Trading Crystal Cores

Meng Qilin agreed immediately. "No problem. That's only fair. We'll handle the rest of the arrangements. Do you have any other requests?"

Bai Yaoyao said, "My brothers and I don't have the best tempers. If we get into a conflict with the people we're rescuing during a mission, where would you stand?"

Meng Qilin understood Bai Yaoyao's concerns perfectly. Troubled times called for harsh measures. This was no time to quibble over human rights or insist on the rule of law.

He immediately said, "Different people require different approaches. I understand what you mean. Anyone who deliberately causes trouble deserves punishment, even if it costs them their life."

Bai Yaoyao glanced at Fat Brother and Stone. Both gave discreet nods, and she smiled. "What a coincidence. That's exactly what we think, too."

"Hahaha, good! Then do you have any thoughts about payment? We can hand over the Crystal Cores as soon as the mission is finished, but the supplies will have to wait until we reach City D.

"The supplies we brought have to support all these people, and I'm worried they won't be enough. But don't worry. I guarantee we'll deliver everything we promise you!"

Bai Yaoyao said, "We don't want supplies. We want Crystal Cores."

Meng Qilin was delighted. At this stage, supplies were what they lacked most, while Crystal Cores weren't nearly as precious. As far as he knew, the authorities had a substantial stockpile of Crystal Cores. After all, they had plenty of people, and once the troops brought their firearms into play, the zombies had no way to resist. Their Crystal Cores accumulated quickly.

Thinking Bai Yaoyao probably needed Advanced Crystal Cores more, he steeled himself and said, "No problem. Two hundred level-one Crystal Cores and twenty Level-Two Crystal Cores per mission. Would that work?"

Bai Yaoyao raised an eyebrow. She hadn't expected Meng Qilin to be so generous. That was roughly what their group collected in a day, and on top of that, there would be the zombies they killed during the missions...

At that thought, Bai Yaoyao asked in advance, "What about the Crystal Cores from zombies we kill during the mission?"

"Those belong to you, of course!"

"Captain Meng, here's to a successful partnership!"

Meng Qilin smiled so broadly that his face nearly creased all over. "Haha, then get some rest! I'll send someone to call you for tomorrow's meeting."

"Oh, right. I have some level-zero Crystal Cores. Would it be possible to exchange them with you for Advanced Crystal Cores?" Bai Yaoyao asked.

Everyone in the Dark Night Squad was at least level two now, so level-zero Crystal Cores were no longer much use to them. They had accumulated a huge number, and exchanging them with the authorities for Advanced Crystal Cores would be ideal.

Meng Qilin thought for a moment and said, "Sure. How many do you want to exchange?"

"Two thousand level-zero Crystal Cores," Bai Yaoyao said.

"Th-that many?!"

Although Meng Qilin was astonished by the number, he also considered it a good thing. At the very least, it offered further proof of the Dark Night Squad's strength, so he agreed outright.

After considering a suitable exchange rate, he said, "You can exchange them for two hundred level-one Crystal Cores or twenty Level-Two Crystal Cores. Of course, a mix of both is fine, too."

"Do you have any Level Three Crystal Cores? Just two would do." Bai Yaoyao held up two fingers.

"Uh... yes..." Meng Qilin said hesitantly. But Level Three Crystal Cores were relatively rare. He had intended to hand them over to his superiors, so trading them away would be awkward.

Before he could finish, however, Bai Yaoyao said, "That's wonderful! Here are two thousand level-zero Crystal Cores. You look a little tired, so this bed is a gift for you. You really should get some proper rest."

As soon as she finished speaking, a large white bag appeared in front of Meng Qilin, filled with level-zero Crystal Cores. A bed also appeared in the corner of the tent, already made up with a four-piece bedding set.

"Spatial ability!" Meng Qilin couldn't help saying enviously. Thinking about it, it made sense. He had noticed earlier that nearly everyone in the Dark Night Squad traveled light, without much luggage...

He couldn't help marveling at how superbly the Dark Night Squad's abilities complemented one another. Healing and amplification abilities were impressive enough, but they even had the rare spatial ability. Their offensive abilities went without saying. Without those, how could they have collected so many Crystal Cores?

Turning to look at the big, soft bed beside him, Meng Qilin felt too embarrassed to voice his unfinished objection. Forget it. He still had a few Level Three Crystal Cores anyway. Giving away two wouldn't hurt.

Because Level Three Crystal Cores were valuable, he always kept them on his person. He took two straight from his pocket and handed them to Bai Yaoyao.

Bai Yaoyao happily accepted the Crystal Cores and said, "Then we won't disturb your rest any longer. Call us for the meeting tomorrow morning."

"I'll have someone fetch tents for you..." Meng Qilin said, hurriedly getting up.

"No need to go to the trouble. I have some ready. We'll leave you to it," Bai Yaoyao declined.

After Bai Yaoyao, Fat Brother, and Stone left, they went next door to collect the others. They walked around the Safe Zone, found a spot with fewer people, and brought out six large tents.

Everyone worked together to pitch the tents in a circle, and Bai Yaoyao placed a large, long table in the center. They had been busy all day, rushing nonstop without even having dinner, so they planned to eat something before resting.

With outsiders around, they kept the food relatively simple: two boxes of self-heating rice per person, along with some fried chicken and beer to make do. They skipped things like lobster and grilled meat.

Bai Yaoyao had never considered making herself suffer just to hide her strength. Why did she work so hard to kill zombies and train her abilities? Why had she exhausted herself before the Pre-Apocalypse, buying so many things?

Wasn't it all so she could live a little better? There was no need to be excessively flashy or ostentatious, but the things they ought to have were absolutely essential. If she still lived as miserably as she had in her previous life, she would be doing this rebirth a disservice.

Everyone ate and chatted, completely ignoring the furtive, curious looks from all around them. As long as they were strong enough, that was all that mattered.

It also served as a reminder to her brothers: if they wanted an easy life and to protect everything they currently had, growing stronger was the key.

It was just that...

The people nearby suffered for it. The smell of fried chicken and the refreshing aroma of beer stood out especially clearly in the night air. The two Little Soldiers standing guard nearby tipped their heads up slightly, gazing at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle.

They told themselves over and over, I'm not hungry. It doesn't smell good at all. It even looks awful. It definitely doesn't taste as good as compressed biscuits...

The survivors in the surrounding tents who were already asleep fared better. They thought they were dreaming of eating a feast.

Those who hadn't fallen asleep, however, had it much worse.

Their stomachs kept growling, and the aroma kept wafting into their noses.

One bold soul even approached to ask whether they could spare some food. But he had only just come near and hadn't even opened his mouth before the group's sharp looks drove him back.

When he came to his senses, he realized his legs had gone weak. He hurried back into his tent. Staying alive mattered more.

Out of the corner of his eye, he had just seen even a dog gnawing on meaty bones, and he silently cursed them for ages.

Wasting food like that! You'll get what's coming to you sooner or later. Instead of feeding a dog, you should feed me. I'm a Fire Special Ability user, after all. If I get the chance, I'll make you pay!

Bai Yaoyao and the others didn't care what anyone thought. After eating and tidying up, they returned to their tents to sleep.

They might have been tents, but they were the largest size available and fully equipped inside. They had comfortable beds and every kind of toiletry, even foot-soaking buckets filled with hot water and goji berry tea.

Sister Yaoyao never let her own people go without, and she liked taking care of her health.

Meng Qilin happened to see this while on patrol, and the corners of his mouth twitched awkwardly. The Dark Night Squad really... really knew how to live!

Remembering the aroma of fried chicken from earlier, he looked at the two Little Soldiers standing guard nearby and patted their shoulders. "Ah, thanks for your hard work!"

The two Little Soldiers: ಥ_ಥ...