Core City of Truth.
Combat Power Test Hall.
Wolf's Den was nearby, especially lively tonight with constant shouts echoing out.
Bob cigarette in mouth, stood at his office door and called out, "Sam, come here!"
Busy at work, Sam quickly set down what he was doing, "Director, what's up?"
"Come in for a chat."
Entering the Director's office, Sam was startled, "Director, have you been robbed?"
The office was eerily empty, the usual collectibles that were everywhere now gone. Before stepping down from the front lines, Bob Emberclad was a Battle Chief level powerhouse, though his strength had severely declined due to a lingering injury.
This office used to house materials from three demon race Battle Chiefs, not only valuable but also of special sentimental significance.
Bob often boasted about how he once faced three enemies alone to save Blaze Morrow, that little rascal. Today, Blaze Morrow's status as a peak Battle Chief owed at least two-thirds of its credit to Bob!
"Those materials? I've put them up for sale on the Trade Secret Realm," Bob lit another cigarette and said nonchalantly, "Today, a healing artifact called [source of life] appeared on the Trade Secret Realm. It should cure my condition, though it's a bit pricey."
Sam couldn't help but swallow hard. Even a former Battle Chief found it expensive. How costly could it be?
"Director, is this thing reliable?" Sam asked cautiously, "Shouldn't we investigate a bit first?"
"If you bring up that last incident again, I'll send you to the Abyss to mine rocks!" Bob exhaled a smoke ring, clearly annoyed.
He had once been swindled by a few con artists while trying to cure his injury, nearly bankrupting him. Fortunately, the Defense Headquarters has zero tolerance for such scams. They acted swiftly, not only cracking the fraud case but also dismantling a demon cult branch in the process. Bob's losses were fully recovered.
"This time it's different, I assure you. An old friend of mine has regained his combat strength thanks to [source of life], even breaking through a level in the Tower of Truth!" Bob said seriously.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Sam acknowledged, "That's... good news."
"Right, why did you call me here, Director?"
"Oh, right, I got so excited I almost forgot the main issue." Bob pulled out a sheet of paper filled with calculations, "I've done the math, and I've almost gathered enough money. Sold all the materials, the bounty from the Dead Resolve Camp, the compensation for my injury retirement, and I'll get a severance package when I resign..."
"Resign?!" Sam exclaimed, "Director, why would you resign?"
Even if someone like Bob resigned, he would receive a substantial compensation. However, after decades at the Defense Headquarters, the sudden decision to resign was hard for Sam to accept emotionally.
"Keep it down, I'm still calculating." Bob scribbled on the paper, "This [source of life] is good, but it's just too expensive. My old friends have their own difficulties, where am I supposed to find the money?"
"But you don't have to resign!"
"Director, if you resign now, even if you regain your Battle Chief strength, your merits in the corps will have to be recalculated!"
"I can't worry about that now, this stuff is in demand, and it'll be gone if we wait!" Bob was determined, his actions decisive, "I've already submitted my resignation, and as soon as the money comes through, I'm heading to the Trade Secret Realm to make the payment."
"You have a Trade Secret Realm pass, right? Lend it to me."
Sam was taken aback, "Sure... Director, what about yours?"
"I sold it." Bob's tone was casual.
To afford the [source of life], he had sold everything he could.
"Do you want this pack of cigarettes? There are 15 left, I'll sell them to you for $680."
With that, Bob tossed the half-pack of cigarettes to Sam. From now on, he was quitting smoking. Even after all this, the money he had gathered was only enough to buy 100 drops of [source of life]. Whether it would completely cure him, Bob wasn't sure.
Knock, knock, knock— The office door was knocked.
"Come in."
A young man wearing a Lone Wolf mask entered, looking quite ordinary. His voice was warm and magnetic as he asked, "Is this the office of Bob Emberclad, former Deputy Commander of the Magmafist Corps?"
"That's me, what can I do for you?"
"Wolf's Den sent a message, please show your merits card."
The young man first displayed a Battle Lord token, then took out a device, clearly to verify Bob's identity.
Beep, verification complete—
"Can we talk business now?"
Bob Emberclad frowned, wondering if it was a call to gather the retired for a return to the Abyssal front lines. If that was the case, the situation at the front must be dire.
"Actually, because you were once listed on the Monument of Faith, if you're willing to return to the front lines, you can receive a dose of [source of life] for free to treat your condition..."
"Free?!" Bob stood up abruptly, staring intently at the young man.
"Director, calm down, be careful it's a scam!" Sam stepped in front of Bob, cautiously asking, "They're not asking for a deposit or something, are they?"
"This is a newly signed notification from Wolf's Den, and soon the Defense Headquarters will officially issue the document." The young man handed over a paper, the contents matching what he had just said. At the bottom of the document, signed by Maxen Stoneheart, was also stamped with a Lone Wolf badge, identifier, and seal. Everything was in order.
"Is this for real?" Bob's hand trembled slightly as he held the cigarette, overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events.
The young man handed over another document, "You just need to sign here, and you can receive 156 drops of [source of life], enough to cure your condition. After some rest, you'll be able to regain the strength of a Battle Chief."
Without a second thought, Bob Emberclad quickly signed his name. Even if it were a contract of servitude, he would sign without hesitation for a chance to return to the battlefield.
A small vial of [source of life] appeared before them as if by magic. Bob took the vial, drank it all, and felt the surge of life energy healing all his injuries.
"This... this..." The nearly hundred-year-old veteran danced around, unable to express his joy in words.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." The young man bowed slightly, ready to leave.
"Wait!" Bob Emberclad quickly called out to him, "May I ask, where did all this [source of life] come from?" Such generosity, even for the Defense Headquarters, seemed unlikely without a donor.
"You can see it in the document," the young man said before departing again.
Bob hurriedly opened the document and saw a familiar name at the top.
Thor!
It was all from Thor's donation!
"Director, this..." Sam lit a cigarette, unsure what to say.
"It's the era of the young now." Bob sighed deeply, his emotions mixed. He glanced at Sam and snuffed out the cigarette, "I've quit smoking, and I'm not inhaling second-hand smoke either."
"You should quit smoking too, it's not good for you. What are you smoking for!"
Saying this, Bob took back the half-pack of cigarettes with 14 left and put it back in his pocket.
"Hurry up and get the stuff back from the Trade Secret Realm, my proof of facing three enemies alone shouldn't just be sold like that!"
...
Exiting the Combat Power Test Hall.
Mike returned to Wolf's Den, casually opened a bottle of beer, and sat in a corner, silently watching everyone's revelry.
Following the arrangement discussed with Maxen Stoneheart, Mike first donated one-fifth of his [source of life], totaling 200,000 drops.
Not all those who had retired were willing to rejoin the battle. With the current tight situation for humanity, they could only take care of those willing to return first. If there was any leftover, they would expand the scope.
Everything had its priorities.
In the corner, Maxen Stoneheart quietly approached, not drawing much attention.
"Th... cough... Yasuo." Maxen Stoneheart wasn't sure how to address Mike, "My godfather asked me to pass on a message, the rewards you earned in the Tower of Truth will be available tomorrow."
"Got it."
"The shadow by your side said not to return before 6 PM, he's currently busy killing someone."
As he said this, Maxen Stoneheart's face turned pale, seemingly recalling an unpleasant memory.
"Alright."
Mike looked at Maxen Stoneheart curiously, wondering if this guy had actually been chopped by Shadow Nine.
"And my second godfather asked me to tell you..."
"Wait, why have you turned into a messenger?" Mike was exasperated.
Can't you show a little basic respect for a nine-tier Battle Lord, the first on the Star List?
"Out of curiosity, how many godfathers do you have? And who's your second godfather?"
Maxen Stoneheart didn't hide anything, "The one currently in the Abyssal Plane."
Supreme Being, Ares.
No wonder the skill books came through Maxen Stoneheart.
"Alright, what did your second godfather say?"
"He said the top demon race master smith they just captured isn't willing to craft equipment for you yet, he's still 'persuading' him."
Mike: ....
This 'persuasion,' is it voluntary?