Ouvannuo offered his phone number to Han Xiao, saying, "This is my number. Call me if you need anything."
Han Xiao tapped the table and said, "I happen to have some questions. I want to quickly improve my authority within the Blood Pact Union. Do you have any good suggestions?"
After thinking for a moment, Ouvannuo decided to return the favor to Han Xiao. He had a waiter bring the Blood Pact Union's computer, pulled up a file, and showed it to Han Xiao. The file was marked with a prominent stamp that read "Unauthorized access is prohibited."
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow and looked down.
[Internal Recruitment Order (Non-Public)]
[Target for recruitment: Blood Pact Union assassins (Dark Grade and above), contract mercenaries (two stars and above)]
[Current number of participants: 18 assassins, 245 mercenaries]
[Mission Location: East of Stardragon, White Gull City, 20 miles north, River Valley Manor]
[Mission Details: Defend the River Valley Manor, protect [Data Hide]]
"Internal mobilization order?"
"Only assassins at the Dark Grade or higher are recruited. You're currently Scorpion-level Assassin, so participating in this mission is against the rules. However, I can pull strings for you behind the scenes. Once the mission is complete, I can promote you to Dark Grade. When you arrive at the location, someone will naturally inform you of the mission details."
Han Xiao pondered to himself, with so many people involved, it was probably a small-scale battle.
He did remember that there was another easy-to-play, high-reward prize pool quest that could be triggered in White Gull City, which was convenient to do along the way.
Let's go take a look first.
Han Xiao made a decision.
"I didn't expect to have to go back to Stardragon so soon. Luckily, I won't be recognized."
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow. Even though he left the Thirteenth Bureau, the faction relationship on the panel hadn't changed, meaning that the Thirteenth Bureau didn't seem to consider him an enemy.
With some time before his departure, he returned to the Farrian base and built the machine he had always wanted to create.
[Second-Generation Ranger (Combat Type)]
[Type: Robot]
[Quality: Dark Green]
[Basic Attributes: Armor 2200, Defense 37, Power Level 168, Maximum Movement Speed 83km/h, Energy 640/640]
[Height: 2.1 meters]
[Weight: 830 lbs]
[Control method: Low-Level Intelligent Chip (programmed, automatic target acquisition)]
[Energy: High-energy battery packs x4]
[Combat Consumption: 6 Energy/Minute (Low Intensity), 15 Energy/Minute (Full Power)]
[Core Power: 310/320]
[Brain Module: Intelligent Target Acquisition and Fire Control System, Power Consumption 30]
[Eye Module: Electromagnetic Scanning Mirror, for obstacle detection and target acquisition, power consumption 15]
[Right arm module: Large-caliber twin-mounted triple-barreled machine gun, attack power 70~85, rate of fire 3.5 rounds/second, capacity 30+90 rounds (broadband), output energy level 75, power consumption 40]
[Left arm module: Large-caliber twin-mounted triple machine gun, as shown above]
[Skeleton Module: K600 Powered Endoskeleton, providing an additional 30 points of strength, power consumption 40]
[Legs module: Triangular track wheels + shock-absorbing air suspension, reduces the impact of rough terrain, increases movement speed, power consumption 15]
[Chest Module: Small honeycomb rocket launcher, equipped with small rockets (attack power 180~230, and causes explosive damage), ammunition capacity 6 rounds, power consumption 110]
[Abdominal Module: Magazine, 12 small rockets, 200 additional ammunition belts, power consumption 20]
[Additional Ability: Volley Burst - Unleashes a volley of fire at the enemy, dealing +7% damage]
[Additional Ability: Taibo Alloy - Increases armor value and reduces physical damage by 11%]
[Additional Ability: Self-Destruct - Deals 340-510 fire damage within a 40-meter radius; destroys upon use.]
[Note: Humanoid tank.]
The Ranger manufactured this time represent a significant technological advancement, equipped with smart chips, Taibo Alloy armor, high-energy batteries, and far more ferocious firepower. Han Xiao is now much wealthier than when he first entered West Capital, no longer needing to meticulously budget. The cost of a Second-Generation Ranger is over 200,000, even after his technological advancements reduced the cost of parts. Players at his level simply cannot operate them effectively. The Second-Generation Ranger can be used as mobile artillery turrets, but because their processing chips are not yet sufficient for comprehensive tactical thinking and battlefield analysis, they lack the ability to stand alone.
The powerful Combat-Type Ranger can provide fire support and area-of-effect attacks. Even if the ammunition is exhausted, the K600 Powered Endoskeleton gives the Second-Generation Ranger the ability to fight in close combat. At least a full-speed charge can be used to ram people, and there is also a self-destruct mechanism.
"We can now mass-produce Ranger Robot, but they can't be carried around. We need to find a secret base. Although these turret-type robots have fierce firepower, they are not suitable for rapid and flexible battlefield relocation. They can only engage in positional warfare, and their functions are relatively limited. The main problems are concentrated in mobility, core energy power, and chip processing. We need Advanced Knowledge, but there's no opportunity for that at the moment... Hmm, for now, we can only maintain the Sniping- style combat mode and continue to improve the Sniping."
The idea of a robot army cannot yet be realized, due to both funding and technological shortcomings.
Han Xiao's large equipment is currently stored in the Farian Group's warehouse and transported by air. This time, he is again paying for Farian Group's transport plane service, which costs 50,000 per trip. I doubt anyone is as extravagant as him.
West Capital the capital of Stardragon, while White Gull City is an important city in the eastern part of Stardragon. It covers a huge area and suffered heavy losses in the past due to a beast tide attack, but it received national aid and was rebuilt, becoming an important town in the east.
A monument tens of meters high stands in the city center, inscribed with the names of all those who sacrificed themselves to resist the beast tide.
During the Old Era War, White Gull City was once again attacked by Germinal large-scale terrorist attack, but it received support from all sides and became even more prosperous. This phenomenon was particularly peculiar. Despite the many disasters, it developed rapidly. The Stardragon people believed that this was a good omen, symbolizing that even if Stardragon suffered setbacks, it would definitely become stronger and stronger. The "White Gull Spirit" appeared many times in the annual leadership meetings and the news broadcast.
The plane landed at White Gull City Airport. Ground access to and from various cities requires passing through checkpoints, while air landings require prior permission from airport control. Farrian's planes have parking rights at Stardragon's city airports, which are considered private parking spaces. Players can purchase these spaces as long as their faction reputation is high enough.
"By the way, why did you follow me again?" Han Xiao turned to look at Antonov beside him.
Antonov took a puff of his cigar and laughed heartily, "Unfortunately, Farrian has no assets in White Gull City and can't provide you with services. We can only lend you our transport planes as temporary workshops and warehouses."
"I see." Han Xiao understood, then suddenly realized he had no car to borrow. A pang of regret shot through him. The mission location River Valley Manor, was still dozens of miles away. Was he going to have to resort to his old tricks again... ugh, was he going to commit another unethical and disreputable act of stealing a car?
He does own a Thorn, but the problem is that if he drives it onto the street, within ten minutes, dozens of police cars plus several riot police vehicles will probably appear behind him.
As the old saying goes, when in trouble, turn to the people.
Han Xiao borrowed a car from a kind and generous member of the public, passed through the checkpoint, left the city, and headed straight for the River Valley Manor.
Twenty miles north of White Gull City lies a small forest with a stream flowing through it. This forest is home to gentle, medium-sized wild animals that are not very dangerous. River Valley Manor is situated in a shallow river valley within the forest, built along the riverbank—this is what Han Xiao saw on the map.
As we drove into the forest, it was already afternoon. The lazy sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, casting a peaceful natural atmosphere. The sound of the engine startled a few spotted deer that were sleeping.
He suddenly sniffed, catching a faint, pungent smell. After quickly filtering out the humus and bird droppings from his mind, he found a memory of the same scent. His eyes flashed, "This is the smell of gunpowder smoke that hasn't dissipated yet. There was a battle here not long ago."
To avoid any misunderstanding, Han Xiao stopped the car, picked up his equipment, and began the trek on foot.
His current appearance is that of a middle-aged, laid-back man in a black trench coat carrying a guitar case, resembling a frustrated, wandering musician. In reality, the guitar case contains a folded Kestrel Sniping Rifle and Light Power Arm. The Wild Eagle and magazines are hidden inside his clothing lining, and Magnetically Controlled Extendable Armor is concealed close to his body. Folding War Blade hangs at his waist, and his gloves are unactivated Electrothermal Cutting Gloves. On his feet are silver-gray electromagnetic skateboard boots, the same size as normal boots, with leather stitched on the outside, and the metal material inside cannot be seen unless you press it yourself. As for the Wind-Slaying Blade, the Thorn, and the Second-Generation Ranger, he did not bring them.
After walking for a while, obvious signs of battle appeared around them: scorch marks from explosions, spent shell casings scattered everywhere, tire tracks, and even charred car bodies burned to ashes. There was more than one such car, indicating the ferocity of the battle. From here, the shallows beyond the woods were visible, and the River Valley Manor came into view.
Han Xiao was about to walk over when he suddenly stopped.
The next moment, a bullet hole from a Sniping rifle appeared on the ground in front of him; if he had walked forward, he would have been hit in the calf.
This shot was clearly a warning.
The bullets were coming from the direction of the River Valley Manor.