【Interstellar Contract Magician】Ruyuanke

Chapter 285 [Empire] "Dark Life"

I received the first "dirty work" sent by the mercenary team.

At night, the dim lights and mottled walls of the old residential area give the whole environment a depressing atmosphere, as if the place itself is fighting against time. The air is filled with a faint smell of mold and dust.

I stood in a corner, my simple gear strapped to my back, listening to Nightingale's instructions. His voice was low and calm, with a touch of almost steely composure: "This young beast is our target this time. It's an experimental modification, and possesses exceptionally strong concealment abilities. Although it's only a young one, everyone should be careful and avoid getting caught."

I glanced down at the mission information. It was a small, pitch-black creature, a cross between a cat and a spirit beast. It had a complex lineage and a natural anti-reconnaissance instinct. Its escape had clearly troubled its owner, leading us, a "temporary team," to take over.

Several of the new probationary members were visibly nervous, but others seemed eager to try. I glanced around and suddenly realized—from the looks of it, I was actually the youngest on the team.

"Listen up, everyone! Divide into two groups and keep in touch." Nightingale's eyes fell on me as he assigned tasks. "Follow me."

I nodded, but I was muttering to myself: I always feel that he cares too much about me. Is he worried about me or does he have other purposes?

We searched the old alleys of the residential area, using infrared equipment and micro-detectors to try to locate the strange beast. Underfoot were scattered garbage and broken bricks, and each step was cautious, afraid to disturb anything.

"It's not common for a 'junior breeder' like you to take on this kind of task, right?" Nightingale suddenly asked me in a low voice, with a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

I raised my eyebrows slightly and replied calmly, "It's a chance to see the world. Besides, 10% more points is quite a bargain."

He curled the corners of his lips, as if he was satisfied with my answer.

Halfway through the mission, we finally found the trace of the strange beast. It was curled up in the corner of an abandoned room, and the metal detector showed its body temperature.

Nightingale gestured for me to come forward.

"You're the breeder, so you should have a way to calm it down, right?" he asked in a low voice.

I looked at the little creature on the screen, its eyes flickering faintly in the darkness, as if frightened. I took a deep breath, trying to release a little mental energy, trying to establish a connection.

However, unexpectedly, this little guy seemed to be very sensitive to my mental power. He suddenly growled, flew into the air, and pounced straight at me with his claws!

"Be careful!" Nightingale suddenly reached out and pulled me away, while the other team members quickly drew their weapons.

I leaned against the wall, my heart pounding, silently cursing myself for being so careless. The young beast flipped in the air, landed deftly, and quickly scurried toward another broken window.

Nightingale glanced back at me, with a hint of helplessness in her tone: "You look like you are more than just a beginner."

I didn't bother to argue, so I patted my clothes and stood up: "Go after it, it won't get far."

We continued to track the "prey". The nightingale looked like it was strolling leisurely in the garden and did not forget to chat with me.

"As far as I know, you only have a junior C license. A C license is quite special." He touched the gun at his waist. "A-level means you have a good breeding ability. B-level means you have a good taming ability. C-level... means you can use your own exotic beasts on the battlefield."

This is the first time I have heard of the difference between different levels of certificates.

Nightingale's tone was playful, and it seemed to inadvertently reveal a deeper meaning. I kept my eyes fixed on the rapidly moving red dot on the detector, and replied impatiently, "You've done a pretty thorough investigation. However, my C certificate is an exception, so don't take it too seriously."

Nightingale smiled, as if not surprised by my answer. "Exception? In the mercenary world, 'exceptions' often mean stories, don't you think?"

"I don't think so," I replied indifferently, my tone deliberately distant. He didn't care at all and continued, "You didn't behave like an ordinary breeder just now. That little creature reacted so strongly to you. I'm afraid it thinks there's something more dangerous in you than it."

I didn't respond for a moment. The image of the strange seedling flashed through my mind, and my palm subconsciously clenched the detector.

The red dot stopped at a small, abandoned machinery factory ahead, seemingly with nowhere to escape. Nightingale paused, raised his hand, and signaled the team to assemble. He lowered his voice, "This place is complex, and it's likely hiding in a blind spot. Be careful, it's no ordinary beast."

I frowned slightly, not quite understanding his warning. Logically, a young beast wouldn't be too dangerous, especially a modified experiment, unless—

"It's a little special." Nightingale seemed to see through my doubts and explained in a low voice, "The information we have is incomplete, but the experimental records mentioned that this thing has an extremely strong perception of high-energy sources - including mental power."

I was stunned, then vaguely understood. This little creature's reaction was not hostile to me, but because the energy fluctuations in my body attracted it.

"You come and lure it out." Nightingale suddenly turned her head and looked at me, her tone relaxed but unyielding. "Your mental power is suitable, and it should be able to make it show up."

"What if I refuse?" I replied coldly.

He smiled slightly: "Then I'll just pretend I didn't hear it."

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and released a little of my mental energy, as if sending out some invisible signal. A moment later, a slight sound filled the air, like claws sliding across a metal floor.

"Here it comes." Nightingale reminded in a low voice, with a hint of interest in her eyes.

The cub slowly emerged from the shadows, its jet-black fur gleaming metallically in the dim light. Its scarlet eyes stared at me intently, filled with caution and curiosity.

I didn't dare act rashly, but I felt a sense of alarm and panic in my heart. Although this thing was a cub, the primitive pressure in its eyes didn't seem like an ordinary experimental subject.

"Very good, just like that, let it come closer." The nightingale's voice sounded in my ears, as if to encourage me.

It approached, tail drooping, muscles tense, ready to explode. I held my breath, trying to calm my mind and soothe it.

When it was less than two meters away from me, Nightingale suddenly said coldly: "Do it."

Before he finished speaking, he had already pulled the trigger of the cold light gun in his hand, and a silver light shot towards the cub!

At the same time, the place where the cub had stood was empty.