Invincible through Touching Corpses-Chapter 48: An Ambush
By the time Lin Xinghai arrived at the Government Hall, it was almost closing time.
"Welcome!" Liu Miaomiao, who was on reception duty at the entrance, said instinctively when she saw someone walk in.
But once she got a clear look at the person, she suddenly shouted in excitement, "Ah Xing, you’re back!"
Her voice immediately drew the gazes of Wang Yao, Qin Zixue, Yang Yi, and Shen Yimei.
It was nearly the end of the workday, and there weren’t many people left in the Government Hall, so all five women excitedly gathered around him.
What excited them most, of course, was that Lin Xinghai had returned safe and sound.
Yesterday, they had been busy looking for jobs, so they only had a basic understanding of the mercenary profession.
But today at the Government Hall, they had interacted with more people and naturally learned more, realizing just how dangerous a profession being a mercenary was.
This was especially true for new members who had just joined a Mercenary Corps. Due to a lack of experience and other factors, the first mission was often the most dangerous.
It was common for them to return with broken arms and legs, and many even lost their lives out there. As a result, the women had been on edge all day.
Now, seeing Lin Xinghai return safely, they were naturally overjoyed.
"Did you run into any danger on this mission?"
"How are the higher-ups in the Mercenary Corps treating you? You were recruited early because of your good Genetic Assessment, so they should be giving you special treatment, right?"
"Did you get to kill any Zombies with your own hands on this mission?"
After their initial excitement, the women began chattering away, bombarding him with all sorts of questions.
This gave Lin Xinghai quite a headache. There was a lot he couldn’t disclose, so he could only pick and choose some trivial details to share in his answers.
Even so, the women listened with great interest. They were especially surprised and thrilled when Lin Xinghai mentioned he had learned how to use a Tearing Rifle and had taken down quite a few Zombies, reacting as if they had been the ones to do it.
"I never thought you’d have a talent for Gun Techniques! That’s great! Your role from now on can be ranged damage-dealer, which will greatly reduce the danger," Liu Miaomiao said, the worry in her eyes diminishing considerably.
This was very important. After all, as a mercenary, Lin Xinghai would have to go on missions frequently. Returning safely once didn’t mean he would be safe every time.
The other women all nodded in agreement.
Just then, even Le Cheng, the human resources supervisor, walked over to offer his congratulations. "Congratulations! I heard your Heaven-Sundering Mercenary Corps actually managed to kill a Mutated Zombie this time."
A trace of surprise appeared on Lin Xinghai’s face. ’Did news really travel that fast?’
Surprised as he was, he quickly replied, "You’re too kind, Supervisor Le. I’m just a rookie. The credit for killing the Mutated Zombie belongs mainly to our commander and vice-commander."
"Haha, you’re too modest. I heard from Roger that you’re a rare talent. Even if you didn’t contribute much this time, you’ll definitely be able to kill a Mutated Zombie with your own hands in the future," Le Cheng continued with a chuckle.
Now Lin Xinghai was genuinely surprised. ’This guy is being way too polite! It almost sounds like he’s flattering me.’
But he soon noticed the man’s gaze periodically flicking to the wrist-mounted computer on his arm, and he instantly understood.
In fact, just as Lin Xinghai had guessed, Le Cheng had intentionally struck up a conversation after seeing the wrist-mounted computer.
After all, a wrist-mounted computer cost at least 5,000 Points, and even after five years as a human resources supervisor, he still didn’t have the spare cash to buy one.
So, it really wasn’t something an ordinary person could afford.
Yet Lin Xinghai, who had just joined the Heaven-Sundering Mercenary Corps, already had one. Regardless of whether the Corps had temporarily loaned it to him or there was some other reason, it was enough to prove that the higher-ups placed an extraordinary amount of importance on him.
’And why would a Mercenary Corps place so much importance on a new member?’
Any normal person could figure out the answer to that, let alone Le Cheng. And so, this led to his polite demeanor.
Soon, closing time arrived. Lin Xinghai waited for Liu Miaomiao and the others to change out of their work clothes and back into their casual wear before leaving the Government Hall together.
"Ah Xing, why did I get the feeling that Supervisor Le was being especially polite to you? I’ve never seen him act that way, not even with some of the veteran Mercenaries who come by," Liu Miaomiao asked curiously.
"Probably because of this," Lin Xinghai said, pointing to his wrist.
Only then did Liu Miaomiao and the others notice that Lin Xinghai was wearing a wrist-mounted computer, and they couldn’t help but let out a collective gasp of surprise.
It wasn’t that they weren’t observant. When Roger picked out the wrist-mounted computer, he prioritized practicality, so when worn on the wrist and not in use, it really did look like a simple bracer and didn’t draw much attention.
The women, of course, grilled him about where the computer came from. Even though Lin Xinghai told them Roger had lent it to him, they were all convinced he was a big spender and insisted he had to treat them.
Lin Xinghai didn’t mind the idea of treating them. Once his contributions were calculated and the Points were distributed, he really wouldn’t be short on money.
In fact, Lin Xinghai even suggested that they skip the nutritional meals for dinner and just eat at a restaurant outside. It was a bit pricey, yes, but far more satisfying.
...
"What? You’re telling me they went to a barbecue place in the South City District for dinner?" A vein throbbed on Huai Feifu’s forehead as he stared at Wang Damao, who had run back with the news, and asked, enunciating every word.
Wang Damao, still panting, nodded. He didn’t seem to have grasped the situation yet and continued, "Boss, we’ve been waiting all day. Why don’t we go eat first, too? Everyone’s..."
As he spoke, he saw Huai Feifu’s narrowed eyes. His heart trembled, and he immediately corrected himself, "...perfectly capable of enduring it."
Huai Feifu suppressed his irritation and said in a low voice, "Tell everyone to stay sharp. The operation cannot have any screw-ups."
...
A little over half an hour later, Lin Xinghai and his group emerged from the barbecue restaurant.
"Tsk! The fully automated barbecue grills in this era are really something else. Perfect heat control. Even with just a sprinkle of salt, it’s delicious. The only downside is the price of the meat is a bit steep," Lin Xinghai said, smacking his lips.
"A bit steep? That meal was 150 Points! That’s almost three times the price of a High Level Nutritional Meal. Maybe only a big spender like you would call that ’a bit’ steep!" Wang Yao couldn’t help but retort.
"If you thought it was so expensive, why were you all fighting to pay for it?" Lin Xinghai said with a chuckle.
Wang Yao grumbled for a moment before saying, "You found us such good jobs. We couldn’t just not repay you at all, could we?"
"By the way, do you guys really have enough money?" Lin Xinghai asked.
"Don’t worry! Supervisor Le Cheng knew we just arrived at Star Shield Shelter, so he gave us a week’s salary in advance," Liu Miaomiao answered this time.
Lin Xinghai nodded and continued walking toward the dormitories, chatting idly with the women.
Just as they were nearing the dorms, Lin Xinghai suddenly dropped into a crouch.
"There’s an ambush nearby!"
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