"No need for a reception. And Boss Shen, surely you jest. The Mercenary Association is your territory. How could my location possibly escape your notice?"
Facing Shen Yan's words, Tan Rui replied calmly. As he spoke, he casually raised the terminal in his hand, turning the screen toward Shen Yan.
"Besides, wasn't your goal to have me come here in the first place? Otherwise, you wouldn't have posted the commission."
From the sound of their exchange, this Brother Tan rarely visited the Mercenary Association. It was only because the man known as Boss Shen had posted a commission on the board that he paid a visit.
What kind of commission was it?
Driven by curiosity, Sister Cipher quietly stepped in front of Tan Rui and glanced at the information displayed on his terminal screen.
'…Why is this about me again?! I just casually taught a mercenary a lesson! Why is the chain reaction this huge?!'
Cipher scratched her head in frustration.
Because at that very moment, the screen clearly displayed the commission titled:
"Investigate the origins of 'Cipher.'"
'Whatever. So it's a chain reaction. This cat isn't scared. Besides, this is the perfect chance to hear how they plan to investigate me.'
Thinking that, her mood immediately improved. And so, she continued her honest and perfectly justified eavesdropping.
"Tell me everything you know."
After saying that, Tan Rui sat back down on the sofa and slipped his terminal into his pocket.
Cipher's gaze drifted toward that pocket for a brief moment. But remembering that business came first, she quickly turned her eyes back.
"Don't be in such a hurry, Brother Tan. To be honest, this is only my speculation. Nothing has been confirmed yet."
Shen Yan stood to the side and tapped open the commission regarding Cipher. Soon, the detailed information appeared on the screen.
"Cipher. At 9:13 PM last night, she arrived at the Mercenary Association with the Spark Squad, severely injured a mercenary, and then left alongside the squad. Prior to that, there are no existing records of her."
"Based on yesterday's observations, Cipher is suspected to be a genetically modified soldier from Genesis Biotech. Feline-type modification. She possesses cat ears and a cat tail in appearance. No other beast-like traits have been observed for now, suggesting an extremely high level of refinement. Her speed and agility are exceptionally high, and she possesses considerable strength. Preliminary assessment places her at no less than C+ rank, potentially approaching B rank combat capability."
"At least C+ rank combat capability?"
After hearing Shen Yan's description, Tan Rui's brows furrowed slightly.
"It wouldn't surprise me if Genesis Biotech could create a C+ rank genetically modified soldier. They went insane before and even produced an A- grade experimental specimen. Still, a C+ is a relatively rare combat tier. Instead of sending her to assassinate high-level targets or eliminate powerful mutated beasts, they let her come to the Undercity to beat up a mercenary? Are you sure you're not joking?"
"It seems words alone don't carry much weight. Then watch the footage. This can't be faked."
As he spoke, Shen Yan tapped lightly on the screen again. Very quickly, yesterday's scene appeared from a surveillance perspective.
The video began from the moment Cipher and the others stepped into the Mercenary Association.
After the footage finished playing, all three fell into silence.
Tan Rui was analyzing.
Shen Yan was waiting for Tan Rui's response.
As for Cipher…
She couldn't help but cover her face.
The surveillance footage was incredibly clear and in full color. Even the audio had been recorded with perfect clarity.
Watching her own actions replayed once again—especially with the person beside her watching so intently—
She knew they were studying her abilities. She understood that logically.
But her skin was simply too thin.
This felt no different from a public execution.
It's all Shen Yan's fault! So you like secretly recording videos, huh?! Just wait until this cat finds a chance. I'll snatch your terminal and wipe all your credit points clean!
Cipher glared fiercely at Shen Yan, already imagining the look of utter despair on his face when he discovered his credits had been emptied.
"Ah-choo!"
At that moment, Shen Yan, who was standing beside the screen, suddenly sneezed.
He frowned, then looked up at the air conditioner on the ceiling, muttering to himself,
"Why did I just sneeze…? Is the temperature set too low?"
With that, he bent down, picked up the air conditioner remote from the coffee table, and raised the temperature by two degrees.
"So? Any thoughts?"
After putting down the remote, Shen Yan looked toward Tan Rui.
"My thoughts are the same as yours. Aside from Genesis Biotech, no other corporation possesses such refined genetic modification technology. I'll take this commission. Do you have a plan?"
"There's too little information right now. No concrete plan. But I can disclose the commission the Spark Squad accepted yesterday. You can observe whether she appears."
Seeing Tan Rui agree, Shen Yan spread his hands slightly.
"Fine. I'll take your commission. So what did they accept?"
"Fifty credit points~"
"Heh. Boss Shen really knows how to do business. I have to buy your intelligence just to carry out your commission."
"Posting commissions while running a side business. Two birds with one stone~"
Leaning casually against the wall, Shen Yan offered his reasoning with a relaxed expression, completely ignoring Tan Rui's displeased gaze.
"What a fine 'two birds with one stone.'"
Tan Rui's expression wasn't pleasant, but he still took out his terminal. After operating it briefly, he said,
"The money's transferred. Send the intel to my terminal later. I'm leaving."
With that, he stood and walked toward the door.
"Much appreciated. Do come again."
Shen Yan smiled and waved as Tan Rui departed. Once his figure disappeared around the stairwell corner, the smile faded from his face.
"I wonder what Genesis Biotech is doing in the Undercity. Running low on experimental materials? No… the Hive District has more than enough materials to last indefinitely. Why would they come here? Could it be that the Spark Squad has something special…"
Taking out his terminal, Shen Yan frowned as he replayed the footage again and again, muttering to himself.
But after a short while, he returned to his usual relaxed demeanor.
"Forget it. In a couple of days, news will surface anyway."
With that, Shen Yan stuffed his terminal back into his pocket, turned off the screen, stretched lazily, and walked into a room behind the large display screen.