Chapter 643
Chapter 643 - 623: Gift
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8 min read
"Me as the captain? What about you?"
Upon hearing this information, Lu Ping’an immediately unmuted his phone and made a direct call.
𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂
"There are several proposals. We can communicate and consider having either dual captains or a main one and a vice... They also hinted that they could transfer the captain of Team 11 out, then you could be transferred to Team 11 to be the captain."
Upon hearing this, Lu Ping’an almost laughed out loud.
It seems, no matter how hard "outsiders" try to work overtime, they are always considered outsiders.
When the official’s legitimate heirs get promoted, you who stand in their way instantly turn into the unloved child, not even being given a heads-up when asked to "make way".
"Forget it, this is too much," Lu Ping’an pondered for a moment, then declined.
It wasn’t that he was worried about offending that captain, it was that he didn’t think much of those odd ones out in Team 11.
Although they barely qualify as elites among the 2-tier power, they already fixed their style and character... Lu Ping’an doesn’t need to keep such ready-for-action-but-too-mature warriors - he can train them himself, he has the time and the resources.
As the world’s door opens up, it seems natural for some people to "depreciate". Maybe it’s time for another reshuffling.
In a world of major competition, if one can not make rapid progress and increase in value, they will inevitably face relative backwardness and depreciation.
"There is one more option. The Special Service Team is about to expand anyway, so a captain position can be reserved for you. But you will probably need to figure out the team members yourself." Xia Qin paused for a while. She also knew Lu Ping’an probably wouldn’t think highly of Team 11.
However, she was just a relentless relay at this point. Throwing the Bureau of Anomaly Management’s condition directly at him.
On first hearing, it seems like nothing special, but after thinking it through, Lu Ping’an was somewhat stunned.
This good? are they not afraid that I will nurture my own people using official money and benefits, and eventually become formidable?
But on second thought, this should be a given... With the ability and confidence Lu Ping’an demonstrates now, he’s even more threatening than the Sophist used to be. To securely and dependably "deal with" him, a Rule-level is required.
For such an "insider", persuasion is the first option. Providing an "official" position may seem like a benefit, a form of co-optation, but it’s also a form of restraint.
"...Is there any other way?"
Normally, this question shouldn’t be asked.
"You can keep idling around in Team 3, but I suspect some people in the Bureau of Anomaly Management will start to treat you differently."
"From an insider to a variable factor, huh... I get it."
In a certain sense, that’s the advantage of having connections "up there". Xia Qin not only relayed what the superiors had said, but also brought things that wouldn’t be officially announced, like the private discussions among some insiders.
In the eyes of some managers, if you have abilities, you should also bear responsibilities. The harder you work, the better treatment you get... a considerable number of middle-aged managers fought their way up that way.
If you have great abilities but aim to bask in the sun, not willing to contribute to your city but just taking advantage of the official system, then when you’re needed, you might not be reliable, nor can you be called an "insider"... Of course, if you are Rule-level Big shot, all you need to do is to put your name out there without lifting a finger, and that already stands as an honor.
This time, the "proposal" from the officials is both a privilege and a responsibility. It’s also a test, to test whether Lu Ping’an is still on the same page with the officials... at least, testing whether he intends to appear as if he is, for the foreseeable future.
Perhaps if Lu Ping’an really agreed, the position he would end up in might not necessarily be the Special Service Team.
"...Sigh, accept it on my behalf. When do I probably need to set up my team?"
"That’s hard to say, there’s still some negotiations going on. But in such cases, anything could happen. If the deal is closed today, it might be introduced tomorrow. From what I know, there are already too many local patrols, so the top might not continue to increase the number of stationed teams. They might build up a slightly more flexible mobile team, or could be both. Which side are you more interested in?"
"...I’ll see when the time comes. I don’t even know the scope of duty for mobile teams yet. If it’s about rushing all over the city, I’m definitely not doing it."
After casually chatting for a while and subtly suggesting Xia Qin to mediate on his family issue, Lu Ping’an hangs up the phone.
On the other end of the phone, Xia Qin also showed a sincere smile. This was not only because her judgement was becoming reality but also because Lu Ping’An had chosen to stand by her to this day.
[The third-tier Secret Realm ’Everlasting Abyss’ has been completed, Lu Ping’an’s overall rating is ’SSS’.]
[Congratulations, Host, for winning the additional challenge – the Heroic Spirit showdown challenge (Lower Gold)!]
[Gift from the Secret Realm Master (Rust Knight’s Virtual Persona): Young fledgling, I hope you don’t forget the expectations of your elders. Perhaps these expectations are a bit too heavy for you.]
[Gift message from the Secret Realm Master (Rust Knight’s Virtual Persona): Here’s a message for that impolite brat, ’Don’t listen to the old man’s nonsense, we will take care of our revenge. Young boy, just do what you want to do, don’t think too much...And, you did well this time, I’m very satisfied.’]
These brief words, having a chance to read them seriously this time, made Lu Ping’an laugh for the first time since he came back.
"...Hmm, I’m pretty satisfied too."
What followed, were some ordinary records.
[Based on the comprehensive evaluation and the attitude of the Secret Realm Master, your Secret Realm feedback is as follows... Please note, the reward has been adjusted, and some content has been locked.]
[As a reward for winning the Heroic Spirit challenge, you have been awarded Heroic Spirit Holy Relic ’Hannah’s Corpse Wrap’ (Silver mid-position).]
This was the red cloth he had now.
It was covered with stains, many of which were obviously blood stains. Despite most of the stains having deteriorated, when brought close, it still only had a faint smell of blood, as if it was just stained with fresh blood.
In the system’s marker, it was even a rare "additional equipment", which could be considered a type of weapon... but for Lu Ping’an, its value even surpassed normal Rule-Level items.
[In the face of adversity, you did not falter. You achieved an impressive victory against the overwhelming power difference. Because your abilities are too complex, the Secret Realm Master has given you the right to choose the reward.]
[A. I want to be stronger.]
[B. I want to have more opportunities on the path of a knight.]
[C. I hope my mental strength and vision can be more sharp.]
[D. I want to possess a stronger vitality, even the power of immortality.]
[E. I wish to run faster.]
[F. I want to cultivate martial skills faster.]
[G. I don’t know what to pick, you decide.]
No wonder many people say that Mr. Knight is a generous deity, these blessings can all be chosen, and they obviously are of a high level.
Back then, Lu Ping’an felt dizzy and overwhelmed by so many options, so he asked Damao his opinion.
He thought at the time that Damao would suggest him to pick C or E ... after all, his mental strength was the source of all his abilities, Survival system, Battle-profession, Abnormal Ability, Flame system all relied on it, and E might represent Reflex, which was an area he was increasingly weak in.
Martial skills can be cultivated, the physique can be trained well and can be enhanced with potions. Lu Ping’an himself preferred these two options - improving basic attributes is always worth it, but the result...
"Pick G, don’t hesitate."
"Why? ’I don’t know what to pick, you decide’, this nonsense of an option? Isn’t it just a filler?"
"A filler? This is handing over the choice to the Secret Realm Master. According to the rules, as the price of giving up active choice, he can increase your reward level by half a tier or a full tier. Also, why did you want my opinion?"
"You’re stronger than me, have more experience, you should have a better judgement in these things...oh, I got it."
Chris definitely has a better judgement than Lu Ping’an, and Mr. Knight’s experience can help Lu Ping’an make better choices!
"I pick G. Mr. Rust Knight, in honor of Sister Hannah, gift me a powerful blessing, please."
— End of Chapter 643 —