Joining the Team

Su Ze noticed that the older woman was positioned half a step behind the elegant beauty, her gaze sharp and constantly scanning their surroundings. The moment he and the bartender approached, she scrutinized them.

Clearly, this dark-skinned older woman was a bodyguard, and the elegant beauty was the employer.

Without a powerful bodyguard by her side, Su Ze figured this employer wouldn't dare post such escort missions, fearing they'd attract a pack of hungry wolves.

This bodyguard was likely at the Butterfly Transformation Stage... Thinking this, Su Ze felt not joy at having a strong ally join their ranks, but an urge to turn and leave.

With a Butterfly Transformation Stage expert protecting her, yet needing to recruit so many people for an escort mission that carried life-threatening danger, what kind of trouble had this employer gotten herself into?

Still, since he was here, Su Ze decided to talk to the employer before making a decision. He walked over to the table and overheard their conversation. The older woman was scrutinizing the man opposite her, questioning, "80,000 a day, and you're only at the Pupal stage. What makes you think you're worth that price?"

"Because I've absorbed three tubes of Tier 2 extract and could complete my second Evolution at any moment, becoming a Cocoon Breaking Stage Evolver!" the man replied with extreme arrogance. "Hiring a quasi-Cocoon Breaking Stage for 80,000 a day, you're not losing out, are you? Don't worry, even if I successfully evolve on the road, I won't ask for more."

Only then did Su Ze take a good look at the man. He was a young man in his early twenties, not tall, with a lean build, sporting a mohawk and a defiant expression. He looked like trouble from the start, and a scar running across half his face added to his fierce aura.

He was slouched casually in his chair, his legs propped up on an empty chair beside him.

Before the older woman could speak, the elegant beauty nodded, her voice gentle but decisive, "Alright."

The defiant young man was clearly taken aback, not expecting the employer to be so agreeable.

The bartender seized the opportunity, stepping forward and introducing Su Ze to the employer. "This is a Pupal stage Evolver. He wants to join your team. His commission demands aren't high; he only asks for 10,000 a day. He's more eager for adventure than for money."

The employer, the older sister, and the bodyguard, the older woman, both looked at Su Ze with surprise. Seeing his excessively young face, they seemed to understand – he was an inexperienced youth craving adventure. He had already completed his first Evolution at such a young age and wasn't overly greedy for money, suggesting he came from a well-off family, possibly even sneaking out against their wishes.

"You need to think clearly. This isn't an adventure game. If you accept this mission, you could really die!" the older woman warned sternly.

Su Ze nodded and asked, "I only have one question: among the enemies we might encounter, will there be any Saint Tier powerhouses?"

"No, that won't happen," the older woman replied, shaking her head. "How noble are Saint Tiers? Why would they appear here?"

"Then I've thought it through. I want to join your team, unless you don't accept me," Su Ze stated firmly.

He had to go abroad anyway. Staying in Black Rock City was just waiting for death. Now, two paths to leaving the country lay before him.

The first path, crossing the border by road, would inevitably lead to encounters with people from the Zhao Family and the mysterious organization – a sure death.

The second path, following the elegant beauty's team across the Black Rock Mountain Range, would involve encountering enemies at most at the Butterfly Transformation Stage, and even that was only a possibility. Moreover, there would be other Evolvers in the team, and a bodyguard who was suspected to be at the Butterfly Transformation Stage. Even if they encountered enemies, there would still be a chance of survival.

The former was certain death, the latter was a possibility of death. Even a fool would know which to choose.

"If you insist on joining, then sit down and let's discuss," the elegant beauty said to Su Ze.

Su Ze nodded and took a step forward. The dining table had four chairs in total. Three people were already seated, leaving only one empty chair, but the defiant young man had his legs propped up on it.

Seeing Su Ze approach the chair, the defiant young man made no move to take his legs down. Instead, he casually glanced at Su Ze and then looked down, continuing to fiddle with the lighter in his hand.

Is this the treatment of a protagonist? Always encountering random people looking for trouble?

Su Ze didn't suddenly lash out and break the villain's legs, nor did he smirk with a twisted grin. He simply tried to pull the chair, but found the defiant young man subtly exerting force, keeping the chair firmly in place.

Su Ze remained unfazed, seemingly giving up on pulling the chair. However, he secretly activated his "Ant Strength" skill, his power surging instantly. He suddenly grabbed the back of the chair and yanked it backward forcefully.

This time, the defiant young man couldn't hold the chair back. Su Ze pulled the empty chair out and held it in his hand. The defiant young man, who had been using his legs for leverage, suddenly lost his footing. Abruptly losing his balance, he sat down on the ground with a thud.

Having been put at a disadvantage, the defiant young man pushed himself up with one hand. His eyes were fierce, his expression contorted, and he was about to retaliate when he suddenly found the bartender blocking his path.

"Gao Long, do I need to remind you of the bar's rules?" The bartender's usual smile vanished, replaced by a cold expression.

The defiant young man, Gao Long, instantly calmed down. He sat back down without a word, merely casting a cold glance at Su Ze.

Gao Long was a relatively well-known genius in Black Rock City's Evolver circles. He had risen from the slums, relying on his daring and fighting spirit to achieve his current status. He had always disliked people like Su Ze, who were like flowers in a greenhouse, possessing things that others couldn't obtain even after a desperate struggle, yet having never experienced hardship.

Gao Long's provocation was purely due to his resentment of wealth, not because of any prior conflict with Su Ze... though now there was one.

Su Ze didn't care. He casually sat down in the chair, as if the previous incident hadn't happened, and ignored Gao Long's subtly threatening gaze.

They were on completely different levels; there was nothing to compete over. The enemies he provoked were on the level of the Zhao Family and the mysterious organization. Gao Long wasn't qualified to be considered an enemy by him.

If it came down to a real fight, Su Ze, with his array of top-tier skills, wasn't afraid. He also possessed the Tier 2 Marvel, the Head of the Wailing Ones. By any measure, he had the greater chance of winning.

Seeing Su Ze sit down, the bartender turned and returned to the bar counter.

After the minor conflict, the beautiful employer and the bodyguard, the older woman, looked at Su Ze with a changed expression.

The older woman asked, "Do you two have any more questions?"

Su Ze replied, "I'd like to know approximately how many people will be in the team tomorrow and their strength levels."

"Currently, over a dozen have accepted the mission. Five are at the Cocoon Breaking Stage, and the rest are at the Pupal stage."

Su Ze nodded. This was just the current number; by tomorrow morning when they departed, the team would be larger.

Gao Long, on the other hand, inquired about tomorrow's route. Different routes could lead to different dangers and require different preparations. Gao Long was an experienced hunter.

The older woman said, "The route is confidential for now. You'll all gather directly at the bar tomorrow morning. I'll pay you one day's commission upfront. The remaining commission will be paid upon arrival in Luofan Kingdom."

The beautiful employer looked at Su Ze again and advised, "This mission is very dangerous. If you change your mind, you can withdraw at any time, or I can increase your commission. It's not worth risking your life for 10,000."

I'm also forced into this... Su Ze grinned, baring his teeth. "The money isn't important. I just want to see the world with you, big sister."