Chapter Thirteen: A Date?

Just past seven o’clock that morning, the office was as immaculate as the blue sky itself.

“Come in,” Gong Kui said, her face drawn into a bitter grimace as she helplessly regarded the two standing outside her door.

“Miss Gong Kui, we have something to ask of you,” Xia Yan apologized, sounding somewhat guilty.

“You two have caused such a commotion. Every member of the organization, including the mentors, must know about it. Why didn’t you consult me beforehand? This is a troublesome matter to deal with.” Gong Kui raised her eyebrows.

“There was nothing we could do,” Tao Lu shrugged. “I’ve been annoyed by that Lyon for ages—always acting like he knows everything. Who can stand it? Yesterday I was ready to fight him, just to see how strong these so-called ‘management members’ really are.”

“Do you want to get expelled?” Gong Kui rolled her eyes. “Luckily you didn’t actually fight, otherwise not only would you be expelled, but all your accumulated contribution points would be confiscated.”

“Unless you earn certification for ranking in the top thirty, you can’t challenge him to a duel?” Xia Yan inquired.

“That’s right. You must secure a spot in the top thirty. More precisely, you need to claim one of the slots between eleventh and thirtieth. If you want to challenge Lyon, it’s best to aim for eleventh place. There’s an old saying in the organization: without the eleventh rank, beating a management member is nearly hopeless,” Gong Kui said seriously. “Besides, the higher your rank, the greater the rewards. The top prize is fifty contribution points and your choice of a grade C weapon.”

At the mention of a grade C weapon, even Tao Lu’s expression changed slightly. The best grade C weapon was worth over two million credits.

Whether it was a firearm or a melee weapon, such a prize would greatly enhance one’s abilities, making the reward quite generous.

“What must I do?” Xia Yan asked.

“In about a month, the organization’s ranking tournament will begin. ‘Undeveloped ability users’ aren’t allowed to participate, nor are management members—which means only those who have developed abilities and aren’t part of management may take part,” Gong Kui explained. “If you win first place in the tournament, your organizational strength certification will be ranked eleventh.”

“Afterward, you’ll have one opportunity to challenge a management member. You can challenge Lyon—defeat him, and that’s it.”

“I understand. I’ll take first place,” Xia Yan replied confidently. Yet Tao Lu shot him an annoyed glare, clearly dissatisfied; she believed she should be the one to claim first.

“As for the recent incident, I’m still investigating, but it’s difficult to obtain concrete information,” Gong Kui sighed. “It’s like there are layers of obstacles blocking the way. For now, I can’t offer much help here.”

“We’re already grateful for your assistance,” Xia Yan said. “I don’t believe it was an accident. In the past six months, Gu Yue’er’s partners have died four times. One or two deaths might be exceptions, but three is abnormal—four is definitely suspicious.”

“Perhaps you’re right. I’ll keep helping with the investigation,” Gong Kui nodded. “If I find any leads, I’ll inform you immediately.”

“We’re mainly here to apply to join your team and break away from Lyon entirely,” Tao Lu finally revealed their main purpose.

“The same goes for Gu Yue’er. When she’s feeling better, please transfer her as well,” Xia Yan added.

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Gong Kui replied, her expression slightly odd. “However, Lyon still needs to sign off, and since you’ve antagonized him, I’ll have to play the villain.”

“There are always pros and cons. You get to add two members who are at least as strong as management—clearly, you’re the one benefiting,” Tao Lu joked.

Gong Kui laughed, “You talk a good game, but I don’t believe you…”

“Wait here while I get the paperwork. Once you sign, I’ll take it to Lyon for his signature, and you’ll be transferred.”

Gong Kui worked swiftly; in just over half an hour, everything was settled. As long as Gong Kui and Xia Yan agreed, Lyon had no real grounds to refuse—it was just a formality.

Gu Yue’er was still recuperating and would handle her transfer another day. She certainly wouldn’t remain under Lyon’s command.

“Well, we’ll take our leave now,” Xia Yan said, expressing his gratitude and preparing to depart.

“Wait a moment, I have a task for you,” Gong Kui said with a playful smile.

“So urgent?” Tao Lu complained. “We’re busy and have other matters to attend to…”

“Miss Tao Lu, hear me out—it’s a special task… truly special.” Gong Kui’s smile made Tao Lu’s scalp tingle.

“If there are contribution points, we can talk,” Xia Yan remarked, ever the miser.

“Of course. I’ll give you three contribution points each,” Gong Kui replied generously. This task was equivalent in value to clearing a level two demon.

“Speak!” Xia Yan responded quickly.

“Miss Gu Yue’er is still in poor condition, and has been cooped up in the medical building for ages. I’d like you to take her out for some fresh air, let her have some fun,” Gong Kui explained. “Naturally, I’ll use my personal privileges to grant you three contribution points.”

“What… what?” Tao Lu’s expression changed. “Shopping? Even… I have to go?”

“This is allowed?” Xia Yan was also stunned.

“Of course. Within my authority, as long as it’s not excessive, there’s no problem,” Gong Kui shrugged. “Well? Will you accept?”

“I don’t mind!” Xia Yan turned to Tao Lu. She angled her head toward the wall, but her ears were tinged with red.

“It doesn’t really matter whether Miss Tao Lu joins, but earning three contribution points just for a day out—that’s a good deal,” Gong Kui remarked.

Three contribution points were worth at least thirty thousand credits, and could fetch over thirty-five thousand on the black market.

“I’ll… think about it…” Tao Lu counted on her fingers, weighing the cost.

“There’s no time to consider! It’s nearly eight o’clock—you must fulfill a full day’s ‘task,’” Gong Kui emphasized the word.

“Well, all right… for the sake of three contribution points,” Tao Lu snorted, not very pleased.

…

On the streets of Fuxiang City, people bustled back and forth.

Gu Yue’er’s complexion was still pale, but under the gentle sunlight, she had a touch of rosy glow.

She wore a white dress, her hair tied in a ponytail, looking youthful and vibrant—no different from any ordinary city girl.

Xia Yan walked beside her, careful and attentive. When he visited the hospital that morning, he sensed Gu Yue’er wasn’t doing well, but now she seemed much improved.

Tao Lu wore her usual attire—practical top and trousers for easy movement—and trailed two or three meters behind them, grumbling to herself about being made the third wheel.

Though she knew Xia Yan’s feelings for Gu Yue’er weren’t romantic, walking together as a trio still felt odd. Tao Lu, a young lady, couldn’t just walk up and join them, lest people laugh at the sight of one man and two women.

“My goodness…” Tao Lu’s eyes sparkled, as if her pupils had become twinkling stars. She spotted a limited edition ‘Golden Pony’ plush in a claw machine by the roadside and nearly drooled.

“I’ll come back tomorrow… No, tonight… at dusk…” Tao Lu plotted.

“No, it’s not safe! If someone else gets it, the opportunity is gone—this is a limited edition!”

“Miss Tao Lu, what’s wrong?” Gu Yue’er approached, curiosity written on her face.

Following Tao Lu’s gaze, Gu Yue’er noticed an automatic ice cream dispenser beside the claw machine. Her eyes lit up as well.

“The newest ‘Cookie Cream’ ice cream flavor—now available from the vending machine, amazing…”

Xia Yan stood behind them, sweating nervously.

And so the day passed, filled with claw machines and ice cream. Xia Yan counted—Tao Lu snagged no fewer than thirty plush toys, while Gu Yue’er sampled at least a dozen different ice cream flavors…

…

Half a month later, Gu Yue’er’s condition improved, and she was preparing to be discharged in a few days.

That day, Xia Yan and Tao Lu were attending a theory class on abilities when they received an urgent message.

“Xia Yan, Tao Lu, are you there?” It was Gong Kui. “Three of my team members encountered a level two demon during their mission and are now trapped. Can you go and assist?”

Gong Kui sounded frantic.

“Yes, we’ll head over right away,” Xia Yan replied, rising and running for the door.

Tao Lu, resigned, followed.

“I’ve sent the relevant information and map to your neural terminals—the location isn’t far, you can reach it within ten minutes,” Gong Kui said bitterly. “I thought it was just a level one demon, but then a level two appeared. They’re not strong enough to handle one.”

“Level two demons are tough! Xia Yan and I have done countless such missions,” Tao Lu remarked as she ran.

“Of course…” Gong Kui sighed. “You think everyone is like you? Only a portion of ability users can face level two demons, and even they risk danger.”

A level two demon was theoretically matched to those whose brain development reached twenty percent. Many ability users, however, possessed support abilities—healing, detection, defense. Such abilities struggled even against level one demons…

Xia Yan quickly reviewed the profiles of the three trapped members.

One was a psychic ability user; the other two hadn’t developed abilities yet, but their strength was reliable—survivors of hardship.

Zhu En, psychic ability user, brain development at thirteen percent.

“Hm?” Xia Yan’s expression changed. Why was his brain development at thirteen percent…?

“There’s a note,” Xia Yan quickly checked.

Zhu En had suffered excessive trauma, leading to a severe reduction in ability—his brain development had nearly reached twenty percent, but regressed to thirteen, with damage to his brain.

A mentor specializing in psychic abilities had once explained that, if someone experienced excessive trauma but hadn’t reached the brain’s limit, a situation like this would occur.

Zhu En was precisely such a victim.