Chapter 127: Second

Summer camp, Area C.

"Next up, we have the Black Mountain Corps...."

Mike yawned, rubbing his eyes. His wrist was also sore.

All day long, he hadn't stopped writing.

"Shadow Nine really doesn't hold back!"

Shadow Nine has truly tak maximizing savings to the extreme.

Taking a break, Mike looked a at the others.

Ela was using her AI auto-typing software to write her impressions, Jessica's handwriting was beautiful, and Kaelum's was a bit messy, writing whatever came to mind.

The worst off were Cain and Anderson.

Ev combined, their writings didn't add up to 800 words.

Cain let out a wail, looking at the setting sun, and said helplessly,

"Sior, we're not going to earn these credits. Let's think about what to eat tonight."

Anderson siltly shook his head.

Is this the time to think about food?!

Suddly, he seemed to have an epiphany and started writing furiously.

This caught everyone's atttion, and they gathered a to see what he was writing.

Anderson wrote, "Suggestions for tonight's dinner: roast turkey, roast beef ribs, roast pork ribs, roast chick wings, roast chick legs...."

Cain immediately followed suit, providing 'suggestions' for dinner.

...

Meanwhile, in the rest area of the Area C exhibition.

Instructors and teachers gathered here.

Birds of a feather flock together.

Classmates, corps comrades, and other relationships wove together, forming circles of familiar faces chatting.

In one corner, most people deliberately avoided a group, keeping their distance.

"Ah—"

Bob Emberclad took a deep drag on his cigar, exhaling a smoke ring with satisfaction.

"My strgth is finally back. Being a Battle Chief feels great."

Bob Emberclad sat with Carson on his right and Blaze Morrow on his left.

The three were classmates and had served in the same corps, forming a close bond.

Listing to Bob Emberclad's bragging, Carson was annoyed,

"This is the second time today..."

Before he could finish, Blaze Morrow interrupted,

"Speaking of second, my granddaughter..."

"Stop! We all know her talt awaked a second time!"

"Now it's not just us; ev the emies in the Abyssal Plane probably know!"

Bob and Carson united to stop Blaze Morrow's repetitive boasting.

"Look at you two, so shallow!"

Blaze Morrow snorted, not bothering to argue.

He had planned to brag about his granddaughter's second class change achieving an SS rating, now able to summon pets from two planes!

Originally, with Jessica's strgth, achieving an SS rating for a second class change was very difficult.

But coincidtally, Thor conquered the th floor and achieved an SSSSS rating at that time!

Jessica had initially achieved an 80% Exploration Rate, and with the [Explorer] buff, her rating jumped to SS!

Bob Emberclad checked his phone, satisfied with the number.

"Battle Chief's salary is great."

"Did I brag about my Battle Lord salary?"

Carson, as a Battle Lord, naturally had the highest salary.

"Blaze, how much did you get?"

Comparing salaries wasn't just about oneself but also about colleagues.

Happiness comes from comparison.

Bob Emberclad glanced at Blaze Morrow's phone and was stunned, eyes wide.

"Holy fuck, why did you get so much, Blaze? Did you apply for Dead Resolve Camp?"

"Impossible, I hav't heard of Dead Resolve Camp oping!"

Carson joined in, equally shocked by the number,

"Did they make a mistake with your salary?"

"Why is it a digit more than mine?"

"Share half with me, or I'll report you to HR!"

A Battle Chief's salary, t times higher than a Battle Lord's!

Did Blaze Morrow hide his strgth?!

The two grabbed Blaze Morrow, with Carson holding him down while Bob Emberclad checked his pay stub.

"Base salary is normal... befits are normal... Blaze, where did this research bonus come from?"

Bob Emberclad pointed to a line on the pay stub, where the extra money came from.

"...Research Project Leader: Gregory..."

Carson was puzzled,

"You joined Professor Gregory's research group?"

Blaze Morrow looked equally confused. Did I? If Professor Gregory said so, th I must have!

"You're both clueless."

Blaze Morrow knocked on the table, smugly saying,

"Didn't you see? I've made significant research contributions, and this is a reward. Do you understand the value of research contributions?"

Significant research contributions were akin to a Nobel Prize!

Hard not to be arrogant.

Blaze Morrow was determined to flaunt today!

"Blaze, you're more likely to be researched."

Bob Emberclad's expression turned cold, probing,

"What research contributions could you possibly make?"

"Ahem."

Blaze Morrow cleared his throat, hiding his embarrassmt, "I signed a confidtiality agreemt. You know, absolute secrecy!"

With that, the conversation couldn't continue.

Carson didn't mind, having be busy and not interacting much with Blaze Morrow lately.

But Bob Emberclad's expression was peculiar, as if he had guessed the truth.

Bob Emberclad patted Blaze Morrow's shoulder, saying naturally,

"Blaze, you deserve this money. Rectly, eat more brain-boosting food. There's a place on Second Street..."

Blaze Morrow's eyes lit up, eager to speak, "Speaking of second, you..."

Carson and Bob said in unison,

"Shut up!"