4: Division of Labor

The man in the suit, Viktor, spoke up.

"Mr. Ford, I've only recently arrived in Free City, so I'm not very familiar with the place yet."

"To be honest, I don't even know where the decontamination vehicles are?"

"Don't worry, I'll take you there."

"You're leading this one, sir? That's great! Pan and I are willing to take on this mission," Viktor volunteered.

"Good!"

"Then the plan is settled.

The car thieves, with me. We'll go take care of that lovely big vehicle.

The ones handling the gas, you youngsters, try your luck at the chemical warehouse in the west of the city. Remember, be quick and be discreet!"

Ford pointed at the group of students.

"As for the protective suits and masks..." Ford's gaze finally settled on Lin Fei, the blonde woman, and the woman in professional attire.

"Mr. Lin Fei, and this beautiful, captivating Irina, and this...

Hmm, Miss Park Soo-ah.

I'll trouble the three of you to secure ten sets of protective work uniforms from the municipal sanitation department, and ten gas masks.

These items aren't hard to find, but quality is paramount. We don't want to be taken down by substandard gas at a critical moment.

Any questions?"

Lin Fei nodded, indicating he understood.

Irina, standing beside him, crossed her arms. Her face showed no expression, and she merely gave a faint "Hmm."

Park Soo-ah, however, seemed a bit nervous. She nodded slightly, her hands unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes.

Ford smiled with satisfaction and waved a large hand.

"Excellent! Then let's split up!

Remember, we only have six hours to prepare!

Six hours from now, meet at the abandoned garage in the north of the city!

Keep your comms open and stay in touch! Move out!"

With Ford's command, the people in the room quickly divided into several groups and left the hotel room.

In the blink of an eye, only Lin Fei and the two women remained in the spacious room.

The temporary trio stood in a somewhatsubtle atmosphere.

Irina was the first to break the silence. She walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the bustling street below, and cast a somewhat appraising glance at Lin Fei and Park Soo-ah.

"Alright, let's talk. Ten sets of protective suits and masks, not the cheap stuff. Probably at least ten thousand dollars.

Do we go to a store and buy them openly, or do we find a warehouse and steal them?" Her tone carried a casual, almost condescending air, as if discussing what to have for dinner.

Park Soo-ah said softly, "We don't have money in this world.

And... isn't stealing too dangerous? What if we get caught?"

Irina turned around, a hint of impatience and disdain on her lovely face.

She wore tight black leather pants and a short leather jacket that accentuated her fiery figure. Her golden hair cascaded casually over her shoulders, and her icy blue eyes held a cold gaze.

She looked Park Soo-ah up and down, her eyes sweeping over the girl's slightly flustered face and budding chest, a cold smile curling at the corner of her mouth.

"I hate pointless chatter the most."

"Hmph! No money?

No money? Then go earn some.

You look somewhat pretty.

Let me cut a few sexy little holes in your clothes, and you go stand on a street corner for a while?

The rich Young Masters here should be happy to tip a pretty girl.

Just ten thousand dollars. Work hard, maybe you can earn it in a few hours?

That way, we wouldn't have to risk stealing.

Right? After all, we're a team. It's for the mission. You making a little sacrifice, shouldn't that be expected?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Park Soo-ah's face instantly turned deathly pale!

She looked at Irina in disbelief, her eyes quickly reddening, tears welling up.

Her body trembled slightly from fear and humiliation.

"No! I... I can't!

How could I do something like that!

Please, don't make me go!" Her voice choked, almost crying.

Lin Fei's brow instantly furrowed.

He could tolerate arrogance, but he absolutely could not tolerate this kind of baseless insult and coercion.

And was this suggestion even thought through?

Wanting to earn ten thousand dollars in a few hours by spreading your legs?

Impossible. Is it made of diamonds?

He took a step forward, placing himself in front of the trembling Park Soo-ah.

"Irina, your suggestion is ridiculous!"

Irina hadn't expected Lin Fei to suddenly step up and defend this seemingly weak and useless woman.

She was taken aback for a moment, then a cold glint flashed in her eyes. Angry to the extreme, she actually laughed.

"Kid, what do you mean?"

"I was thinking, if she goes selling herself alone, what if she doesn't earn the ten thousand? Maybe you should go with her.

Two people could work faster," Lin Fei retorted pointedly.

"You dare insult me? Are you looking for death?!"

Irina moved with extreme speed, drawing a black Glock pistol from the holster at the small of her back!

The cold muzzle instantly pointed at Lin Fei's forehead!

Lin Fei used her own words against her: "For the sake of completing the mission, you making a little sacrifice, shouldn't that be expected?

I'm also considering the team."

"Hmph! Here, strength is everything!

My safe box has enough weapons and ammo to kill you all ten times over!

If you dare interfere again, or if you make me unhappy, I won't mind blowing your head off right now!

Don't forget, failing the mission only deducts killing coins, at most three years of lifespan.

But if you die here, you'll lose ten years!

Tell me, do you want to live or die?!"

The cold touch of the gun muzzle pressed against his forehead.

The air seemed to freeze. Park Soo-ah let out a frightened cry, collapsing to the floor, covering her mouth, not daring to make a sound, tears silently streaming down.

Lin Fei took a deep breath, his eyes meeting Irina's fierce gaze without flinching.

He could clearly feel the cold metallic texture of the gun barrel.

"Irina, if you pull the trigger, I think the hotel alarm will be triggered immediately.

Do you want to fail the mission and lose three years of lifespan?" Lin Fei spoke slowly.

The more dangerous the situation, the more his adrenaline surged, making him calmer.

"Besides, it's just ten thousand dollars. Is it really that hard to earn?"

Hearing Lin Fei's words, the anger on Irina's face gradually dissipated, replaced by a strong interest and playfulness.

She stared into Lin Fei's eyes for a few seconds.

Then, she put the gun away, holstering it at her waist, and burst into a clear, loud laugh, completely different from herfierce demeanor moments before.

"Hahahaha! Interesting! Really interesting!

I take back what I said. It seems you, this Asian kid, do have some guts and a certain charm!

I'm starting to get a bit interested in you!"

Lin Fei sighed inwardly. This woman's face-changing speed was comparable to a magic trick.

Irina took a step forward, her breath carrying a faint fragrance as she said:

"Alright then, I'll give you a chance to prove yourself.

I want to see how you, in this decadent Free City, without stealing, without robbing, without relying on a woman selling herself, can magically get your hands on ten thousand dollars in such a short time!

If you manage it, get the money to buy the suits and masks, I'll owe you a favor.

But if you fail..."

Her smile became alluring and dangerous.

"...then you'll have to obediently follow my arrangements. Perhaps I'll also have you work hard to earn some extra cash selling your ass?"

"Deal. Let's go, time is short."

Lin Fei ignored Irina any further. He turned and helped the still-sobbing Park Soo-ah to her feet, speaking softly:

"Park Soo-ah, want to make some money?"

Park Soo-ah lifted her tear-streaked face, looking at Lin Fei gratefully, and nodded vigorously.

The two of them left.

Irina watched Lin Fei's retreating back, a meaningful smile curling at the corner of her mouth. She was curious why this Eastern man was so confident.

She also stepped forward to follow them.

"In this world, each of us only has 100 dollars in starting money."

"The three of us combined only have 300 dollars. How are you going to multiply that by 33.3 times!"

"Come with me, and you'll see," Lin Fei said.

The three of them took the elevator down to the hotel's first-floor lobby.

The opulent lobby was bustling with well-dressed gentlemen and ladies chatting and laughing. The air was filled with a mix of expensive perfume and coffee.

Lin Fei had no mind to appreciate this. He walked straight out through the revolving glass doors.

Whoosh!

A wave of noisy heat hit them.

Outside the hotel was a broad street, bathed in bright sunlight that shone on the clean, tidy pavement.

On either side of the street stood rows of skyscrapers, their glass curtain walls reflecting dazzling light. Huge electronic billboards displayed the latest fashion news and product advertisements.

Sleek, luxurious sports cars roared past, emitting low engine growls.

Fashionably dressed men and women hurried by, each face wearing the unique confidence and indifference of a metropolis.

The roadside cafes were filled with leisurely people. Street performers played energetically in corners.

The scene before them was a world apart from the narrow, dilapidated, sewage-strewn streets of the Lower District in New Jeju from Lin Fei's memory.

The air here seemed fresher, the sunlight brighter, full of vitality and opportunity, but also concealing the sameindifferent and danger.

Lin Fei took a deep breath, feeling the pulse of this unfamiliar city. A strange excitement and ambition welled up in his heart.

He could almost smell the scent of money in the air, see opportunities flowing everywhere.

"What's so special to see here? It's just an ordinary big city," Irina said, walking up beside Lin Fei, her tone carrying a hint of teasing. "Now, tell us your plan, hero.

Where are we going to get that ten thousand dollars?

Are you going to perform on the street?"

Park Soo-ah also looked at Lin Fei nervously, asking softly, "Mr. Lin Fei, can we... can we really get that much money?"

Lin Fei's gaze swept over thebustling street.

Stealing or robbing was out. Selling themselves was even worse.

Irina was clearly waiting to see him fail, to watch him make a fool of himself.

However, Lin Fei already had a brilliant idea in mind.