "I got my driver's license right before entering the training camp!"

Wang Ye's heart sank.

He glanced at Huang Zirui and found that his expression was not much better.

"I can learn, Team Leader Tong," Huang Zirui said tactfully.

"There's no time." Tong Wu glanced at him. "After the Joint Operation ends, you'll have ten days of leave. Go get your license then. I'll drive for this operation."

"Yes." Huang Zirui agreed immediately.

Wang Ye breathed a sigh of relief.

If Team Leader Tong had not taken on the job, he would have had to serve as the driver.

Tiring was one thing. It was still better than being constantly on edge.

*

*

East Camp, Evolution Camp Headquarters.

"The recruits this class are all quite good." The commander smiled.

"Yes. Besides Wei Shengtian from East Camp, Wang Ye, the top recruit in West Camp's Rookie Trial, also joined the Rescue Team." The East Camp Leader smiled. "South Camp is strong overall. Only North Camp is a little weaker."

"What is this class's Joint Operation mission?" The commander flipped through the documents.

"A B2-level search-and-rescue mission," the East Camp Leader said. "The location is Wu Yi County, East Pavilion City."

The commander nodded.

There was naturally no need for him to inquire too deeply into such a minor matter.

"By the way, has Cosmic Monster No. 9 shown any unusual behavior recently?" the commander asked.

The ten Cosmic Monsters were numbered from one to ten and displayed on radar.

Cosmic Monster No. 9 was the Giant Turtle closest to China, as large as an island.

"It is still rampaging through the Island Country region, enjoying the pleasure of destruction," the East Camp Leader said. "For now, it has no intention of attacking China. It remains more than 750 kilometers from our Base City."

"Stay vigilant and monitor it at all times," the commander said seriously.

"Understood." The East Camp Leader nodded, then smiled. "That thing is extremely lazy and hates exertion. Over the years, it has only taken more steps than No. 8."

"We can't let our guard down." The commander sighed deeply. "The destructive power of Cosmic Monsters is too terrifying. Once they launch an attack, it will be the end of a Base City."

"In five years, not a single Base City has escaped disaster."

(End of Chapter)