âSir, there is nothing in Town Gudam that I donât know. Sir can ask me anything.â
âIf sir needs to take a break here, I can introduce sir the best hotel as well as the most beautiful and caring maid.â
âThe equipment on sir seems to be badly damaged. I know that there is a blacksmith shop opened by a hobbit whose craftsmanship is the best in town...â Along the way, Lucio spared no effort to show his value in front of Chen Rui. Chen Rui did not say anything as he knew Lucioâs intention. In fact, he had no intention to kill the little pawn, Lucio. He just wanted to get an identity certificate and go to Dragon Bright Empire. Speaking of which, he also learned a lot of useful news from the endless words of this guy.
âYour great-grandfather was in the military of the Dragon Bright Empire?â Chen Rui finally asked.
Lucio tried to get close to this âMaster powerhouseâ by listing his genealogy in the hope of saving his life. When he heard this question, he hastily replied, âYes, my great-grandfather was once the leader of the Red Dragon Legion spearmen team, but unfortunately, our family suffered a reversal of fortune. During my fatherâs time, we migrated to the Yang Shao Empire. Later, my father died of illness and I...â
Speaking of ancestral glory, Lucio lowered his head in shame in comparison to his current situation, âMy dream since I was a child is to be a spearman and inherit the glory of my grandfather. Unfortunately, my luck is quite bad...â
Bad luck? Is it because spearmen is a miserable profession? Chen Rui remembered a sentence, âSince ancient times, spearmen have been miserable, their luck is the lowestâ. A typical example is a miserable guy holding the âCrimson Rose of Exorcismâ.
Of course, Chen Rui knew that Lucioâs shame contained a lot of crocodile tears. He shook his head indifferently and did not speak any more.
The miserable spearman was very familiar with the terrain here. After about 1.5 hour, the 2 walked out of the forest and came to Town Gudam.
Chen Rui was silent along the way. He seemed more mysterious in Lucioâs mind. He didnât dare to ask more, and he just asked kindly, âSir, mechanic badge, potioneer badge, academy badge and mercenary badge are common identity certificates for all empires, but there is only mercenary union in Town Gudam. If sir doesnât mind, you can first register a mercenary identity for temporary use.â
There were mechanic badges and potioneer badges in Chen Ruiâs storage warehouse, but they were the Demon Realmâs badge. There were also the 3 empiresâ inscribed pattern logos which were definitely impossible to use in the human world. Chen Rui pondered for a moment and spoke up, âThen letâs go to the mercenary union. Iâm a low-key person. You know what to do now?â
This sentence implied a threat. Lucio shook his head quickly, âUnderstood! Please rest assured sir!â
The 2 came to a larger building. There was a sword-shaped logo on it.
After entering the door was a hall. There were many people in the hall who looked like mercenaries. Soon after both of them walked into the hall, they heard a disdainful voice coming from the side, âLook who is that? Isnât it the âlousy spearâ, Lucio? Even his spear is broken. Heâs a veritable trash this time.â
The man who spoke was a bearded man carrying a broad sword behind him. His strength was D- which was a realm higher than Lucio.
The mocking voices beside him also sounded, âThis guy usually only bullies some rookies. He has no ability. That day I saw him being chased by a flame pig and half of his pants were burned. Haha!â
âLucio is not simply a trash, he is also an unlucky fellow. Last time, he was so ignorant that he blackmailed the guard leaderâs cousin who just came here, then he was beaten severely and imprisoned for 3 months...â Lucio didnât dare to say anything. He walked forward with his head down.
A petite female mercenary with a well-developed body spoke up, âHey, the kid following behind! Lucio is not a good thing, donât be fooled by him!â
This was considered kind advice. Chen Rui glanced at the female mercenary, and he still followed Lucio.
âHe doesnât even accept Sister Inaâs kindness. This rookie deserves to be fooled!â
âI bet this rookie has been tricked by at least 30 white crystal coins.â
âIt should be 50 white coins, shall we bet?â
Chen Ruiâs voice faintly sounded in Lucioâs ear, âIt seems that you are quite famous.â
Lucioâs face blushed, and his head dropped lower. They arrived at the âreception deskâ. Right in front was a pretty girl, and several girls were busy behind her. The huge bulletin board on the side listed mercenary missions of various levels in detail including content, time limit, and reward. The most striking thing was the popular mission marked on the big black sign. There was no mercenary union in the Demon Realm, so Chen Rui looked at it curiously.
âSandy, my friend wants to become a mercenary, please help to register him.â
Sandy glanced at Lucio and gave Chen Rui a form. Chen Ruiâs current face was the Earth otaku that he used in the Dead Sea which was not eye-catching. He filled in the name âRichardâ in the form, and the rest of the information was naturally made up based on what Lucio said.
Sandy took the form, took a quick glance, and nodded, âRichard, I donât know if Lucio has clearly stated to you that to become a union certified mercenary, you must first complete the simplest qualification mission and become a reserve mercenary. Then, you need to complete 3 white crystal-level missions within 1 month to become an official mercenary with a white crystal badge.â
Lucio hurriedly spoke up, âUh... This is the case, Sandy, please register Richard to join my Burning Spear Squad. That way, as long as he can complete the reserve mercenary mission, he can directly become an official mercenary.â
This was indeed the rule of the trade union. As long as one formally joined the registered mercenary team after becoming a reserve mercenary, the reserve mercenary could directly âbecome officialâ and get the badge. This was not a loophole. Mercenary was a life-risking career. An accident would cause death and injury or even team wipe. A formal mercenary team would definitely not recruit members without strength.
âThe reserve mission should be the hunting wind rabbit. Here is a wind rabbitâs corpse, please check it.â Lucio took out the wind rabbit hunted on the way and put it on the table.
âYes, it is indeed a fresh wind rabbit corpse. Richard can already obtain the reserve mercenary qualification, but...â Sandy took out a form and looked at it carefully, âLucio, Iâm afraid... you donât have the qualification to recruit team members. Burning Spear Squad is now in a frozen state as you have not completed a purple crystal-level mission within a year. According to regulations, you must complete a purple crystal-level mission within 7 days starting today to unfreeze it. Otherwise, Burning Spear Squad will be disbanded forever.â
âWhat?â Lucio shook, âItâs been a year already? Why didnât I receive notice in advance?â
âHmph! A trash like you who canât admit failure all day long only knows how to scam others and be drunk to dispel sorrows. How can you remember the time? Naturally, there is no need to waste energy to notify you.â A strong voice sounded from behind. This middle-aged man with a red beard and a scar on his face.
âSir President.â Sandyâs words indicated the identity of the red-bearded man, who was the head of the Town Gudamâs mercenary union branch. The strength of the Red Beardâs was Warrior peak stage (D+) on the surface, which was equivalent to the later stage of Higher Demon, but his actual strength had reached the Master which was equivalent to the early stage Great Demon King (B-). These did not escape from Chen Ruiâs eyes.
Red Beard naturally couldnât see through Chen Ruiâs strength. He only regarded him as a poor rookie who was scammed by Lucio and didnât bother about him at all. He cast a cold gaze on Lucio, âYouâre more miserable than I thought. Have you resorted to scamming in the name of the mercenary squad? Such a squad has no meaning at all. â
âNo! Sir Rodan, I didnât! Really!â Lucio yelled. He suddenly broke out in cold sweat when he recalled that there was a terrifying character beside him.
From the words of the Red Beard, Chen Rui heard that the miserable spearman seemed to be a guy with a bit of a story. Now that the mercenary team is frozen, the plan to get the mercenary badge quickly has failed, but the miserable man shouldnât be doing this on purpose as it concerns his life.
âSo after completing a purple crystal-level mission, I will be able to get the mercenary badge?â Chen Rui suddenly interjected.
âKid, itâs not easy to be a mercenary. Otherwise, even if you get the mercenary badge, you will only die faster in future missions if you are not a true mercenary.â Red-bearded Rodan glanced at Chen Rui and shook his head disapprovingly, âDonât believe this liarâs so-called shortcut. Honestly complete the 3 white crystal-level missions, and accumulate your experience slowly, then maybe you can live longer. As for the purple crystal-level missions, it is surely not something you can touch at your current level.â
Chen Rui had already noticed the mission of white crystal level. It was really not difficult. There were assisting potioneer in collecting herbs, sending letters to neighboring towns, assisting the guards in night defense, collecting magic beast skin and fur and so on. But for him, who was not familiar with this place, it was too time-consuming.
âMs. Sandy, I would like to ask, what is the fastest mission to cancel Burning Spear Squad freezing? I only ask the mission with the shortest time regardless of the level.â Chen Rui smiled at Sandy and asked.
For some reason, Sandy felt a strange charm in the ordinary smile, and she replied, âOn the popular mission, there is a manticore egg mission posted by Pastor Mana. The level is black crystal level 7, and the reward is 300 black crystal coins.â
âOh.â Chen Rui nodded and said to Lucio, âLetâs go.â
Lucio didnât dare to talk more. He followed suit. The Red Beard frowned slightly when he noticed that the relationship between the 2 was a little weird.
Stepping out of the mercenary union, Lucio quickly explained, âSir Richard, Iâm sorry; I really donât know that Burning Spear Squad has been frozen...â
âWhere is the manticore in the Blue Wild Forest?â
âIn the Mighty Poison Cave deep in the Blue Wild Forest...â Lucio replied, and he immediately reacted, âSir! You...â
âStop talking nonsense. Now lead the way to the Mighty Poison Cave immediately!â
âHuh? Me?â Lucio trembled and stopped walking. âMighty Poison Cave has 2 manticores. 1 is said to be close to Saint. They are the kings of the Blue Wild Forest. No one has ever dared to provoke them. A year ago, my team was collecting poisonous fruits nearby and accidentally alarmed a manticore. As a result, everyone except me was...â
âYou now have 2 options. First, die immediately. Second, go to Mighty Poison Cave. Perhaps you can not only survive, but you can also avenge your lost companions.â
Lucio looked at Chen Ruiâs calm eyes, and he finally gritted his teeth, âIâll go!â
TL: Hmmm, it seems like this Lucio will be his future servant.