Chapter Seventeen: The Field Operations Department

On the way to the Field Operations Department, Mo Wen tried accessing the internet with his new cybernetic implant. Compared to the Dreamweaver Type I, which had already malfunctioned, this device came preloaded with some software—though all work-related and specifically designed to log into the company network.

However, Mo Wen didn’t rush to adapt to corporate life. Instead, he first opened his own account.

Balance: 25,721,515.26 credits.

Of that, five million was the reward for eliminating enemy military cyborgs as a mercenary, while over twenty million came from the first profit share after selling his body.

Ren Yiyi had valued his body at 7.5 trillion credits, calling it a new possibility on the biotechnology tree—an entirely different future for humanity, a miracle from another world. But before that value could truly be realized, it was obviously impossible to receive such an amount, especially since he was alone, powerless, and incapable of spending that sum.

Besides offsetting debts from his cybernetic modifications, he could mostly just monitor the flow of funds and periodically receive a small portion of the net profits, like pocket money.

Though small compared to the total, earning money without doing anything, simply by providing key raw materials, was truly delightful.

One had to admit that the new humans in this world seemed genetically imprinted with qualities like fairness and kindness. It was remarkable.

Yet Mo Wen had not forgotten his old human friends.

[Mo Wen: Where are you now? Has the company paid you?]

[Hawks Gang Leader (Hawks Gang, the best gang in the Western Sod Outer Ring—whether you’re looking for pets, investigating cheating spouses, buying assassinations or smuggling, or seeking homology revenge, we provide the best experience. /If you don’t want to see this message, please adjust your settings): Back in the city, helping the kids with procedures to move into the Inner Ring, scheduling enhancement surgeries, and the money has arrived.]

[Mo Wen: What about those two gang members…]

[Hawks Gang Leader: Their deaths were worth the price. It was justified.]

[Mo Wen: They died because of me. Here, I’m sending 10 million credits as a sponsorship for the kids’ education.]

[Hawks Gang Leader: Alright, next time there’s a job that needs risking lives, you can count on us.]

That would probably never happen again. Military cyborgs only appeared on battlefields with conflicts above a certain intensity. In such battles, ordinary people were just insignificant droplets.

---

Mo Wen didn’t mind his balance rapidly decreasing. Even within the company, the Dreamweaver series of learning devices had only been developed to the second generation.

At the company’s internal price, he only needed 200,000 credits to buy exactly what he wanted most, and the equipment for missions was reasonably within reach.

After ending communication with the gang leader, Mo Wen opened the software built into his cybernetic implant and connected to the Field Operations Department’s forum and chatroom.

[Mo Wen has entered the chatroom.]

[Newcomer Notice: Upon joining, please rename yourself with branch number—corresponding squad—your title.]

[16-25-Mo Wen: Hello everyone.]

[16-25-Ren Sisi: Welcome, newcomer! Glad to have you join the Dreamweaver Entertainment family and become part of the Field Operations Department. Hey, you’re actually my teammate—and my referral is my older sister! Wow, with my sister’s eye, you must be a very rare newcomer.]

[16-25-Mo Wen: Greetings, senior. May I ask, what exactly are our duties?]

Mo Wen had read the contract and chosen to join the Field Operations Department because the work seemed light and the benefits were decent. But the contract’s content felt somewhat vague.

[Headquarters - Field Operations Department Chief: Didn’t you read the contract? Four-person squads, under superior command during wartime, participate in battles. During peacetime, you pick up missions yourselves; if none, allocate your time flexibly. Also, your life is your own, so we recommend investing time in real combat training and mastering your psychic abilities. @16-25-Dragon Sword Ninja, your squad leader—contact him if you want missions.]

[Headquarters - Field Operations Department Chief: Remember, all benefits aren’t to make you cannon fodder or mindless followers, but to inspire you to fight for humanity’s future and win the right to a better tomorrow.]

[Headquarters-1-Rogue: Thanks! That sounded so grand coming from the chief.]

[Headquarters-1-Rogue muted for 5 minutes, reason: not using group admin privileges grandly.]

[16-25-Dragon Sword Ninja: A newcomer at this time? Um, do you want to take the day off today?]

[16-25-Phantom: We’ve got a mission to maintain order on-site; there might be rioters.]

[16-25-Ren Sisi: I trust the newcomer can handle this. It’s not like we’re fighting hostile forces—just suppressing rioters without killing them. It’ll be easy. Besides, since we can manage the mission alone, the newcomer can just slack off and won’t make mistakes.]

[16-25-Ren Sisi: @16-25-Mo Wen, right? Hurry to the helipad—we’re about to board the helicopter.]

---

Mo Wen wasn’t short on money and could have taken the day off. But the mission didn’t seem too difficult, and it wouldn’t interfere with buying the learning device. He could absorb knowledge on the way while getting to know his cheap teammates better and deepen his understanding of the company.

[16-25-Mo Wen: Okay, I’m coming right away.]

He opened the implant’s built-in map, first heading to pick up his ordered Dreamweaver Type II, then rushing to the helipad.

He wasn’t yet fully adapted to this cybernetic body. Inside the company, he dared not dash at supersonic speeds to avoid injuring others. But his newly awakened acceleration ability was indeed top-notch for traveling fast.

At the helipad, Dragon Sword Ninja was explaining to Ren Sisi how difficult it was to adapt to cybernetic bodies and psychic powers when they suddenly looked back.

Mo Wen also saw his three teammates.

One wore a constantly shifting holographic cloak, carried a dragon-engraved katana on his back, with a pure black cybernetic body armored except for a single crimson eye exposed—this must be Dragon Sword Ninja.

Another’s cybernetic body was dark-colored, blending into the environment at the edges. The head constantly shifted like liquid, the face indistinct—likely Phantom.

The last appeared like a normal girl, wearing a black tight bodysuit with a smooth silhouette, covered by a coat lined with numerous instruments. On her head were AR glasses resembling external connection devices—this must be Ren Sisi.

She didn’t resemble Ren Yiyi at all, and those numbers—11, 44—R-11, R-44? Same model? Same main category but different subcategories?

Mo Wen nodded to them. Ren Sisi immediately waved vigorously and shouted like a social butterfly, “Hey, your squad is here! Come over quickly.”

If she hadn’t shouted, he would have quietly approached. But facing such an outgoing person, he felt he shouldn’t just pop up casually. Yet if he didn’t come over, she’d surely persistently shout louder.

Still, Mo Wen hadn’t seen such a lively social butterfly for a long time.

Seeing Mo Wen hesitate, Dragon Sword Ninja gently tapped Ren Sisi’s head, stopping her overenthusiastic behavior.