Inside the manor fortress, Han Xiao stroked his chin, deep in thought.
The Simulation Mask altered his appearance, making him unrecognizable without close contact.
He escaped from Stardragon, but the panel did not indicate a decrease in favorability. Since the relationship did not turn into hostility, it means there is still a lot of room for maneuver.
Han Xiao had a deep impression of Di Susu. This woman always liked to tease Li Yalin verbally, and although Li Yalin rejected her, she always tried to get closer to Li Yalin. Her dressing style was also influenced by Li Yalin. Han Xiao, who had seen countless ordinary people, could tell at a glance that the pure friendship between the girls was like a blooming lily.
Two days later.
A Sniping bullet leaped from the muzzle, killing the last enemy Sniping hundreds of meters away. The battlefield, still smoldering with gunpowder, emitted a pungent odor. The heavily wounded enemy retreated once again like a receding tide. Han Xiao exhaled, sat down against the wall, and closed his eyes to calm his pounding nerves.
The enemy forces grew stronger with each wave, with helicopters and armored vehicles being deployed in succession, and even small tanks being used. Many powerful superhumans and elite soldiers also appeared on the battlefield, posing a significant threat.
In the last two days, the manor was like a small boat in a whirlpool, extremely dangerous. Han Xiao did everything he could, and with the cooperation of the other mercenaries, they managed to get through it.
[You repelled a wave of attackers (5/5)]
[Fourth ring completed, you have gained 200,000 experience points]
[Failure to fulfill the hidden requirement "Prevent the Thirteenth Bureau from appearing" unlocks an additional fifth mission]
Han Xiao was taken aback. It turned out that the hidden requirement was to stop the Thirteenth Bureau. He really hadn't expected that. After thinking about it carefully, he realized how he had missed this hidden requirement.
If each battle could be resolved quickly and without causing such a commotion, perhaps the Thirteenth Bureau wouldn't have come knocking. But this request is too difficult; even if one guessed it, it would be hard to fulfill. Han Xiao wasn't bothered at all; hidden requests naturally have their successes and failures, which is normal.
"The original quest only had four stages, but failing the hidden requirement triggered an extra fifth stage. Is this a blessing in disguise? What kind of quest will it be?"
Han Xiao became curious.
[Task requirements changed]
[Fifth Mission: Follow Wang Yuan and deal with danger]
[Mission failure condition: death of the player]
[Reward: 30,000 experience points]
[Special Reward: 300,000 Experience Points]
Han Xiao was taken aback, feeling that this fifth-ring mission was strange in every way.
The reward doesn't match the current stage of the challenge; it's ten times less than the special reward, and the task requirements are very flexible. What kind of danger are we dealing with?
The mission failure condition should be designed so that the player can be resurrected. If Bennett is protecting Wang Yuan, then the danger is likely directed at him.
This mission conveys a very clear subtext—"Heh heh, I'm dangerous."
Two days ago.
This is an abandoned warehouse, dimly lit, and also the secret hideout of the Bai Jin.
A streak of lightning flickered across his arm, illuminating a young face with a hint of wickedness in his eyes.
Bai Jin flipped his hand, and lightning entered his skin, disappearing without a trace.
"Bite."
The computer on the table in front of him lit up, and he received an encrypted email. Bai Jin casually opened it.
Assassination Target: Wang Yuan
Location: 20 li north of Stardragon White Gull City, River Valley Manor
"Defense force: 214 mercenaries, 14 Blood Pact Union assassins, Moonlight (Dark), Hunter (Dark), Volcano (Dark), Golden Fox (Dark), Mr. Black (Scorpion)... Possessing complete fortifications and firepower."
Remuneration: Two million.
Bai Jin's eyes were dark and gloomy as he coldly said, "Two million is all you want from me? Do you think I'm in the same league as those trashy mercenaries and assassins?"
He replied to the email indicating his refusal.
Shortly after, the other party sent a new email, directly increasing the reward to six million.
"That's more like it." Bai Jin's lips curled into a wicked and arrogant smile.
From beginning to end, he only cared about the reward; he had no goals whatsoever.
"Ashes of Lightning" Bai Jin, a super criminal, has escaped capture by Six Nations countless times. His superpowers possess formidable destructive power, and the number of bounty hunters, agents from various countries, and even Germinal executives who have died at his hands exceeds three figures! He has even easily broken through military encirclements.
Individual combat power on Planet Aquamarine is divided into three tiers, forming a pyramid-like structure. The bottom tier consists of most recently awakened superhumans and some battle-hardened ordinary warriors; the second tier comprises most superhumans, including Germinal executives like Pan Kuang, secret agents from the intelligence agencies of the Six Nations, and so on; the third tier is extremely rare, consisting of at least level 40 and above, including ace fighters from various countries, some super criminals, and faction leaders—people like Bennett are among the top of the third tier.
Bai Jin is now a third-level superhuman!
In the evening, Wang Yuan summoned everyone.
"I'm going to White Gull City to make contact with the Thirteenth Bureau. I need to bring some capable people with me as temporary guards; the rest of you will continue to guard the manor."
Before anyone could react, Wang Yuan called out, "Moonlight, Volcano, Hunter, Golden Fox, and Mr. Black, I need the five of you to protect me for this trip. I'll increase the reward accordingly, but if you're unwilling, I won't force you."
"No problem," Hunter was the first to speak, and the others had no objections either.
Han Xiao's eyes flashed; he knew that refusing to go meant mission failure. He nodded in agreement, then looked at Bennett beside him and asked, "But is he going or not?"
Bennett nodded. "I'll go too."
Han Xiao's heart sank. Bennett could protect Wang Yuan, then the danger mainly lay with the assassins who were following him.
Who is Brother Xiao? A seasoned expert in countless missions! He immediately sensed an ominous atmosphere. In this situation, perhaps a counter-prophecy might be a good choice, such as saying something like, "This operation is definitely going to go wrong," or "The enemy will definitely attack, and they'll be very powerful." Such counter-prophecies might have a surprising effect, though there's a greater chance they'll come true...
Following Wang Yuan into the car, they set off for White Gull City. Han Xiao noticed that everyone in the car was silent, all wearing expressions that said, "Don't talk to me, let me stay aloof." He couldn't even find someone to chat with.
Han Xiao turned his head and saw that the Golden Fox had shrunk to the other corner, as far away from him as possible. When it saw him looking over, it quickly turned its face away, not daring to meet Han Xiao's gaze.
"It was just a joke, why is the shadow so big?" Han Xiao said helplessly.
On the other side of the woods, Di Susu, who had been monitoring the River Valley Manor, also set off.
"The target has left the manor, heading towards White Gull; several assassins are accompanying him. Keep a close watch."
The night sky was filled with twinkling stars, and White Gull City was brightly lit. This Stardragon was mainly industrial, and many factories could be seen on the outskirts of the city. The huge chimneys looked like fingers pointing to the sky. Due to the numerous factories, the city had a unique sense of weight and solemnity.
The checkpoint received instructions from above and allowed Han Xiao and his vehicle, carrying armed personnel, to pass.
As soon as they passed the checkpoint, a black car belonging to the Thirteenth Bureau was waiting by the roadside. A member of the Thirteenth Bureau approached and said, "Mr. Wang Yuan, Commander Mo is waiting for you at the branch headquarters."
"Young man, please lead the way." Wang Yuan chuckled.
The Thirteenth Bureau member glanced at the five fully armed assassins, hesitated, but ultimately said nothing, got into the car, and led the way.
The two vehicles arrived at the White Gull City branch of the Thirteenth Bureau, which was under martial law. At the gate, the Thirteenth Bureau member explained the rule that those carrying weapons were not allowed to enter.
Wang Yuan nodded, then turned to Han Xiao and the other four and said, "Then you can stay in White Gull City for the night. Meet here at this time tomorrow."
After giving his instructions, he and Bennett went into the Thirteenth Bureau headquarters.
The assassins Stay Where You Are, staring at each other blankly.
The Volcano was a burly Shanu who spoke in a deep, booming voice. "What are your plans?"
Hunter pursed his lips. "I'm going to a bar to have some fun." He then looked at Golden Fox and smiled, "Want to come with me?"
Golden Fox chuckled and waved her hand, politely declining, "Never mind, I'm more interested in handsome men."
Hunter snorted unhappily.
"Hunter, I'll go with you." Volcano laughed, looking at Moonlight, "And you?"
Moonlight, expressionless and seemingly rigid, said, "I'm patrolling around here."
Volcano invited Han Xiao again, but Han Xiao waved his hand and declined. Volcano did not press the matter.
The five went their separate ways.
"The fifth mission actually gave us free time; danger could appear at any moment..."
Han Xiao thought for a moment. Not wanting to waste the free time he had finally gotten, he decided to complete the prize pool mission in White Gull City along the way.
Since danger is inevitable, it's better to do something else to save time. Han Xiao remained vigilant at all times, regardless of when danger appeared; there was no need to deliberately hide and prepare.
Han Xiao walked down the street, his black trench coat seemingly hidden in the night. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he realized that someone seemed to be secretly following him.