172: Join and invest

“It seems you don’t pay much attention to news and outside information~” Lin Diao smiled, but this was normal; how many people would care about such things when just living was hard enough? Lin Diao could also tell that Ran Quan’s “life” wasn’t very good.

Evidently, there must have been some opportunity that allowed him to ascend to The Ground, and from her observation, Ran Quan was likely a “first-timer.” Don’t misunderstand; this “first-timer” doesn’t mean Ran Quan is a virgin, but rather that he’s a “wanderer” for the first time.

Wanderers are a relatively special group, or rather individuals or professions, in this world.

They are people who have no fixed abode and wander everywhere, but of course, they must possess strength and capability.

Those who have nothing and truly wander might starve to death or die in an accident the next second… those are truly looked down upon and are generally called dregs or trash…

After Lin Diao’s introduction, Ran Quan finally understood what kind of organization Frontier Technology was.

Frontier Technology is a high-tech organization with its headquarters in District One, but basically, every district has a branch.

The person in charge of the Eleventh District is Lin Diao, and the black market business is considered one of her “side ventures.”

Furthermore, she is indeed acquiring goods for Frontier Technology.

After all, the further back the district, the less “legitimate” things can be.

Ran Quan listened to a lot; in short, this was a very formidable organization, very large and very strong!

In the entire Underground World, it is one of the high-level entities, one of those who possess the right to speak.

To put it more directly, Frontier Technology is one of that small group of existences that sets the rules.

It is a semi-official organization; after all, it is so large that it cannot be purely private; it is impossible.

“If you are willing to join, that would naturally be for the best! You’ll work for me then! I’ll guide you.” Lin Diao smiled and said to Ran Quan, “Of course, if you don’t join, we can cooperate in a different way, as an external member or through employment. You should find these two options more acceptable.”

Lin Diao proactively brought this up, naturally because she had dealt with many “wanderers” like Ran Quan and understood that such people value “freedom,” otherwise, they wouldn’t choose to be “wanderers.”

“What’s the difference between an external member and employment?” Ran Quan continued to ask.

Lin Diao showed no impatience whatsoever and patiently explained to Ran Quan: “An external member, you can see as a more free identity, somewhere between joining and not joining. But at the same time, the rights and responsibilities are naturally different. Although joining means being restricted by the organization, relatively speaking, you gain much more, whether it’s rights, status, position, or various benefits.

However, being an external member is much less beneficial.”

Ran Quan nodded, indicating that this was easy to understand.

“Employment, on the other hand, is a simple employer-employee relationship. We hire you to carry out certain tasks and pay you compensation. It’s a very simple cooperation method.” Lin Diao told Ran Quan, she basically explained everything very clearly and sincerely, without any embellishment or deceptive elements, telling Ran Quan straightforwardly.

After all, Frontier Technology doesn’t need to paint any rosy pictures; its own strength is enough to make countless people and elite talents scramble to get in, and even then, it still depends on whether Frontier Technology wants them.

Ran Quan finished listening to Lin Diao’s words, including the benefits of each method. Indeed, the advantages of joining Frontier Technology were absolutely immense. Not to mention, upon joining, one would immediately receive a set of the latest standard equipment, along with various subsidies, bonuses, and the like.

Of course, Lin Diao also said that if Ran Quan wanted to truly join Frontier Technology, he would need to undergo an “assessment.”

She could only report his name and recommend him.

“Then I’ll join as an external member. If I perform well in the future, can I become a full member?” Ran Quan joked with a smile.

“Of course! If you truly have the ability!” Lin Diao said with a smile.

Frontier Technology has a huge demand for talent, and it is also tolerant. As long as you truly have sufficient ability, it will give you corresponding treatment and privileges!

“Alright! Then I’m in!” Ran Quan nodded. He indeed needed this organization as a backing. It would make things much more convenient when doing anything, including future revenge… Leaving aside the future for now, just the current benefits for him, such as selling monster corpse materials, an external member identity would naturally mean a different price than what he was currently getting from the “black market.”

“No problem! I can arrange an external member identity. I’ll just record it here and report it… Since you’re one of us now, the price for this monster will change…” Lin Diao heard Ran Quan’s agreement to join, and she couldn’t help but smile too. Recommending and recruiting talent was also part of her “performance.”

“I’ll raise the price to 3 million, and at the same time, you’ll get the latest HX-12 model respirator, 10 bottles of purifier—one bottle is enough for you to use on The Ground for over six hours—and I’ll give you an external member ID card. If you need to cross districts or something, the verification will be easier.” Lin Diao told Ran Quan.

Ran Quan hadn't expected there would be an ID card.

You should know that crossing districts is not an easy matter.

“However, in a moment, you’ll need to register your identity information, as well as your fingerprints, DNA, and irises. These are all for registration purposes.” Lin Diao told Ran Quan.

“No problem!” Ran Quan nodded.

Although it sounded troublesome, in reality, these things could be done in a few minutes.

Lin Diao took out a portable device. Ran Quan pressed his finger for a fingerprint scan, then registered his identity information, which was entered into the internal network, and it was done.

At the same time, the items Lin Diao prepared for Ran Quan were also ready.

3 million yuan had already been deposited into Ran Quan’s identity card. From now on, he could use this card for transactions.

Then there was the respirator and purifier, as well as a set of the latest protective gear, and a large, specially made box, specifically for storing monster materials.

“Keep it up! Your current rank is Level 1 External Member, and these are your permissions and abilities. Keep going! Work hard to raise your rank!” Lin Diao said to Ran Quan with a smile, “Because you were recommended by me, you are assigned to my team. From now on, you’ll be working under me.”

“Understood! No problem!” Ran Quan nodded, smiling, “Alright then, with money now, I’ll go relax for a few days, and then I’ll get back to work.”

“You should!” Lin Diao smiled and said, then watched Ran Quan leave. She looked down at the “monster materials” on the table, her gaze pondering something.

She felt that Ran Quan was definitely a rare talent. In all this time, it was her first time seeing someone who walked alone on The Ground and killed a monster in close combat. Looking at Ran Quan’s condition and attire, he was in good shape, not injured, and his entire outfit was clearly discarded junk from several years ago.

Coupled with Ran Quan’s “inexperienced” demeanor, he was clearly a complete newcomer, with no background, no backing, and no team, yet he could do things that people with background, backing, and a team could not.

Lin Diao felt that this was definitely a sure-fire investment, the only difference being how much profit she would make.