Planting the Flag Before the Battle

A crisp notification sound broke the relaxed atmosphere.

Piao Zhi Yong pulled out his phone; the screen displayed an urgent notice from the Hunter Association. A new energy fluctuation from a D-class Dungeon had been detected on the outskirts of Z City, and its location had been preliminarily pinpointed.

After reading the message, his gaze swept across the team members present, lingering briefly on Xu Feng, and a plan formed in his mind. Getting the newcomer involved in a relatively controllable real combat as soon as possible was the fastest way to integrate into the team.

"Folks, we've got a job." Piao Zhi Yong put away his phone, his voice steady. "A new D-class Dungeon has appeared on the outskirts. The Association has assigned us the preliminary exploration and stabilization mission. Everyone, get ready. We move tonight."

He deliberately turned to Xu Feng, offering a warm and encouraging smile. "Perfect timing, too. Let Xiao Feng get some hands-on practice and get familiar with our coordination rhythm."

Hearing this, Jin Shan and the others didn't immediately respond with excitement. Instead, they uniformly lowered their heads slightly, exchanging a very subtle glance. Li Ze Yuan and Luna's eyes met, and the corners of their mouths simultaneously curled into a barely perceptible smirk. Seeing this, Kuang Lei helplessly raised a hand to rub his forehead and let out a soft sigh. Mai Xiao Wen directly rolled her eyes, wearing an expression that screamed "Here we go again."

"Ahem," Jin Shan cleared his throat, his face instantly switching to an almost simple and honest sincere expression as he said to Xu Feng, "Xiao Feng, don't worry. Our team's strength is rock-solid, our coordination is tight, and we've never had any major incidents! This is just a D-class Dungeon, a piece of cake. There definitely won't be any surprises!" He patted his chest, then abruptly changed the subject, his gaze drifting into the distance with a hint of longing. "Speaking of which, once this mission is done and we get paid, I'm planning to propose to my girlfriend. I've already secretly picked out the ring..."

"Heh, what a coincidence!" Luna immediately chimed in, her eyes crinkling with laughter as if lost in sweet imagination. "My partner's birthday is tomorrow. I've already prepared the gift, hidden at the bottom of the wardrobe. Once we finish this dungeon tonight, I'll go back and give them a big surprise! They'll be overjoyed!"

Li Ze Yuan pushed up his glasses, a gleam shining behind the lenses, his voice carrying suppressed excitement. "I've been saving up my private stash for three years. I'm just short of this mission's bonus. Once I have enough, I can get that 'Brilliant Stone Resonance Staff' I've been eyeing. My Earth magic power will increase by at least thirty percent!"

Xu Feng: "..."

The smile on his face gradually froze, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly. Watching these seniors chatter on, painting hopeful personal plans for after the mission, he felt a chill—what people called a "death flag"—crawling up his spine. Stop talking... Bro, Sis, please, stop talking! We haven't even set out yet, and the flags stuck in your backs are denser than the ones on a general's costume in a play!

Piao Zhi Yong watched his teammates' performance, was silent for a few seconds, then turned to the slightly dazed Xu Feng, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly as he spoke in a steady, reliable tone: "Xiao Feng, don't worry. With me here, our raid team will definitely come back safe and sound, all in one piece."

"Hiss—" Xu Feng couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath, feeling that chill instantly pierce through his crown chakra. Kids. What can I say? Will we win? Folks in front of the screen, do you think something unexpected will happen on this dungeon raid?

He barely managed to pull the corners of his mouth into a smile that looked uglier than crying. "I... I'll take your word for it."

"Pfft—hahaha! He believed it! Xiao Feng actually believed it! That expression was hilarious!" Jin Shan's simple and honest facade instantly crumbled. He pointed at Xu Feng and burst into merciless laughter. The others couldn't hold it in either, dropping their earlier dreamy future states and laughing so hard they doubled over.

If you can't find the book title, try searching by the author; maybe it just changed its name!

"You guys... are really so boring." Mai Xiao Wen looked at these lively teammates, shook her head helplessly, and turned to explain to the still-confused Xu Feng, "Ignore them. It's the team's 'traditional ritual.' Every time a new member joins before their first mission, they pull this stunt, setting up a bunch of death flags to scare people. When I first came last year, they fooled me too."

But when she saw Xu Feng's still shaken expression, she couldn't help pursing her lips and laughing, her eyes curving into cute crescent moons, revealing a playful little canine tooth. She crossed her long, fair legs in a lively manner, her tone carrying a hint of teasing affection. "But, little brother Xu Feng, big sister here is a squishy Light mage. My close-range defense is practically zero. In the dungeon, I'll really be counting on you to protect me~"

"I'll definitely protect Sister Wen." Xu Feng finally fully realized that the seniors were just messing with him. He couldn't help but sigh in relief, his smile becoming much more natural as he nodded seriously in promise.

"Actually, it's not entirely a meaningless joke."

Piao Zhi Yong's smile faded as he stepped forward and patted Xu Feng on the shoulder, his tone turning serious.

"This identity as a Hunter is both a privilege that grants us power and a heavy responsibility."

His gaze swept across every team member present, his voice dropping a few notes. "Don't be fooled by how everyone longs to awaken as a Hunter. The life a Hunter faces is far more dangerous and brutal than ordinary people imagine.

Over the years, our team has had four members who... for various reasons... never made it back from below.

Xiao Wen, Luna, Jin Shan, and the others all joined later as fresh blood."

"In this line of work, you have to be mentally prepared to brush shoulders with death at any moment."

Piao Zhi Yong looked directly into Xu Feng's eyes, his gaze deep. "Remember this reverence for danger, but don't let it intimidate you.

Be cautious, but not cowardly."

Xu Feng met the Captain's gaze and read the unspoken words within that solemnity.

He cast aside all stray thoughts and nodded earnestly. "I understand, Captain."

"Ah, Captain! Why bring up something so serious out of the blue?"

Mai Xiao Wen chimed in at just the right moment, her coquettish tone breaking the somewhat heavy atmosphere.

"We became Hunters to make life better, to let our families live more peacefully and happily, right? Let's talk about something cheerful!"

"Well said." Piao Zhi Yong laughed as well, his expression softening again. He said to Xu Feng, "Alright, let me arrange things for you.

Your father and your Second Uncle were both handling scraps on the front lines and doing peripheral transport, right?

I'll transfer them to the team's directly managed magical beast material refining and sales department.

The pay and benefits will definitely be better than now, and the work environment will be safer and more stable.

Consider it a little perk from the team for a new member's family."

Hearing this, Xu Feng's eyes lit up immediately.

This wouldn't just improve his family's financial situation; it would also keep his father and Second Uncle away from the potential dangers of the front-line processing area.

He said with heartfelt gratitude, "Thank you, Captain!"

"We're family, no need for formalities." Piao Zhi Yong waved his hand. "Alright, stop crowding here.

Luna, take Xiao Feng to the logistics equipment depot. Fit him with a proper set of gear according to D-Rank physical frontline standards. Charge it to the team's public account.

Everyone else, check and prepare your own gear.

Before we move out tonight, let's have a good meal and recharge our energy!"

"Yes, Captain!"

The group responded in unison, their voices brimming with drive.

Luna walked over with a grin and slung an arm around Xu Feng's shoulder.

"Come on, handsome. Big sister will take you to pick out some handy tools.

Don't worry. Most people are scared the first time they go down into a dungeon. Xiao Wen was so terrified when she first saw a magical beast that she could barely activate her mana.

Seeing how shy you are, if you get scared later, you can come hide behind me!"