The difference between a First Level and a Second Level Mercenary Corps is actually quite significant, especially when it comes to privileges.
Take the number of discounted Genetic Potions, for example. A First Level Mercenary Corps only gets a discount on 50 bottles of Genetic Potions per week.
If they purchase more, the price rises back to 300 Points per bottle.
But for a Second Level Mercenary Corps, they get a discount on 200 bottles of Genetic Potions each week.
The difference between the two is enormous.
And that's just one privilege. Overall, the resource discounts for a Second Level Mercenary Corps are at least five times greater than those for a First Level one.
This was what gave Roger the confidence to make such a statement.
"Are you serious?" Lin Xinghai was instantly delighted.
"Of course! If we become a Second Level Mercenary Corps, our overall resources still won't match a Third Level Mercenary Corps, but they have to train more than just one or two promising members."
"Taking that into account, our Heaven-Sundering Mercenary Corps can offer you better training and support than a Third Level one," Roger said with a sincere, earnest expression.
Looking at Roger's expression, Lin Xinghai couldn't help but chuckle. "Relax, I'm not an ungrateful person. As long as the Heaven-Sundering Mercenary Corps doesn't do me wrong, I won't leave."
"Besides, you're really not cut out for this whole winning-people-over thing. Your expression isn't convincing at all. You'd have better luck just giving me a few more Genetic Potions."
Roger's expression froze. He stood up, flustered and annoyed. "You kid... Fine, it's settled. Meet at the Mercenary Plaza tomorrow at 8 AM."
As he turned to leave, Lin Xinghai called out to him. "Old Luo, wait. There's something I need your help with."
"Getting awfully familiar, aren't we? Spit it out, what is it?" Roger grumbled, but a smile was playing on his lips.
Lin Xinghai's form of address had changed from "Captain Roger" to "Old Luo." Though the nickname was a bit overly familiar, it was clearly much friendlier.
"You've met my roommates, right? I want to help them find good jobs, ideally working for an official organization. That way, the Axe Gang will have to think twice if they really want to come after them," Lin Xinghai said, getting straight to the point.
Hearing Lin Xinghai mention his roommates, even Roger couldn't help but feel a little envious.
He'd found out from the administrator that Lin Xinghai was in Room 301 and had gone there directly. But the moment the door opened, he truly thought he was at the wrong room.
He really couldn't understand what kind of dumb luck Lin Xinghai had to have women willing to live with him—and five beauties at that.
"What's your relationship with them?" Roger asked after a moment's thought.
Lin Xinghai, of course, understood the implication. His relationship with Liu Miaomiao would determine how much effort Roger would put into helping.
So, after a moment of contemplation, he chose his words carefully. "Liu Miaomiao and I were university classmates, and we get along very well. As long as it's not a life-or-death situation, I'll help them however I can."
Roger nodded. That gave him a clear picture. "A director at the Government Hall owes me a favor from way back. Getting the five of them in won't be a problem. Of course, don't expect any high-level positions. It'll probably be something like front desk or receptionist work."
"Awesome, thank you so much," Lin Xinghai said, immediately brightening up.
"I'll go find that director now and sort it out. If all goes well, they should be able to officially start tomorrow morning." With that, Roger left in a hurry.
He was in such a hurry because, on top of arranging the jobs, he also needed to rush back to the Mercenary Corps and report the matter of Lin Xinghai to the corps leader.
After all, someone with a Special Physique was just too rare.
As far as he knew, out of the more than one hundred thousand people in the entire Star Shield Shelter, only the shelter's director possessed a Special Physique.
If they developed Lin Xinghai's potential, he could absolutely become the pillar of their Mercenary Corps. He might even lead their Heaven-Sundering Mercenary Corps to its Peak.
Seeing Roger leave in such a rush, Lin Xinghai really wanted to say, 'You haven't paid for the coffee yet.'
But compared to solving the job problem for Liu Miaomiao and the others, the cost of two cups of coffee was nothing.
After paying the 6 Points, Lin Xinghai left with a smile on his face.
...
Back at the dormitory, the five women were still discussing their job search.
"Oh! You're back! Are you going out on a mission tomorrow?" Liu Miaomiao asked as soon as she saw Lin Xinghai.
"Yeah, first thing in the morning," Lin Xinghai said with a smiling nod.
Wang Yao asked, "Where are you going for your mission tomorrow?"
Shen Yimei added, "Was that Captain Luo here just now to give you the details of your assignment?"
"Is this mission dangerous?" Liu Miaomiao chimed in.
The women all started chattering at once, their questions a mix of curiosity and, more prominently, worry. After all, being one of the Mercenaries was an extremely high-risk profession.
They still needed Lin Xinghai's protection, so whether for emotional reasons or out of self-interest, none of them wanted anything to happen to him.
"For this mission, I'm mostly just going to gain some experience, so don't worry about my safety. As for the other details, they have to be kept confidential until the mission is over," Lin Xinghai said with a reassuring smile.
Hearing him say that, the women tactfully refrained from asking any more questions.
"Speaking of jobs, how is your discussion coming along?" Lin Xinghai asked, walking over to Liu Miaomiao's bed.
A map of the Lower Level District was spread out there. Many buildings, facilities, and factories on the map had been circled, with notes written in the margins.
Looking at the map, you could see at a glance what kinds of jobs were available in different parts of the Lower Level District.
"Not well. We only have these seven places left to try. If none of them work out, our only option is to become general laborers at the garment factory. The physical work there is relatively lighter," Liu Miaomiao said, her expression dimming.
"Have you guys considered this place?" Lin Xinghai asked, pointing to a building in the center of the map.
Liu Miaomiao and the others followed his finger. The building was large and quite elegant.
But Liu Miaomiao and the others had seemingly ignored it; they hadn't even made a single note about it on the map.
"It's not that we didn't consider it. We didn't dare to. Even if the Government Hall is short-staffed, they never recruit publicly," Liu Miaomiao said, shaking her head.
"Well, would you want to work there? I'm talking about a front desk or receptionist position," Lin Xinghai said.
"People would kill for any job in the Government Hall. I heard even the lowest-paying position earns 80 Points a week. That's almost double the income of other jobs. So, what do you think? Of course I want to!" Liu Miaomiao said, rolling her eyes.
But after she spoke, the gears started turning.
"Ah Xing, what did you mean by that question?" Liu Miaomiao's voice trembled slightly.
The other women also realized what was happening, and they all stared at Lin Xinghai with a mixture of hope and disbelief in their eyes.
Under their expectant gazes, Lin Xinghai nodded. "I asked Captain Roger to help you find jobs. He said he has a connection with a director at the Government Hall. If all goes to plan, all of you should be able to get in."
"AHHH!"
The high-pitched scream made even Lin Xinghai's ears ache.
The next moment, an ecstatic Wang Yao threw her arms around him, jumping up and down.
The other women, including Liu Miaomiao, seemed to forget their composure in that moment and all piled on for a hug.
At that moment, Lin Xinghai was both blissful and tormented. The bliss, of course, came from being surrounded by them. The torment was the fire in his lower abdomen that had no outlet.
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