Chapter 12

"Captain Luo Jie, since this mission is difficult, I should go even more. As a member of the Sky Splitter Mercenary Group, how can I retreat at this moment?" Lin Xinghai said resolutely.

This standard answer, he didn't believe Luo Jie had any reason to object?

"You're not the leader, so there's no need for you to show loyalty to me." Luo Jie was speechless.

After a pause, he continued, "I wasn't joking when I said that. This mission will take us deep into the city, and the danger level is at least twice as high as usual."

"Although you have good talent, you're still just an ordinary person. Even if I put you in a logistics position, if we really encounter danger, I doubt you'll be able to escape."

At this point, Lin Xinghai finally realized that Luo Jie wasn't testing his loyalty or anything ridiculous, but genuinely concerned for him.

Thinking about this, he decided to be more open, "Captain Luo Jie, there's actually something I want to report to you. I'm not as weak as you think. After the shelter allocated accommodations this afternoon, five thugs from the Axe Gang came to collect protection fees, and I took care of them."

It was hard to hide his increased strength, especially when they were about to go on a mission and might encounter danger.

It was better to tell him now rather than have it exposed later, so he could be prepared.

"You didn't show them your mercenary badge? How did you end up in conflict with the Axe Gang? If I remember correctly, they're backed by the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group!"

Wait a minute...

As Luo Jie spoke, he finally caught on.

He swallowed hard and looked at Lin Xinghai in disbelief, "What did you say? You actually took care of the Axe Gang's thugs, and five of them at that? How is that possible?"

Lin Xinghai smiled, "Actually, there's something I've never told you. Before the apocalypse, I was a provincial kickboxing champion, and my fighting skills are quite good."

"This..." Hearing this, Luo Jie's eyes widened, but he quickly shook his head, "That still doesn't make sense. You haven't taken any gene agents, and the physical condition of those thugs is far superior to yours, especially when it's one against five."

"That's the second thing I wanted to tell you. I've discovered that I absorb gene agents very quickly."

"In this half day, I've already absorbed two bottles of gene agents, which is the main reason I was able to beat those thugs." Lin Xinghai finally revealed this fabricated reason.

He knew it was a poor excuse, and a normal person probably wouldn't believe it, but he had no choice!

He couldn't explain the system, and he wasn't going to.

"What!" Luo Jie was so shocked that he stood up, staring at Lin Xinghai intently, "You... are you serious?"

"Serious, but I don't know why." Lin Xinghai said earnestly.

Luo Jie stood there for a long time, then muttered, "Could you have some special constitution?"

Lin Xinghai's ears twitched, "What's a special constitution?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. After all, among millions of people, there are always a few with extremely special constitutions, which give them some extraordinary abilities. People with special constitutions have particularly powerful awakened abilities." Luo Jie explained.

"Um, I think I have that special constitution." Lin Xinghai quickly said.

He didn't care what a special constitution was; if it could help him cover his lie, he would claim it.

"Why?" Luo Jie asked.

"No reason, just a feeling. Otherwise, why would I absorb gene agents so quickly?"

Luo Jie: "..."

The room fell into a long silence. After a full fifteen minutes, Luo Jie finally accepted the fact.

"You mustn't let anyone know about your special constitution, understand?" Luo Jie warned seriously.

"Okay! I understand." Lin Xinghai nodded repeatedly, "So, can I go on this mission?"

Seeing Luo Jie's hesitant expression, Lin Xinghai added, "If you're still worried about my strength, give me another ten to twenty bottles of gene agents, and I can break through to become a gene-enhanced individual before we leave."

Luo Jie's expression darkened, but after some consideration, he pulled out two bottles of gene agents from his pocket, "Before we leave, improve your strength as much as possible. When the time comes, stay close to me and don't act rashly."

Lin Xinghai didn't expect Luo Jie to actually give him gene agents, and it was clearly from his own pocket.

But he didn't refuse and accepted them directly.

He really needed the blood energy now, and he would repay this favor when he had the strength.

"Now, let me tell you about the mission. 200 kilometers southeast of the Star Shield Shelter is Tian Shan City. During our last mission, we accidentally discovered an energy reaction in a certain area of the city center, suspecting that a significant amount of energy crystals are stored there."

"Initial estimates suggest at least one ton. These energy crystals are our target." Luo Jie said in a low voice.

"One ton of energy crystals!" Lin Xinghai exclaimed, then immediately covered his mouth and looked around.

Now he finally understood why Luo Jie had spent extra money to get a private room and carefully scanned the surroundings with his wrist computer before the conversation.

After an afternoon of wandering and gathering information, Lin Xinghai was no longer so naive. He at least knew the value of energy crystals.

One ton of energy crystals, if it were before the apocalypse, might not be much.

But in the current period of energy scarcity, its value was incomparable.

If they could successfully bring it back and sell it at the shelter, they could earn at least 100,000 to 150,000 points.

This was a fortune that could drive any mercenary group crazy.

"If this mission goes smoothly, the mercenary group can purchase a large amount of new equipment and advance to a second-level mercenary group."

"At that time, with the talent you've shown, I might really be able to give you ten to twenty bottles of gene agents in a week." Luo Jie smiled.