At the Public Commission Center's service counter number 3, a middle-aged man was pacing back and forth.
The man was 35 years old. He used to work as a software developer at a company but was laid off due to age bias and faced repeated rejections in job applications elsewhere, thus becoming unemployed.
To keep up with his mortgage payments, he had to borrow a truck from a friend, stationing himself here daily, looking for suitable delivery jobs.
Soon enough, the man spotted a long-distance transport commission that involved transporting construction materials from New Moon City to Twilight City, a journey of 713 kilometers, lasting three days and two nights, with a reward of 2300 moon coins.
This commission seemed decent; there was plenty of time, and after deducting fuel and toll costs, he could earn approximately 1000 moon coins from a single trip.
If he managed to get a return job in Twilight City, he could earn even more.
The middle-aged man hurried to the counter, showing his wrist, "I want to take E027165."
The receptionist was about to scan the man's microchip when suddenly, a loud "smack" sound interrupted them, and his hand was slapped away, as several burly men squeezed in.
Leading them was a man with a hooked nose and long hair, who said to one of his companions, "Sam, you're going to Twilight City soon anyway; take the long-distance job E027165."
Sam shoved the middle-aged man aside and showed his wrist to the receptionist.
"I was first..." The man tried to speak but, faced with their unfriendly stares, dared not continue.
These men were tall, burly, and donned in camouflage attire, clearly not to be trifled with.
He, a penniless, insignificant unemployed man with a family to protect, couldn't afford to provoke such people.
The man silently moved to another counter.
The mercenaries smirked and continued browsing the commissions.
Once Sam had accepted the transport commission, he pointed to the top of the big screen, "Hey, Ghost Hand, see that Public Security Bureau bounty up there? It's been up for weeks."
Ghost Hand looked up.
It was a bounty commission, issued by the "New Moon City Public Security Bureau," at a C-level bounty.
The target was an individual named "Park Yong-joon," with a 100,000 moon coin reward, dead or alive.
Bounties issued by the Public Security Bureau weren't uncommon.
The crime rate in New Moon City remained high all year round, and the security forces were severely lacking.
To expedite case resolutions, the Public Security Bureau frequently outsourced their work by issuing bounties, enlisting mercenaries to help settle matters.
Bounty levels ranged from F to SSS levels, from lowest to highest.
An F-level target would typically meet the filing standards for petty thefts.
An E-level usually involved suspects of intentional harm.
D-level targets were often serious offenders risking lives.
And a C-level bounty indicated a highly dangerous target, usually with multiple lives on their hands and equipped with blood codes or having undergone extraordinary implants.
Ghost Hand squinted, "This C-level bounty's been taken by three groups; none returned. No one's daring to take it now."
Sam grinned, "Shall we try? We could take a month's break after this job."
Ghost Hand smacked his head, "You tired of living?"
Sam rubbed his head, "Just kidding."
Just then, a figure approached the counter, looking up at the big screen.
Ghost Hand noticed the black dog tag on the person and taunted, "Rare to see one from the frontier. Hey, dog tag wearer, what brings you to the Inner City? Cleaning floors or walking dogs?"
Sam and the other mercenaries laughed out loud.
Su Mo ignored them, showing his wrist to the receptionist, "I'll take that Public Security Bureau bounty, C000627."
At those words, the mercenaries' smiles froze.
Nearby people also stopped to whisper among themselves:
"Look, he's taking C000627."
"So many have died over that commission; and someone dares to take it? Does he have a death wish?"
"This person looks unfamiliar, is he from any mercenary corps?"
The receptionist curiously scanned Su Mo's chip.
Upon retrieving Su Mo's personal info, the receptionist was taken aback, "Sir, you just registered today?"
Su Mo nodded, "Yes, it's my first time here."
Ghost Hand laughed, slapping his thigh, "Dog tag wearer, you dare take a C-level bounty on your first commission? You're the boldest death-wisher I've seen."
The receptionist was also somewhat hesitant, advising Su Mo, "Sir, for your safety, we highly recommend against taking this commission."
"Three groups previously took C000627, all seven or eight-member teams. They've all gone missing, status unknown. Taking a C-level bounty solo is extremely dangerous."
Su Mo smiled, "Thanks for the warning. But as far as I know, the Public Security Bureau doesn't prohibit individuals from taking C-level bounties, right?"
"Um..." The receptionist felt constrained, "Let me call my supervisor first."
The receptionist picked up the desk phone, mumbled something quietly, and after a few exchanges of "yes," hung up.
Then, the receptionist reminded, "Sir, you remember the waiver you signed during registration, don't you? During the commission..."
Su Mo interjected, "During the commission, personal safety is at one's own risk. In the event of personal injury or accidental death, the commission center and employer bear no responsibility. I signed it."
Having reached this point, the receptionist had nothing more to say, "By regulation, please pay a deposit, 10% of the bounty total."
"The deposit will be credited to your account along with the bounty upon successful completion."
"If the commission is overdue or fails, the deposit will be forfeited to compensate for the employer's time loss."
Su Mo smoothly paid 10,000 moon coins to the public commission center's account.
The receptionist completed the subsequent processes, "C000627 is now in your name, good luck."
The corresponding commission entry grayed out, disappearing from the screen.
News that someone had taken the Public Security Bureau's C-level bounty quickly spread, gathering spectators around service counter number 3, whispering as they stared at Su Mo:
"He really took it, and even paid the deposit!"
"So many have died over this, and he dares to take it alone, he must be crazy..."
"Those wearing dog tags are bold; frontier people truly have nothing to lose."
"Lady Countess, I'm at the public commission center; there's a lone wolf taking on that C-level bureau bounty..."
...
The throng surrounding Su Mo was now a spectacle in itself.
He glanced towards the crowded mass and spotted a few familiar faces, all assistants to well-known intermediaries.
These assistants roamed the public commission centers of major cities, playing roles akin to "talent scouts."
Their task was to find newly emerging mercenaries, those still inexperienced yet promising, and establish connections with this new blood as early as possible.
At the moment, however, these intermediary assistants showed no intention of approaching him.
They'd seen plenty who took high-level commissions just for show.
The mercenary business values substance over appearance.
Taking on high-level commissions means little.
Completing high-level commissions is the real skill.
If seeking fame and fortune, strength must speak for itself.
Thus, they merely watched Su Mo without making any moves.
For Su Mo, the mere observation was enough.
This meant he had already begun to enter the radar of notable intermediaries.
The next step was to complete the task at hand and prove his strength with a commendable outcome.