"Alright, I was rude. I'm sorry." After Zhou Wen said that, Qu Lianhong felt that she really had done something wrong.
After seeing the attributes of Mu Rufeng's kitchen knife, she had gotten carried away and wanted to buy it.
Zhou Wen's words had snapped her awake, leaving her deeply ashamed.
"It's alright." Mu Rufeng smiled.
Though Mu Rufeng looked unfazed on the surface, inwardly he was on the verge of tears. Hey, name a price! I'll sell it—I'll sell it!!!
In the end, Mu Rufeng still did not say those words aloud.
Zhou Wen was right. Offensive oddity artifacts were indeed extremely important to newcomers. If he sold it outright, he might expose certain things.
"By the way, you said earlier that you gained an attribute as well. What attribute was it?" Zhou Wen asked again.
"All attributes increased by ten percent," Mu Rufeng said.
Naturally, he did not reveal the Bloodthirsty attribute. Instead, he revealed another attribute from the Cheat System Remnant.
At first glance, Bloodthirsty seemed to be a negative attribute, making one prone to anger and irritability.
But it also came with forgetting fear and a fifty percent reduction in pain.
In the Oddity World, the most straightforward requirement for not breaking the rules was to remain calm and composed, without fear.
The Bloodthirsty attribute perfectly fulfilled that requirement.
Compared to forgetting fear and reduced pain, being prone to anger and irritability was simply too minor to matter.
Most importantly, the Bloodthirsty state only required drinking blood to activate. It was exceedingly simple.
"All attributes increased? I have to say, your luck is truly excellent," Zhou Wen said.
"I cleared three instances and only received a ten percent increase to a single strength attribute once," Qu Lianhong said enviously.
"Alright, the settlement is complete now. You've officially become an LV1 player."
"I'm sure you have plenty of questions for us as well."
"Now, I formally invite you to join our Relevant Department." Zhou Wen's expression was solemn as he extended the invitation with great seriousness.
Mu Rufeng did not agree immediately. Instead, he asked, "May I ask whether I have to join you? If I don't, what will you do to me?"
Zhou Wen smiled faintly. "Instance players are divided into two types, and the authorities' attitudes toward these two types are worlds apart."
"The first type is recruited and trained. Those are the authorities' instance players. We belong to the first type."
"As for the second type, they are instance players who remain outside the authorities. They are subject to official supervision and control, to prevent them from harming ordinary people."
"If you choose not to join, then I'm sorry, but we can only tell you the most basic information."
Qu Lianhong said, "The information we have is extremely important. It can greatly increase your chances of surviving inside an instance."
"If I join the authorities, what do I need to do? What do I need to give up?" Mu Rufeng asked again.
"You won't need to give up much. Just do some simple work, similar to what we're doing now."
"If you encounter official players after entering an instance, help them if you can. Of course, they'll help you too," Zhou Wen said.
Mu Rufeng did not answer. He seemed to be considering something.
When the settlement rewards had been distributed earlier, the cheat had already been unloaded.
However, he knew that this cheat would only load when he entered an instance.
Moreover, it seemed that every instance would come with a new cheat template.
The fact that he had a cheat absolutely could not be known by others.
Just then, Cheng Youlin spoke up. "Join the authorities. The benefits are really good. Once you're employed, we'll immediately buy you nine insurances and two pension funds."
"You'll also be assigned a residence. Once you become a level 2 player, it can be transferred directly into your name."
"The base salary is ten thousand yuan per month, plus bonuses, commissions, and various allowances. On average, you'll earn at least fifteen thousand per month. Every time you level up, your salary, bonuses, commissions, and allowances will all double."
"If you have children, all their school fees will be waived. If you reach level 2, they can be guaranteed admission into the best schools in the city, though university is not included."
The moment Cheng Youlin listed those benefits, Mu Rufeng's eyes immediately lit up.
Without the slightest hesitation, Mu Rufeng said, "Alright, I'll join the Relevant Department."
Mu Rufeng swore upon the lamp that he had absolutely not joined for the benefits.
"Welcome to our branch." Zhou Wen extended his hand, his face full of smiles.
Mu Rufeng smiled as well and shook his hand. "Um, how big is the residence? How many bedrooms and living rooms? What's the shared area?"
"Hehe, no rush. Someone will go over those details with you later."
"For now, download an APP first. I'll give you an invitation code," Zhou Wen said.
"An APP?" Mu Rufeng neither agreed nor objected.
Just then, Zhou Wen's phone suddenly rang.
"Hello, Minister."
"What? Are you sure? Lao Hei and the others went too? Alright, I'll bring people over immediately."
"Yes, he cleared the instance and has already joined our Relevant Department."
"Alright, I'll tell you the details later."
Zhou Wen hung up, and his expression became somewhat grave.
"Team Zhou, what's wrong? Did something happen?" Qu Lianhong asked.
"Ah, I was just about to take a break, and now I have to work overtime again." Cheng Youlin complained.
"You two, come with me. Xiao Mu, you just completed an instance, so you must be tired."
"I'll arrange for someone to take you to our safe house to rest. The person taking you there will tell you about the instance-related information."
"This is my number. If anything comes up, call me."
Zhou Wen took out a business card and handed it to Mu Rufeng, then hurried away with Qu Lianhong and Cheng Youlin.
Mu Rufeng watched the three of them leave, scratched his cheek, and felt somewhat at a loss.
He looked at the business card. Mm, very classy.
The jet-black card had no flashy titles, only a name and a phone number.
On the back was a starry sky.
Mu Rufeng saved the number in his contacts, then instinctively searched for it on WeChat.
"I am a Salted Fish?" Mu Rufeng looked at the username, then at the bizarre salted fish profile picture. He could hardly believe this was the WeChat account of the normally stern Team Zhou.
At that very moment, a man in a suit walked in.
"Hello, Mr. Mu. My name is Zhao Dayong, and I'm an employee of the Relevant Department. I'll first take you to our safe house so you can rest."
"As for the information you wish to know, once we arrive at the safe house, I'll explain it all to you one by one," Zhao Dayong said.
"Alright, let's go." Mu Rufeng nodded.
Before you continue