"*Cough!* Apologies for the headache, Aurora." Duke apologized since this was the first time he faced an outburst from his Administrator. The seductive and soothing Aurora faded in his mind. It was replaced by an image of an office worker fed up with her boss's goddamn demands.
"I don't want to accept your apology, but..." Aurora squinted her eyes, making her golden irises glint lustrously. "The Director has a vision that must be accomplished. If an army is what the Director wants, it is what he gets."
Duke's sapphire-like eyes lit up as if hope had dawned upon the horizon. The edges of his lips rose. But before it could keep getting up. Aurora continued her words in a somewhat seductive tone.
"Though, Director... It will take some time to set up the logistics of this army. The newly-summoned soldiers will also have to adapt. After concluding all of these problems, I want a simple reward."
"Don't worry, Director. I am but a humble subordinate of the Cerberus. I will not disrespect the Director's borders, so I'll ask for an ample reward."
Aurora asked for a reward for her service. Duke thought about it for a short while and felt that it was normal. Besides, she appears to be adamant about maintaining respect for each other. So, there should be no worries about accepting her wishes.
But Duke couldn't help but feel that there was something deeper in this calm exchange.
"If you can efficiently and rapidly construct the logistics of the Cerberus military. I'll give you any rewards you want. As long it doesn't break my morality or hurt the Cerberus." Duke's response made Aurora's golden eyes widen.
"I'll work hard, Director."
A genuine smile emerged on her supple lips as she gave a thumbs-up to the Director.
"Anyhow, the price of the two companies should be about 6040 Source Points." Out of nowhere, Aurora dropped the price bomb. Duke's smile disappeared as his skin paled. He glanced at Aurora with shaking hands and questioned.
"What?"
"The price is 6040 Source Points..." Aurora replied with a soothing smile, making Duke wonder if she had a pleasure at his internal suffering.
*Cough!* *Cough!* *Cough!* *Cough!*
Duke started vehemently coughing after hearing the price once again. He felt his wallet aching. It was dying under an insurmountable suffering. He could only grit his teeth and clench his fist. It was painful! He gazed at Aurora again and wanted her to explain why the price tag was high.
Noticing his gaze, Aurora explained with the same soothing smile as before.
"The total cost of the Sentinels is 1280 Source Points, followed by the War Medics' 1180 Source Points. The Combat Engineers, Mechanic Specialists, and Communication Operators have a price of 680 Source Points each. The Marksmen and Grenadiers have the same price of 480 Source Points. Drone Specialists cost about 400 Source Points. Finally, these Logistic Staffs need 180 Source Points."
"Totaling it to 6040 Source Points."
"Do you have any more questions, Director?" Aurora concluded her explanation and softly asked. On the other hand, Duke was in deep thought. The Sentinels and War Medics were extremely expensive. No! Every unit was expensive.
Duke would have a heart attack if not for his trump card.
'To be honest, I don't really need two companies' worth of personnel. But I consider this an investment. Wasting a discount for a company isn't worth it. I need to go all in and reap the rewards later.' Duke's thought process wasn't wrong.
He was planning to use the 50% Discount of Aurora to take the brunt of his expenses. With the long cooldown, it would be a joke to not use his entire funds. After all, it was an opportunity that would take a long time to replenish.
"There are also 10 officers for the platoons, totaling 200 Source Points," Duke muttered in realization, to which Aurora responded with a nod. Officers were needed to lead platoons since they were soldiers who were educated in the art of war. In terms of strategizing, they were the best.
"*Sigh...* Aurora, I feel like a poor man again." He stretched his limbs with a wry smile. Aurora quietly chuckled and replied. "It's because the Director wants to build an army. But I guess this is the Director's investment in Cerberus. If the military afterward isn't up to the Director's standards..."
"I'll take care of them." Aurora's last words were cold. An investment would only be excellent if the one invested had some potential.
"No need to take care of them. They'll grow into a remarkable force in the future. There's no need to be impatient. After all, in the end, this investment is towards the future." Duke expressed, not wanting his Administrator to start some cleansing out of nowhere.
"The Director's words are awe-inspiring." Aurora closed her eyelids with a smile on her face.
'It's time to start buying.' Duke thought to himself as a digital display materialized before his vision. He glanced at it with inquiry and understood it was an activation notification of Aurora's skill.
| Activating 50% Discount! (Yes/No) |
'Yes, of course.'
| 50% Discount Activated! |
| All prices within the Protocol will be discounted by 50% for 24 hours. |
Duke felt a radiant and soothing feeling inside his heart. It was a calming warmth that he hadn't felt since the time he was enveloped by the silver light. It was an addicting heat, but fortunately, he had great fortitude. Otherwise, it would be problematic for him to be addicted to some side effects.
"Let's begin!"
Not wanting to waste or delay a moment, he opened the Doomsday Mall and began his buying spree.
| The Director has purchased 128x Sentinel(Military), 118x War Medic(Military), 68x Combat Engineer(Military), 68x Mechanic Specialist(Military), 68x Communication Operator(Military), 50x Drone Specialist(Military), 36x Logistic Staffs(Utility), 32x Marksman(Military), 32x Grenadier(Military), and 10x Cerberus Officer(Military) with the price of 3,120 Source Points(50% Discount)! |
| The Director has purchased 2x Arsenal Container(Military), 2x Ammunition Container(Military), 2x Ordinance Container(Military), 2x Equipment Container(Military), 1x Electronic Hardware Container(Military), 1x Mechanical Supply Container(Military), 1x Food Container(Utility), 1x Medication Container and 1x Fuel Container(Utility) with the price of 460 Source Points(50% Discount)! |
| Total Source Points Expended: 3580 Source Points! |
'I don't want to see the price.' Duke closed his eyelids only to see the digital display despite closing it. The darkness only made the digital display more apparent, causing him to gasp over the price. His wealth was practically and mercilessly halved.
Luckily for Duke, the achievement record strikes back.
―<◉>―
●| Total Source Points Spent: 5,000 Source Points! |
●| Cerberus Headquarters Upgrade Time: 8 Hours, 25 Minutes, 32 Seconds |
●| Personnel Population: 689 Personnel |
●| Heroes Summoned: 1 |
●| Survivors Saved: 0 |
●| Total Aberrants Terminated: 2,936 Aberrants, 1 Aberrant Tyrant, 1 Mutated Beast |
―<◉>―
Duke didn't know what principle the achievement record worked under. This was the second time it appeared since its emergence in New Torrington. It was like the mission evaluation but a lot more different. After all, it records everything he had accomplished.
'Would this mean that I'll be rewarded?' His thoughts were immediately answered with the materialization of a new digital notification.
| Achievement Record has been confirmed! Calculating Achievements... |
Like before, Duke raised his eyebrows with a conflicted expression. Being recorded by something didn't feel good, even if it might give a reward. But he understood that he needed to swallow whatever discomfort he had. A reward was a reward. If it helps him fund the Cerberus, distress be damned!
| Achievements have been calculated! |
| Rewards Confirmed! |
The first things it gave were his current equipment and a beginner gift pack. He wondered what it would give him this time.
| Rewards : Median-Gift Pack(Locked), Free 10x Vehicle(Doomsday Mall), Super-Human Vial, Anti-Viral Serum, 2,000 Source Points |
The rewards given by achievement records were unexpected but a welcome one. Duke couldn't stop himself from unveiling a widening smile, which was swiftly picked up by Aurora. She did nothing more but chuckle at her Director's expression.
However, a commotion soon sounded from the outside. Aurora raised an eyebrow and stood up from her chair. She walked outside the main tent only to see hundreds of soldiers lining up while being surrounded by dozens of armed Sentinels.
"It looks like the Director has summoned the two companies." Aurora sighed and stepped forward to where Bet and Aleph stood. Upon noticing her, Aleph and Bet lightly bowed. She nodded at them and explained the current circumstances.
"Our Director has called for reinforcements. Brief them of our circumstances and help them adapt. I also need all of you to line together after 20 minutes. We will undergo a military restructuring under the orders of our Director." With her explanation, the two platoon leaders responded.
"Understood, Administrator."
"We will not fail the Director."
The logistic staff within the newly-arrived companies swiftly gathered around Aurora. They only numbered dozens, but it was enough to handle two companies of soldiers. Aurora started giving them orders about transporting arsenals, ammunition, ordinances, and equipment to the soldiers.
Meanwhile, Duke held a violet vial with his jet-black gloves. This small thing was the so-called Super-Human Vial. It didn't look much, but the detailed information under it told something else.
―<◉>―
| Super-Human Vial |
●| An extraordinary vial that could evolve humans from their shackles. When drunk, it will cause a direct transformation into the peak form of humanity. The strength of those who drank the vial will be beyond the limits of ordinary humans. The vial is rare and can be considered the golden apple. Use it well. |
―<◉>―
"This is overpowered and what I needed the most in the Dark Cataclysmic Era." Duke was somewhat delighted. His strength has always been a problem for him. While having an army under him was good, he was weak against mortal wounds. After all, he was, in the end, human.
At any rate, he wanted to drink the vial and experience strength. But Duke stopped himself from doing something foolish. According to the description, the vial could evolve humans. He didn't know how long the evolution would take. It may bring him unconscious, which wasn't good.
He needed to be there for the newly arrived soldiers of Cerberus. So, he'll have to resist the temptation of strength and stabilize his army.
Under such thoughts, Duke kept the Super-Human Vial and Anti-Virus Serum within his jet-black trench coat. After doing so, ten personnel entered the main tent. They wore a menacing officer uniform clad in pitch-black with some golden rims at its edges.
The Officers looked like a particularly horrifying division in Europe. Their uniforms slightly resembled trenchcoats, and they also had intimidating peaked caps. Looking at them with his sapphire-like eyes, Duke smirked.
"It seems that my Officers have arrived." He coolly remarked as the Officers swiftly kneeled before him while lowering their heads. Respect was all over their face since they considered the Director the best version of themselves. They deeply admired his stature and his capabilities.
The fanaticism they had was heavier than the Sentinels. They would massacre anyone and anything if the Director ordered them to. Burning the seas and balding the mountains would be mere orders away. The officers would even terminate civilia- Ehem, potential combatants if need be.
"Sire, we are grateful to be in your service. We, the officers of Cerberus, will eternally be under the servitude of the Director. We are waiting for orders." One of the Officers raised his head and expressed noblely.
"I expect a lot from your service, my Officers. You will be commanding my army, so hear of my desires. Complete any missions given to you with efficiency and rationality. I dislike casualties within my army the most, so lower it if possible. Don't disgrace the reputation of Cerberus. And finally, act with grace."
Hearing the wishes of their Director, all of the Officers had expressions of fanaticism and cried out with their deep voices.
"""Your wishes will be our command!!!"""