Volume 3, Chapter 45 – Opportunity Comes Much Faster Than Expected

Monster Mountain Hermit said sorry, then calmly picked up the book and put it back into her backpack.

The unreliable captain, Feilian, lit up the moment he saw Monster Mountain Hermit. “Welcome, welcome. You’re called Monster Mountain Hermit, right? I’m Feilian, the captain of this squad!”

Feilian led Monster Mountain Hermit inside. As soon as he turned around, he was about to call out to the others behind him.

“Captain, you know me. I’m not interested in little girls with no chest and no ass,” Daogu said.

Anran turned and glanced at Monster Mountain Hermit.

They were not some exaggerated mega-boobs or anything, but no matter how you looked at it, “small” definitely did not apply.

Besides, Monster Mountain Hermit was obviously not a little girl.

You bastard, do you say that to every person who walks in?

At the same time, Anna took a deep drag on her cigarette and got absolutely nothing out of it.

The cigarette had already burned all the way down.

She casually stubbed it out.

“Outlander, interested in sparring with me?” She was actually showing some rare enthusiasm.

“…”

As for Chu Yuan, Feilian had not even said anything, and he had already very consciously brought over a cup of newcomer welcome tea.

Anran said nothing.

I can’t be the only one drinking this tea.

Monster Mountain Hermit picked up the teacup and took a bold gulp.

“…”

“You okay?” Anran “kindly” asked as she watched her face turn red from holding it in.

Monster Mountain Hermit shook her head. After a long while, she finally said, “I’m fine.”

Warrior, I believe in you.

So she was a warrior with such iron will. No wonder she had been able to clear that dungeon by herself!

After the four-piece newcomer welcome package was over,

Feilian picked up the conversation again.

Looking at his honest, simple appearance, Anran found it hard to connect him with the captain of a Nine Songs Special Action Squad who had killed countless people.

Sure enough, if you judged people only by appearances, you would get burned.

“My name’s Feilian. The one lying over there is our squad’s ranged DPS, Daogu. That ill-tempered woman is our melee specialist, Anna. And the young man beside her is Chu Yuan, who handles logistics.”

Then Feilian turned and pointed at Anran. “This is…”

“The top scorer of the assessment, Anran,” Monster Mountain Hermit cut in.

“If you already know, then I won’t waste time introducing her.” Feilian grinned. “Since both of you are here now, I’ll first give you an introduction to our squad.”

Both Anran and Monster Mountain Hermit nodded.

Though he had been overly enthusiastic before, Feilian quickly got down to business, and only then did he finally have the bearing of a captain.

“As one of Nine Songs’ action squads, the tasks we carry out most often are strikes against dangerous forces and hostile organizations. Of course, we also take on missions like intelligence gathering, rescues, and support.” Feilian’s expression turned serious, and his tone became heavy as well.

If not for the three “slackers” behind him, the atmosphere really would have been set quite well.

“There are nine other squads in Nine Songs just like ours!” Feilian suddenly blurted out another classic line.

At that moment, Anna abruptly cut in, “There are only two squads in Nine Songs that are as bad as ours.”

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“…”

Don’t undercut him like that!

“Shut up, you big-breasted bimbo!” Feilian exploded.

“Heh.” Anna completely ignored Feilian’s roar. I’ve got big boobs, and I’m proud of it.

“…”

Feilian turned back around, looking helpless. “As you can see, our squad’s current situation isn’t very optimistic. Normally, one of Nine Songs’ subordinate squads has seven people: one captain, one logistics officer, two ranged attackers, two melee attackers, and one vehicle specialist.”

“But in an operation three months ago, our squad lost three people outright, including the former captain, one ranged attacker, and one melee attacker.”

“So that means you were the veteran wheelman, and now you’ve been promoted to captain?” Monster Mountain Hermit suddenly asked.

“…”

That was a somewhat loaded way of putting it.

However, not understanding the deeper meaning, Feilian nodded. “I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself that, but I am fairly confident in my driving skills.”

Monster Mountain Hermit let out an oh.

So she was a pretty filthy-minded piece of work too.

Anran immediately grew wary of Monster Mountain Hermit.

“Before the two of you joined, our squad had already ranked second from the bottom for two straight months because we were so shorthanded. You should know that before this, we used to be strong contenders for the top three,” Feilian said with a sigh.

That really is miserable.

But could these unreliable people really compete for the top three?

Anran had her doubts. Or was all of Nine Songs made up of people like this, and the few in front of her were actually among the more normal ones?

That was a slightly terrifying thought.

“Since the higher-ups assigned you here, that means they definitely recognize your abilities. So before you officially join the squad, I need to understand your combat styles. That way it’ll be easier for me to come up with tactics. After all, there isn’t much time left before the next operation,” Feilian said.

He pointed a finger at Anran. “We’ll start with Anran.”

Anran paused, then began introducing herself. “Actually, I’m a Mechanic. I’m good with guns…”

“A Mechanic?” Anna suddenly became interested, and Monster Mountain Hermit looked over too.

“That’s right. I’m not exactly some amazing Mechanic, but…” Anran deliberately drew out the last word, then took off her backpack and started pulling things out of it: the mechanical switchblade, a pistol, a rifle, a sniper rifle, and High-Energy Explosives. “I still have quite a few useful things. If any of you want them, since we’re teammates, I can sell them to you a little cheaper. Of course, I’m also very skilled at machine repair!”

Anran abruptly started advertising.

Never miss a single chance to make money.

(?? . ??)

Anna was dumbfounded on the spot.

Feilian, Monster Mountain Hermit, Chu Yuan, and Daogu, those four, were dumbfounded too.

Holding up an assault rifle, Anran said, “Take this gun, for example. Not only does it look cool, its performance and handling are both excellent. I used a very similar gun during the assessment and easily took out more than ten enemies.”

“!”

Feilian’s expression shifted slightly.

It was not that he cared how outstanding Anran claimed her guns were. What he cared about was her saying that she had easily killed more than ten enemies.

If that was true, then she really was strong backup.

He gave a light cough. “Then next up is…”

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“If anybody wants to buy equipment, make sure you come to me. There’s a free one-day trial!” Anran continued.

She was not nervous at all right now, because Feilian needed people. He would understand.

“…”

Infuriating.

Feilian’s face changed rapidly, but in the end he forced himself to turn to Monster Mountain Hermit and say, “Then next is Monster Mountain Hermit.”

Monster Mountain Hermit said, “I’m a psychic-type esper. As for firearms, I’m decent enough with them, I guess.”

“An esper?”

Anna shot to her feet at once and looked at Monster Mountain Hermit with delight.

Feilian’s heart stirred too. It seemed the two people the higher-ups had assigned to them this time were both rather unusual.

Anran was startled as well.

Good grief, she’d actually unlocked the esper class.

“Come on, let’s go have a match!” Anna patted Monster Mountain Hermit on the shoulder.

Monster Mountain Hermit smoothly dodged aside. “Sorry, you’re not my type.”

“…”

Anran froze for a moment.

If you dug into that line, there was quite a lot packed into it.

Just then, Feilian’s phone suddenly rang.

“Hello…” He answered it immediately.

After a string of mm-hm, okay, and I guarantee we’ll complete the mission, Feilian smiled and turned back around. “The higher-ups have already assigned us a mission.”

“Ding-dong! Mission triggered…”

Character Sheet [Anran] as of B.44

[Name]: Anran

[Age]: 16

[Race]: Human

[Gender]: Female

[Level]: 9 (highest main profession level counts)

[HP]: 230/230

[Stamina]: 216/216

[Main Professions]:

Apprentice Engineer Lv1 (0/300)

Apprentice Mechanic Lv9 (0/30000)

Apprentice Scout Lv1 (0/300)

[Side Profession]:

Pastry Maker Lv2 (396/1000)

[Six Stats]:

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Strength 15, Agility 18, Endurance 18, Intelligence 25, Spirit 7, Charm 7

[Free Attribute Points]: 6

[Skill Points]: 4

[Talent]:

Skillful Hands — increases handiwork efficiency by 10%

[Skills]:

Basic Circuit Theory Lv1

Basic Repair Lv1

Basic Mechanical Theory Lv3

Basic Assembly Lv2

Basic Analysis Lv2

Basic Mechanical Enhancement Lv1

Basic Mechanical Mastery Lv2

Basic Reading Comprehension Lv1

Basic Scouting Lv1

Backstab Lv1

Stealth Lv1

Precision Shooting Lv1: increases aiming speed by 10%

Mechanical Interference Lv1

[Reputation]: 5

[Equipment]:

1886 Hermit Pistol

Alloy Short Knife (gray, green)

Warhorse Pistol

mechanical switchblade

Colin-style Ultra-Long-Range Sniper Rifle

[Mechanic Blueprints]:

Ordinary Lighting Lamp

1886 Hermit Pistol

Alloy Short Knife

Warhorse Pistol

2* Bullet Blueprints

Aila’s Production Blueprint

Several Firearm Blueprints

Colin-style Ultra-Long-Range Sniper Rifle

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High-Energy Explosive

Miniature Transmission System

mechanical switchblade

Flashbang

Poor-Quality Exoskeleton Armor

Super-Endurance Pressure Cooker

Flat-Type Robot Vacuum Cleaner

[Knowledge Reserve]:

Basic Circuit Repair Manual

The History of Mechanical Development on 1886

Machinery: From Beginner to Mastery

Mechanical Stress

Transmission Systems Based on Electric Motors

Carrillo Explains Metallic Materials to You

Scout Manual, Second Edition

[Pastry Maker Recipes]:

Mung Bean Cake

Osmanthus Cake

Fruit Osmanthus Cake

Fruit Mung Bean Cake

[Faction Favorability]:

Morningstar Resistance: -100

[Inventory]: None

[Personal Favorability]:

Aila: 76

Colin: 40 (x)

Eudora: 30

Leading the Escape: 21

Leading the Charge: 15

[Titles]:

Morningstar Slayer Lv1 (14/25) HP +50, Strength +2

Illusory Pursuer Lv1 (79/100) Strength +3, Agility +3, Spirit +2

[Faction]:

Empire-side, currently joining a Nine Songs Special Action Squad.

[Free EXP]: 6000.