Chapter 165: Chapter 149: Interests
Even though Tao Yu was holding two leashes, the Alien Queen still looked too fearsome to approach.
The slender leashes appeared as if they could barely contain her.
However, the members of Tao Yu's team had grown accustomed to Da Hei and Little Black, who usually took on the role of protecting them, and they even found them somewhat endearing.
"Not every Alien can be trained as well as I train them, mistaking them for others could be fatal."
Tao Yu cautioned as he walked ahead.
If some fool encountered another Alien and tried to pet it, they'd likely get bitten in return.
After returning from a trip, he noticed that the Mission Hall had introduced a few new features.
With the current situation of the gathering place, it seemed like there were changes every time he came back.
Now, there were noticeably more people in the hall, and not just Pioneers; there were also waiters in uniformed dealer outfits assigned exclusively to the place.
Next to it was Las Vegas, and Dada Company's convoy had been coming and going for so long that, naturally, they had complete sets of uniforms.
Moreover, donning dealer outfits seemed fitting for the Las Vegas natives, considering their local specialties.
They were probably natives tasked with liaising and explaining, to streamline the task system as quickly as possible.
"Sir, are you here to submit or accept a mission? Do you need any assistance?"
A female server, who didn't possess stunning beauty but whose uniform was a plus, carefully approached Tao Yu despite her fear and inquired.
"Submitting a mission, regarding the Alien Queen, plus some new world discoveries in the rainforest, and also selling some research materials, including a few researchers."
Tao Yu spoke directly.
"Ah, this, I'm not quite sure about that. Please wait a moment, I'll get a manager."
The server was clearly taken aback and then repeatedly apologized.
"Go ahead."
Tao Yu reckoned that those hurriedly trained for their posts probably couldn't handle complex issues but were likely prepared for the usual types of problems. Your next journey awaits at мѵʟ
The missions in question involved at least hundreds of thousands of Yuan Force, so it was normal for her not to know.
Tao Yu didn't have to wait long before a young, handsome man with a fair complexion, no beard, and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, exuding a refined air, came out to meet him.
He was very young, so Tao Yu could reasonably assume the man was a Pioneer. Although there were no signs of alien implantation or mechanical modification on his body, being in such a position likely meant he was an Inner City Pioneer.
"Good day, sir. My name is Frank. I hear you have some major business to discuss, please follow me to a private room."
Frank looked at Tao Yu with a warm smile, his words polite.
"Sure."
After finishing speaking, Tao Yu turned to the others outside and said,
"Wait here for a bit. Captain Park, could you please keep an eye on Da Hei and Little Black?"
"Of course."
Park Ji-hyun nodded her head.
Along the way, the once-disorganized team had somewhat fallen into order.
Tao Yu followed Frank into an office within the Mission Hall. This place was originally an office in the military barracks and was ready-made.
It was clear that the inside had been cleaned.
"Please take a seat. Would you like something to drink?"
"No, thank you. Let's get straight to the point. What kind of projects and support does the base have here for research materials and the Alien Queen? What's the situation like..."
"First, I would like to hear what you have to offer, Mr. Tao."
Even though Frank always maintained a polite smile, he did not give in an inch during the negotiation.
As Tao Yu intended to sell the goods, he naturally outlined in detail the various advantages of the items he possessed, including a glimpse of some Demonization materials to the other party.
Frank asked pointed questions and gained a thorough understanding.
"Mr. Tao is a partner, right?"
Frank suddenly asked, causing Tao Yu to pause.
"Yes, a junior partner."
"Heh, choosing to be a partner with Grade A talent, Mr. Tao, you have quite the vision."
Frank seemed to ponder something.
"You could say that."
Tao Yu frowned slightly because he had begun to sense a trace of malice emanating from the ever-smiling Frank.
The malice was not intense, certainly not indicating an intention to kill or attack himself, but it was definitely there.
"Well, Mr. Tao's belongings are quite valuable. If we can get the Alien Queen to build an incubator to start laying eggs, plus all the researchers and data samples, I can offer a hundred thousand as a starting point, to make friends,"
Frank said with a beaming smile as he made his offer to Tao Yu.
Tao Yu raised his eyebrows in response.
"You're making the offer? Isn't it the company's purchase?"
"Heh, I think these items are very valuable. The Alien Queen could be a continual source, and if a vaccine could be researched, the commercial prospects would be bright, so consider it my personal business,"
Frank said as he adjusted his glasses, emphasizing the words 'personal business.'
"However, the cost is too high for me to pay all at once, so I can only offer a preliminary fifty thousand. I'll write you a note for the rest, and you can collect the remaining fifty thousand from my family after you get back,"
Frank said casually.
"I don't mind personal business either, but it's not just about making up my mission points. The earnings from two 'Chosen One' missions alone are worth more than a hundred thousand. Frank, my guy, you're not showing much sincerity here."
Tao Yu didn't tear into him but still wore a smile on his face.
"It seems Mr. Tao has some misunderstandings,"
Frank took off his gold-rimmed glasses, wiped them, and looked at Tao Yu with a half-smile.
"I address you as Mr. Tao because that's a professional courtesy, due to the esteem in which the young master of the Suns holds you, and I don't wish to let down his trust, but you..."
As he spoke, his expression also turned stern.
"Should address me as your lord!"
While declaring this, he also released a formidable presence, which made Tao Yu press his temples as a sign of irritation.
"Is it because I chose a partner?"
"The gap between the Inner City and the Outer City is like heaven and earth. You reap benefits commensurate with your strength. Isn't a hundred thousand Yuan Force enough to satiate you? Greed will get you killed."
Frank's tone grew progressively colder.
"I don't like your attitude. Now it's only fifty thousand. Take it and leave. And who knows, maybe I'll be able to do you a favor in the future."
Frank brought out a Yuan Force magnetic card and started injecting Yuan Force into it before pushing it across the table towards Tao Yu.
This generosity stunned Tao Yu, and his gaze softened considerably as he looked up at Frank.
Then he quickly grabbed the card and began absorbing the Yuan Force within it.
Seeing Tao Yu take the card and start absorbing the Yuan Force, Frank's face also revealed a hint of a smile,
"Excellent, the deal is done. A wise man adapts to circumstances—I have high hopes for you."
Then he saw Tao Yu, who had finished absorbing all the Yuan Force, quietly slipping the card into his pocket.
"Trying to fool me with an empty magnetic card; you're being insincere. Holding such a key position but wanting to line your own pockets - I'm going to press you to see the lady. Don't resist, or it might get you killed..."
As Tao Yu said this, he pressed the play button on his watch, bringing up the earlier conversation between the two of them.
This left Frank looking astonished before he burst into a rage,
"Kid, do you realize what you're saying?! Do you know what I represent?!"
"I don't care who's behind you..."
Tao Yu raised an eyebrow. You claim to be from the Inner City—how does that compare to the lady?
"How dare you!"
Frank was fuming, and as he got to his feet, he reached out to grab Tao Yu's wrist.
He hadn't anticipated an Outer City bumpkin daring to defy his authority!
Wasn't the partner selected out of fear supposed to be timid?
This is not what being timid looks like.
Tao Yu, sensing the hand reaching for him, showed a hint of surprise in his eyes,
"Yuan Force?"
He then twisted his wrist and counterattacked towards the approaching claw,
"I can do that too..."
Seeing Tao Yu fight back, a cruel smile crept on Frank's lips. Someone from the Outer City...
Bang~Crack~
The sound of snapping bones resounded as Frank's fingers, shaped like claws, twisted grotesquely in an instant. Then the wrist, elbow, arm, shoulder!
Bang!
The devastating force pulverized all the bones in its path.
The brutal force ejected fragments of bone from Frank's shoulder, spraying out.
They embedded into the wall behind him like bullets, surrounded by countless droplets of blood…