Chapter 271 – Intelligence from Falcon Camp

The phone line was silent for a moment before a very cold voice came through.

It sounded as if the person on the other end was speaking from a vast, empty space, lending an ethereal quality to the voice.

“Hello, Ling Mo. I am Su Qianrou, the Chief of Staff at Falcon Camp.”

Ling Mo’s eyes widened in surprise.

The title of Chief of Staff, though vastly different from its pre-disaster significance, still indicated a position of considerable power and authority.

In Falcon Camp, this person should also be one of considerable prestige.

Ling Mo had expected someone in such a position to be a particularly stern military figure, but he never imagined it would be a young woman.

“Hello…” Ling Mo quickly regained his composure and replied.

“I just received Vice Captain Sun’s report about you the night before last. I didn’t expect to speak with you so soon. Thank you for obtaining so many supplies for us.”

Su Qianrou made a polite remark.

Although her voice was ethereal, her tone was warm and carried a hint of a smile, making her seem very approachable.

This was quite different from the leaders Ling Mo had encountered before.

However, the fact that the Chief of Staff had suddenly decided to talk to him wasn’t just for polite small talk.

To build a relationship with him? Personally recruit him?

That didn’t seem necessary…

Ling Mo was quite self-aware about this.

No matter how strong he was, to an armed force with numerous personnel and advanced weaponry, he was just an individual.

A single bomb from them could turn him into ashes, which was why Ling Mo was extremely wary of them and eager to strengthen himself.

“No need to be polite, it was a fair trade. Actually, I have two survivors here who are quite handy with small inventions and such. They could be considered talented individuals. I remember your camp is in need of people.”

Ling Mo quickly relayed his intentions.

He glanced back and saw Li Wei and Zhang Er still standing at the door, staring at him anxiously.

Their looks were just like those of children afraid of being abandoned by their parents.

“Can you stop staring at me? It’s making me feel really pressured! I don’t owe you anything, damn it…”

Ling Mo quickly waved his hand at them, but seeing they still wouldn’t look away, he had to turn back again.

Even so, he could still feel their four eyes firmly locked on him, as if they were genuinely afraid he would suddenly disappear.

Su Qianrou responded without hesitation, “Of course, they are welcome. Since you recommended them, I’m sure they will be a great help to our camp. Thank you very much for always thinking of us.”

True to her title as Chief of Staff, her words were impeccably polite, making Ling Mo feel exceptionally comfortable.

Before Ling Mo could show any sign of happiness, Su Qianrou continued, “In fact, I’m very pleased to receive your call. We are currently organizing an urgent mission, and if we could have your assistance, that would be wonderful. As for the reward, you can rest assured that it will be satisfactory.”

“What kind of mission?” Ling Mo straightened up and asked.

No matter how nicely the other person spoke, when it came to his own interests, Ling Mo’s mind cleared immediately.

“It seems you are very cautious… that’s a good thing. The truth is, Team Tom, which you parted ways with a few days ago, lost contact with us last night. Another squad, which had given us a warning earlier, has also completely disappeared.”

Su Qianrou’s tone was somewhat somber, suggesting that the situation was not looking good.

“Disappeared?”

Ling Mo immediately pictured Sun Zeya.

Their mission to collect medical supplies was nearly complete, and the remaining task should have just been finding survivors in the vicinity, which didn’t sound particularly dangerous…

Moreover, the complete disappearance of another fully armed and highly capable squad seemed highly unlikely…

Ling Mo was still puzzled when Su Qianrou continued, “I have already dispatched the last squad to the area where Team Tom was last located. I hope you can join them, investigate this incident, and carry out a rescue mission for Team Tom. Ling Mo, you know their mission was to conduct a preliminary investigation of X City. While you may not plan to join our camp, the establishment of a quarantine zone benefits everyone.”

Hearing no response from Ling Mo, Su Qianrou added, “If you agree, even if the mission is unsuccessful, I will pay you half of the agreed reward. If at any point you feel the mission’s danger exceeds your threshold, you can withdraw from it.”

“What’s the reward?” Ling Mo asked, a hint of contemplation on his face.

When Ling Mo hung up the phone, his expression turned somewhat peculiar.

Su Qianrou had offered a generous reward, but what intrigued Ling Mo the most was the information she mentioned.

“From her descriptions, it sounds very much like the variation zombies I’ve encountered before. But how could there be so many of them?”

Ling Mo thought about the small amount of variation zombie potion in his backpack.

He was currently in need of more of that stuff…

“How did it go?” Zhang Er quickly asked as he saw Ling Mo hang up the phone and walk over.

“There will be a team coming to find me, and then someone will take you to A City,” Ling Mo said succinctly.

Li Wei hesitantly asked, “Are we really going to A City? You’re not going to abandon us, are you?”

“Yeah, I’m selling you off, one cent each,” Ling Mo replied sarcastically, giving her a look before walking inside.

The wind on the rooftop was too strong; after a few more breaths, his lungs felt numb. He didn’t want to stand there and keep getting blasted by the wind.

Seeing Li Wei standing there with her mouth agape, Zhang Er quickly pulled her aside. “Li Wei, he’s just teasing you.”

“Huh? Oh… I see…” Li Wei still looked a bit dazed. Zhang Er mimicked Ling Mo’s expression, glancing up at her before shaking his head.

“The presence of the army in A City should be true. If he didn’t want us following him, he could easily ditch us.”

As they followed Ling Mo downstairs, Zhang Er began to calculate, “If there are comrades of my father in the army, plus this brother’s introduction, Li Wei and I should be able to secure our footing. This is an opportunity he’s giving me. Although I’m not a superhuman, there are other ways to become stronger. The camp has suffered many casualties, and the soldiers are replaced quickly. A kid like me, with two or three years of training, could have a chance to go to the front line…”

Then he looked ahead at Ling Mo and thought to himself, “I wonder if by that time, he’ll be even stronger than he is now. Will I be able to act like him, doing things just to please myself? I really don’t want to live this humiliating life for survival anymore…”

Ling Mo felt Zhang Er’s gaze on him but didn’t think too much about it.

Although he had made the call for Li Wei and Zhang Er, he had unexpectedly received valuable information about the variation zombies, which was a good thing.

“This time, I need to find a bigger container to collect more of the variation zombies’ blood. That viral hive is still very active, and it would be a waste if I couldn’t use it due to insufficient potion. While my power hasn’t increased much, all aspects of my physical fitness are improving. Where else could I find such a good thing? Even if others obtained a viral hive, without zombies around to help dilute it, they wouldn’t be able to use this method at all.”

As Ling Mo thought about this, a smile appeared on his lips.

Seeing Ling Mo’s silly smile, Li Wei couldn’t help but show a puzzled look.

This guy, who she found so terrifying, could actually have such a smile on his face?

It was completely different from when he was killing people…

Li Wei couldn’t help but recall the moment Ling Mo grabbed her. That embrace really made her feel safe.

“He’s obviously so fierce, so why did he save me? He clearly seems to dislike us, yet he’s still helping us find a place…”

The more Li Wei thought about it, the more confused she became. She couldn’t help but quietly ask Zhang Er, “Do you think Ling Mo is a bad person or a good person?”

Zhang Er was taken aback for a moment, then looked up at her and said, “He saved us and helped us, so of course, he’s a good person to us. But maybe to him, saving us was just a simple thing.”

“Hmm… Yeah, right!”

Li Wei thought for a moment, then nodded vigorously, showing a timid smile.