Chapter 1 The Estate Stronghold

In the estate's bunker, Han Xiao stroked his chin, pondering to himself.

The Simulation Mask changed his appearance. Unless someone got close, he wouldn't be recognized.

He had fled Planet Xinglong, but the panel didn't indicate any decrease in favorability. Since the relationship hadn't turned hostile, there was still plenty of room to maneuver.

Han Xiao was quite impressed by Di Su Su. This woman always liked to verbally tease Li Ya Lin, who rejected her, yet she always inadvertently leaned toward Li Ya Lin. Even her style of dress had echoes of Li Ya Lin's. Han Xiao, who had seen countless ordinary people, could tell at a glance that the pure friendship between the girls was blossoming like lilies.

…

Two days later.

A sniper bullet ejected from the gun barrel, killing the last enemy sniper hundreds of meters away. The battlefield, thick with gunpowder smoke, gave off a pungent smell. The badly mauled enemy retreated again like the tide. Han Xiao exhaled and leaned against the wall, closing his eyes to relieve the throbbing tension in his nerves.

The enemies came in stronger waves, with helicopters and armored vehicles taking turns, even small tanks being deployed. There were also many superhumans and elite soldiers with powerful individual strength appearing on the battlefield, posing a great threat.

For the past two days, the estate had been like a small boat in a whirlpool, extremely dangerous. Han Xiao had done everything he could, and with the cooperation of the other mercenaries, they had managed to hold out.

[You have repelled a wave of attackers (5/5)]

[Fourth ring completed, you have gained 200,000 experience]

[Hidden requirement "Prevent the appearance of the Thirteenth Bureau" failed, additional fifth ring mission activated]

Han Xiao was stunned. So the hidden requirement was to prevent the Thirteenth Bureau from showing up. He really hadn't expected it. After thinking about it, he understood how he had missed the hidden requirement.

If they could quickly resolve each battle and not create such a big commotion, perhaps the Thirteenth Bureau wouldn't have come knocking. But that was too difficult. Even if he had guessed it, it would have been hard to accomplish. Han Xiao wasn't worried. Hidden requirements were naturally hit or miss; that was normal.

"The original mission only had four rings, but failing the hidden requirement actually triggered an additional fifth ring. Is this a blessing in disguise? What kind of mission will it be?"

Han Xiao was curious.

[Mission Requirements Changed]

[Fifth Ring Mission: Follow Wang Yuan's actions and respond to danger]

[Mission Failure Condition: Personal Death]

[Reward: 30,000 experience]

[Special Reward: 300,000 experience]

Han Xiao was immediately taken aback. He felt that this fifth ring mission was strange in every way.

The rewards didn't match the current ring. The special reward was ten times the normal reward, and the mission requirement was very flexible. What kind of danger were they responding to?

The mission failure condition must have been set because the player could resurrect. Bennett was protecting Wang Yuan, so the danger was likely directed at him.

This mission revealed a very obvious subtext—"Hehe, I'm very dangerous."

…

Two days ago.

This was an abandoned warehouse, dimly lit, and also Bai Jin's secret base.

A nimble bolt of lightning wrapped around an arm, illuminating a young face with a hint of wickedness in his eyes.

Bai Jin flipped his hand, and the lightning sank into his skin and disappeared.

"Ding."

The computer on the table in front of him lit up, receiving an encrypted email. Bai Jin casually clicked it open.

"Assassination target: Wang Yuan"

"Location: Twenty miles north of Planet Xinglong White Gull City, River Valley Estate"

"Defensive forces: 214 mercenaries, 14 Blood Contract Syndicate assassins, Moonlight (Dark), Hunter (Dark), Volcano (Dark), Golden Fox (Dark), Mr. Black (Scorpion)... Possesses complete defensive works and firepower."

"Reward: Two million."

Bai Jin's eyes darkened, and he said coldly, "Two million to get me to take action? Do they think I'm in the same price range as those garbage mercenaries and assassins?"

He replied to the email, refusing the offer.

Before long, the other party sent a new email, directly raising the reward to six million.

"That's more like it." Bai Jin's lips curled up, full of wickedness and arrogance.

From beginning to end, he only cared about the reward, regardless of the target.

"Ashes of Lightning" Bai Jin, a super criminal, had escaped the pursuit of the Six Nations countless times. His superpower possessed terrifying destructive power. The number of bounty hunters, special agents from various countries, and even Sprout executives who had died at his hands exceeded three digits! Even military encirclements were easily broken through by him.

The individual combat power of Aquamarine Star was divided into three levels, a pyramid-like structure. At the bottom layer were most of the superhumans who had just awakened and some battle-hardened ordinary soldiers. The second layer was most superhumans, such as Sprout executives like Pan Kuang, secret agents of the Six Nations' intelligence agencies, and so on. The third layer was very rare, at least level forty or higher. This included the ace combatants of various countries, some super criminals, power leaders, and people like Bennett who were at the top of the third layer.

Bai Jin was exactly the kind of esper who had stepped into the third level!

…

In the evening, Wang Yuan gathered everyone together.

"I'm going to White Gull City to contact the Thirteenth Bureau. I need to take some capable people as temporary guards. The rest will stay and guard the estate."

Before anyone could react, Wang Yuan began to call out names, "Moonlight, Volcano, Hunter, Golden Fox, Mr. Black, please, the five of you, protect me. I will appropriately increase your reward. If you are unwilling, I will not force you."

"No problem." Hunter was the first to speak. The others had no objections either.

Han Xiao's eyes flashed. He knew that refusing to follow would mean failing the mission, so he nodded in agreement. Then, he looked at Bennett next to him and asked, "But is he going?"

Bennett nodded, "I'll go too."

Han Xiao's heart sank. Bennett could protect Wang Yuan, which meant the danger was mainly concentrated on the assassins who were following.

Who was Brother Xiao? A battle-hardened mission expert! He immediately smelled an ominous aura. At this time, perhaps reversing the venomous milk would be a good choice. For example, saying things like "This operation is definitely going to go wrong" or "The enemy will definitely attack, and they will be very powerful." Maybe it would have a miraculous effect, but of course, the greater possibility was that it would become a self-fulfilling prophecy...

Following Wang Yuan into the car, they set off for White Gull City. Han Xiao noticed that everyone in the car was silent, with expressions that said, "Don't bother me, let me continue to be cool." He couldn't even find someone to chat with.

Han Xiao turned his head and saw Golden Fox huddled in the other corner, as far away from him as possible. When she saw him looking over, she quickly turned her face away, not daring to meet his eyes.

"It was just a joke, was the psychological trauma that great?" Han Xiao said helplessly.

On the other side, in the woods, Di Su Su, who had been monitoring River Valley Estate, also set off.

"Target is leaving the estate, heading towards White Gull City. Several assassins are accompanying him. Continue monitoring."

…

The stars shone brightly in the night sky, and White Gull City was brightly lit. This major town in eastern Planet Xinglong was mainly industrial, and there were many factories in the suburbs. The huge chimneys were like fingers pointing to the sky. Due to the abundance of factories, the city's atmosphere had a unique heaviness.

The sentry post had received notification from above and allowed Han Xiao's car, carrying armed personnel, to pass.

As soon as they passed the sentry post, a black car from the Thirteenth Bureau was waiting by the roadside. A member of the Thirteenth Bureau came up and said, "Mr. Wang Yuan, Chief Mo is waiting for you at the branch."

"Little brother, please lead the way." Wang Yuan smiled.

The member of the Thirteenth Bureau glanced at the five fully armed assassins, hesitated, but finally said nothing and got into the car to lead the way.

The two cars drove all the way to the restricted area of the Thirteenth Bureau's White Gull City branch. Outside the gate, the member of the Thirteenth Bureau finally expressed the rule that those carrying weapons could not enter.

Wang Yuan nodded and turned to the five of them, "Then you guys stay in White Gull City for the night. Meet here at this time tomorrow."

After giving his instructions, he and Bennett walked into the Thirteenth Bureau branch.

The assassins stayed where they were, staring at each other.

Volcano, a burly Sanu man, spoke in a muffled voice, "What are your plans?"

Hunter curled his lips, "I'm going to a bar to have some fun." He looked at Golden Fox and smiled, "Want to come with me?"

Golden Fox chuckled and waved her hand, politely refusing, "No thanks, I'm more interested in handsome men."

Hunter snorted unhappily.

"Hunter, I'll go with you." Volcano laughed and looked at Moonlight, "What about you?"

Moonlight was expressionless, looking very rigid, and said, "I'll patrol around here."

Volcano also invited Han Xiao, but Han Xiao waved his hand in refusal. Seeing this, Volcano didn't force him.

The five of them parted ways.

"The fifth ring mission actually gave us free time. The danger will probably appear at any time..."

Han Xiao thought for a moment. He didn't want to miss the hard-earned free time, so he planned to do the White Gull City prize pool missions along the way.

Since danger was bound to appear, he might as well do something else so as not to waste time. Han Xiao remained vigilant at all times. It didn't matter when the danger appeared. There was no need to deliberately hide and prepare.

Han Xiao walked down the street, his black trench coat seeming to hide in the night. Suddenly, he felt a prickling sensation, realizing that someone seemed to be secretly following him.