"If you want to quickly put an end to this disaster, please trust us, President Mars."
At this moment, in the president's office of the Clover Union, Wilde, who had fought side by side with Li Wei and shared a comradeship, was trying to persuade Mars with a strong attitude.
"Wilde, I have already confirmed your identity. That Brotherhood-organized workers' riot in the Mist Core district of the lower area seven months ago seems to be your doing. The Brotherhood has been identified as a terrorist organization three months ago. And according to the current news, in this half-cybernetic riot in the Clover Union, your Brotherhood is heavily suspected. Why should I trust you?"
Dressed in a grey suit with his hair meticulously combed, Mars, the president with hands crossed on the table, stared at Wilde with sharp eyes.
With a shrug of his hands, Wilde said, "It's true that I participated in organizing the workers' riots. But it has always been the purpose of our brotherhood. I fight for my beliefs, and I don't think I've done anything wrong. If President Mars harbors hostility towards our brotherhood and genuinely believes we are a terrorist organization and that this half-mechanical riot in the four-leaf clover is orchestrated by us, then I have nothing to say. You can tie me up and send me to the KSS, and perhaps I might even receive a medal in return."
Despite the huge difference in status and strength between the two, Wilde did not show any humility in front of Mars. His righteous aura was palpable.
Mars gazed at Wilde without speaking for a moment.
Wilde continued, "Respected Chairman Maers, I know that you have helped the poor people many times and have fought side by side with Comrade Sun Miao. You should understand the philosophy of our brotherhood. I assure you that this semi-mechanical biochemical riot is not caused by us."
The Sun Miao mentioned by Wilde is a very famous figure in certain circles. He is one of the high-ranking members of the Brotherhood, with a strong strength that is not much weaker than Maers at least.
Maers does have the experience of fighting side by side with the Brotherhood, but this does not mean that he will unconditionally agree with Wilde's words. He continued to ask: "Then why do news reports blame you for this incident? It is true that the words of these nobles and capitalists' spokespersons are very untrustworthy, but there are so many cults and terrorist organizations to blame. Why do you have to blame it on you? Can you tell me the reason?"
Wilde paused for a moment and said, "We've been keeping an eye on this biochemical research center of Blackbird Heavy Industries for quite some time. They capture exotic beasts and monsters for semimechanical modification, which is nothing surprising. However, directly conducting human body modification is beyond the moralbottom line. In the lower districts, outside the city, we don't know how many families have been harmed by them..."
Mars interrupted, saying, "As far as I know, the 'volunteers' recruited by Blackbird Heavy Industries are mostly outsiders from outside West City."
Wilde chuckled and said, "'Volunteers'? President Mars, if I were you, I wouldn't use this word. There are no volunteers at all, just some poor people who can't survive."
"You are aware of how harsh the environment is outside the city. Blackbird Heavy Industries deceives people into becoming so-called 'volunteers' through various means, and then transforms them into tireless, tightly controlled cyborgs, engaging in all sorts of hard and exhausting work without a break. Moreover, the people they bring in are not just the poor from outside the city, but also some of the bankrupt and desperate people from the lower districts, who are duped into coming with promises of recruitment."
Having spoken so much in one breath, Wilde's face turned somewhat red.
Mars said nothing, but just handed him a glass of water.
After taking a sip of water, Wilde calmed his emotions, and he said: "Sorry, President Mars, I'm a bit excited."
"It doesn't matter, please continue."
Wilde put down his cup of water and said, "We've been keeping tabs on this bio-chemical research center of Blackbird Heavy Industries two years ago. Initially, we took many legal measures hoping to expose and ban this terrifying and inhumane place, but with little effect. We had no choice but to resort to other means, hoping to save more people and, when certain, directly destroy this bio-chemical research center."
"But this time it had nothing to do with us. Our last operation was still a month ago, when we intercepted a truck of poor people they had brought in. As for destroying this bio-chemical research center, it has not even entered the formal planning phase."
Wilde's words plunged Mars into contemplation.
There are many poor people in the lower districts, but similarly, many poor people are also found beyond the super city of Westdoom.
Ordinary people living outside of supercities often face a more miserable situation than those in the Lower Districts. At least, the Lower Districts are actually within the city, where there are fewer security threats.
Without the protection of cities, people living in small settlements and towns are unable to resist various forms of disasters.
Impoverished, ignorant, and lacking any particular skills, they can only depend on farming in dilapidated land and working in unregulated, exploitative factories in order to survive.
One of the reasons why Blackhawk Heavy Industries targets these wretched people for body modification and manufacturing low-cost cyborg workers is that they are the easiest targets in this world. Apart from organizations like the Brotherhood, no one speaks for them.
The poor living in the Lower Districts are also far from ideal, but they are at least within the city. Making too much noise will ultimately not be good.
Regarding the incident a month ago when the poor civilian was abducted, Mars had heard about it too. His own intelligence sources also confirmed that what Wilde said was likely true.
Who wouldn't want to uphold justice and eliminate that sinful research center to stop this disaster? Even if Wilde hadn't come, probably in due time, once the bionic monsters on Clover Avenue and Merlin Boulevard were mostly dealt with, the guild would have launched a full-scale assault on the research center.
But the question now is, should Clover Guild cooperate with the Brotherhood, who have been labeled as terrorists by the government and whose members have been blamed for this bionic uprising?
Mars is no longer a hot-blooded youth. He seldom shows his emotions now and rarely makes decisions based on them anymore.
The Hunter's Guild and the government formed by nobles and capitalists indeed have many disagreements, but they are after all an official organization. He believes that the Brotherhood should be uninvolved in this matter, but he has to consider the impact of cooperating with them.
"Cooperating with the Brotherhood puts us at great risk in terms of reputation, but what benefits can we gain? This is what you must convince me of, instead of merely speaking about sentiment."
This is the most critical point.
Hearing what Mars said, Walt was somewhat disappointed.
"Isn't it important to resolve this disaster as quickly as possible?"
"No, it is important." Mars said, "But even without you, we demon hunters can also deal with trouble. So, why should I cooperate with you?"
Wilde fell silent for a moment, then said, "I know you can handle it on your own, but it will definitely be slow. You need to slowly get to the bottom of the situation and gather intelligence. Moreover, that research center is not so easy to break into. If you cooperate with us, we have first-hand information, and at the same time, we have comrades hiding within the research center who will help us when we attack, reducing many unnecessary casualties."
Mars nodded and said, "You have successfully convinced me. Let's formulate a detailed combat plan together later."
...
While Mars and Wilde were discussing the important matters ahead, Levi had just visited a friend under the guidance of Cai Yutong.
Zhu Mingyu, a well-known broker, merchant of Clover Guild.
Zhu Mingyu was originally a hunter himself—still is, only that he seldom goes out on assignments now. Having passed the age of forty, he has opened a general store right next to the Four-Leaf Clover Guild building, selling almost everything. However, his inventory is not much his own; instead, it's various items consigned by hunters.
People sell items here, people buy items here, and he earns a profit in between.
Li Wei threw over thirty subordinate piercing bullets he made last night to Zhu Mingyu for consignment.
"Yu Tong, seeing you come, I thought there would be a big deal, but I didn't expect just a bit of things..." Zhu Mingyu obviously looked down upon these bullets from Li Wei.
Cai Yutong said with a smile: "Uncle Zhu, although Li Wei has just started in the technical field of pattern bullets, his talent is very strong. In the future, he is estimated to be one of your major customers, and you should not underestimate him."
"Oh? Is that so?" Zhu Mingyu became slightly more serious. He was aware of Cai Yutong's caliber. Without saying anything else, her talent in the Will Chain alone destined her to be an exceptionally skilled Rune Master in the future. The person she praised would likely not be a minor character.
He took the ammo box from Li Wei, counted the number of bullets, inspected their quality, and then said, "Generally speaking, the normal price for these secondary penetration rounds is eighty White Crystals per bullet. Recently, the prices of military supplies have been rising swiftly. Now, I estimate that your bullets can sell for one hundred White Crystals per round. I charge a five percent commission, is that alright?"
"No problem." Li Wei nodded, which signified the transaction had been completed.
Dozens of bullets selling for thirty Blue Crystals was a fairly decent profit. Li Wei now only kept six magazines in his possession, selling off all the other bullets.
Thirty blue crystals, he could use them to replenish a batch of materials, enough to make another two to three hundred sub-level engraving shells, and also enough to pay for a few more days of the room fee.
But the economic crisis was only somewhat缓解, far from over. Li Wei had even considered whether he should exchange a C-level genetic fluid for the next time he completed a hunting commission and sell it. If he could transfer it to the black market, it would be at least twenty to thirty, even possibly forty to fifty purple crystals of income.
Thinking about it, this is indeed a good way out. By taking out the time to make bullets, even if he couldn't get a C-level genetic fluid, getting a D-level one should be no problem. When exchanging it for money, it would be about one or two purple crystals.
The issue is, after sacrificing hours of bullet-making for a handful of amethysts, nearly half would have to be spent on purchasing bullets, leaving the remaining for personal use. The key point is that the risks are immense; don't assume that hunting monsters is an easy task. Even D-level commissions involve life-or-death struggles; one can't walk by the river without getting their shoes wet, and it's possible to capsize in the most unexpected places.
Moreover, are D-level commissions truly just D-level? Situations often arise where intelligence failure leads to a significant increase in danger, potentially leading to dangerous situations at any time, and the possibility of severe injury or even death.
This is the inherent danger of the hunter industry.
Upon reflection, Li Wei feels it would be best for him to find another way to earn money.
...
In the following days, Li Wei continues to team up with Choi Yutong. Occasionally, Bandry and Qian Long would also join. Choi Yutong sometimes brings along Wells.
Maintaining a team of at least two and at most five members, they have been operating in the border area between the Clover Community and Merlin Avenue during these days. They didn't encounter any more formidable enemies, nor did they receive any additional commissions. It was simply about hunting down some cyborg monsters, and then going back with the proof of their kills to exchange for points and obtain rewards.
Li Wei is no longer making the same desperate efforts he did just after the release of the full-area hunt commission.
Such desperation should not become a norm. The job of a hunter is not a safe one; it does not mean that the harder you work and the more commissions you take on, the better. Fatigue and hardship are nothing to worry about, but the dangers of death and injury constantly threaten hunters.
This full-area hunt indeed becomes a carnival for all demon hunters in Clover and even the entire Westdoom City. However, beneath this revelry, where are the casualties among hunters?
In the fervor of the atmosphere, few people pay attention to this, but Li Wei will not ignore it.
So far, in the assassination missions all over the area, more than forty demon hunters of all levels have died, and more than fifty people have been seriously injured.
This is no longer a small number.
At the beginning, his mentality was slightly unbalanced, but now it has been adjusted. He does not want to be a member of the casualty list, so when going out to hunt monsters now, no matter what kind of enemy he is facing, he always remains highly vigilant.
This undoubtedly slightly reduced his earnings compared to the previous period, but at least his safety was better ensured, and did not make himself too embarrassed.
After three days, he got a lot of points and exchanged these points for several C-level flesh cores. He poured them into the book of all methods and advanced the unlocking progress of the tenth page to about half.
At the same time, he injected another dose of Class C gene fluid and improved the development progress of the power chain and hub chain with the "Iron Heart" training method.