Chapter 254 - Research Institute (1/2)

Chapter 254: Research Institute

At this moment, similar thoughts flashed across Jiang Baimian, Long Yuehong, and Bai Chen’s minds. How can that be?

From what they knew, robot warriors were the best choice to deal with Superior Heartless. Logically speaking, there shouldn’t be any problems.

Of course, this was only common knowledge to them. Most people in Tarnan didn’t know the exact situation of Awakened and Superior Heartless. They had only seen how powerful robot warriors were and felt that a total of ten robot guards were enough to deal with the trouble in the southwestern mountains.

This was a force that could deal with an ordinary army!

Unexpectedly, communications with them were lost.

This made the Tarnan residents—who still felt a sense of security last night—panic.

In all of Tarnan, there were only 24 robot guards. Nearly half of them were gone!

The robot guards were all smart robots. They were different from the ones in charge of surveillance, repair, and cleaning.

“The situation in the mountains might be more complicated than we imagined.” Jiang Baimian retracted her gaze and deliberated before saying, “Maybe the problem isn’t solely limited to a Superior Heartless.”

Just as she said that, Shang Jianyao thoughtfully said, “I thought of someone.”

Jiang Baimian had a faint premonition, but she still asked, “Who is it?”

Shang Jianyao sighed and revealed a yearning expression. “Xiaochong.”

“You mean…” Jiang Baimian forcefully lowered her voice. “That Superior Heartless isn’t an ordinary Superior Heartless—he has reached Xiaochong’s level?”

Although the Old Task Force members had never truly seen Xiaochong’s abilities, one could imagine his powers from how numerous Superior Heartless had spontaneously protected him and listened to his orders.

If an ordinary Superior Heartless corresponded to an Awakened in Star Cluster Hall or Sea of Origins, Xiaochong would at least have entered the Mind Corridor. He might not even be inferior to Yama Tiger; he might even be stronger.

“Maybe,” Shang Jianyao said frankly. “I’m just wondering what will happen if Xiaochong encounters the Superior Heartless in the mountains? Will he make the other party obedient?”

At this point, his eyes lit up. He clenched his right fist and punched his left palm. “If I impersonate Xiaochong, will it have a similar effect?”

“You’re too tall.” Jiang Baimian gave up on using reason and went straight to the heart of the problem.

“That’s right.” Shang Jianyao sighed again. “Even if I walk on my knees, I’m still taller than him.”

Man, you’re really too concerned about your friend’s height… Long Yuehong cursed inwardly as he felt lucky that he wasn’t the one being mocked.

With Shang Jianyao’s interruption, Jiang Baimian and the others quickly composed themselves and read the mission’s exact description.

Toward the end, Long Yuehong couldn’t help but say, “This mission only gives 500 credit points?”

The mission rating was only B, only one rank higher than Weed City’s investigation of Liu Dazhuang’s murder.

Although the latter involved Castellan Manor and was highly regarded by the higher-ups, it was ultimately just a relatively ordinary case on the surface. Now, this mission had already included ten robot guards. Together, they could compete with Weed City’s city defense forces.

Of course, the premise was that the latter didn’t set up a camp in advance and had all kinds of heavy weapons in position.

Jiang Baimian also found it strange, but she understood the reason after some thought. “This is just an investigation. It’s not to deal with the Superior Heartless directly.”

This was a reconnaissance mission, not a monster clearing mission. It was indeed dangerous, but it was definitely much better than facing a terrifying target.

Bai Chen nodded. “If we’re lucky, we might not encounter any danger.”

For example, the Superior Heartless had already moved elsewhere, leaving behind the battlefield and the corresponding traces of the robot guards.

When the time came, even if the robot guards were already destroyed, they could still search for useful information by retrieving the black boxes on them.

“The payment is also very generous,” Jiang Baimian added.

The commissioner was Tarnan’s mayor, Genava. He would prepare ten non-smart combat robots to distribute to the Ruin Hunters who had obtained important information.

If one didn’t want the robots, they could choose other supplies of equivalent value.

“Do we take it?” Shang Jianyao asked excitedly.

Jiang Baimian shot him a glance. “This is a little dangerous. We aren’t real Ruin Hunters who need to complete missions to survive.”

Shang Jianyao explained, “I want to change the robot payment for a car.”

“Uh…” Jiang Baimian hesitated.

This sounded good, but it wasn’t enough to make the Old Task Force take such a huge risk…

If the Superior Heartless really reached Xiaochong’s level, they couldn’t expect a big shot like Du Heng to pass by.

At this moment, Bai Chen calmly added, “You can also exchange it for a request to meet the Source Brain.”

“That’s true…” Jiang Baimian frowned and fell silent for a while.