16: Chapter 16 Job Fair: Why Are All the Attendees Wanted Criminals?

With the order from The Pentagon finalized, that two-page letter of intent became the strongest talisman in Chen Yuan's hands.

But a talisman can block missiles in the open, yet it cannot stop cold arrows in the dark.

Expanding the underground base required manpower, transporting "Dali" required guards, and even that surface Pharmaceutical Factory used as a cover needed a group of tough-looking guys to stand watch.

After all, relying on two Tyrants to fight was fine, but you could not exactly have them wearing security uniforms to open the door for clients, right? That image would be too beautiful; the clients' hearts could not handle it.

Thus, a unique "recruitment fair" kicked off in the open space in front of the Pharmaceutical Factory.

However, the vibe just felt wrong no matter how you looked at it.

The sun was blazing, and the air was thick with the smell of cheap tobacco and sweat. There were no college students in suits, no job seekers holding resumes. The hundred or so people crowding the entrance were a motley crew of ruffians with mean faces.

Some were shirtless, revealing muscular bodies covered in scars rather than aesthetic muscle; others huddled in the shadows, their eyes darting around like vipers; there were even a few with bulging waistbands, clearly packing their "tools of the trade."

"Boss, this is today's interview list."

Victor walked over with a stack of crumpled papers, his expression indescribable. "Honestly, I've never seen such a complete collection of wanted posters in my life. If we called the police, everyone in this courtyard could be sentenced to eight hundred years."

Chen Yuan sat under a parasol, holding an iced lemonade, and flipped through them casually.

Good grief.

【Iron Head】: Three-time street fighting champion of San Verde, on the run for killing a referee.

【Bomb Jerry】: Former mining blaster, blew up his ex-wife's house because he did not want to pay alimony.

【One-Eye】: Retired Mexican mercenary, skilled in sniping, but being hunted for embezzling military pay.

"This is not a recruitment fair; this is clearly a team-building event for 'Villain Valley'."

Chen Yuan smiled, very satisfied. "However, this scum is exactly what I want."

What decent person would dare to work at a Pharmaceutical Factory where dozens of people died? What decent person could pull the trigger without blinking when facing a gang shootout?

"Next!" Victor yelled at the top of his lungs.

A burly man covered in tattoos, even with a skull pattern tattooed on his face, walked up. Not only was he not nervous, but he spat a glob of phlegm at Chen Yuan's feet, his eyes provocative.

"You're that rich Oriental guy everyone talks about?"

The burly man crossed his arms, his muscles stretching his tight tank top until it was almost transparent. "I'm Mad Dog Johnny. Heard the pay is good here? Give me a five-thousand advance first. If I'm not satisfied, I'll smash this place up."

A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd.

Most of these people were desperadoes; they came here for two reasons: to make money or to seek refuge. As for who the boss was? In their eyes, he was just an ATM.

Chen Yuan did not even lift an eyelid.

"Alice."

"Present."

The blonde secretary standing behind Chen Yuan did not even look up; she simply lifted her high-heeled foot, and then—

"Bang!"

A muffled thud.

Mad Dog Johnny, who had been arrogant just a moment ago, flew backward like a broken sack for over ten meters, slamming heavily into the crowd, passing out without even a groan.

The whole place went dead silent.

The thugs who had been jeering instantly shut their mouths, each looking in terror at the woman in the OL uniform, who had a hot body but possessed monstrous strength.

"I don't like impolite people."

Chen Yuan put down his cup and scanned the crowd. His voice was not loud, but it carried a chilling pressure. "I don't care if you were murderers, rapists, or terrorists before. Once you enter this door, you have only one identity—my dogs."

"Those who are obedient get meat to eat and money to take. Even if you are wanted by Interpol, I can keep you alive."

"But for those who are disobedient..."

Chen Yuan pointed to Johnny, who was still twitching in the distance. "That is the outcome."

If these words were said anywhere else, they would be taken for a madman.

But here, in this place where a massacre had just occurred and even the sheriff had to bow and scrape, these words were an imperial decree.

"Now, those who want money, line up."

Chen Yuan snapped his fingers. "Everyone gets an 'onboarding vaccine'. Once you get the shot, we're a family."

That was the 【Loyalty Control Agent】 specially made by the system.

Externally, it was claimed to be a vaccine against tropical infectious diseases, but in reality, it was a type of micro-nanobot. Usually, they lurked harmlessly in the blood, but with just a thought from Chen Yuan, these nanobots would instantly coagulate the blood, causing the person to die in extreme agony.

Using drugs to control subordinates was a low-class tactic; Chen Yuan believed more in technology.

Looking at those vials of pale blue glowing serum, some hesitated, some were suspicious.

"What… what is this thing?" A tall, thin gunman looked at the needle, feeling a bit scared.

"Don't want the shot? You can get lost."

Chen Yuan casually took a bundle of US dollars from a box and threw it on the table like a brick. "Get the shot, and this five thousand dollars is your settling-in fee. There's also a base salary of two thousand per month, plus mission commissions."

The greenbacks radiated a deadly temptation in the sunlight.

For this group of desperadoes who lived hand-to-mouth, let alone a vaccine, they would even dare to drink poison.

"I'll take it!"

"I'll take it too! Boss, my veins are thick, aim well!"

"Get lost! Let me go first!"

The thugs who had been fierce and vicious just a moment ago were now scrambling to roll up their sleeves, afraid that if they were a second late, the money would be gone.

In less than an hour, fifty carefully selected "employees" had all been injected.

Chen Yuan looked at the rows of 【Loyalty: Force Locked】 lighting up on the system panel and nodded with satisfaction.

"From today on, you are the first batch of members of the 'Umbrella Guard'."

Chen Yuan stood up, and Alice, standing behind him, timely handed over a prepared training plan—a "Hell Week" program modified based on special forces training outlines.

"Victor, take them to collect their equipment. That batch of big stuff I bought has arrived."

"Yes, Boss!"

Victor was so excited he kept rubbing his hands. He had secretly glanced at the list earlier; the equipment inside could practically arm a reinforced platoon, and it even included exoskeleton armor that was still in the testing phase!

The crowd dispersed, leaving only Chen Yuan and Alice in the open space.

Just as Chen Yuan was preparing to return to his office to enjoy the air conditioning, a figure blocked his path.

It was a woman.

She had not lined up to collect money like the others but had been standing quietly in the corner all along.

She wore a black tight-fitting leather suit that outlined breathtaking curves, her long hair tied high to reveal an extremely cold and beautiful face. She held no weapons, but the dangerous aura radiating from her bones was thicker than that of the group of thugs combined.

"You didn't get the vaccine."

Chen Yuan looked at her, eyebrows slightly raised. "And you didn't collect the money. What, you look down on this little settling-in fee?"

"I don't need a settling-in fee."

The woman's voice was cold, like two pieces of ice rubbing together. "And I don't need to join the guard to become cannon fodder who only knows how to go bang-bang-bang."

She walked toward Chen Yuan, each step extremely steady, like an elegant black cat.

"Then what do you want to do?" Chen Yuan asked with great interest.

"I heard you're missing a personal secretary."

The woman stopped three meters in front of Chen Yuan, her gaze passing over him to look at Alice standing behind, her eyes carrying a hint of provocation. "I think she might not be able to handle it alone."

The air temperature dropped instantly.

Alice's originally calm electronic eyes contracted violently, and a piercing murderous intent instantly locked onto this reckless challenger.

"The boss only needs one secretary."

Alice stepped forward, blocking in front of Chen Yuan, her voice still sweet, but her right hand had quietly transformed into a silver blade. "Moreover, your heart rate is very fast, and your adrenaline secretion is abnormal. You are lying."

"You are not here to apply for a job; you are here to kill."

Exposed.

But the woman did not panic; instead, a cold sneer curled at the corner of her mouth.

"That's right, someone offered five hundred thousand dollars for your boss's head."

With a flick of her wrist, two daggers as sharp as fangs appeared out of thin air in her palms. "But I've changed my mind. Instead of taking that five hundred thousand, I might as well finish you off and take that position."

"After all, being a secretary for this madman seems to have more prospects, doesn't it?"

Chen Yuan watched these two women at daggers drawn; not only was he not afraid, but he could not help but whistle.

How did this script suddenly turn into a bloodbath?

"Interesting."

Chen Yuan took two steps back, leaned against a pillar, and wore an expression of watching a good show. "Since you're applying for a job, you have to pass an interview."

He pointed to the woman who claimed to be an assassin, then pointed to Alice:

"Beat her, and I'll consider giving you an internship opportunity."