"A job?"
At the back door of the training hall.
Hearing Zheng Wu's reminder, Lu Chao paused for a moment, then it dawned on him.
Only then did he realize a few things.
Reaching the Fighting Level wasn't just an increase in strength.
It also meant he had to start planning for his future.
At this level, because one's life underwent its first qualitative change, every subsequent point of improvement in Life Energy would become much more difficult.
Not only did one have to sweat more to temper their body and hone their spirit, but they also needed higher-quality nutritional supplements.
The corresponding resource consumption would be at least two or three times what it used to be.
And yet, as of now, to break through to the Fighting Level, he had bought quite a few dietary supplements, and the ten thousand yuan 'condolence money' from Brother Hao was almost gone.
After deducting his welfare loan and rent, he didn't have much savings left.
"Generally speaking, once you break through to the Fighting Level, you can get a job at a security company."
"Our dojo has some partnerships with Hengjia Security and Feihuan Group. They're two small-to-medium-sized security companies that mainly handle security for wealthy individuals or escort goods into the wilderness..."
Knowing that Lu Chao didn't know much about this, Zheng Wu smiled, patted him on the shoulder, and explained, "If you're willing, Junior Brother Lu, I can introduce you to these two companies."
"For the Fighting Level, the salary is basically around twelve or thirteen thousand a month, plus twenty kilograms of Exotic Beast Meat. There are also other regular benefits, like a certain quota of Life Potions and Energy Supplements."
Lu Chao's eyes lit up at his words. The compensation was undoubtedly excellent.
The salary was one part, but twenty kilograms of Exotic Beast Meat was worth several thousand yuan at the very least.
The Life Potions and Energy Supplements weren't bad either. They were products launched by the Biotechnology Company, specifically for those at the Fighting Level.
They contained rich nutrients, and their absorption efficiency and effects far surpassed ordinary food. They were quite effective for increasing Life Energy, and a single portion cost nearly ten thousand yuan.
Lu Chao was tempted, but he quickly remembered his previous considerations.
"Senior Brother Zheng..."
"Yes?"
"I want to take the Patrol Department's internal assessment next month."
After a moment of deliberation, Lu Chao told him the truth.
The compensation at Hengjia Security and Feihuan Group was indeed good, but he felt it was better to keep them as a backup plan.
As one of Ring City's law enforcement agencies, the Patrol Department not only offered excellent pay but also many status-related benefits.
Things like access rights to the inner city, a temporary firearm license, the right to self-defense while enforcing the law, and so on.
These were intangible advantages that an ordinary security guard at a small or medium-sized company could hardly compare to.
"Oh?"
Zheng Wu was a little surprised, but he quickly understood.
"That's fine, Junior Brother Lu."
"Everyone has their own plans. Just like the other junior brothers at the dojo, not all of them went to the two companies I mentioned."
Waving his hand lightly, Zheng Wu signaled that it was no big deal.
Then, as if he'd thought of something, he smiled and said, "However... Junior Brother Lu."
"The rules for the Patrol Department's assessment have changed. The internal assessment has also been postponed until February of next year."
Oh?
Lu Chao's expression tensed. He was surprised.
He hadn't known any of this.
"It's just that I have a friend in the Patrol Department, and I happened to hear about it when we got together recently."
Smiling, Zheng Wu explained patiently, knowing Lu Chao was out of the loop. "They say the Patrol Department lost quite a few people recently. Plus, something happened in the central district, so they had to reassign a lot of their forces."
"So, the Patrol Department recently changed the rules."
"The internal assessment is postponed, but the requirements have been raised accordingly. Only third-rank patrol officers can participate. If you pass, you become official and get promoted to a second-rank patrol officer."
Lu Chao frowned slightly. He hadn't expected the rules to change like this.
'Doesn't this mean I've lost my eligibility to even apply?'
"However..."
As if sensing Lu Chao's worry, Zheng Wu smiled and quickly added, "Because they're short-staffed, the Patrol Department also added a new temporary rule."
"For the time being, any Fighter who actively applies and passes the screening will have a chance to become a third-rank patrol officer."
"The specific screening criteria are mainly strength and character. Additionally, internal personnel with equivalent strength have priority, such as temporary workers and outsourced positions."
As he finished speaking, Lu Chao's brow relaxed. His mood, which had been on a roller coaster, finally settled.
He finally understood the Patrol Department's intentions.
They raised the requirements for the internal assessment and opened up more spots for promotion to second-rank patrol officer. This would undoubtedly attract many Fighters.
And by using this opportunity, they added the new temporary rule.
Even knowing it was bait, many Fighters would still voluntarily apply to join the Patrol Department.
"In short, you don't need to worry, Junior Brother Lu."
"As an internal member of the sanitation team, you have a significant advantage, assuming you're at the same Fighting Level as other applicants. If it really comes down to it, I can ask my friend to lend a hand."
"That... I'm afraid that would be too much trouble for you, Senior Brother."
Lu Chao understood what he meant. He was offering to pull some strings for him.
"Hah." Before he could refuse, Zheng Wu clapped him on the shoulder. "What's the big deal? Senior and junior brothers are supposed to help each other out. It's settled."
He settled the matter decisively.
Lu Chao opened his mouth to speak but ultimately swallowed back his words of gratitude.
"In that case... thank you very much, Senior Brother."
...
「That evening.」
The dull grinding of wheels on tracks grew louder as it approached, finally screeching to a halt at the platform.
The tram hissed, releasing a cloud of hot, rust-scented air.
Then, as the doors slowly slid open, Lu Chao stepped out, having already changed from his training uniform into a black short-sleeved shirt and jeans.
'Just as the old saying goes, when you become strong, everyone around you becomes kind.'
Recalling the situation during his breakthrough earlier today, Lu Chao was keenly aware of how the atmosphere in the dojo had changed.
Especially in the afternoon, it wasn't just Zheng Wu; the other Senior Brothers at the Fighting Level had also started showing goodwill, formally accepting him into their inner circle.
Shaking his head to himself, Lu Chao knew exactly where all this came from.
He didn't grow arrogant or complacent because of it. He knew that the Fighting Level was just the beginning.
'But, as expected, the difficulty of improving after this has increased again.'
'An entire afternoon of training, and I could barely feel any progress. And the Black-Horned Beef and Qi-and-Blood supplements... they used to have some effect after eating them, but now they barely fill me up.'
His gaze swept over the neon signs of the city block as a car with its headlights on drove past him on the street.
Thinking about his training session that afternoon, Lu Chao's relatively relaxed mood quietly faded a little.
After reaching the Fighting Level, setting aside the training itself, the sheer physical transformation had caused his appetite to skyrocket, naturally requiring him to consume more energy just to maintain his bodily functions.
All things considered, whether it was Senior Brother Zheng's reminder or the information he'd heard from the other Senior Brothers at the Fighting Level, it all proved one thing.
If he didn't have enough resources, let alone increase his Life Energy, he would have a hard time just maintaining his current state.
'Senior Brother Xu said that besides his job at the security company, he also accepts sponsorships from a few clubs, which gets him an extra several dozen kilograms of Exotic Beast Meat and one Life Potion each month.'
'Senior Brother Sun is in a similar situation. Sometimes he goes to underground fighting rings to act as an enforcer in exchange for a larger share of resources.'
As the conversations with his senior and junior brothers echoed in his mind, Lu Chao suddenly felt a headache coming on.
He had thought that after breaking through to the Fighting Level, he could relax a little.
But now, it looked like he'd have to keep grinding.
A thought flashed through his mind, and he stopped walking.
The neon sign for the Dreamfire Bar shimmered like a burning mirage, shining colorfully in the center of North Street, exceptionally eye-catching.
Outside the gold-trimmed glass doors on the ground floor, cars were parked in neat rows. Many young men and women, chattering and laughing loudly, were coming and going.
Several waiters in uniform shirts and vests were waiting on either side, constantly repeating their greetings to customers.
"Welcome!"
"This way, please!"
Amid the familiar voices, Lu Chao saw Xiaoyang. He was standing at the entrance, a smile plastered on his face, bowing repeatedly.
Watching this scene from dozens of meters away, an inexplicable ripple went through Lu Chao's heart, and his expression grew complicated.
After a few seconds, he took a deep breath.
Only then did he manage to calm his emotions.
TAP, TAP!
Then, he started walking again.
He walked toward the bar, planning to thank Brother Hao in person and officially put an end to this security job.