Chapter 212: The Team

PS: Got delayed due to something, this chapter has only 3,000 words. The second update will have more around noon.

“Is it a special place?” Yang Bo asked immediately after hearing this.

The Fat Boss had just finished exercising and washing up, wearing only a pair of large shorts and holding a bottle of nutrient liquid. He answered while drinking, “It’s an energy stone mine, a secret place. No information can be leaked, including all the equipment inside.”

“Different equipment is used for mining based on the location, and even the types of equipment vary by the type of mine. Citizens with chips may remember certain details and then sell that information to others.”

“Others can then analyze the general location of the energy mine throughout this information. Since energy mines are strategic resources for the Alliance, the confidentiality level is extremely high.” The Fat Boss explained.

Upon hearing this, Yang Bo pondered slightly and asked, “Is there any danger?”

“Not really danger. The mining site had a strange accident, and the Company suspects sabotage by an insider.” The Fat Boss explained.

“I originally didn’t plan to bring you since your abilities are still weak, but I reconsidered. Maybe after experiencing some danger, your superpowers might fully manifest.” The Fat Boss continued explaining.

“Also, the energy stone mine is full of all kinds of energies. If you go and wander around, your superpower might develop faster.”

Without waiting for Yang Bo’s response, the Fat Boss drank the nutrient liquid in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and said, “But of course, there’s some danger involved. You’ll need to think it over carefully. I’ll try my best to ensure your safety, and the others joining the mission are my strongest employees.”

“I’ll go.” After hearing this, Yang Bo decided to go along and check it out.

On the one hand, the reward for this kind of mission would undoubtedly be handsome.

On the other hand, he wanted to gain some insight from such a special task.

He could also meet the capable individuals under the Fat Boss.

And of course, Yang Bo found the Fat Boss to be a good partner. If, heaven forbid, something happened to him, it would be hard for Yang Bo to find another such partner.

Lastly, if there was anything good he could grab on the side, he’d help himself to it as well.

“This mission is urgent; we set off in an hour.” The Fat Boss was quite pleased to hear that Yang Bo was willing to go.

“How long will it take?”

“No more than half a month.”

“Alright, I’ll get ready.” After speaking, Yang Bo hung up the phone and went to the Underground Bunker to prepare enough food and water for the little creatures he was taking care of there.

The area where the Invisible Mouse and other small animals were kept had been designed with the possibility in mind that at times he might need to leave for a while, so food and water could last them a maximum of three months.

An hour later, a small spaceship landed outside Yang Bo’s door.

Yang Bo quickly realized he had been mistaken, assuming the mission site was on this planet. But it turned out to be on another.

The spaceship opened its energy field, and as Yang Bo opened the door, there was no wind or rain at the entrance.

The entire spaceship stood about eight meters tall, twelve meters long, and seven to eight meters wide.

“Yang Bo, good to see you again.” As soon as he boarded the ship, Yang Bo saw a familiar face, Wu Bing.

“Brother Wu, long time no see.” Yang Bo was surprised but greeted him warmly.

“Yang Bo, let me introduce two more comrades. This one with even less hair than me is Hank, and this silver-haired guy is Zhou Zheng. Both are top members of the Company.”

“And this here is Yang Bo.” The Fat Boss introduced them all to each other.

Yang Bo greeted them as he observed. Although Hank was a bald Caucasian, he was very thin, with a long face and prominent cheekbones, giving off a somewhat sinister feeling.

Zhou Zheng had long silver hair down to his shoulders. He also had fair skin and a round face. He was quite chubby and looked like a comedian from Earth, his entire figure indeed quite plump.

“Brother Hank, Brother Zhou, I’ll be depending on you in the future.” Yang Bo placed himself in a lower position as a greeting.

Among superhumans, it was customary not to shake hands or make any other gestures when greeting. This was because superhumans were wary of being secretly attacked. Of course, this didn’t matter for ordinary people.

“You’re too kind!” Both Hank and Zhou quickly responded politely.

Their unusual physiques further hinted that their powers were equally unique. Not even gene injections could alter their appearance, proving that their superpowers were extremely powerful.

In this world, people didn’t fear superhumans with good looks but rather those with strange appearances. Nobody knew what kind of special powers someone with an odd look might have.

“The mission site this time is on a mining planet quite far away. It will take five days to travel there, and we’ll have about five days to carry out the mission. It’s an easy task but could also get complicated.” The Fat Boss said as they became acquainted.

The interior of the ship looked like a living room, with several rows of sofas, plus tables, wine cabinets, and a variety of drinks.

Outside was not visible, likely to maintain secrecy.

The Fat Boss detailed the mission. They were heading to an energy mine where an accident had occurred. Two engineers were sent to handle it, but after entering the mine, they lost contact.

For various reasons, the mining company didn’t dare reveal the news of the engineers’ disappearance and hired a professional company to manage the situation discreetly.

“The mining company currently has two main theories. First, someone infiltrated the company’s mining site.”

“Second, unknown energy interference exists inside the mine, which is also why they haven’t sent more engineers there. This unknown energy could affect biological chips.” The Fat Boss continued.

Yang Bo understood. Energy mines did indeed cause a lot of interference. He had discovered similar interference when on Green Demon Planet.

“Of course, based on our experience, there may be two additional situations.”

“The first is that some mining workers may experience genetic mutations due to energy influences.”

“The second possibility involves mutated animals. People working at the mines, since they’re isolated from the outside world for long periods, often keep pets. These pets could mutate under the influence of the energy.”

“Whatever the situation, we have to remain cautious. The mining company has provided two ninth-generation mechas. Hank and Wu Bing, you’ll each pilot one.”

“The mining company has also provided three standard suits of Armor, but because Yang Bo’s superpowers haven’t awakened yet, Zhou Zheng and I will use the Armor. Yang Bo, you’ll wear heavy-duty protective gear and follow us closely.”

“Now, for the next five days, I need all of you to familiarize yourselves with the mining site data provided by the Company.” The Fat Boss explained a lot in one breath.

Yang Bo realized this mission was far from simple. The Fat Boss then handed out personal tablets containing all the mining site data.

“Check the data first. After examining it, let’s discuss any issues.” The Fat Boss instructed as he handed out the tablets.

“Yang Bo, come with me. I need to tell you a few things.” The Fat Boss called Yang Bo aside.

“This mission is rushed, so I couldn’t tell you everything beforehand. Earlier, I mentioned engineers being affected by some sort of energy leading to genetic mutations. Eventually, these engineers could turn into unimaginable monsters. This isn’t the first time something like this happened.”

“The main issue is prolonged exposure to energy mines. Raw energy stones need further processing; otherwise, they carry intense radiation capable of causing genetic mutations.”

“And it’s the same for pets. Even though the living quarters for the engineers are supposed to have enough protection, there could still be accidents.”

“Make sure to carefully remember everything on the tablet, and stay close to me during the operation.” The Fat Boss instructed again.

“I got it, boss.” Yang Bo nodded immediately.

Yang Bo then began reviewing the data while the Fat Boss went to discuss with the others.

Yang Bo thought the mining site was small but was startled after seeing the information.

The mine was on a planet with 1.8 times the gravity of Earth. It measured over 600 kilometers in length and 120 kilometers deep, with 35 layers. The incident had occurred on the lowest layer.

The energy stone deposits were similar to gemstone deposits on Earth but located in unique geological formations that required automated equipment for extraction, layer by layer.

The mine had over 19,000 pieces of equipment, yet only three engineers managed it all.

The three engineers resided on the 32nd underground layer, which housed a selection center.

“This is going to be tough!” Yang Bo muttered as he looked over the mine’s 3D structure, realizing how complex the mission could be.

“I wonder what the situation will be like once we get there.” Yang Bo activated a 3D image and meticulously examined the mine’s layout, paying close attention to all the details.

While the Fat Boss talked with the other three, Zhou Zheng curiously asked, “Boss, you’re bringing in a newbie this time?”

“Old Zhou, does this newbie live somewhere any ordinary person would live?” Wu Bing asked before the Fat Boss could respond.

Hank glanced at the Fat Boss, “Boss, we’re not going on another wild goose chase, are we? Last time you swore there was a 90% chance of finding mutated creatures, and we ended up finding nothing.”

“The chances are still high this time. If we manage to find a genetically mutated creature, we’re in for a huge payday.” The Fat Boss said, holding his tablet.

“Let’s hope so. Boss, are you planning to give Yang Bo some serious training?” Wu Bing asked, taking a sip of his drink.

“Yang Bo seems to have recently awakened his superpowers, but it’s still unclear what they are exactly. That’s why I’m bringing him to the energy mine, to see if the energies there can kickstart their growth quickly.” The Fat Boss nodded in agreement.