【Interstellar Contract Magician】Ruyuanke

By the time we were done, it was almost dawn. Lin Hao and I found a spot and slept in our clothes. The morning light streamed through the curtains, and the warm winter sun from the urban environment simulation system shone down on us, bringing a rare touch of warmth.

I rubbed my still tired eyes, hurriedly got up, and straightened my combat uniform. Today I looked even more disheveled than yesterday—yesterday at least I had a clean, brand-new suit, but today, it was obvious that after a night of hard work, I hadn't had time to change into combat uniform.

The clothes were covered with wrinkles and sweat stains, the gray fabric was a little wrinkled, and the trouser legs were hastily rolled up, which seemed to fit nowhere. Even so, I had to wear it and hurried to school.

As I walked onto campus, I realized I didn't fit in with the students around me. Everyone was dressed in neat school uniforms and everyday clothes, but I was wearing this combat uniform. Even though it was the most practical choice, it still felt a bit out of place. I trudged along, trying to appear natural, but my eyes unconsciously scanned the familiar faces around me, searching for unnoticed corners.

Lin Hao followed closely behind me, seemingly more accustomed to the ups and downs of this environment than I was. Although he was clearly exhausted, every time I looked back at him, the understanding and support in his eyes gave me a strange comfort. Perhaps, even though everything was changing, at least I was no longer alone.

Entering the classroom, I couldn't help but sigh. Facing the familiar desks and chairs and the content on the screen, my mind was a bit confused. Although I'd long been accustomed to switching roles between different environments and missions, at this moment, the gap between being a student and being a mercenary still left me a little stunned.

However, no matter what, the task at hand is still the most urgent. We must keep a clear head and try our best to do everything to perfection.

Although I really hate the word "perfection", the premise is that the price is not life, the price is not human life, the price is not the price of oneself, or the life of a companion, or the life of oneself and a companion.

By the end of the school day, Nightingale still hadn't figured out what was going on. Lin Hao and I were naturally on standby. We found a cheap B&B near Mercenary Street and booked a room. After a quick wash, we took turns resting.

Although the room was very simple, at least it had a bed and a bathroom, which allowed us to relax for a while.

I lay in bed, vaguely catching a glimpse of the neon lights flickering outside through the curtains. Sounds drifted in the distance, filling the night with a cacophony of activity. I closed my eyes, trying to relax, but sleep remained elusive. The details of the mission continued to whirl in my head. Nightingale had said that the energy source might hold a deeper secret. Perhaps we were caught in the vortex of some grand conspiracy, and the closer we got to the truth, the more uncertain it became.

"Can you fall asleep?" Lin Hao's voice came from the other end of the bed, breaking my thoughts.

I turned my head and looked at his silhouette lying there. "I can still sleep. How about you?"

"Just barely." He smiled, his voice filled with helplessness, "I always feel that the task is becoming more and more complicated."

I sighed, a heavy feeling welling up inside me. Indeed, things were becoming increasingly complex. We were embroiled in more than just a simple mercenary mission. Perhaps some unknown force was quietly at work behind this series of mysteries. At least, it wasn't as simple as we initially thought.

"Don't worry, we will figure it out." I said to him softly.

He didn't answer, but closed his eyes silently. I knew that he was just as nervous as I was about every next step.

"As you wished, I... I'm actually very grateful for everything you've done for me." Lin Hao's voice was a little low and ethereal. "I know you did this out of sympathy for me. I knew it from the beginning. But I still accepted your kindness. I need your help, I need it, I need it so much." His voice was a little hoarse. "Ever since I went with you to take those mid-level missions, I've saved enough for my sister's medical expenses, and our life has become better. We can eat clean food every meal. All this is because of you. I'm really grateful to you..."

Lin Hao's voice was low and choked, and his words revealed a deep sense of gratitude and helplessness.

He mentioned that he knew from the beginning that I helped him out of sympathy, but he still accepted my kindness and even began to rely on my help. Every word weighed heavily on me, and his emotions were obviously more complicated than I had imagined.

I closed my eyes, trying not to respond. At this moment, facing his sincere gratitude, I was a little unprepared.

The emotional upheaval left me unsure how to react, and I didn't even dare look at him. Pretending to be asleep was perhaps my only option.

Lin Hao's voice gradually grew deeper in my ears. I knew he hadn't seen the helplessness and struggle in my eyes. But the overwhelming gratitude still left me stunned.

What I saw in him was not only his gratitude for my help, but also his desire for the future and his deep awareness of his responsibilities. Perhaps this is my true responsibility as a mentor—not just guiding him on tasks, but more importantly, influencing his life direction.

But I am only a dabbler after all. Maybe I can barely complete a task, but as for life... I might as well not pass on my life experience that I haven't fully understood even after three lifetimes.

But no matter what, I know that the road ahead may be more complicated, and the relationship between us seems to be changing quietly.

Just as Lin Hao was already asleep and I was half asleep, I heard a familiar rhythmic tapping sound. It was one of the "secret codes" between Nightingale and me.

I stood up quietly, trying not to make any noise, afraid to disturb Lin Hao's rest. Through the dim light from the curtains, I saw that he was still lying quietly in bed, seemingly in a deep sleep. Then, I quietly left the room and gently closed the door to avoid making any noise.

The hallway was dimly lit, and a chill hung in the air. I listened to the echoing footsteps in the empty space as I quickly made my way to the guesthouse's exit. Nightingale and I had a unique way of communicating through "code words," a tacit understanding that was deeply ingrained. When he gave the signal, I knew what it meant—a new mission, perhaps some urgent action.

I left the B&B and stood on the street. All around me was still quiet, with only the neon lights flickering in the distance. I took a deep breath, preparing for the changes that were about to happen. Nightingale never made unnecessary moves. Since he contacted me, it must be something important that needed to be addressed.

"I'm guessing this isn't a simple matter. I need the companions in your backpack to go back to that place with me." Nightingale said with a serious expression, "This time it could be dangerous. Don't bring that kid Lin Hao with you." I knew he was referring to the cyan seedlings in my backpack. They always seemed to have a deadly effect on combat plants.

Nightingale's words instantly made the atmosphere tense. I frowned slightly, a premonition already welling up in my mind. Every time he mentioned "danger," there was always something hidden behind it that shouldn't be underestimated. Looking at Nightingale's serious expression, I knew he wasn't just offering a warning; he had already assessed the severity of this mission.

"You mean..." I asked in a low voice, although I already had a rough idea of ​​the answer in my mind.

"Yes, that green seedling." Nightingale nodded, his expression growing more serious. "It has a suppressive effect on combat plants, something we all knew before. I now suspect that the combat plants in that area are likely in an abnormal state. If you take it with you, it may be able to effectively control the situation." He paused, a hidden glint in his eyes. "However, this mission will be more difficult than before, with many unpredictable variables. Be prepared."

I nodded, feeling a bit of doubt, but more than that, I was filled with a sense of solemnity about the mission. The fact that Nightingale was taking this so seriously meant this mission was anything but simple. The cyan seedling had always been an inconspicuous little item in my backpack, but its presence was never to be ignored. Its ability to suppress combat plants was enough to turn the tide of battle at a crucial moment.

"I see." I took a deep breath and replied softly, "When do we leave?"

Nightingale looked at me calmly. "Right away. We can't waste any more time."