CHAPTER 338: CHAPTER 335: [JUST A MONKEY]

Chapter 335: Just Monkeys

Catch it and bring it back.

Or.

Kill it and bring it back.

Everyone understood the crucial point. The key wasn’t whether to catch or kill it; the key was to *bring it back*.

No one was foolish enough to ask, "What is the research and survey content of this base?" It was obvious. Who would bother setting up a base in the icy, sub-zero desolation of Antarctica for no reason? Without asking, everyone knew it must hold secrets about the Octopus Monster organization. Knowing was one thing; asking was another. Even if they asked, they wouldn’t get an answer.

Afterward, Nolan’s introduction concluded, and Vanel once again took the place of the man with the hooked nose, beginning to provide a basic overview.

"The next predictable and confirmed window is in three days. Don’t misunderstand; although a window occurs every twenty-seven hours, current surveys indicate that while multiple windows will appear within the next three days, we’re expecting a minor climatic change. This change means the conditions during the window three days from now will be the most suitable for entering the Red Circle."

"This means everyone has three more days to rest at this base. Starting tomorrow, we will arrange two training sessions to help familiarize you all with the equipment, instruments, and provisions we will be using."

"I know all of you are experienced Ability Users who have faced various severe situations. However, please believe that this training will still be very helpful. Under the harsh conditions of the extreme polar cold, becoming more familiar with the gear and devices you will carry can effectively increase your safety margin."

No one objected to Vanel’s words.

Accepting commissions in the Underground World often involved danger. None of those who had survived to this age and been selected by the Octopus Monster for this mission were fools. Those brimming with adolescent arrogance or who were mindlessly conceited had long been weeded out by the society of the Underground World.

On the contrary, after hearing the mission details, some of the Ability Users present even began to consider another issue: This mission was too strange, and its danger level was unknown. Did the risks involved justify the reward offered by the Octopus Monster? Should they withdraw?

"Finally, Wizard, Ms. Lillian, and Captain, please remain. We will discuss and clarify the command authority for this mission. Of course, the attendants of you three are also welcome to stay and listen," Vanel announced at last.

No one felt this was unfair. With three Controllers in the team, one couldn’t expect them to obey Nolan and Vanel’s commands like ordinary members. Although Nolan was nominally the Octopus Monster Company’s commander, he still needed the support and consent of the three Controllers in practice. This was especially true when facing unexpected situations during the operation.

Simply put, they needed to resolve who would listen to whom when the time came.

Thus, out of the twelve Ability Users, six silently departed—they held no command authority. They were hired hands, working for pay, and in an inferior position compared to the Octopus Monster Company.

The remaining three Controllers and their three attendants—which naturally included Chen Anderson Nuo—stayed. Adding Nolan and Vanel, there were a total of eight people in the room.

"Let me state my hope frankly: I wish that during the operation, all of you will follow my command." Nolan didn’t waste words and stated his position directly. His hooked nose added to his imposing air as he leaned on the table with both hands, looking at the three Controllers and their attendants.

The Wizard and Lillian each exchanged glances with their respective attendants.

The Captain looked a bit embarrassed, but Chen Nuo quickly leaned in, bowed, and whispered a few words into the Captain’s ear. The posture was perfectly executed, like a fawning strategist offering counsel to his master.

But what Chen Nuo actually whispered into the Captain’s ear was: "I saw the food supply list. We could consider having pan-fried codfish tonight..."

The Captain maintained a stoic expression, glancing wordlessly at his "attendant." Couldn’t I have explosion-fried seal meat instead? And grab a few penguins to barbecue!

At this moment, the Wizard spoke. "I have no objections... Under normal circumstances, I am willing to accept Mr. Nolan’s command—but not if we encounter special situations."

"Please define ’special situations’," Nolan immediately pressed.

The Wizard replied calmly, "Situations that, in my personal judgment, might endanger my life."

In short: work was fine, since he was being paid. Dying for the cause was out of the question.

Nolan nodded; this attitude was within his expectations. He then looked at Lillian.

The woman known as Diamond nodded. "My stance is the same as the Wizard’s."

"And you, Captain?" Nolan turned to the Captain.

"OK," the Captain nodded.

Nolan breathed a sigh of relief. Things hadn’t deviated much from his expectations, but he still made a further request.

"Under normal circumstances, I hope everyone will follow my command... Please trust that I possess sufficient professionalism to be competent in this role."

"Of course, the field commanders from the Octopus Monster Company are always outstanding and trustworthy." This time, it was a short-haired Black female Ability User standing with Lillian who spoke. Like Lillian, she also had short hair.

"However, I have one more request. In the event of an unforeseen incident, such as encountering enemies or danger, I hope that the three of you will keep team spirit in mind and provide assistance to other members of the team. Of course, if any of you three face a serious threat to your personal safety, this request is void. What I mean is..."

"We understand what you mean. We will proactively demonstrate team spirit. I believe everyone here has participated in this type of commissioned task before; we are well aware of what needs to be done," one of the Wizard’s attendants said, speaking on behalf of his boss.

Nolan was satisfied. What else could he expect? It was impossible to have three Controllers obey his orders unconditionally like dogs. As long as they could maintain team spirit and follow commands while ensuring their own safety, it was enough.

"Well then, that concludes today’s matters. I know everyone’s temperament, so I didn’t organize any banquet. However, the base is currently well-stocked with supplies. If you require any food, it can be delivered to your quarters."

Nolan stood up, ending the brief meeting.

Vanel remained silent, his gaze fixed forward, and followed Nolan out. Davarishi’s acting was superb; from the beginning to the end of the meeting, he had minimal contact or communication with Chen Nuo, not even making eye contact.

The Wizard probably also realized that his last unprofessional act must have significantly disadvantaged the Captain, creating animosity with the new Controller. He couldn’t be bothered to say much now; such conflicts couldn’t be resolved with a few words. After rising, he too left with his subordinate, the Ability User from the Cultivator Association, without even a farewell.

"You don’t get along with the Wizard?" Lillian approached the Captain with a smile. "A new Controller clashing with an established one? That’s quite a topic. If I were to post such news on the Octopus Monster Company’s website, it would surely attract a lot of attention."

The Captain silently glanced at Lillian.

"If Ms. Lillian were to write anything, it would undoubtedly become a huge topic," Chen Nuo chimed in opportunely, playing his role as a sycophant to perfection.

Lillian merely gave him a cold glance before looking away; evidently, this Diamond Controller was very interested in the Captain.

"Care to join me for a cup of coffee? I brought some excellent coffee to my room."

Captain: ???

What the fuck? What did I just hear? Is this... being hit on by a female Controller big shot?

He subconsciously sized up Lillian. Her true age was unknown... but she certainly wasn’t young.

But so what? Controllers could freely alter their bodies, age, and appearance. She looked to be in her twenties, with a physique like a Victoria’s Secret supermodel—tall, with long legs, and quite fierce.

Alright, Victoria’s Secret’s greatest contribution and change to the modeling world was altering the previous trend of "bony beauty" and "flatness above all." After all, when it comes to lingerie, curves are very important.

Well, that was a digression.

The Captain’s mind momentarily crashed—he’d only ever been beaten up by Controllers before! No one told him he could also be hit on by one!?!

Lillian was from M Country. According to M Country customs, inviting someone of the opposite sex to one’s room at night for "a cup of coffee"...

If you genuinely thought it was just about drinking coffee, you’d be far too naive.

What’s a greater achievement than being beaten by a Controller? Hooking up with a Controller! And what’s a greater achievement than beating up a Controller? Sleeping with a Controller! An epic achievement lay right before him!

The Captain took a deep breath, summoning perhaps all the willpower and determination he possessed in his life to suppress the turmoil within. He responded in a cool tone, "There’s no need. Thank you for your kindness, but I’m accustomed to sleeping early."

After a pause, the Captain added, "Ms. Lillian, I hope our collaboration will be pleasant."

Her advances rejected, Lillian didn’t seem annoyed. She smiled faintly. "Alright, a pleasant collaboration it is. Since you and the Wizard don’t seem to get along... I think we can consider a limited alliance for this operation."

"Of course," the Captain nodded.

Lillian gave the Captain a flirtatious glance and then gracefully departed.

From start to finish—flirting, being rejected, forming a temporary alliance—this "Diamond" big shot had completely ignored an attendant like Chen Nuo.

This was consistent with the prevailing worldview in the Underground World. It was especially pronounced for some Controllers who stood at the top of the food chain. Because they possessed abilities that seemed godlike to ordinary people, over time, they truly stopped seeing others as human.

Chen Nuo knew that among the elite Controller class, a kind of "class discrimination" was very common.

Simply put, these individuals considered only themselves to be human. Other Ability Users who hadn’t reached the Controller level... were little more than monkeys. As for ordinary people who weren’t even Ability Users, they were probably considered less than monkeys.

Lillian was a veteran discriminator, and she wasn’t the only one. She wouldn’t feel any embarrassment about openly propositioning the Captain with others present. In her eyes, apart from herself and the Captain, no one else there deserved to be called human.