Another Chance Encounter, More Mercenaries?

Modu (Shanghai) University, Student Activities Building.

Lin Qi and Xia Chu returned to the familiar place.

The mechs were parked outside the building, and their cockpits opened directly into the second floor of the building.

"There's something on the roof of that building, attracting us upstairs. The rescue team is most likely wiped out," Lin Qi informed Xia Chu of the truth.

Xia Chu looked worried. "Then what should we do now?"

Time was running late, and the cooldown for [Door] was less than an hour away.

"Let's rest first, and tomorrow we'll organize the rescue of our fellow Modu students."

"The official rescue team might not be reliable in the short term; we need to save ourselves."

Lin Qi wanted to gather a group of people.

The doomsday world was too vast. Lin Qi couldn't rely on himself alone to collect Extraordinary Items; he needed the help of more people.

Lin Qi had his sights set on the university students of Modu (Shanghai) University.

These hard-to-kill university students were quality talent. If they were equipped with Exoskeletons, Cybernetic Bodies, and mechs, they would undoubtedly become excellent laborers.

However, Lin Qi needed to rally them under the banner of self-rescue and mutual aid.

After all, the official government in the doomsday world still existed; only a rescue team had been annihilated.

"Okay."

Xia Chu maintained her trust in Lin Qi.

Moreover, when it came to rescuing classmates, Xia Chu was absolutely supportive.

Mutual help and solidarity were basic moral qualities for Xia Chu as a university student.

The two returned upstairs.

Although the experimental workshop had a gaping hole from the mechs, Xia Chu was more familiar with the environment upstairs and only needed to find another room to rest.

As for Lin Qi, he took out clothes from the Cyber World from the mech's storage unit and then went into the bathroom.

March 3, 2089, 00:55.

Lin Qi returned to the Cyber World. His posture was the same as before, with no significant changes.

If one looked closely, they would notice that compared to the previous moment, Lin Qi's beard had grown slightly, and his hair had also grown a bit. His biological age had increased by 24 hours.

This subtle difference was imperceptible to anyone. Even if Lin Qi stood under Red Fruit City's surveillance, he might not be detected as abnormal.

Recalling what had happened 24 hours ago, the frequent inter-dimensional travel made Lin Qi slightly uncomfortable.

"I need to head to the company early today; I have to be there by seven in the morning."

"After heading to Greenland City, I probably won't be able to return to Red Fruit City for a while. Dad will have to take care of Lin Xin's matters, but if any major accidents occur, I'll have to ask Guangleng for help."

"Upon arriving in Greenland City, I'll need to request Guangleng tomorrow to help me establish a secret communication channel with Arthur."

"The risks in Greenland City are still very high for me. Currently, I'm openly a L-level Cybernetic Body implantee, and in secret, I'm only hiding the power of a First Rank Wizard and First Rank physical fitness."

Lin Qi organized his thoughts in his mind.

Going to Greenland City was arranged by the company and couldn't be changed, but the risks wouldn't directly fall on Lin Qi.

The families of Liu and Si were the ones truly caught in the crisis; Lin Qi was merely a bonus.

However, when facing a crisis, Lin Qi wasn't entirely without the ability to fight back.

Wizard powers were mysterious. While Psychic Vision and Blood manipulation weren't strong, their combination posed a significant threat to Cybernetic Body implantees.

As long as no extraordinary beings of Rank 3 or higher targeted Lin Qi, he could ensure his own safety.

After clarifying his thoughts, Lin Qi realized that the chaos in the two cities had little impact on him. The real trouble still stemmed from the Assassin's League and his disobedient sister.

"Establish contact with Arthur as soon as possible. I need more information about the Assassin's League."

Lin Qi decisively used AI, edited an email, and sent it to the Highest Level secure mailbox.

Guangleng's reply was swift: "I will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow at midnight. After Arthur agrees, I can try to help you find a secure way to communicate."

It was still an environment without internet access.

The email was successfully sent and a reply was received.

But the content of the reply surprised Lin Qi.

Given Guangleng's control over the network, he couldn't help Lin Qi establish secure communication with Arthur? He actually needed to find other ways?

Lin Qi didn't understand but didn't ask.

Everyone had their secrets. Moreover, Guangleng was the founder of the Highest Level Mercenary Group and the most mysterious of the five members.

Walking out of the workspace, Lin Qi continued to edit an email and sent it to his father, Doctor Lin.

[I have accepted the transfer of duties and need to go to Greenland City. I may not return to Red Fruit for a while. Please take care of Lin Xin's matters...]

It was just a piece of ordinary nagging. Lin Qi didn't believe his father's capabilities were enough to handle the trouble from the Assassin's League.

Stepping out of the Cybernetic Body clinic, Lin Qi got into a flying vehicle.

He had to arrive at the company by seven in the morning, so Lin Qi planned to return to the employee dormitory to rest.

The journey was uneventful, and the night passed quickly.

At 6:58 AM, Lin Qi arrived at the top floor of the weapon research institute precisely on time.

As expected, a flying vehicle landed on the platform almost simultaneously.

"What a coincidence. Good morning." Liu Xuan was accompanied by Liu Li.

Liu Xuan was as calm as ever, while Liu Li glared at Lin Qi with an unfriendly expression.

"Indeed, a coincidence."

This was practically their daily exchange.

This scene occurred every workday, without fail.

As usual, they each took their respective elevators.

When Lin Qi entered the elevator, it automatically registered his arrival.

Time: 6:59 AM

After Lin Qi entered, the company's intelligent system's voice sounded.

"Researcher Lin Qi, you have been temporarily promoted to A-level researcher. As per company arrangements, you will be taking the Red-Green Line train today to the Greenland City branch for your new post."

"The elevator will stop on the first floor. The train is already docked at the [Weapon Research Institute Platform]. Liu Heavy Industries carriages are numbers 1 and 2. Based on your clearance, you have been assigned to carriage number 2."

The Red-Green Line train was the public transportation between Red Fruit City and Greenland City.

Generally, it was rarely used, and it had been a long time since the last departure.

Traffic between the two cities mostly relied on flying vehicles.

Lin Qi guessed that the reason for reactivating this ancient train was the influence of the [Iron Curtain System].

However, with Lin Qi's clearance, he couldn't access the Iron Curtain System yet and didn't know how it worked.

The elevator soon came to a stable stop on the first floor.

The elevator Door opened.

"What a coincidence."

"It really is."

Entering the elevator at the same time on the top floor meant they would also exit on the first floor at the same time.

Lin Qi saw the Liu Xuan and Liu Li sisters again.

After walking out of the first-floor lobby, Lin Qi boarded the company's shuttle vehicle.

Once inside, Lin Qi looked out the window.

The flying vehicle the two sisters had taken had somehow returned to the first floor, and they boarded it again.

"..."

Lin Qi fell silent.

No wonder Liu Li was so resentful.

Lin Qi still didn't understand why Liu Xuan was so fixated on these coincidental encounters.

Lin Qi hadn't taken a ground vehicle in a while. He looked around, taking in the scenery.

Unconsciously, a sense of being watched washed over him again.

More mercenaries?