[Combat Start]
Suddenly, numerous simulated enemies appeared across the desert—mostly melee units. Probably because the staff saw that he was wielding a sword.
Looking at the incoming enemies, Chen Tiannuo chuckled. "Humanoid test dummies again, huh."
He charged forward, executing fluid and seamless combos, taking down the melee foes with ease.
He ignored the ranged enemies in the distance, choosing instead to move into cover. He called out to the staff, "This level should be enough, right? I can't take out the ranged ones."
Chen Tiannuo instinctively didn't want to reveal his full capabilities.
The staff member shut down the simulation and said, "You've successfully passed the trial. Please proceed to registration. The child with you will need to be registered as well."
After a brief process, both Chen Tiannuo and Donghui were registered.
"Here is your ID badge. Please keep it safe," the staff member handed him a work ID. Then she led him to a refrigerated storage room. "Please wait a moment."
She retrieved a vial of suppressant and handed it to him. "You can receive one vial per month here. Alternatively, you can purchase more at 100,000 per vial."
"Alright, got it." Chen Tiannuo waved his hand and called out, "Donghui, let's go."
"Coming!" Donghui hurried to his side.
'I thought identity registration would be a huge hassle. Turns out you just fill out a few things and that's it.'
'So… where to now?' Chen Tiannuo pondered. He didn't have any money usable in this world.
"Donghui, where do we pick up PMC commissions again?" He hadn't heard the staff's explanation earlier.
"I think only private companies can accept commissions. If your rank's too low, you can't accept them on your own."
"So, we need to join a company?" Chen Tiannuo wasn't exactly thrilled at the idea of joining just any random company.
"Yeah." Donghui nodded.
Chen Tiannuo was speechless. He didn't want to join another company, but he didn't have the funds to start his own either.
"Sigh~ Alright, Donghui, let's find a small, crappy company to join. That way, it'll be easier for us to work independently later on."
"Should we go look now?"
"Yeah."
…
As it turned out, most companies weren't looking for people. Without exception, Chen Tiannuo was rejected from each one.
Eventually, he and Donghui arrived at their last option: [Tendo Civil Security Corporation].
"I heard this company's on the verge of shutting down. Might as well give it a shot," Chen Tiannuo said with resignation.
"It's okay, Brother Tenno. At worst, we can just clear out Gastrea from the outskirts and sell the corpses to Shima Industries. They buy them," Donghui reassured him. She'd done that before, though it didn't earn much.
"That's probably our only option." Chen Tiannuo was getting frustrated. If only the system gave him a system backpack—he could store things for emergencies and wouldn't be in this kind of mess.
Chen Tiannuo knocked on the door of the Tendo Company.
"Hello, are you here with a commission?" A girl in a school uniform greeted him.
"Do you guys need people?" Chen Tiannuo had given up trying. He used to strategize how to join; now, he couldn't care less. Worst case, he'd just go solo.
The girl's eyes lit up and she jumped up immediately. "You want to join my company?!"
"With how you're saying that… You guys short on people or something?"
"Ahem, yeah, we're a bit short-handed." The girl awkwardly admitted. "Let me introduce myself. I'm Tendo Kisara, the founder of this company."
"I'm Tenno, newly registered PMC." Chen Tiannuo kept a straight face. "This is my Initiator, Donghui Lanya."
"Hello." Donghui bowed politely.
"Newbies, huh? That's fine too."
Tendo Kisara pulled out a contract and explained, "The company takes 50% of the commission, but we provide weapons, gear, and post-mission processing. For newcomers, a 50-50 split is already quite generous."
Chen Tiannuo took the contract and examined it carefully.
After a while, he nodded. "Definitely good terms. Looking forward to working with you."
"Looking forward to it!"
"So, I'm supposed to call you boss now?" Chen Tiannuo teased. He was actually in a good mood now.
"Call me President." Tendo Kisara grinned. Finally, a new recruit! Now her company could take on more missions.
"President, got any commissions right now? I've got plenty of free time." Chen Tiannuo didn't have money to even find a place to sleep tonight.
"Huh? Let me check." Kisara looked up available commissions online.
"Got one!" She printed out the details and handed the page to Chen Tiannuo. "This one shouldn't be too tough. I'll also contact Satomi Rentaro—he can show you the ropes."
"Got it." Chen Tiannuo took the sheet, gave a quick nod, and headed for the mission location.
"Stay safe," Kisara said instinctively.
"Appreciate it."
…
Chen Tiannuo and Donghui arrived at the designated location for the mission.
They saw a young guy riding up on a bicycle in a rush. 'That's Satomi Rentaro, huh? Another high schooler?'
The guy stopped in front of them and said, "You're the new guy Kisara mentioned? I'm Satomi Rentaro. Just call me Satomi."
"I'm Tenno." He gave a brief intro, and Satomi led both of them into the building.
"You guys are the PMC backup? A kid and a rookie?" A police officer looked at the two with a frown.
"Can't help it, I am PMC." Satomi replied.
Chen Tiannuo followed behind Satomi without speaking.
"Tendo Private Security Company, right?" The officer looked at their badges.
"Yes," Satomi replied, taking back their IDs. "So, what's the mission?"
"Fourth floor. I'll explain as we go." The officer led them toward the stairs.
"Residents on the third floor reported blood dripping from above. Based on all the information, it's definitely Gastrea. Thank god you're here—we've been waiting to go in."
"Without PMC support, we can't enter the scene. It's the law—meant to reduce casualties on your side…"
"Which is exactly why it's so frustrating!"
Chen Tiannuo listened quietly with Donghui, not joining the conversation. He still didn't fully understand this world, though Donghui and Matsuzaki had explained some things.
"Kid, where's your Initiator? Why are you solo?" the officer suddenly asked.
"Uh… I figured I wouldn't need her help," Satomi replied awkwardly. In his rush, he had accidentally left Enju behind.
"Really? Whatever. At least we've got another team here."
They arrived at the last room on the fourth floor.
"Any change?" the officer asked his team.
"Two of our members rappelled inside a moment ago… but no word yet."
Chen Tiannuo had already caught the thick, fresh scent of blood.
"Enough talk. I'm going in." Without hesitation, he slammed forward in his Warframe, effortlessly smashing the door open.