Mercenary Tao

"Team 64323..."

Bai Cangshu had read some Infinite Dimension-type works before, so he was not unfamiliar with the setting and rules of this so-called Infinite Dimension.

He simply had not expected to encounter another team in the very first trial mission, and one that apparently belonged to a faction conflicting with his own trial mission.

Was this the difficulty of a Special Trial...?

Bai Cangshu focused on the team number and learned that this team would enter this world seven days later.

In other words, he had less than seven days to complete his first mission.

And that was not the full extent of this Special Trial's difficulty.

Mercenary Tao was an early antagonist in the Dragon Ball World. He was ruthless and powerful, known as the World's Number One Assassin.

When Son Goku first encountered him, Mercenary Tao had easily crushed him. At the time, Son Goku's strength had already approached that of Master Roshi.

At the same time, Mercenary Tao had first demonstrated in the story the terrifying strength of this world's top Martial Artists.

Heated his bathwater to 200 degrees with his qi, then soaked comfortably in it;

Used a cloth shoe to flick up and block a sniper rifle bullet, then ricocheted it back to kill the shooter with precision;

Crushed the skull of a fairly capable fighter with his tongue and killed him;

Chopped through a stone pillar thick enough for one person to wrap their arms around with his bare hands, threw it out, then leaped onto it for "Pillar Flight," flying 2,300 kilometers in less than four minutes before accurately finding his target...

Nearly every feat had completely surpassed an ordinary person's capacity for comprehension.

Mercenary Tao was a monster-level powerhouse who had truly transcended the limits of humanity.

A trial under someone like him probably would not be as safe and harmless as Master Roshi's...

Creak. Bai Cangshu opened the door, and wind immediately poured into the room, heavy with moisture.

This place was clearly at a considerable altitude, and perhaps very close to the sea as well.

Bai Cangshu noticed that several figures had already appeared outside the room. They varied in height and build, but every one of them wore a cold expression. No one spoke to anyone else; they merely waited there.

Bai Cangshu did not know whether any of them were other trial participants.

He had already examined his own attire: a white T-shirt paired with black training clothes and flat cloth shoes. Nearly all these people were dressed the same way, as if it had been uniformly arranged.

Before Bai Cangshu could observe them closely—

Bzzzz!

A terrifying roar grew from faint to overwhelming, becoming as dreadful as a fighter jet passing at low altitude within moments.

A black dot appeared in the sky. The next instant, a stone pillar came crashing down from above.

Boom!

A terrifying shockwave passed through Bai Cangshu's body as though it were tangible. He felt as if he were crossing a road in the midst of a typhoon.

The massive sonic boom and shockwave left everyone, Bai Cangshu included, briefly deafened and disoriented.

When the dust in his vision dispersed, Mercenary Tao stood before them, his black braid wrapped around his neck.

The man who had knocked on each door earlier wore a blue Tang suit and stood at the farthest edge.

Seeing that Lord Mercenary Tao was as terrifying as ever, he felt instinctive fear. He was the owner of this inn and counted as one of the few people able to speak with Mercenary Tao, yet he was still afraid of him.

This was an inn atop a mountain, one that only received certain special guests.

For example, customers seeking to place an order with the World's Number One Assassin, or people like those here today—assassins and lunatics who did not value their lives and wanted to become Mercenary Tao's disciples.

Step. Step. Step.

Mercenary Tao strode forward one step at a time. Bai Cangshu's pupils contracted slightly. Like an eagle, his dynamic vision was exceptional, and every step Mercenary Tao took—its rhythm and distance—was perfectly precise.

"Tch. Is this the body control of a Martial Artist?"

With his hands behind his back, Mercenary Tao came before this group of trash. Then he abruptly raised a hand and pointed at a giant over two meters tall standing in front of Bai Cangshu, as well as several others.

"You few aren't worthy of learning my techniques. Get lost."

The giant froze. Back in his hometown, he had been a major figure in the underworld. He had come to broaden his horizons under the World's Number One Assassin, only to be kicked out at first glance. Rage immediately surged through him.

"Why?!"

"You haven't even seen what I can do. What gives you the right—"

Whoosh, splat!

The two brief sounds came in succession. Bai Cangshu only felt the Mercenary Tao in his sight flicker. His pupils shrank as he turned to look at the giant in front of him, only to see the little giant, who probably weighed over four hundred jin, begin to lose his balance.

"Urgh... ugh..."

His lips moved twice, but in the end, he made no sound before crashing to the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust.

Only then did the others realize what had happened.

Several people showed expressions of terror, while someone could not help letting out a short, instinctive cry.

But Mercenary Tao merely flicked his braid indifferently.

"You, you, and you. You're not worthy to learn from me either. Get lost!"

This time, no one dared question Mercenary Tao's decision. Everyone he had pointed at turned and headed down the mountain.

A few even looked relieved. Mercenary Tao's casual willingness to kill had terrified them.

Bai Cangshu looked around. Including himself, only eight people remained.

There was a swordsman wearing a red face covering and holding a curved blade, a middle-aged man with a hunting rifle slung across his back, and even a scantily clad woman.

When she saw Bai Cangshu looking at her, she tugged one strap lower and gave him a flirtatious wink.

Bai Cangshu knew that the people remaining were probably not easy to deal with. After all, anyone who could watch someone get killed without changing expression had something wrong with them, more or less.

Moreover, Bai Cangshu could now tell that the people Mercenary Tao had singled out earlier had all shown fear or an intention to retreat after his arrival. The only exception had probably been the giant. He had stood directly in front of Bai Cangshu without moving at all.

Yet he had been killed.

The only reason Bai Cangshu could think of was that Mercenary Tao needed a target who looked tough enough to kill as a warning to the others.

Heh, he really was a villain. He killed people at the slightest disagreement.

Mercenary Tao swept his gaze across the remaining people without saying anything more. With a casual flick of his hand, a stack of envelopes slid down before them.

"Kung fu is a killing art. These are some low-grade assassination contracts. Pick one for yourselves."

"Within seven days, whoever successfully completes their mission and brings back the most bounty may reluctantly be accepted as my disciple."

Everyone's eyes changed instantly. The woman who had been batting her eyelashes moved with the flexibility of a spirit snake. Her waist twisted, and with a reach of her hand, she snatched an envelope from the air.

The man holding the curved blade immediately slashed at her, but she twisted her waist and evaded the strike. The others instantly began fighting over the envelopes.

Bai Cangshu remained where he was without moving. He clearly saw every movement in their struggle—the path traced by the curved blade, the stance of the man holding a gun in both hands...

After they finished scrambling, only one somewhat crumpled envelope remained on the ground.

Bai Cangshu waited until everyone had departed before lowering his head to pick it up.

Side Quest: Assassination Contract

Go to Southern Capital, meet the employer Abola, and kill the Strike Leader, McGee, for him.

Mission Reward: 500 Dimensional Points

Mercenary Tao showed no expression as he looked at Bai Cangshu, who had not fought for an envelope.

"Why didn't you compete for one? Do you not want to become my disciple?"

There was killing intent hidden in his words.

Bai Cangshu seemed not to notice. He waved the envelope in his hand and smiled.

"How could that be?"

"Your trial is to complete the mission and bring back the highest bounty, not to fight over envelopes. What difference does it make whether I get one first or last?"