Chapter 25

Jiang Baimian played with the badge, pressing her left index finger against a certain spot on the chip.

Faintly, it seemed as if there was an imperceptible current flickering.

After a few seconds, Jiang Baimian withdrew her finger and smiled, saying:

"Still a 'Formal Hunter.'"

A 'Formal Hunter' is a term used internally by the Hunter's Guild, originating from their classification of relic hunters.

This classification, at least on the surface, has nothing to do with strength and relies on so-called credit points. After all, the initial purpose of the Hunter's Guild was to help people better exchange information and resources, not to provide a path for advancement.

In transactions, credit is more important than strength.

Therefore, the first president of the Hunter's Guild was inspired by certain materials from the old world and designed the credit point system:

After relic hunters join the guild, they can earn different amounts of credit points by completing commissions, trading with others, and providing reliable information to the guild. This does not conflict with the rewards they receive, as the two are parallel and cumulative.

Once credit points accumulate to 100, a 'Newbie Hunter' can become a 'Formal Hunter.' Above 'Formal Hunter' are 'Intermediate Hunter,' 'Senior Hunter,' 'Advanced Hunter,' and 'Master Hunter.' These are all achieved through repeated tasks and transactions. Of course, if your level is insufficient and your credit points are not enough, you won't be able to take on many tasks or participate in many transactions, as others simply won't trust you. Unless you can find one or several high-credit hunters to vouch for you.

Therefore, it's not surprising that a 'Newbie Hunter' might be stronger than an 'Advanced Hunter' or a 'Master Hunter.' However, from another perspective, being able to complete so many tasks and transactions and still survive, accumulating enough credit points, itself speaks volumes—these 'Advanced Hunters' and 'Master Hunters' are outstanding in strength, team influence, or resources.

In other words, those with low credit points are not necessarily weak, but those with high credit points are definitely strong, at least in some aspects.

Based on the importance of credit points, the Hunter's Guild has always strictly punished breaches of contract, violations of rules, fraud, and dishonest transactions. Once discovered, the corresponding credit points are immediately deducted, and the specific details of the失信行为 are noted in the badge chip. If the issue is severe, the guild may even revoke the member's status and put them on blacklists across all regions—such individuals are generally called 'Dark Hunters.' Of course, due to the lack of a communication network spanning the Ashlands, it might take months or even longer for the blacklist to spread to all branches.

As for whether relic hunters also work as bandits or have killed people, as long as it's not related to tasks or transactions, the guild doesn't care.

In addition to these, the Hunter's Guild has a title called 'Chief Hunter.'

This is an honor, more about seniority, and each regional branch can only have one.

These are the contents that Shang Jianyao learned in class and during training, so he wasn't curious about the term 'Formal Hunter.' However, he still looked at Jiang Baimian seriously, without speaking.

Jiang Baimian looked down at herself and suddenly laughed:

"Are you wondering how I can read the content in the hunter badge chip?"

This usually requires special machines at the guild's branches.

Shang Jianyao immediately nodded, without hiding his curiosity.

Jiang Baimian raised her left arm and said:

"Since it's an electric eel-type bio-limb, it's also reasonable to install a simple chip and sensors, data transmission lines, and other配套设施 that require electricity.

"To read the content in the chip isn't too difficult, but erasing and rewriting it is very difficult. These are specialized chips and machines purchased from 'Mechanical Paradise' by the Hunter's Guild, with high technical content."

Shang Jianyao suddenly understood and then asked curiously:

"Are bio-limbs now starting to integrate electronic and mechanical components?"

"Our philosophy is, as long as it works. Moreover, the intersection of biology, electronics, and mechanics is itself a research focus, like many major forces trying to combine exoskeleton devices and bionic smart armor to create truly practical power armor." Jiang Baimian explained with a casual tone.

Suddenly, she exclaimed:

"Oops."

Shang Jianyao immediately placed his hand on the grip of the 'Ice Moss.'

"Ha ha, I've been squatting for too long, my legs are a bit numb." Jiang Baimian stood up, a bit embarrassed, and moved her legs. Her ponytail bounced behind her.

When Shang Jianyao also stood up, she said:

"This task is a bit strange. Collecting information on a specific person in the Black Marsh Wilderness is like casting a net in the sea to catch a specific fish."

Shang Jianyao quickly responded:

"Have you seen the sea?"

"… That's not the point." Jiang Baimian spat, "At least I've seen real lakes, and the sea should be much broader."

Shang Jianyao ignored Jiang Baimian's response and continued the previous topic:

"Maybe this task wasn't given to just one hunter."

"True, spreading the net wide." Jiang Baimian agreed.

After that, they both said in unison:

"Really rich!"

To reward everyone who provides effective information, they would need more than a ton of flour.

Jiang Baimian looked into the depths of the Great Marsh, north of the Yuelu Station, and muttered to herself:

"What kind of background does that guy have?

"Is he worth so much attention…"

At this moment, Bai Chen completed the repairs, sat in the driver's seat, and tried to start the jeep.

A noisy sound rang out, and even Shang Jianyao could tell it wasn't normal.

Bai Chen stuck her head out the window and shouted to Jiang Baimian:

"The back is also damaged, many places are damaged. It can barely run now, but the speed is low, and I'm not sure when it will completely break down."

"Can't it be fixed?" Jiang Baimian asked seriously.

Bai Chen shook her head:

"No, but we lack key parts.

"Leader, I remember there's a settlement of wilderness wanderers nearby, just a few hours away. We could take a detour and see if we can trade for what we need.

"Even if the jeep breaks down halfway, I can ride the motorcycle to get the parts and come back."

She pointed to a relatively intact heavy motorcycle.

The other one was already destroyed in the previous explosion, leaving only a pile of scrap metal.

Jiang Baimian thought for two seconds:

"Okay."

Bai Chen and Shang Jianyao immediately checked the remaining two bodies and eventually obtained:

A lightly damaged heavy motorcycle, two micro submachine guns, some submachine gun bullets, useful parts from the motorcycle wreckage, half a loaf of bread, and a few cigarettes made from roasted tobacco leaves.

From the adult man, they also obtained a 'Downpour' submachine gun.

Long Yuehong, wearing an exoskeleton device, brought back the light machine gun.

"These three submachine guns use 9mm bullets, a common type, and we have plenty!" Jiang Baimian said happily after a brief inspection.

Then, she looked at the light machine gun and sighed regretfully:

"7.92mm bullets, we can't use it for now.

"Let's put it in the car. We can trade it later or bring it back to the company."

"This will leave no room for the exoskeleton device in the trunk." Bai Chen frowned.

Their trunk was already filled with canned food, cookies, bullets, filter chips, and various other items.

"The exoskeleton device goes in the passenger seat, and we can take turns riding the heavy motorcycle. Besides, three people can fit in the back seat, it's spacious enough." Jiang Baimian said casually.

Bai Chen nodded:

"That heavy motorcycle needs fuel, and we might not have enough. Let's try to trade it if we can."

Jiang Baimian didn't respond directly but looked around and said:

"Alright, everyone, spread out and collect the bullet casings you can see. They are strategic resources.

"Long Yuehong, you can take off the exoskeleton device to save power. We only brought one spare high-performance battery, so we need to be cautious."

As for the solar panels on the roof, they could only charge the jeep once a day.

"Yes, Leader!" Long Yuehong replied, then suddenly remembered something and pointed to the roadside, "What about it?"

He was referring to the massive corpse of the Black Marsh Iron Snake.

Jiang Baimian's beautiful, spirited eyebrows twisted:

"We can't move it…

"The meat is not worth it. These mutated creatures, while not completely inedible, are best avoided.

"The venom sacs in its mouth are also not worth it. We don't have a sealed container, and the liquid inside is volatile. It could lead to the Black Marsh Iron Snake's revenge.

"Let's peel off the skin. It should be portable. Fold it up and tie it to the roof. It's excellent biological material, and the 'Research Department' will definitely like it. They've been working on similar bionic armor.

"Long Yuehong, go over there with the exoskeleton device. The helmet has anti-toxin effects, and if I remember correctly, it has a high-temperature cutting function. Remember to start from the eyes and mouth."

After about fifteen minutes of work, Long Yuehong, with the help of Shang Jianyao wearing an anti-toxin mask, peeled off the mutated python's skin.

The skin was folded, wrapped, and tied to the roof of the jeep, secured with ropes and the solar panel's mounting brackets.

"Phew, done." Jiang Baimian clapped her hands, watching Long Yuehong and Shang Jianyao place the exoskeleton device in the passenger seat.

"How do we handle this?" She pointed to the three bodies nearby, "Should we strip their clothes?"

Clothes are also hard currency in the Ashlands, only slightly less valuable than food and weapons.

Before Bai Chen and Long Yuehong could give their opinions, Shang Jianyao spoke up, his expression serious:

"Sink them in the marsh."

Jiang Baimian nodded thoughtfully:

"Okay."

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