A Vulpo Girl's Life as a Rhodes Island Operator

So they were in that awkward state where no one wanted to throw them away, but no one really wanted them either.

But for Rhodes Island, which possessed top-tier refining technology, this rough ore still held considerable value.

That was why such purchases were possible.

"Hmm... as you said, the quality of this rough Originium ore really isn't very good... but since you have no money, we can trade for these instead..." Fengling blinked playfully. "Of course... I'll get scolded by my supervisor for this when I get back! So, Village Chief, I'm sorry, but I can't appraise these minerals too highly. Hmm... one-tenth of Ursus's official procurement price for standard Originium ore. Can you accept that?"

The usable resource content of rough Originium ore generally hovered around sixty percent of standard Originium ore.

But the difficulty and cost of refining it also rose accordingly—at least for Rhodes Island.

With Ursus's commonly used technology, however, the cost was so high that it was simply not worth considering.

So the price Fengling offered was undoubtedly very fair in their eyes—one could even call it generous.

If a pile of junk could really be sold for some value in Originium ore, then of course they were willing.

Fengling's cuteness offensive had not gone to waste.

A lovely appearance and proper manners really did make people feel naturally favorable toward someone.

After Fengling's relentless persuasion, the old village chief was won over. He even unconsciously began addressing her respectfully.

"We're already very grateful that you're willing to exchange supplies for these minerals... Please wait a moment. I'll find some young men to help move them!"

The old village chief agreed to the trade.

Fengling did not let her delight show. She maintained her standard professional smile and continued, "Then I'll open the cargo hold. Please help move them into the vehicle. Once we're done, I'll inventory the minerals and estimate an appropriate value. You can then take supplies from me equal to that value."

On the truck, the supply compartment and Originium compartment were separated, and the Originium compartment had been empty from the start.

Naturally, both compartments had the same level of protection. So later in the trade, Fengling planned to empty out the supplies and fill both compartments with as much Originium ore as possible.

This town actually had a fairly substantial reserve of rough Originium ore. It filled half the Originium compartment outright.

However, since Fengling's purchase price was only slightly above market value and still far below Rhodes Island's intended price, the town could not take away that many supplies.

"I instinctively chose to make a little extra money..." Fengling scratched her cheek, inwardly breaking into a cold sweat over herself.

Rhodes Island was definitely making a killing on this deal.

Of course, that was built upon its formidable industrial capabilities.

And for the town's residents, these supplies were enough to solve their urgent problems. Besides daily necessities, the ample seeds for root crops would allow them to plant enough food for the winter during the last planting window of this relatively warm season.

Ambushed

"Hmm hmm hmm~"

Listening to the music from the vehicle radio and humming a cheerful tune, Fengling continued driving along the planned route.

"Rhodes Island, this is Fengling. I have departed from map route coordinate 5-1 and am heading toward Town No. 2 designated on the map. There is a high chance of conflict with local personnel along this stretch. No other abnormalities at present!"

A short while later, a reply came through the vehicle radio.

"Rhodes Island acknowledges. Please be extremely careful. Wishing you all the best, Operator Fengling!"

In the end, Fengling chose not to spend the night in the village.

Besides saving some time on the round trip, she also wanted to avoid accidents as much as possible.

Or perhaps... deliberately intensify a few accidents so they could be dealt with.

Night fell. In Ursus, night meant low temperatures. It meant danger.

It meant... accidents could happen.

Even in summer, Ursus nights carried a biting chill. Though it had little effect on Fengling—she could sense that it was "cold," but suffered few actual debuffs.

"Hmm... it should be about time..."

Fengling had already driven some distance from the previous town. Her current location was in the middle of nowhere.

What a great place for an ambush! Especially in the middle of this pitch-black night!

"Oh? Here they come."

Fengling muttered softly, her voice full of helplessness. Looking at the situation ahead, she was not surprised in the slightest.

Illuminated by the headlights, several people dressed in Ursus military police uniforms stood in the road, weapons in hand, blocking her path.

"Hmm, if I ran them over here, it would probably get pretty bloody."

Afterward, she could just say she had not seen them. Who knew there would be people standing in the middle of the road at night, in the dark, with no regard for their lives?

Fengling had even thought of the most suitable wronged expression to make in her report.

These people were clearly used to throwing their weight around in Ursus and had not considered that if they failed, they would be beyond redemption.

But Fengling still did not slam down on the accelerator.

Even if she could justify it in Rhodes Island's report, Ursus probably would not let the matter pass so easily.

The special authorization issued by Ursus was also based on Bad Guys taking the initiative to cause trouble first.

Otherwise, under normal circumstances, Rhodes Island still had to cooperate.

Fengling, who wanted to become an outstanding employee, did not want to trouble anyone else over something like this.

"Rhodes Island, this is Fengling. I have encountered people wearing Ursus military police equipment. There is a high probability that this is a robbery. I will be stopping to make contact... Please maintain radio silence. I will not disconnect for now."

"Understood. The situation is clear. Operator Fengling, please prioritize your own safety above all else. You are authorized to use unrestricted force in response..." After a brief silence, the communications operator on the other end of the radio said softly, "Or you could just step on the gas right now..."

"Pfft, I thought of that too..." Fengling chuckled, unable to suppress her amusement. "But it's better to stop. They're wearing military police equipment, at least. If we just plow through them, there'll be no end of trouble afterward!"

Besides, Fengling was confident she could take responsibility for getting out of the vehicle.

This was not arrogance. It was simply confidence born from judgment.

After setting the radio microphone aside, Fengling slowly brought the vehicle to a stop.

"Let's see..."

Using the headlights and the faint moonlight, Fengling quickly surveyed the area.

Four people directly ahead, and three more surrounded her from behind after she stopped.

The surroundings were fairly barren. There probably were no ambushers nearby.

The military policeman standing farthest back was clearly one of the two thuggish soldiers Fengling had encountered in Town No. 1.

Though the military police surrounding Fengling looked stronger than ordinary people, they had clearly lacked training recently. They merely retained the foundation of having once been soldiers.

They were more than enough to bully ordinary people, but against Fengling...

They might only be a little stronger than Lungmen's street punks.

They might not even measure up to some of the more famous ones.

"Ha... wasting words on people like this... really feels beneath me..."

Click!

The door opened. Wearing her usual professional smile, Fengling raised both hands and slowly stepped out of the vehicle, looking completely harmless.

"What can I do for you gentlemen at this hour?"

"We received a report that you are involved in a smuggling case. In addition, you have violated Ursus's Infected Management Regulations. Come with us."

Directly ahead, a military policeman who was clearly their leader spoke slowly, as though he were truly an upright officer handling a case fairly.

In Ursus's border regions, military police did indeed also serve as police officers, maintaining public order. Under normal circumstances, they genuinely possessed law enforcement authority.

But Fengling had entirely legitimate identification—and they probably knew that perfectly well.

Clearly, they wanted to first try using this line to seize Fengling and the supplies she carried without spilling blood.

If Fengling dared resist, they would simply resort to force and take everything.

As for her combat ability... the leader had not considered that at all.

Fengling's appearance was simply too deceptive, and she spoke in such a soft, gentle manner.

A perfect fat sheep looked exactly like this.

As for the power Fengling represented, the leader did not know.

But the answer to that problem was simple—dead men told no tales.

As long as the Vulpo girl before them disappeared completely, no one would know what had happened here.

Yet Fengling still chose negotiation first—she handed over the official Ursus document from earlier that day.

The leader took the document, did not even glance at it, and tore it to pieces.

"One additional charge: forging official Ursus documents."

"..." Fengling was speechless.

The ruthless feared the reckless.

If Fengling escaped and their actions were exposed, they would definitely end terribly.

Not that Fengling even needed to run.

They looked as though they had Fengling completely in their grasp.

So no matter what Fengling did, the outcome would be the same.

"Still... these voices should be enough evidence, right?"

Fengling discreetly glanced at the radio, which was still operating normally.

Their conversation had just been confirmed as transmitted to Rhodes Island.

Watching the thuggish soldiers surround Fengling with cruel, sadistic looks in their eyes.

Fengling sighed and briefly closed her eyes.

They had made it clear that negotiation was impossible and that they intended to take everything from Fengling, including her life.

All the conditions had been met.

Fengling did not intend to hold back. Whether these people lived or died, she could not be bothered to guarantee it.

The wind rose.

Fengling opened her eyes, her gaze filled with resolve.

Bang!

Bang!

Several dull explosions rang out, followed by the sound of gas venting.

The area was suddenly flooded with thick smoke!

A Big Client!

As several smoke grenades discharged, the entire area became a blur.

"Looks like a third party has entered the scene."

Fengling temporarily abandoned the idea of acting immediately and stood amid the smoke.

She remained alert inwardly, just in case.

Dispersing this smoke would only take Fengling raising a Storm.

But there was no need for that now.

Screams occasionally rang out from within the smoke and dust.

"Go! We'll deal with these soldiers!"

A strong hand grabbed Fengling's arm and urged her to leave quickly.

It sounded like a valiant woman's voice.

Hmm... had she just been saved like some damsel in distress?