Examination Begins, Lin Yu's Observations
Despite its large size, it is relatively easy to get promoted within the "Marauders".
Whoever can fight can be the Boss.
Most Player groups tend to have this tendency to some extent.
However, for the "Marauders," strength is almost the sole indicator of their status within the organization.
This explains why A'yu, a young girl who clearly had little experience in leadership and organization, was able to serve as the deputy minister of the Yan Jing Headquarters.
Because she has the "Unique Profession," and moreover, she has the "Unique Profession" at the "Tier 3."
Once the standard and consensus that "strength" determines status became widespread, other matters within the "Marauders" organization, besides "status," were often judged by "fist."
Whether it's disagreements among members or the distribution of benefits, everything can ultimately be resolved by saying, "Why don't you two have a fight?"
That's true today.
Inside the cabin, A'yu lay half-reclined on the sofa, announcing the upcoming selection Rule.
"While I'm glad you all came, this operation involves a lot of people... 'Order' has already started moving, and I expect everyone will want a piece of the pie... In short, the situation is very complicated!"
"I don't want anyone to sabotage such a crucial operation, so a selection process is still necessary."
"Of course, please rest assured, I don't want you to Duel one by one or anything like that... that would be too inefficient."
A'yu snapped her fingers.
"The person in charge of the assessment will be my capable subordinate, my most trusted Right Hand —'Sea Cucumber '!"
"Come on, Sea Cucumber, give them a live performance!"
A tall, thin young man dressed in a trendy style and sporting a perm stood up.
"Damn it, let's go!"
He did a side somersault and jumped up, letting out a strange cry as he leaped directly onto the half-meter-high Arena.
Then, the young man nicknamed "Sea Cucumber" stood still on the Arena and stretched his joints.
Then he raised his head and spoke.
"Everyone, my name is Sea Cucumber, from the Yan Jing Headquarters, Tier 2, and my Profession is 'Thug'!"
"I will be in charge of evaluating you next... Don't worry, this isn't about you fighting me to the death."
"All you need to do is come up here, go through three moves with me, and then Xingyi."
"I'll hold back—after all, you'll need medical treatment if I hurt you."
"You may use [the Item] freely, but I will only use one or two."
The Sea Cucumber spoke, circling around the group.
Who goes first?
Although the Sea Cucumber's imposing presence and status Tier 2 "thug" are intimidating.
But most of the "Marauders" are not easily intimidated; they are often quite fierce.
Therefore, many people were eager to step forward.
I randomly picked one of the Sea Cucumber.
"You, it's you!"
A member of the "Marauders" from Jiang City took the stage.
"My Profession is 'Corporate Slave,' and I've learned my lesson."
After a brief greeting, the Sea Cucumber nodded.
"Then I'll begin!"
Upon seeing that its opponent had taken a stance, the Sea Cucumber immediately lunged forward.
Lin Yu, watching this scene from below the stage, raised an eyebrow.
"A trained martial artist..."
The Sea Cucumber's footwork was very professional; it was obvious that it had practiced Sanda (Chinese kickboxing).
The "Corporate Slave" took two steps back to create distance between himself and the Sea Cucumber, then pulled out a baton from his pocket.
Upon seeing the baton, Lin Yu couldn't help but twitch his lips slightly.
Those were ones he sold before.
For some reason, it ended up in the hands of a "Marauders" member.
It's unclear whether someone resold it to him or he snatched it from some unlucky buyer.
In short, this Corporate Slave was swinging a baton around, trying to hit the Sea Cucumber.
But for Sea Cucumbers...
That's such an amateur move!
A'yu easily dodged the chaotic swings with his left and right arms, then turned and punched the Corporate Slave in the liver area.
"One!"
The Sea Cucumber shouted loudly.
He then pulled it open again; the Corporate Slave's face contorted in rage, but he was still able to stand up with difficulty.
After taking a moment to regain his footing, the Corporate Slave launched another attack on the Sea Cucumber.
Only after seeing the Corporate Slave start moving again did the Sea Cucumber begin to move again.
He dodged the attacks twice, his body swaying slightly—only this time it was a low side kick.
"Bang!"
The Sea Cucumber kicked the Corporate Slave in the shin, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the ground.
Seeing the other person fall to the ground, the Sea Cucumber took a step back.
"Two!"
He held up two fingers.
The overworked Corporate Slave staggered to his feet.
Seeing that the other party had stopped, the Sea Cucumber didn't wait for the Corporate Slave to make the first move; it went straight forward and threw a jab.
"Three!"
"Bang!"
Sea Cucumber beat up Corporate Slave so badly their noses bled profusely.
The Corporate Slave covered his nose, a ferocious expression on his face.
"That's really impressive!"
He looked at the Sea Cucumber in front of him and said with emotion.
This guy is considered quite strong even among the average "Tier 2" characters.
But the Sea Cucumber beckoned.
"Come on, it's your turn to hit me—this time I won't interfere, use your Full Power Strike."
The Corporate Slave nodded, then took out something that looked like a spray from his pocket and inhaled it.
After inhaling this stuff, the Corporate Slave seemed to have forgotten the pain, stood up straight, and had bloodshot eyes.
Clearly, he used some kind of power-up Item!
He brandished the baton in his hand and spoke in a low voice.
"Watch out!"
Then, the Corporate Slave's body shot towards the Sea Cucumber like an arrow released from a bow.
The baton slammed down with a heavy thud!
A giant, highly elastic "shield" that looked like a giant konjac flower had appeared in the Sea Cucumber's hand at some unknown time.
The baton struck it, but the force was completely dissipated, causing the surface of the Konjac Shield to shake incessantly.
Even so, the Sea Cucumber still took two steps back.
The repelled Sea Cucumber gave an approving look.
"That thing was pretty good. If you can use it again tomorrow, I'll consider you a pass!"
"Of course I can use it. I wouldn't use a one-time use Item or Item with a long cooldown just for an assessment."
The Corporate Slave put away his baton and answered, panting heavily.
"Then you've passed!"
The Sea Cucumber also made a promise.
This made Lin Yu was sitting in the audience, fall into thought.
"Hmm, it seems that even if I look a bit disheveled, as long as I appear 'useful,' I can get through this."
The Corporate Slave in the previous rounds were almost toyed with in the "fighting" segment, but their final attack seemed ruthless enough to get them through.
Perhaps this is why the opponent's use of [Item] is not disabled.
In other words, the evaluation criteria are not as strict as one might imagine.
Thinking of this, Lin Yu temporarily left the Arena and then found a seat near the bar.
He then continued to observe the subsequent contestants!
After witnessing the "Corporate Slave's " performance, everyone has gained a certain understanding of the Sea Cucumber's "assessment process."
As a result, people became more enthusiastic and eager to go on stage!