"Since you have the ability to delve into the Street of the Dead, why not bring back that so-called 'Zombie King' for us to see?"
Patrick crossed his legs and leaned back comfortably in his executive chair, looking down at Summer with a superior gaze.
Seeing that Patrick intended to press the matter further, Summer put on a slightly impatient expression.
"You know that we, the apocalypse hunters, have a keen sense of danger. The Zombie King is very powerful, and I'm no match for it. But if you still don't trust me, I can go to other mercenary companies. That way, you won't have to worry about being deceived."
Summer stood up, preparing to leave, which immediately caused Patrick's pupils to widen slightly!
No one had ever dared to act so recklessly in front of him. Although he disliked his subordinates fawning over him, he also did not appreciate disrespect.
If it were another subordinate behaving so rudely, the outcome would surely be far from comfortable.
However, the allure of the unknown new type of evolved creature, combined with his initial favorable impression of this indifferent man, calmed Patrick's temper.
"Hahaha, you're interesting, much more so than anyone I've ever met. I like your straightforwardness. In fact, two teams have just returned from a mission. You can take them with you to hunt the Zombie King!"
Patrick stood up, adjusting his slightly wrinkled white shirt, and then picked up the phone on his mahogany desk to call a number, succinctly arranging the hunting teams.
As Summer faced away from the executive, a subtle glint of cunning flashed in his eyes. His first goal had been achieved, and now his second goal was to extract information about the "Land of the Dead" from the company…
"The personnel are all arranged and ready at the door. Do you want to leave now or rest for a while?" Patrick put down the phone and resumed his seat with a smile.
"Let's leave now. You never know when the sun might set and rise again."
Summer responded coolly. Thanks to the Blacklight Virus enhancing him, he didn't feel any fatigue from the previous battle in the Street of the Dead.
As he was about to leave the office, Patrick called out to him one last time, "Since you're thinking about our company, what kind of generous reward do you want?"
"I'll discuss it once I return alive."
...
Upon leaving Patrick's office, Summer saw Jonathan, the butler, standing at the door with his eyes closed and arms crossed over his chest, seemingly in a state of prayer.
At the sound of the door opening, Jonathan immediately jolted awake, his eyes snapping open to see his employer standing right in front of him with his usual indifferent expression.
"You're out?! How did it go? Did Mr. Patrick believe you?"
Jonathan hurried over, nervously asking, as this concerned his own life as well.
"I don't know. It depends on whether we can capture the Zombie King. Do you want to come with me?"
Summer turned and cast a cold glance at the ever-so-practiced Jonathan.
"Uh, well… maybe not. I have a lot of work to do at the fortress and can't leave…"
Jonathan was immediately frightened at the thought of leaving the safety of the fortress for the terrifying, gloomy streets, and quickly made an excuse.
"By the way, what are those rooms next to your boss's office for? Why are they connected?"
Taking advantage of Jonathan's heightened nervousness, Summer casually asked this important question.
"Those rooms? Oh, besides being the fortress's main leader, Mr. Patrick is also an advisor for the company's research team. However, what they are researching is not for lower-level people like us to know."
Jonathan answered honestly, showing little interest in knowing more, understanding that knowing less was better for him.
Soon after, Summer and the butler took the elevator down to the ground level.
After parting ways with Jonathan, Summer walked toward the fortress gate, where Patrick had mentioned two teams of mercenaries would be waiting to accompany him to the Street of the Dead.
Stepping out into the sunlight, Summer saw two fully armed mercenary teams standing before the fortified walls, some of whom exuded a formidable aura, including several powerful Baptized warriors.
From a distance, he could hear some soldiers grumbling.
"Damn it, just got back from a mission and now we're sent out again. The company really exploits its employees!"
"Shh, keep it down, don't let the captain hear. With his temper, he'll strip you and leave you under the sun…"
...
Summer, with his sharp senses picking up the complaints, approached without concern.
"Are you the important person Mr. Patrick mentioned?"
At that moment, a burly man blocked Summer's path, speaking with a haughty tone.
Summer looked up and saw another large, imposing figure. This strength-type warrior was likely at a high level, perhaps nearing a breakthrough to the third stage.
"Yes, you must be Captain Philip. We can leave now."
Summer replied coolly and bypassed him, putting the high-and-mighty warrior in his place right from the start.
"You jerk!"
Philip was taken aback and then became somewhat annoyed. He couldn't sense the Baptized aura from Summer and was displeased at being ignored. Could he be a brain-enhanced intellect?
However, he didn't confront Summer directly, as Patrick had emphasized his importance and likely had notable skills.
Thus, Philip, with a petty attitude, silently noted his displeasure.
"Hello, I'm Gilbert, the leader of the Falcon Squad. I hear you're also an apocalypse hunter?"
Then another man with a distinctive aura approached with a smile. Compared to Philip, he was much more gentlemanly.
Summer looked at him: with a dark complexion, sharp eyes like an eagle's, and well-defined muscular arms, it was clear that Gilbert was an agile-enhanced hunter. Summer shook his hand in return.
"Hello, can we set out now?"
Summer's tone remained flat, but offering a greeting was a rarity for him…
"Hahaha, I guess you're an agile-enhanced hunter too. With your eagerness, let's head out now. Philip, have your team start the vehicles and let's hunt to our heart's content!"
Soon, Summer heard the roar of engines starting behind him!