Indeed, Delgado continued, "Waldo, I’ll be straightforward. The purpose of my visit this time is to invite you to join our Security Battalion and help us eliminate the mutated plants. As for compensation, I assure you that we won’t disappoint you. The Security Battalion is one of the two major forces in City 25, and I believe the treatment you receive here will be top-notch." Waldo replied with a smile.

Delgado’s eyes flickered. "So, did Waldo agree?"

However, I decline," Waldo shook his head.

Delgado pursed his lips. He initially thought Waldo would agree to join the Security Battalion. Unexpectedly, the situation took a different turn, which surprised him while also feeling somewhat expected. Delgado understood the mindset of these top-tier survivors. Convincing them to join a team wasn’t an easy task. But he still had an ace up his sleeve.

Delgado nodded, saying with conviction, "I had a feeling Waldo would respond like this. However, there’s something I want to tell you, Waldo."

Waldo nodded. "Please go ahead."

His initial impression of this Security Battalion leader was somewhat favorable.

Delgado continued, "I’m afraid that before long, Waldo, the Golden Blade Society will be pursuing you relentlessly, even to the point of no return."

Waldo furrowed his brows, puzzled. "Delgado, I have no quarrel with the Golden Blade Society. Why would they be after me? Are you trying to use this to manipulate me into joining the Security Battalion? That’s quite a cheap tactic."

Delgado chuckled, not immediately responding, and said to himself, "Waldo, in the recent shootout in the Eastern District, you killed quite a few people."

Waldo nodded, saying, "I was just dealing with enemies."

As he said this, Waldo suddenly realized something. Delgado’s implication was that the Golden Blade Society was connected to his enemies.

Delgado laughed. "Waldo, you’re quite perceptive. Yes, the current leader of the Golden Blade Society is named Duncan."

"Duncan... Leonard," Waldo fell silent, a bad feeling settling in.

Delgado looked at Waldo’s less-than-pleased expression and calmly mentioned Leonard’s identity.

The Leonard that Waldo had killed that day was Duncan’s younger brother.

The Golden Blade Society might not know the truth yet, but it wouldn’t remain hidden for long. Given their capabilities, this information would be exposed soon, maybe even today or tomorrow.

Delgado extended another sincere invitation. "Waldo, I once again, genuinely invite you to join our Security Battalion!"

However, what surprised him was that Waldo didn’t seem panicked.

Delgado decided not to rush, as Waldo seemed to believe that the threat from the Golden Blade Society wouldn’t jeopardize his safety.

Delgado didn’t deny it, saying, "Indeed, with Waldo’s strength, it would be quite challenging for the Golden Blade Society to capture you."

"However, the Golden Blade Society is not as simple as you think. We are well aware of their capabilities to match up against our Security Battalion."

"City 25 isn’t as weak as City 22. Of course, I’m not implying anything about Waldo specifically; I’m just stating a fact."

"Even those smaller groups that may have been significant in City 22 wouldn’t fare well in City 25. I’m sure Waldo has realized this during his journey here."

"I’ve also heard about the previous team that got wiped out on the main road. It’s probably your doing, Waldo."

Delgado delivered a series of statements.

Waldo had no way to refute them; he had indeed seen that his former opponents in City 22 wouldn’t have stood a chance in City 25. Even the arrogant police station probably wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny here.

After all, Leonard’s group had been equipped with multiple assault rifles and rocket launchers, a firepower beyond the reach of a police station.

Knowing Leonard’s strength, Waldo now had a better grasp of the Golden Blade Society’s power.

Delgado continued, "Waldo, as someone new here, your priority is to establish yourself. Joining us will provide you the best protection."

Waldo was tempted.

He knew that Delgado was right. In every aspect, the Security Battalion was his best choice.

"Delgado, I’ll pass on joining the Security Battalion. However, maybe we can cooperate."

"You ensure the safety of me and my family, and I’ll help you eliminate the mutated plants. Once the timing is right, I’ll leave, and you won’t stop me."

Delgado didn’t hesitate, readily agreeing.

"No problem, we’ll each get what we need. And in the future, if Waldo decides to leave, I, Delgado, won’t stand in your way." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Waldo opened the mansion’s gate, making an inviting gesture.

"Delgado, let’s have a productive partnership."

"The circumstances were peculiar just now. There was a bit of misunderstanding. Please forgive me, Delgado."

Delgado and the young guard entered the mansion together, ready to share a cup of tea.

Delgado burst into laughter and shook hands with Waldo.

"Now that Waldo has invited us for tea, how can we refuse? Abby, let’s go in and taste Waldo’s prized tea!"

Waldo also chuckled, "It’s not exactly prized tea."

Delgado let his guard down, warmly patting Waldo’s shoulder.

Waldo hadn’t encountered such a casual survivor in a while.

However, now that he’d chosen to join the Security Battalion, he wouldn’t display excessive wariness.

Waldo smiled without explanation and led Delgado and Abby into the mansion.

Alanna and Helen approached.

Delgado and Abby were genuinely taken aback. While they had information that Waldo had two beautiful companions, there hadn’t been a clear front-facing photo. Finally seeing them, even someone as experienced as Delgado felt momentarily shaken. But it was just a moment; soon he recovered.

Then, he saw Abby looking mesmerized and became flustered, kicking at him. He looked at her with a darkening expression.

"How can you be so impolite? Even if they’re beautiful, you can’t stare like an idiot!"

After being kicked down, Abby regained her composure and lowered her head in embarrassment. Delgado quickly apologized to Waldo’s group.

"I’m truly sorry, my subordinate can be a bit impulsive sometimes. I apologize for any offense. Here are twenty S-alloy chips as compensation. Please accept them."

It must be said that Delgado’s manner of handling things wasn’t quite like that of a soldier. According to Waldo’s impression, military personnel weren’t usually this smooth.

Delgado smoothly completed this procedure, which made Waldo abandon his initial intent to speak up and ask a few questions. He turned his attention back to Delgado.

Alanna and Helen didn’t respond immediately; instead, they looked at Waldo.

Waldo smiled and said, "Take it, Delgado has shown his goodwill. Both of you should accept."

He continued, addressing Delgado, "Delgado, allow me to introduce you. This is Alanna, and this is Helen. They are my teammates who have helped me greatly on this journey."

Once Alanna and Helen accepted the S-alloy chips, Waldo introduced them to Delgado.

"Alanna, Helen, this is Delgado, the leader of the Security Battalion. Starting today, we will be collaborating with the Security Battalion. From now on, we’re all good partners."

Alanna and Helen naturally knew of the Security Battalion’s reputation. Although Waldo hadn’t explained in detail why they suddenly decided to collaborate with the Security Battalion, there had to be a reason for it. Otherwise, how could Waldo, who had consistently resisted joining any team, change his stance so quickly?

Alanna and Helen nodded politely and greeted Delgado.

"Hello, Delgado."

Delgado responded warmly, "Hello."

"Alanna, make some tea. Helen, prepare some fruit," Waldo instructed the two women, then he and Delgado sat down on the living room sofa.

Delgado chuckled and said, "Waldo, it seems you’re just as decisive at home. These two are very obedient."

Waldo smiled without commenting.

Delgado continued, "Waldo, I didn’t mention it earlier, but now that we’re sitting down, it’s the right time to discuss your compensation."

Waldo interrupted him, saying, "We can discuss the compensation later. Right now, I’m curious about something else."

Delgado was taken aback. "What is it?"

Could there be something more enticing than compensation for him?

Waldo said, "How much territory of the Security Battalion has been occupied by mutated plants?"

This was the information he was truly interested in.

Delgado pondered for a moment and replied, "The Security Battalion and the Golden Blade Society have divided City 25 along the north-south centerline, each having their respective territories. For instance, the commercial center street you visited the other day is under the Security Battalion’s jurisdiction."

"However, since the appearance of the mutated plants, we’ve lost almost a third of our territory. And that portion is still increasing."

"We’ve organized teams to clear the mutated plants, but the results have been minimal."

"However, the situation isn’t any better for the Golden Blade Society. They’ve probably lost even more territory than we have."

Delgado ended with a somewhat gloating tone.

Waldo instantly understood.

It seemed that both the Security Battalion and the Golden Blade Society were facing grim circumstances. Despite being the two major forces in City 25, they were unable to eradicate the mutated plants entirely. They could only keep retreating and watch their territory be taken over by the plants.

These territories had been acquired through significant investments of manpower and resources. They had also faced considerable urgency to secure these territories in the first place.

They were undoubtedly feeling anxious about the situation. Just like Waldo’s residential area – if it weren’t for the mutated plants, they could have fetched a good price on the market. But due to the plants, they were stuck with a depreciating asset.

Neither the Security Battalion nor the Golden Blade Society had managed to recoup their investments before losing these territories to the mutated plants. It was a substantial loss.

This explained why they valued Waldo’s ability to eliminate the plants so highly. Their losses were extensive, and they needed a solution. So, Waldo’s ability was crucial.

"Well, should be no problem, right?" Delgado looked at Waldo, who was lost in thought after hearing the information. He was a bit concerned.

Could it be that Waldo could only deal with a small fraction of the mutated plants, and the sheer number in the Security Battalion’s territory was beyond his capability?

Waldo shook his head and stated clearly, "Don’t worry, Delgado. The mutated plants don’t pose much of a challenge to me. Whether there are many or few, it’s all the same."

Delgado let out a sigh of relief and finished his tea.

"That’s good to hear, that’s good to hear."

However, Waldo continued, causing Delgado to nearly choke on his tea.

"But what?" Delgado thought, "Could you finish your sentences, Waldo?!"

Waldo then retrieved a star herb and handed it to Delgado. He explained, "This is a crucial material for eradicating mutated plants. However, the stock on the trading platform is quite limited. If we’re going to clear a significant number of mutated plants, we’ll need a substantial amount of star herbs."

Delgado took the star herb and examined it closely. He couldn’t discern anything particularly special about the faintly fluorescent plant, aside from its aesthetics. However, he refrained from asking too many questions. When cooperating, prying too much was counterproductive.

Delgado handed the star herb back to Waldo and patted his chest. "Leave this matter to the Security Battalion. We will assist you in collecting star herbs."

"After all, you’re helping us eliminate the mutated plants. It wouldn’t be right for you to worry about obtaining star herbs."

Waldo was delighted. If the Security Battalion could help him gather star herbs, it would go a long way in resolving his raw material issue. With the Security Battalion’s strength and territory, collecting star herbs wouldn’t be a problem.

The issue of raw materials would largely be solved.

Waldo had concocted a special herbicide, which had helped the Security Battalion tackle the mutated plants within their territory. What remained now was practically a freebie.

The special herbicide required only a small quantity of star herbs. Perhaps a dozen bottles would suffice.

Of course, Waldo wouldn’t divulge this information. Upon learning that he needed numerous star herbs to eradicate the mutated plants, Delgado immediately ordered his nearby guard.

"Abby!"

Soldier Abby called out, "Yes, leader?"

Delgado instructed, "Notify the deputy leader and the captains of other platoons. Have them issue notices at each level, informing all Security Battalion members to spare no effort in collecting star herbs!"

"Yes, sir!"

Abby responded quickly.

Following this, Abby opened the system window and sent notifications within the Security Battalion’s internal communication channel.