Chapter 1175: Chapter 1173: A Quick Encounter

Charlie (the sister) was a bit calmer now; she didn’t immediately respond but instead looked at the man in front of her.

The Darkstone Security salesperson smiled and didn’t mind; he knew she wasn’t satisfied with the first proposal, but that was okay, he had two more options.

"The second proposal, we provide you with essential security guarantees, but you’ll get limited freedom."

"The good news is we can help you explain your identity issue to the Federation Government, and the contract will be indefinite. As for the cost..."

The salesperson glanced at the contract in his hand, once again marveling at how quickly the company’s senior executives do business.

"You need to pay a one-time public relations fee of twenty million, and we’ll provide a six-member security team with a daily cost of twenty thousand."

"The benefit of this contract is that you can live in the Federation forever and have a very safe environment..."

Damn expensive, the salesperson thought to himself again.

Normal business expenses range from five hundred to a thousand per person, and a six-member security team, even if hiring the best, wouldn’t exceed seventy-two hundred, not including equipment fees.

But everything here has doubled, and... he quickly looked at Charlie (the sister’s) expression; this lady didn’t seem to find it expensive.

Charlie (the sister) lit a cigarette. "What about the third option?"

The salesperson cleared his throat, "The third option considers the specific targeting you’re facing currently; even we cannot ensure you’ll always be safe."

"On top of the second proposal, we provide some military operation services that can proactively tackle people or groups causing trouble."

"Of course, the fees will be higher, considering the cruelty of war, but it’s definitely worth it."

"We’ll assess the specific costs based on your designated target, ranging from millions to... over a billion."

The salesperson thought this contract was a joke; funding over a billion could start a military coup or even destroy a small country, right?

He didn’t believe this woman could come up with that kind of money.

But unexpectedly, the woman suddenly laughed, "I want a face-to-face meeting with Lynch."

If her biggest problem, her identity issue, could be resolved... then what would she be afraid of?

She’s wealthy; more than anyone else, she knows the power of money in the Federation, but she personally has no network here, unable to clear her identity. Lynch offered such a service, and many of her accounts could immediately come to light.

Meanwhile, outside the motel, Scarface and his group were tiredly surveilling the area.

They had visited Charlie (the sister’s) house in another city, only to find no traces of anyone living there, not even bodyguards.

Repeated operational errors meant they might have overlooked some details, like Charlie (the sister) actually being in the house they raided last or nearby.

She didn’t have time to relocate, or for other reasons adapted a new behavior pattern, so continuing the pursuit seemed pointless.

They sent two people to the last residence, while the others returned to this city.

In the Federation, consuming, using deposits or checks would definitely trigger "alerts." Their contacts in the bank would timely notify them of these movements.

Without new discoveries, Scarface believed Charlie (the sister) likely remained in this city.

Earlier today, while wandering the streets with a companion, Scarface suddenly spotted a Darkstone Security vehicle.

As a globally recognized Hunter, his feelings towards Darkstone Security were quite complicated.

Having such formidable private forces confirmed it’s truly a worthwhile industry from some perspective.

If private armed forces weren’t profitable, someone like Lynch, known as the Federation Youth Leader, wouldn’t invest so heavily in this industry.

Consequently, the entire industry thrived, with more security and armed companies emerging, seemingly stimulating the industry’s prosperity.

But as a leader of a small group, Scarface found it hard to have any goodwill towards Darkstone Security.

The company was overly aggressive.

General security companies offer protection services, like "protect the client’s personal safety until the contract expires." They offer nothing beyond that.

But Darkstone Security is different; they don’t just offer bodyguard services but also offensive services. As long as the employer pays enough, they can solve the trouble along with troublemakers!

This made many deals unsustainable.

They have a comprehensive logistics team, strong financial support, and Federation Government backing. Rumor has it Darkstone Security is even building their own intelligence network; how could "small shareholders" compete with "institutions"?

Scarface stood grim-faced at the street corner, staring for quite a while. Initially, he didn’t associate Charlie (the sister) with Darkstone Security personnel.

If she could have contacted them, she would’ve done so early on; he just wanted to see why Darkstone Security was in this city.

But he soon realized the situation became tricky.

Charlie (the sister) appeared, escorted by two Darkstone Security staff members, got into the car.

Scarface forcefully flicked his cigarette to the ground, sparks flying.

He turned, pushing aside someone about to enter the phone booth, stepped in first, and dialed a number.

A few minutes later, everyone was assembled.

"Where are they?" The team’s only woman casually asked, chewing a toothpick.

She found a spot to squat, and nobody crowded near her.

In this circle, to survive and establish oneself, who knows what she’s been through? Plus, no one would gamble with their lives.

Women are everywhere; no need to pick the deadliest one.

Scarface gestured, "I have Shield keeping an eye on them; they’re at the station now, bought tickets for the 11 AM train today heading to..."

Traveling from this small city to Bupen requires transferring trains, as Federation railways are privately owned, so different routes belong to different railway companies.

Railway companies don’t casually sell tickets for other’s trains, causing significant disputes.

From this simple perspective, even Scarface doesn’t know their final destination, but he had a guess.

"They might be heading to Bupen, so I brought you in to decide whether to stick with this task."

"If not, I’ll talk to the old man; he still owes severance pay, so our efforts aren’t wasted."

"If we continue, we must act before they arrive in Bupen."

"Once they’re in Bupen, it’s Darkstone’s territory; we’re no match for them."

"Plus, there are too many security agencies there, like the Security Committee."

The room fell into a brief silence.

In the mercenary realm, there’s consensus; avoid confronting Darkstone Security whenever possible.

Their equipment’s just too good, even bombers; who could withstand them?

Were others facing such dilemmas, they’d have numerous thoughts and suggestions. But this time, it was their own predicament.

Now, everyone was at a crossroads; undoubtedly, Mr. Wycliffe’s fees were high, and Charlie (the sister) herself held significant value they didn’t want to abandon.

But engaging Darkstone Security within the Federation unsettled them.

Success would mean retirement; otherwise, they’d enjoy life for a long time; failure here meant dying accidentally, facing inner struggles and hesitations continuously churning.

The woman first looked at Scarface, "What’s your choice?"

Scarface shook his head, "You all decide first; I’ll tell you my final decision to avoid influencing your choices."

This statement made Scarface’s position quite clear; he wanted to remain.

This naturally swayed some people’s decisions.

The woman pursed her lips, pondering for quite a while, then spoke first, "Not trying feels unsatisfying."

"Charlie (the sister) can summon Darkstone Security to protect her, indicating she truly has money!"

Darkstone’s high rates are industry-wide knowledge; rumor has it Sanchez and Isabella hired them, with the initial bill totaling over five billion.

This group is ruthlessly greedy, yet it confirms Charlie (the sister) indeed has funds; otherwise, she wouldn’t afford Darkstone Security.

Subsequently, others expressed willingness to remain and try.

Becoming mercenaries, Hunters inherently means fearing death or believing they won’t die; now faced with a rare life-changing opportunity, they weren’t willing to let it slip.

Everyone has a nose and two eyes, all can die from one shot. Why should they willingly give up?

Finally, Scarface nodded, "That’s my thought too; retreating without trying could lead to lifelong regret."

"Here we have advantages; within the Federation, Darkstone is less likely to launch large-scale attacks, especially during talks, minimizing their actions."

"They have concerns; we don’t. I think we have a better chance of success."

A few words of analysis had everyone convinced Scarface made a damn good point, and hope started brewing in their hearts.

Scarface stayed composed while arranging a withdrawal plan and strategizing an operation plan.

He raised his wrist, checking the time; it was over an hour until 11 AM, providing them an opportunity to intercept them here!