Inside the Terminal Station building.
The new tenants, who had just narrowly escaped death, huddled in their rooms and corridors, shivering as they listened to the howling of the Death Tide outside the windows.
Someone couldn't help but ask, “Can this building... really block the Death Tide?”
An old tenant nearby glanced at him and let out a scoff.
“Block it? Do you have any idea how intense the Inner City’s shelling was a few days ago? Their artillery raked over this area three times, and this building didn't even lose a chip of paint.”
“Before that, a squad of soldiers spent half the day spraying the place with bullets. The rounds just suspended in mid-air right in front of the building, unable to get in no matter how hard they tried.”
“The Death Tide? It’s nothing.”
The new tenants' eyes widened as the fear on their faces was gradually replaced by disbelief.
The old tenant stood up and patted the man's shoulder.
“Just rest easy. As long as you’ve signed the contract and paid your rent, this building is the safest place there is. Everything here is decided by the Landlord.”
【Ding! New tenant check-in procedures complete. Statistical report generating...】
A dozen seconds later, the system popped up a summary:
【New tenants accepted this time: 137】
【Tenants who paid first month’s rent upfront: 89】
【Tenants who took first month’s rent on credit: 48】
【Total rent received: 53,400 Star Coins (Points)】
【Current Points balance: 31,900 (Points are updated in real-time...)】
【Main Quest: Prosperity of the Shelter (Successfully recruit and accept 2,000 new Official Tenants... in progress)】
【Quest Progress: 137/2,000.】
In less than half an hour, the Points balance had swung from negative to positive.
The Main Quest was also proceeding in an orderly fashion.
Su Wan looked at the positive Points balance and let out a long breath.
“These Points come fast, but they go just as fast...” she muttered.
As she was thinking, a system notification suddenly rang in her mind again:
【Detected that the Host has successfully resisted a large-scale Death Tide for the first time. Triggering temporary quest—】
【Quest Name: Death Tide Witness】
【Quest Objective: Ensure zero casualties for all units within “Terminal Station” during the Death Tide.】
【Quest Reward: Settlement will be based on the number of people sheltered and casualty status after the Death Tide ends. Base Reward: +20,000 Points. For every additional person sheltered, +50 extra Points.】
【Failure Penalty: None (However, casualties will affect the Shelter’s Reputation and Tenant Loyalty).】
【Current sheltered population: 774 (637 original + 137 new).】
【Estimated Base Reward: 20,000 Points.】
【Additional Shelter Reward: 774 × 50 = 38,700 Points.】
【Total Expected Reward: 58,700 Points.】
The corners of Su Wan’s mouth curled up slightly.
She wondered how things were going on Lei Lie’s end...
...
Lei Lie and his group were highly efficient.
After leaving Terminal Station, Lei Lie led the others back to the Outer City before nightfall.
On the streets of the Outer City, scattered streetlights emitted a dim, yellowish glow, illuminating the potholed roads and the low, dilapidated buildings on both sides.
Liu Sen’s command vehicle had been modified to the point where it looked completely different from before.
Now, the modified command vehicle was parked in front of an unremarkable building.
The building was three stories high with mottled exterior walls. The windows were sealed with iron bars, and a rust-stained sign hung by the entrance—
“Night Owl Mercenary Team Base.”
Lei Lie jumped down from the vehicle. “This is it?”
Scarface got out from the other side and nodded. “This is it. It’s a bit modest, but Night Owl has a bit of a reputation in the Outer City. No one dares to come here and cause trouble.”
The other Level 1 team members followed them down, their expressions visibly more relaxed.
The feeling of returning to one’s own territory was indeed different.
“Come on, let’s talk inside.” Scarface pushed open the rusty iron gate.
Inside was a fairly spacious hall furnished with a few worn-out sofas and a billiard table.
Weapon crates and miscellaneous items were piled in the corners, and some mission records written in charcoal were visible on the walls.
Lei Lie had lived in the Outer City all his life and was not surprised by such simple surroundings.
Scarface thought Lei Lie might be looking down on the place, so he gave a sheepish smile.
“Lord Lei, Night Owl used to rely entirely on Severance. He was a Level 3, so it was easy to pick up missions and earn good money. But he had high expenses himself, so what was left for the rest of us... well, it ended up like this.”
Lei Lie didn't say anything and took a seat on a sofa.
The others also found places to sit, and the atmosphere became slightly subtle for a moment.
Scarface cleared his throat and was about to say something when footsteps sounded outside the door.
Liu Sen walked in.
His leg injury had been bandaged, and combined with Su Wan’s 50,000 Star Coin serum, he had recovered significantly. Although he still walked with a slight limp, he at least didn't need anyone to support him anymore.
“It’s getting late. I need to get started on the task the Landlord assigned as soon as possible.” Liu Sen looked at the group.
“I’m heading back to the City Defense Force now to report to Colonel Yan.”
Lei Lie nodded. “Go ahead. You know what to say; the Landlord already briefed you.”
Liu Sen gave a bitter smile. “I know, but to be honest, my heart is still pounding a bit.”
“What are you afraid of?” Scarface chuckled. “The Shadow-Stalker Beast is the real deal. It’s not like Colonel Yan is going to eat you.”
Liu Sen sighed softly, turned, and left the base.
The night was deep, and Liu Sen felt apprehensive.
The City Defense Force was housed in a five-story building at the junction of the Inner City and the Outer City.
Liu Sen stood at the entrance, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.
Along the way, many City Defense Force soldiers showed surprised expressions when they saw him.
A few who were familiar with him looked like they wanted to say something but hesitated, only nodding in greeting.
Liu Sen knew what they were thinking.
He had gone out with a team of elites, and he was the only one who had returned.
In the City Defense Force, this was usually the prelude to a court-martial.
But he also knew that as long as he had the Shadow-Stalker Beast, none of that would be a problem.
Colonel Yan’s office was on the third floor.
Liu Sen knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
Liu Sen pushed the door open and entered.
The office wasn't large and was simply furnished with a desk, a few chairs, and a detailed map of Panshi City hanging on the wall.
Behind the desk sat a cold-faced, middle-aged man.
It was Colonel Yan, Yan Pengcheng.
For Yan Pengcheng to hold his position as the General Commander of the City Defense Force, ruthlessness was his most basic quality.
“You’re back?” Colonel Yan looked up, his smile as gentle as ever. “I heard you captured the Shadow-Stalker Beast?”
Liu Sen’s heart tightened.
But his face remained impassive as he said respectfully, “Yes, Colonel Yan. The Shadow-Stalker Beast has been captured and has been handed over to the Deep Blue Research Institute for verification and reception.”
Colonel Yan nodded and pointed to the chair opposite him. “Sit. Tell me, what happened?”
Liu Sen sat across from him and began his report according to the story Su Wan had prepared:
“Colonel Yan, it happened like this...”
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