Su Wan issued a command to the Central Hub through her consciousness: “Select five of the strongest and most experienced hunters from the personnel with combat experience to form a squad.”
【Command confirmed. Filtering...】
【Filtering complete.】
【The following personnel have been selected: Zhao Laoliu (Level 2 Hunter), Shi Hu (Level 2 Scavenger), Lao Dao (Level 1 Hunter), A-Kun (Level 1 Hunter), Liu Dazhuang (Level 1 former City Defense Force soldier).】
【All five have passed system verification. Loyalty: High. Summon immediately?】
“Summon them. Have them gather at the entrance of Room 102.”
【Command sent.】
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door of Room 102.
“Come in.”
Five men filed into the room and stood before Su Wan, their expressions respectful and tense.
The leader was Zhao Laoliu, a man in his forties with a scar stretching from his forehead to his chin and eyes as sharp as an eagle’s.
He was currently one of the strongest tenants at the Terminal Station, a Level 2 Hunter who had survived in the Ruin Zone for over twenty years and was rich in experience.
Shi Hu stood beside him, a man in his thirties with a burly frame and bulging muscles, clearly a Strength-type scavenger.
Lao Dao, A-Kun, and Liu Dazhuang stood behind them, each with their own unique characteristics, but all were among the best of the Terminal Station’s tenants.
Su Wan’s gaze swept over them, and she got straight to the point: “I have a mission for you.”
The five men straightened their backs simultaneously.
“You will form a squad led by a captain and leave Panshi City to travel to nearby cities.”
Zhao Laoliu’s pupils contracted slightly. “Leave Panshi City?”
Su Wan nodded. “Yes. Your mission is to develop tenants in the nearby cities.”
“Spread the reputation of the Terminal Station. Let more people know that in the Panshi City Ruin Zone, there is a place where they can survive.”
She paused and continued, “I will provide you with sufficient supplies and equipment, so you don’t have to worry about logistics.”
The five men looked at each other, a hint of irrepressible excitement flashing in their eyes.
To leave Panshi City and see the world outside...
This was something they hadn't even dared to think about before.
“Understood!” the five men replied in unison.
Su Wan nodded and waved her hand. “Go and prepare. You will set out as soon as your captain returns.”
The five men turned and left, their footsteps gradually fading down the corridor.
Cold Wind and Iron Bone were already not far from the Terminal Station and arrived quickly.
Su Wan waited for them in Room 102, with two cups of hot water on the table, still emitting faint wisps of steam.
“Master.” The two stood at the door, still carrying the dust and chill of the Ruin Zone.
“Come in and close the door.”
Cold Wind and Iron Bone stepped inside and sat opposite Su Wan.
The two picked up the cups and took a sip. As the scalding water went down their throats, their cold bodies slowly began to warm up.
Su Wan looked at them, not rushing to speak.
“Master, Butcher...” Cold Wind spoke first, his voice somewhat tight.
“He’s dead,” Su Wan said in a tone as calm as if she were commenting on the weather.
Cold Wind and Iron Bone exchanged a look, complex emotions flashing in their eyes.
A Level 4 Dark Department assassin was dead just like that.
Having followed Butcher, they knew better than anyone how terrifying that man was.
It was a kind of pressure that made people unable to even conceive the thought of resisting.
Yet, before their Master, he was nothing more than this.
“Master, what do we do next?” Cold Wind asked.
Su Wan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she brought up the System Mall and quickly browsed through the 【Basic Ability Strengthening】 and 【Equipment】 categories.
Cold Wind: Ice Manipulation, Level 3 Mid Stage, skilled in long-range suppression and battlefield control.
Iron Bone: Metalization, Level 3 Mid Stage, skilled in close-quarters defense and frontal breakthroughs.
The two had complementary abilities and shared a tacit understanding from years of cooperation within the City Defense Force; they were a rare pair of partners.
Furthermore, both were enslaved subordinates who were absolutely loyal to her.
Su Wan didn’t mind spending some Points on them.
What she needed were capable subordinates, not dead weight that would fail at a critical moment.
Su Wan’s gaze swept across the item list and quickly locked onto her targets.
【Item Name: Ice-type Strengthening Potion (Level 3 Late Stage Version)】
【Description: A strengthening potion specifically designed for Level 3 Mid Stage ice-type ability users. After consumption, the user can safely absorb the medicinal power with system assistance to stably increase their strength to the Level 3 Late Stage.】
【Price: 35,000 Points】
【Stock: 1】
【Item Name: Frost Armor (Imitation, Level 3)】
【Description: Imitation ice-type defensive gear excavated from Old Era ruins. Wearing it enhances the defensive effects of ice-type abilities. A thin layer of ice can condense on the armor’s surface, providing good defense against both physical and energy attacks. Suitable for Level 3 ice-type ability users.】
【Price: 20,000 Points】
【Stock: 1】
Su Wan then turned her attention to the options for Iron Bone.
【Item Name: Strength Strengthening Potion (Level 3 Late Stage Version)】
【Description: A strengthening potion specifically designed for Level 3 Mid Stage strength or defense-type ability users. After consumption, the user can safely absorb the medicinal power with system assistance to stably increase their strength to the Level 3 Late Stage.】
【Price: 35,000 Points】
【Stock: 1】
【Item Name: Alloy Battle Armor (Custom, Level 3)】
【Description: A full-body battle armor crafted from high-strength alloy, highly compatible with Iron Bone’s metalization ability. While wearing it, Iron Bone can fuse the armor with himself in his metalized state, significantly increasing defense and attack power. Suitable for Level 3 defense-type ability users.】
【Price: 25,000 Points】
【Stock: 1】
Su Wan looked at the prices and quickly calculated.
The four items together totaled just over 110,000 Points.
With the Terminal Station’s current resource-generating capacity, this amount of Points was nothing.
“System, exchange for the Ice-type Strengthening Potion (Level 3 Late Stage Version), Frost Armor, Strength Strengthening Potion (Level 3 Late Stage Version), and Alloy Battle Armor.”
【Exchange confirmed—】
【Ice-type Strengthening Potion (Level 3 Late Stage Version): 35,000 Points】
【Frost Armor (Imitation, Level 3): 20,000 Points】
【Strength Strengthening Potion (Level 3 Late Stage Version): 35,000 Points】
【Alloy Battle Armor (Custom, Level 3): 25,000 Points】
【Total Points consumed: 115,000 points.】
With a flash of light, the four items appeared on the table in front of Su Wan.
An ice-blue potion flowed slowly within its bottle, emitting a biting chill.
A silver-white light armor had faint frost patterns flowing across its surface. It was cold and smooth to the touch, yet surprisingly lightweight.
A pale red potion glowed slightly in its bottle, emitting a warm aura.
A set of dark grey full-body battle armor consisted of several components, with flexible connections at the joints to ensure defense without hindering movement.
Cold Wind looked at the ice-blue potion, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.
Level 3 Late Stage.
He had been stuck at the Level 3 Mid Stage in the City Defense Force for several years without being able to break through.
Now, the opportunity was right before him.
Rate on N.U.
