books44 Chapter 332 [Empire] Newcomer
Chapter 332 [Empire] Newcomer
"Is this how you train new recruits?" I leaned back in my chair, a teasing smile on my face. "Your team made the right choice by sending you to recruit new recruits."
Hearing this, Nightingale chuckled lightly, her tone tinged with frivolity: "Who said I was here to 'recruit' people? If I didn't think you could survive, I wouldn't bother with this effort."
"That sounds like a compliment." I raised my eyebrows and looked at him teasingly. "But your words still give off the vibe of 'leading newcomers.' What's going on? Is your team so short of people?"
Nightingale turned to look at me and smiled even more deeply. "Lack of people? Yeah, there's always room for talent. But people like you, who dare to face dangerous plants and environments right after joining the game, and even picked up a 'dangerous thing'... are indeed quite rare."
"So, you think I'm qualified?" I asked in a flat tone, as if asking casually.
"Whether you're qualified or not isn't up to me alone." Nightingale's tone suddenly grew more serious, his gaze sweeping across the frozen jellyfish in the back seat of the car. "But at least, you have something. Compared to those who can only cling to others or back down halfway, you have more courage and determination—two things that many people ultimately fail in due to lack of."
I didn't respond. I lowered my head to organize my backpack and said casually, "The way you train new people is quite stressful. It feels like pushing people to the brink of life and death, to see if they can save themselves."
Nightingale leaned back in her chair, spread her hands, and spoke with her usual casual tone: "There's nothing we can do. Our line of work is living on the line between life and death. Those who can truly survive are either born freaks or driven mad by this kind of pressure. It's either madness or death, there's no other way."
I listened to this, silent for a moment, then raised the corner of my mouth slightly. "It seems your team is quite ruthless. No wonder they sent someone as eloquent as you to the 'selection'."
Nightingale laughed out loud and raised her hand to point at me casually. "Selection? Don't take yourself too seriously. I'm bringing you along just for fun. If you're really not capable, I'll run faster than anyone else."
"That sounds like your Nightingale style." I scoffed, leaned back in my chair, closed my eyes and pretended to sleep, but left a light-hearted remark, "But next time, don't underestimate the newcomers. You may not have considered that sometimes 'madmen' also have different levels."
Hearing this, Nightingale raised her eyebrows, a meaningful glint flashing in her eyes: "Okay, then I'll see how crazy you, the 'new lunatic', can be."
The interior of the hovercar fell silent again, with only the low hum of the engine echoing through the cabin. And at the corner of my mouth, a faint smile played.
"I still have to go to class at dawn. I, a minor, feel so humble." I huddled in my seat, hugged myself and pretended to look pitiful. I even whimpered on purpose to cooperate with the performance.
Nightingale was adjusting the navigation when she heard this. Without even turning around, she glanced at me, her lips curled up in a mocking arc: "The points you earned in exchange for merits tonight might not even be enough in three years of school."
I curled my lips and retorted unconvincedly, "How far away is that from meeting the requirements of adulthood?"
He finally looked me in the eye, his smile deepening a little: "How much difference? A lot."
"..." I choked instantly, feeling that this answer was simply a deliberate attack. "Specifically? Can you give me a range so I can be mentally prepared?"
Nightingale lazily leaned back in his seat, his fingers casually tapping the steering wheel. His tone was filled with a hint of gloating, "It depends on whether you want to become an adult directly, or still have the confidence to survive after adulthood. For the former, thirty or fifty missions like this are probably enough; for the latter..." He paused, the smile on his lips becoming more meaningful, "Maybe it will take several times more."
"..." I was stunned for two seconds and couldn't help rolling my eyes. "So, becoming an adult depends not only on your life, but also on your looks?"
Nightingale laughed heartily. "Of course it depends on your appearance. If you don't have enough resources and a tough life, you won't live long even after you grow up."
"That's easy for you to say." I leaned back in my chair somewhat frustrated, my tone sour, "It seems I'm destined to remain humble."
Seeing my depressed look, Nightingale smiled even more cheerfully: "Don't be discouraged, at least you have me with you, it won't be easy for you to fail."
"Who wants you to take me with you?" I snorted and retorted stubbornly, but I couldn't help but ponder his words in my heart.
There are no shortcuts to success, adulthood, survival... I sighed softly, my gaze drifting out the window as the sky gradually began to turn pale. A faint smile played at the corner of my mouth. "It's okay. Take your time. I'm still young anyway."
Nightingale glanced at me sideways, a hint of a smile on her lips: "Youth is indeed an asset, but not everyone can make good use of it."
"Don't worry," I said briskly, a stubborn glint in my eyes, "I will use my capital to the fullest."
"But, Nightingale, honestly, I should leave the capital planet soon." I suddenly spoke, with a complex tone, as if I felt a little regretful about the upcoming changes, but also a little excited. "To other planets. I guess, maybe the border galaxies..."
Nightingale's smile faded slightly, and she looked away from the navigation screen and turned to look at me: "Border galaxy? Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm not sure." I shrugged and smiled casually, "But it's also highly likely. The capital planet can only retain those 'excellent students' with stable arrangements, while people like me... basically flow to remote areas."
Nightingale snorted softly, a carefree smile returning to the corners of her mouth. "You're quite open-minded. The border galaxies aren't as comfortable as the capital star. There's no shortage of messy troubles there."
"Comfortable?" I sneered, my gaze fixed on the sky outside the window. "How do you think my life on the Capital Planet is 'comfortable'?"
Nightingale raised an eyebrow but didn't respond. He knew I was right. Whether it was life or future plans, I felt like a person trapped on the edge of the Capital Star, constantly searching for a way out. And now, this way out.
"Although the borderlands are dangerous, they are rich in resources." I added in a low voice, as if trying to convince myself, or as if to explain, "Perhaps there, I can find more opportunities - whether it's meritorious service, or..."
"Or live more like yourself?" Nightingale took over my words, her tone a little more serious than usual.
I was stunned for a moment, then I curled my lips and smiled: "You are good at summarizing."
Nightingale leaned back in his seat, his hands casually resting on the steering wheel, his tone returning to its relaxed state: "I'm guessing you'll cause some trouble within three days of arriving in the borderland. With your personality, you just love to pick trouble."
"What about you?" I suddenly asked, looking straight at him. "It sounds like you're very familiar with the Border System. Maybe you go there often?"
Nightingale narrowed her eyes and looked at me with a half-smile: "Yes, the borderland is an interesting place. If you really go there, you might run into me."
I stared into his eyes for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled. "Maybe we'll work together again. But... I hope you'll still be willing to take me, the 'newcomer', with you when the time comes."
Nightingale snorted, a lazy arc appearing at the corner of her mouth. "Don't look down on me. I never bring any burdens. But if you can make me feel that you are of some use to me when the time comes, perhaps I will consider it."
"Then wait." I said softly, with a hint of determination in my tone.