“So, is our company planning to give up?”
“Of course. President Qin actually hopes we can complete the mission. After all, this is a great opportunity to establish a connection with the Federation and deepen cooperation between both parties.”
“President Qin promised that if the mission is completed, the company won't take a cut from the Federation's rewards; they will be distributed entirely by the task force itself. There will also be extra company bonuses and performance pay at the end of the month.”
Fang Heng's eyes lit up.
Could he squeeze a little extra profit out of this wave?
“It’s too difficult. Our team has done an internal analysis; a Level 4 zombie is too strong. Completing this mission is simply impossible.”
Shen Qing sighed and explained, “It’s not just us; currently, it’s impossible for any team in the game to achieve it.”
“The main issue is time. The coma agent used by the Federation only has an effectiveness period of about 18 hours. Theoretically, the mutated zombie will wake up by noon tomorrow.”
“Right now, no players in the game have reached Level 5, so the strength levels are completely mismatched. Even large player guilds wouldn't have enough time to travel all the way to Hope Town.”
Fang Heng rubbed his chin, contemplating how to exploit this opportunity.
Capturing ALEX was completely out of the question.
Fang Heng still had research reports regarding ALEX's various data in his in-game inventory.
After being placed in a low-temperature environment, it would take 30 minutes for ALEX to gradually enter a state of hibernation.
In other words, even if he found an extremely rare refrigeration machine, it would still take a full 30 minutes to put ALEX into hibernation.
It would be a miracle if he wasn't beaten to death by ALEX in that much time!
But if he were to kill ALEX directly...
Was that truly impossible?
500 Main God Points were just too tempting!
Assuming he could actually kill ALEX, what could he gain?
First, the 500 Main God Points reward from the Federation!
Wasn't he currently worrying about the flowerpot for the Mobile Vine?
500 Main God Points could be used to exchange for a large cargo truck!
There might even be some left over!
A large truck would also be very useful after returning to the prison.
After all, his zombie clones could help him collect a massive amount of supplies.
When the time came, whether it was moving ore or transporting supplies to exchange for points, it would be incredibly useful!
Second, the current Branch Mission 3 of the T-Virus Serum collection quest: the task to collect ALEX's samples.
The mission completion rate had already reached 100%. If he could kill ALEX, the completion rate could be pushed even further! The rewards would accumulate again!
Yes!
And there was a third point!
High-level evolution crystals and the first-kill reward!
Fang Heng knew very well that ALEX was the first Level 4 mutated zombie to appear in District 8.
As long as he killed him, a high-level evolution crystal was guaranteed to drop!
And there would be a first-kill reward!
Fang Heng remembered hearing a player mention that a first kill on a Level 3 or higher zombie would grant a system reward.
For a Level 4, it would be at least a B-rank skill book!
It was too tempting!
Fang Heng thought it over carefully.
It seemed like this wave wasn't impossible to exploit after all.
A plan quickly formed and refined itself in Fang Heng's mind.
He felt he could do it.
The success rate was approximately 70%.
If he could find a trustworthy helper, the success rate could be increased further!
Shen Qing looked at Fang Heng, who was lost in thought.
“You seem very interested in this mission.”
“Hmm?”
Realizing he had spaced out, Fang Heng gave an embarrassed smile.
“I was just lost in thought. Sorry, what did you say just now?”
“Oh, it's nothing. By the way, President Qin came back yesterday. You were still in the game when she looked for you.”
“Did she say anything?”
“Well, from what I gathered, it seems she wants you to independently establish a game department—the Twelfth Task Force.”
Shen Qing scratched his head.
He found this matter extremely strange.
He had been stunned when he heard President Qin mention it just now.
Letting a newcomer directly manage a newly established task force?
What kind of trust was that!
The backdoor was being opened a bit too wide!
But on second thought, it didn't make sense.
There hadn't been many personnel changes lately, yet President Qin wasn't sending a single person to this new department?
When the time came, the Twelfth Group would only have five newly joined rookie players.
How was that any different from being a commander without an army?
“President Qin said you can also choose a few people to bring with you to the Twelfth Group, but you'll need to get their consent.”
Fang Heng was also dumbfounded upon hearing this.
A promotion?
Suddenly becoming the leader of a departmental task force?
Was Xia Xi's influence really that great?
Or was Jimmy a hidden big-shot client? Was everything being done for Jimmy's sake?
Wait, is there a raise?
Fang Heng looked up and asked, “Is President Qin in?”
“Her flight was this afternoon; she should have landed by now. You can try calling her. I'll give you her mobile number.”
As Shen Qing spoke, he took out his phone.
“Also, the office on the fifth floor reserved for the Twelfth Group was cleared out this morning. You can move in whenever you're ready.”
“Alright.”
Fang Heng shrugged and noted down Qin Shuran's phone number.
“Thanks.”
“Oh, wait a moment.”
Shen Qing signaled for Fang Heng to wait and then made a landline call.
Soon, Pei An'an, the cute intern he had met once before, walked in.
“Team Leader, you were looking for me?”
“Come, let me introduce you. This is Fang Heng, the leader of the Twelfth Group.”
“And this is Pei An'an, an intern in our department. She's been here for a month.”
“She is very familiar with the company environment, so President Qin has assigned her to be your temporary assistant.”
Shen Qing introduced her enthusiastically. “Haha, this girl is very diligent. She's helped me a lot during this time. To be honest, if President Qin hadn't spoken up, I really wouldn't have been willing to let her go.”
Fang Heng nodded and greeted Pei An'an.
“Hello, we've met before.”
“Hello, Team Leader Fang.”
Pei An'an greeted him politely.
She looked at Fang Heng curiously.
When they met in the lounge a few days ago, she had called herself an intern; it turned out he was the new leader.
“The five newcomers assigned to you will report at nine o'clock tomorrow. Pei An'an has all the specific personnel lists and information.”
“That's about it. If you have any other questions, you can consult President Qin directly.”
Shen Qing turned to Pei An'an. “Pei An'an, take him to the Twelfth Group office first.”
“Thank you, Brother Shen, for looking after me during this time.”
“Hey, don't mention it. Come visit our Third Group often in the future.”
Shen Qing stood up to see Fang Heng out of the office.
Even after being escorted to the elevator, Fang Heng still felt something was off.
Was President Qin's trust in him due to Xia Xi?
But letting him manage a whole departmental task force directly?
He had no idea how to do that!
Maybe he should find a way to resign in a few days.
Ever since his meteoric rise in the game, Fang Heng no longer took this job seriously.
After all, in the game, he could earn a fortune just by casually selling materials to the Federation; he was living very comfortably in reality.
He could leave at any time.
The reason Fang Heng remained at the company for now was partly because he felt no pressure here and life was very easy, and partly because of Xia Xi.
In this strange world, Fang Heng was still very grateful to Xia Xi.
Of course, there was one more very important point.
The S-rank talent enhancement plan from Huangming Gaming Company!
Seeing that his level in the game was about to reach Level 10, Fang Heng's need for the talent enhancement plan was becoming increasingly urgent.
He needed to find a way to get his hands on it as soon as possible.
Forget about that for now!
There were more important matters to handle right now.