132: cooperate

Under the vigorous and efficient preparations led by Li Wei and Yang Wen, the establishment of the Hunter Association proceeded with incredible efficiency.

In just a few short days, a specific area was carved out within the military zone: a temporary association office and a mission hall.

The interior of the mission hall was simple and practical. In the center was a massive electronic display screen scrolling with the latest mission information. Beside it stood a traditional bulletin board covered with paper mission slips. On one side of the hall was a weapon display area and an exchange window, while the other side housed a registration desk and an information counter, where staff in uniform uniforms were busy working.

Currently, the weapons the Hunter Association made available to civilian Demon Hunting Squads were primarily conventional equipment produced by restored industrial capabilities:

AK47 Assault Rifle: A reliable, world-famous gun, sturdy and durable, not easily damaged.

Revolver: High power, a sharp tool for close-range self-defense.

High-Explosive Grenades.

Shotgun: Close-range area lethality, highly effective against small groups of zombies.

Military Riot Shield: Made of high-strength composite materials, it can effectively block the scratches, bites, and impacts of ordinary zombies.

Long-Handled Saber: A cold weapon, suitable for close combat by strength-type Evolvers.

Military Stab-Resistant Vest: Provides basic physical protection.

Although this equipment was far less sophisticated than the standard-issue weapons of the Red Alert troops, in the post-apocalyptic wilderness, it was already a rare reliance for survival and killing enemies.

The mission rewards were much more enticing: white crystal cores, base points, the aforementioned types of firearms, and even fuel and modified civilian vehicles (such as pickups).

On the massive electronic screen, several mission entries were particularly eye-catching:

—— Mission Number: RL-001 [Rescue]

Location: Tan Town - Xiaohu Village

Intelligence: According to preliminary reconnaissance, thousands of survivors are trapped in this village and in urgent need of rescue.

Requirement: To be undertaken by a Demon Hunting Squad of 30 or more people; cooperation between multiple squads is allowed.

Base Support: 3 reinforced and modified buses provided for personnel transport.

Reward: 20,000 Base Points; 5 x AK47 Assault Rifles; 500 rounds of 7.62mm rifle ammunition; 10 x White zombie crystal cores.

Note: crystal cores obtained during the mission do not need to be turned in; if turned in, they will be purchased at 2,000 points per core.

—— Mission Number: CL-001 [Collection]

Target: Precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, etc.) and other rare metals.

Requirement: No limit on personnel or teams; settlement upon delivery.

Reward: Real-time assessment based on metal type, weight, and purity; settled in points or equivalent supplies.

—— Mission Number: RL-002 [Rescue]

Location: Heihe Village

Intelligence: Over a hundred villagers confirmed alive in this village have not been rescued.

Requirement: To be undertaken by a Demon Hunting Squad of 15 or more people.

Reward: 2 x AK47 Assault Rifles; 200 rounds of 7.62mm rifle ammunition; 2 x Revolvers; 30 rounds of .45 pistol ammunition; 6 x White zombie crystal cores; 10,000 Base Points.

...Zhu Lingyun stepped into the mission hall with the seven members of Dawns First Light. There were already many newly formed Demon Hunting Squads watching and discussing in the hall, and the atmosphere was somewhat noisy. His sharp gaze swept over the electronic screen and bulletin board, quickly assessing the options.

"Captain," Vice-Captain Wang Kai spoke up.

"How about that Heihe Village mission? The distance isn't far, and the number of zombies is estimated to be low. It's a good chance to take the members out to practice and hone their abilities." His thick finger pointed to the RL-002 mission entry.

Zhu Lingyun nodded slightly: "The mission itself isn't difficult. Even if there are several hundred ordinary zombies, they aren't much of a threat to a team with complementary abilities like ours. The only things to watch out for are possible special zombies or First-Tier Mutants. The possibility of a Second-Tier is minuscule; base intelligence is clear that those only appear in gathering points of ten thousand people or more. As for a Third-Tier Corpse King... those are big guys found only in million-scale cities." He paused, his brow furrowing slightly, "However, we only have eight people, which doesn't meet the requirement of fifteen."

"We'll just have to find someone to cooperate with," Wang Kai shrugged helplessly, his shoulders making a slight friction sound. "Let's wait here and see."

As if by fate, before long, a burst of crisp laughter came from the entrance of the mission hall. Two young girls with outstanding temperaments walked in side-by-side, followed by six men and one woman—it was the Sword of Hope Demon Hunting Squad! Li Xueli was dressed in a neat outfit, her ponytail swaying slightly as she walked, looking heroic and spirited; Yang Yiyu was even more stunning, with hair like a waterfall, eyebrows like distant mountains, a gentle temperament, and an elegant posture. Their team's arrival drew many eyes.

Zhu Lingyun's eyes lit up. He immediately straightened his clothes and strode over, asking steadily and politely, "Everyone, are you the brothers and sisters of the Sword of Hope Demon Hunting Squad?"

Li Xueli stopped and looked at the young man in front of her with a hint of wariness. He radiated a powerful aura and an extraordinary presence. "We are. And you are...?"

"A pleasure!" Zhu Lingyun gave a friendly smile and introduced himself, "We are the Dawns First Light Demon Hunting Squad, and I am the captain, Zhu Lingyun." He pointed behind him, "These are my teammates."

"Oh? Dawns First Light? I heard you were the first registered Demon Hunting Squad." A flash of realization and a hint of competitiveness crossed Li Xueli's eyes.

"Indeed," Zhu Lingyun nodded, then got straight to the point. "Pardon the intrusion, but I'd like to invite your squad to cooperate with us on the Heihe Village rescue mission. Together, our two teams meet the personnel requirement exactly. We can split the rewards fairly according to our needs. What do you think?" His tone was sincere, carrying the earnestness of cooperation.

Li Xueli didn't answer immediately. Instead, she looked at Yang Yiyu beside her and Vice-Captain Wang Sheng—a handsome young man wearing a conjured set of silver knight armor. "What do you guys think?"

Flame Blade Liu Yan spoke up impatiently: "Captain, I think it's a go! This Heihe Village mission isn't hard; it's the perfect chance for everyone to see some blood and practice our coordination! Cooperating with the experts from Dawns First Light is also safer." He looked at Zhu Lingyun and the members of Dawns First Light; he knew they were all Special Evolvers, and their strength was not to be underestimated.

Beside him, Liu Lin also nodded steadily: "I agree with Liu Yan. The mission risk is controllable, and cooperation is a good choice."

The other members, including two strength-type enhancers, two speed-type enhancers, and the Paladin Wang Sheng, all nodded in agreement.

Seeing the consensus, Li Xueli made her decision. She turned back to Zhu Lingyun, a bright smile appearing on her face, and extended her hand: "Alright! Dawns First Light, we accept this cooperation! I hope it's a pleasant one!"

Zhu Lingyun also reached out, his palm clasping Li Xueli's. The warmth and softness of the girl's hand brought a strange sensation. Sensing her determination, he said solemnly, "A pleasant cooperation! For our fellow countrymen in Heihe Village!"

"For our fellow countrymen!" The members of the Sword of Hope echoed in unison, their morale high.

"No time to lose," Zhu Lingyun released her hand and pointed to the mission screen. "Let's confirm the mission details. How about we meet at the base's East Gate in half an hour? we each need to prepare our equipment and supplies."

"No problem!" Li Xueli agreed decisively. "See you at the East Gate in half an hour!"

The two young Demon Hunting Squads reached their first cooperation agreement in the mission hall. They would step out into the wilderness together to face their first real combat test.