Chapter 8: Registration and Compensation
Cupid Home Services, first floor lobby.
The members of Team Two had long since changed out of their protective suits and sat wearily on the sofas, their faces marked with exhaustion.
Deputy Supervisor Lin Zhifeng arrived upon hearing the news. After gathering some information, his expression grew grave as he asked, “How are Du Chuan and Du Bo?”
“Not looking good,” Team Leader Lei Wen shook his head. “They were rescued at the temporary defense team outpost and have now been sent to Jasmine Hospital in the Dawn District for further treatment and observation.”
“Sigh, aftershocks are unpredictable. No one could have expected to run into this,” Lin Zhifeng said with a furrowed brow. “As long as you all are okay, that’s what matters.”
He offered some words of comfort. “I’ll report this to the company. Team Two will be granted a one-week paid leave. As usual, appropriate work injury and accident compensation will be provided.”
Though there was the promise of leave and compensation, the group could only manage faint smiles; their spirits remained heavy.
The chubby deputy turned to Wang Xi. “First day on the job and you get hit by an aftershock—did it scare you?”
“Not really, Brother Lin,” Wang Xi replied softly.
“I just heard from Zhu Yuhe that you’re quite skilled. You protected her with just a crowbar and escaped from a dozen monsters’ encirclement?”
Lin Zhifeng smiled as he asked.
Upon hearing this, the others also glanced toward the young newcomer, curious since they hadn’t had the chance to ask at the disaster site.
“I usually like to work out,” Wang Xi replied, reluctant to reveal his ability to traverse other worlds. He smiled shyly but still looked somewhat shaken.
“Plus, I got lucky—just barely survived.”
“That’s modest of you. Most people couldn’t do that,” Lin Zhifeng shook his head in admiration.
He probed further, “Be honest with me—what rank are you as an amateur hero? There’s no need to hide it. The company focuses on nurturing capable employees and offers better benefits accordingly.”
Amateur hero…
Wang Xi’s mind flickered with memories.
This was a rank within the Hero Association for those who hadn’t passed the professional hero exam but whose abilities surpassed ordinary people.
They either possessed a certain number of artificial universal cards or had enhanced physiques through special drugs or cybernetic surgery.
Unlike the professional heroes ranked from one to five stars, amateur heroes could reach as high as nine ranks.
Those above sixth rank had the basic qualifications to enter labyrinths and were more likely to survive disasters.
“Brother Lin, I’m not a hero yet,” Wang Xi answered truthfully.
Lin Zhifeng and the others exchanged glances, then smiled.
“Well, you just graduated and probably haven’t taken the Hero Association’s exam yet. Actually, the company has priority on this. There’s a group exam next week—you should apply.”
“Xiao Wang, I recommend you participate,” Lei Wen joined in quietly. “It’s a rare opportunity. If you apply on your own, who knows how long you’d have to wait. Anyway, there’s no harm in trying. Even if you get an amateur hero certificate, whatever rank, it’s definitely beneficial.”
His tone was earnest, like a veteran advising a newcomer.
“You’re new to the world of work, so you don’t know—this certificate is very useful. For example, whether you have it or not affects your salary; I’m rank three…”
“Cough!”
Lin Zhifeng interrupted with a cough.
Lei Wen immediately fell silent but shared a meaningful look.
Ms. Gao Fen joked, “Young man, I hear you’re still single. Having a certificate will make you more popular with the ladies.”
“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean!” Zhu Yuhe called out in mock displeasure.
Everyone laughed.
Wang Xi thought for a moment, then said to Deputy Lin, “Brother Lin, I’ll apply.”
“Good,” Lin Zhifeng smiled. “Just wait for the notification.”
After some casual conversation, the chubby deputy stood to leave.
“Oh, by the way, your assignment was cut short today. Have the collected corpse remains been delivered to the warehouse yet?”
Lin Zhifeng asked as if remembering something.
“No, we haven’t had time,” Lei Wen replied.
Lin Zhifeng smiled, “Perfect. I’m heading to the warehouse anyway. I’ll help deliver them for you.”
“Thank you, Deputy Lin.”
Lei Wen gathered everyone’s “Mortuary Box” cards and handed them over to Lin Zhifeng.
Once the deputy had gone, Wang Xi quietly cast another glance at his retreating figure.
The keen observer noticed a distinct smile playing on Lin Zhifeng’s lips.
That wasn’t unusual.
But why was he so pleased?
…
Night had fallen deep.
In Gucheng, Nest City District.
Apartment 1002, Building A, Prism Complex.
A figure lay weakly on the living room floor, writhing like a maggot, emitting strange, long chants of unknown meaning.
“Ugh… hungry…”
Wang Xi clutched his stomach, hunched over with his rear raised, looking utterly despondent.
Returning home, he suddenly remembered the refrigerator was empty.
He had wanted to order takeout but was broke. On the way back, he had hitched a ride with Team Leader Lei Wen; otherwise, he’d have to take bus line 11.
“If I’d only asked Brother Lin for an advance on my salary, I’d be eating right now!” he muttered.
Ding ding.
His phone rang again.
He sighed and lazily stretched out a hand to retrieve it from the carpet.
The lock screen showed a cute pink-haired girl winking at him, whispering in a sweet voice, “Love you, Master.”
He unlocked the phone.
There were several unread messages, mostly from his colleague Zhu Yuhe.
They were about the upcoming week off and invitations to hang out.
“Ha, women, all craving my charm,” Wang Xi thought, ignoring them and choosing to remain indifferent.
Then he came across the latest message.
Suddenly, his face lit up, and he scrambled to his feet.
The phone screen displayed:
“Dear Mr. Wang Xi (Third-Class Citizen), your personal account has received a transfer from ‘Cupid Home Services’: 20,000 credit points. Current balance: 20,000 credit points.”
He hadn’t expected the company to be so efficient.
An accident on his first day, and the compensation was already in his hands that very night.
With money in hand, the first thing Wang Xi did was order a delicious takeout feast.
Following the principle of treating himself well, he happily spent 200 credit points on a set meal from a nearby star-rated restaurant called “Grumpy Sweetheart.”
While waiting for the food, Wang Xi opened a shopping app called “Fly Hat” on his phone.
He searched directly for “magic stones.”
Soon, a highlighted entry appeared:
“Today’s magic stone price: 105 credit points per gram.”
So expensive!
Wang Xi thought grimly.
Though not as valuable as gold from his previous life, it was still a precious resource.
In the Shanhai Federation, magic stones were allowed to circulate in the market but under official regulation.
The “Hermes Commerce Alliance,” which backed this shopping platform, was listed alongside “Cupid Home Services” on the Overwatch Bureau’s regulatory list.
It was semi-official.
Recalling his earlier experience drawing cards, Wang Xi pondered.
“The independent card pool that Kaerus built in my mind requires 100 energy points per draw. Judging from the weight of those magic stones… it’s roughly one gram per energy point.”
He stared at the phone, grit his teeth, and spent a large sum to order 170 grams of magic stones.
Looking at the remaining balance of 1,950 credit points, he sighed—broke again.
He casually browsed the platform’s goods, deliberately checking out several card shops owned by conglomerates, drooling over the dazzling array of artificial universal cards.
Among the many cards were summon types like “Home Service Automaton” and “Alert Mechanical Dog”; item types like “Muscle Enhancement Injection” and “Steam Backpack”; equipment types like “Solomon Civilian Laser Pistol Model I” and “Mark Alloy Armor Set”…
Among the dazzling cards,
Wang Xi’s attention was caught by one card—
“Basic Defense Team Body Conditioning Method (Skill Card)”
Its price was a staggering one million!
Wang Xi gasped silently, puzzled.
A skill card?
Out of curiosity, he opened the product details and soon understood.
The description contained a key phrase:
“...possessing at least one ‘Skill Card’ is one of the necessary conditions for the professional hero exam.”
No wonder it was so expensive!
This card was essentially the stepping stone to becoming a professional hero.
Wang Xi guessed the reason it was allowed to circulate in the market was likely official—perhaps there was a threshold, but it gave the general public a chance to rise. From one perspective, it was an invisible filtering mechanism.
“If I want to live comfortably in this dangerous world, strength is crucial,” Wang Xi inhaled deeply.
“If the new world is a pyramid, then the path of a professional hero is the fastest and most direct way up.”
One million credits?
A lot!
But not too much.
One martyrdom would be enough.
Wang Xi shook his head, banishing the thought of dying.
“But I can’t just work to save up a million… who knows when that will be. I’ll find a way from the otherworld!”
He thought.
Though he was currently clueless about the other world, he had an instinct that it held countless precious treasures.
Especially supernatural powers!
His near-death escape today owed much to the two universal cards he captured from “Wendy.”
“The cooldown will be over the day after tomorrow. I’ll use the break to visit over there…”
Wang Xi resolved.
At that moment,
The doorbell rang.
“Delivery’s here!”
His eyes gleamed green as he rushed to open the door.
Standing outside was a short girl in a yellow delivery uniform, wearing a motorcycle helmet.
She wore no makeup but had surprisingly delicate features, a slightly chubby face that made her look young, though her figure betrayed her youthful appearance.
She held a bag.
“Delivery person No. 0173 ‘Ning Meng’ here with your order! Mr. Wang, your food has arrived! Enjoy your meal!” The girl said solemnly, her youthful voice formal.
She bowed slightly and handed over the delivery bag with both hands.
It felt like she was performing an important document handoff.
Wang Xi was momentarily taken aback.
“Food-grade…”
His old habit kicked in, and he discreetly scanned the girl.
“So professional,” Wang Xi said with a smile as he took the bag. “Thanks for your hard work, Miss Ning Meng.”
Unexpectedly,
The delivery girl removed her helmet, revealing short hair that framed her ears and reached her shoulders. She then produced a black fedora seemingly from nowhere, placed it on her head, smiled brightly, and handed him a small wooden box.
“Courier No. 0101 ‘Ning Meng’ delivering an important package. Mr. Wang, please sign…”
Her voice lowered deliberately, growing more mature and elegant.
Wang Xi was silent for a moment.
He took the box and pen, signing the delivery form.
“On behalf of Fly Hat Logistics, I wish you a good night.”
Ning Meng tipped the brim of her hat and bowed her head respectfully, then quietly turned and left.