Qualified?!
Nikelei's words stirred something in Qin Ran's heart. He almost blurted out, "Not just the West Coast—the Navia City trial was also a test to become your assistant?"
"Mm."
"The West Coast was the preliminary selection. Passing it earned you the qualification to become my assistant."
"After obtaining that qualification, you entered the formal test. Those who passed would become my assistants and help me handle certain matters."
"Naturally, I would provide appropriate compensation."
Sitting in her rocking chair, the "God of the Earth" explained everything to Qin Ran in detail.
She truly looked like a kind old grandmother living out her retirement in the countryside, but Qin Ran would never take that appearance as real.
He narrowed his eyes, considering the "you all" in her words.
Clearly, it did not refer to Aili Jones, Raul, or Sydney, much less Derek.
They had been nothing more than foils for him from the start.
Even everything that happened later in the West Coast dungeon world had been arranged by this old woman.
Perhaps Aili Jones possessed a certain talent and had been temporarily kept at Black Street No. 1 for training, but Qin Ran was certain that the old woman's true focus was on people like him, those who had earned the qualification to become assistants.
Then...
How many assistant positions were there?
One?
Or several?
If only one was needed, what would happen when there were multiple candidates?
Without realizing it, Qin Ran's thoughts drifted in an unpleasant direction.
Qin Ran would not harbor ill intent without cause, but he was never short on vigilance.
"Don't worry."
"I have no strict requirement regarding the number of assistants. Nothing you're imagining will happen."
"After all, every one of you possesses talent and strength far beyond ordinary people. Calling you one