Besides working as the cook for the Commander, Shang Yuanling also took on missions to earn more points. She had her eye on a villa and wanted to get it before it was sold out.
When the mission hall staff saw her, they greeted her with smiles. She returned their greetings and checked the mission board.
Due to the continuous snowfall, the missions were mostly about clearing snow, killing zombies, and repairing things. She checked for a while but didn’t find any mission she liked.
Just as she was considering taking a mission to clear snow, a young man walked over and called out, "Sister, are you looking for a mission?"
At first, Shang Yuanling didn’t notice that the young man was talking to her until she felt someone pat her shoulder. Turning around, she saw the man and looked at him warily.
"Sister, you don’t need to look at me like that. Although I’m not a good person, I’m not a bad person either."
After a brief pause, he continued, "I saw you looking for a mission. If you didn’t find anything you like, how about joining my brother and me to hunt mutant animals?"
"Who are you?"
Hearing this, Cheng Rui slapped his forehead and said, "Ah, right. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Cheng Rui, and this is my twin brother, Cheng Yue."
Shang Yuanling nodded but said nothing. She didn’t have the habit of teaming up with strangers, so she didn’t plan to accept his offer.
Seeing that she was only staring at him, Cheng Rui said, "Sister, both my brother and I are level-three dual ability-users. I often see you take D-rank solo missions, so you must be at least a level-three ability-user."
"You see, it’s hard to find a team to explore outside right now. Why don’t you join us so we can take a B-rank mission?"
To encourage ability-users to progress faster, the Base established a new rule. As long as there were 3 level-three ability-users, the mercenary team could take a B-rank mission regardless of the team’s rank.
Shang Yuanling considered the pros and cons for a while before asking, "What’s your ability?"
"I’m a metal- and lightning-type ability-user, and my brother is a fire- and earth-type ability-user. Sister, what about you?" Cheng Rui replied.
"I have a healing ability."
The moment she said this, everyone nearby turned to look at her. It was rare to find an ability-user with a healing ability.
Usually, a healer was hired by the Base, and their payment was high. Therefore, unless a mercenary team could offer a higher salary or had a close relationship with the healer, it was impossible for them to recruit one.
This was the first time they had met a healer who went solo. While healing ability was crucial for survival, healers had almost no combat power. If they didn’t work for the Base, they would usually join a team.
After a moment of silence, Cheng Rui grabbed her hands and said, "Sister, our meeting is fate! Join my team, and we will split the loot and reward evenly. No—take 40%. My brother and I will each take 30%."
Hearing this, Shang Yuanling was interested. After all, the highest offer a healer usually received was 10% of the loot and reward. This was the first time she had met someone willing to give her such a large share.
Although she wanted to join them, she already had a job and couldn’t act without informing the Commander. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I can join your team temporarily."
"Why don’t you join my team permanently, Sister? Do you have another job?" Cheng Rui asked.
Shang Yuanling didn’t plan to hide this and nodded. "I’m doing a mission as a side job. I work as a Base staff."
When they heard this, Cheng Rui and Cheng Yue exchanged glances. Although they didn’t have many friends, they still knew that everyone who worked for the Base had fixed working hours. Right now was not the time for the staff to get off work yet.
Although they had doubts, they didn’t dwell on it. Once she went out with them, she would understand that they were strong enough to rival an A-rank team. Joining their team would be beneficial for her.
"No problem. Since you have a job, you can just join us whenever you have free time," Cheng Rui said with a grin.
Seeing his harmless, bright smile, Shang Yuanling couldn’t help but return his smile and nod. "Okay."
After reaching an agreement, the three of them went to register their temporary team and take a B-rank mission. The mission required them to hunt down 5 mutant animals or mutant plants. As long as they showed the carcasses, the mission would be considered complete.
Before leaving the Base, the three of them went to the general store to buy supplies. Besides dry food and water, they also bought some fresh mutant meat.
Normally, they would share the cost equally. However, since this was Shang Yuanling’s first time joining them, Cheng Rui and Cheng Yue were generous and didn’t let her pay.
After finishing their preparations, the three of them left the Base in a jeep. The jeep had been found and repaired by the Cheng brothers. With chains added to the wheels, they didn’t have to worry about the vehicle slipping.
They drove for two hours before reaching a frozen artificial lake. After parking the jeep, the three of them got out. Looking at the frozen lake, Shang Yuanling asked, "What are we doing here?"
"Sister, our mission is to kill 5 mutant animals. It didn’t specify the type," Cheng Rui replied casually.
Hearing this, she raised her eyebrows and said, "You want to catch mutant fish?"
Cheng Rui didn’t reply, but his gaze conveyed his meaning. Since they had already made up their minds, Shang Yuanling had no objection.
Standing by the lakeside, Cheng Yue raised his hand and threw two fireballs toward the lake.
Boom! Boom!