Anmi New District, known as the "Rich Peopleâs District" in New Moon City, lies nestled by the mountains and the lake, offering an environment far more picturesque than the ordinary urban areas.
Anyway, it was hard for Su Mo to get someone to bring him here, so he wasnât in a rush to leave. He took off his Borderland Plaque, pretending to be a local, and rode around with KK on a motorcycle, enjoying the sights.
Halfway, Su Mo received a payment notification via text message.
Audiana transferred 200,000 Moon Coins to him, saying itâs an extra reward for a previous commission.
Actually, the reward for the commission had long been given. Allowing Su Mo to personally handle the Black Core at Base 101 was already more than plenty as a reward.
Was this 200,000 really an extra reward?
Or did she feel the incident of wanting to kill KK wasnât pleasant, hoping to use money to mend the relationship?
Or maybe purely appreciating Su Moâs potential, trying to pull him in early?
Itâs hard to say.
When a wealthy lady gives you money, you take itâno questions asked. Su Mo righteously accepted it.
He bought several bottles of beer from a 24-hour convenience store and took KK to Baiyun Mountain in Anmi New District, heading up to watch the sunrise.
It was dawn now, and the air atop the mountain was fresh and sweet.
Looking out, villas and estates wrapped in forests stretched as far as the eye could see towards the faintly lit eastern sky.
Su Mo got off the bike and stretched. He then turned to find KK still sitting on the bike, looking like he wanted to get off but couldnât quite steady himself.
Su Mo went over to help him down, joking, "Whatâs the matter, Master K, legs still wobbly?"
KK forced an awkward smile, "Boss, stop teasing me. Having such a big guy stomp on me, then pointing a gun at my headâitâs only because my nerves held up that I didnât wet my pants."
Su Mo joked, "What are you afraid of? Think about itâdidnât Reuben say heâd become the future King of the Borderlands? Then you single-handedly took down the man of a would-be king! That kind of achievement ranks high in New Crescent City; that guy called Broken Blade is just a nobody~"
Mentioning the shooting of Reuben again, KK became a bit frightened, "What should I do in the future? Can one fire really cover it up? Will Reubenâs men come to hunt me down..."
Su Mo chuckled, "What Reubenâs men? You saw it yourself, the Eagle Claw Association was wiped out by Razor. Alright then, stop worrying about pointless things and have a drink to calm your nerves."
He handed KK a can of beer, then opened one for himself and drank it down.
KK stashed the beer in the bikeâs rear compartment, shaking his hand, "I wonât drink, I canât handle alcohol."
Su Mo almost spat out his drink, "Growing up in the borderlands, visiting bars so comfortably, and you canât drink?"
KK awkwardly rubbed the back of his head, "I canât even afford to eat; where would I get the money for booze... Going to bars is just to pick pockets."
Su Mo encouraged, "Well, take this chance and give it a try. Life is about trying new things once in a while."
KK shook his head, "No, no, just in case I get drunk, youâll have to take care of meâtoo much trouble for you."
"Why have you suddenly become so polite?" Su Mo gazed at the increasingly bright sky and shifted gears in the conversation, "What do you plan to do next?"
KK lowered his gaze, "Continue going back to the borderland to steal, living day by day."
Su Mo couldnât help but smile, "People say youâre a little rat, but you really consider yourself one?"
KK self-mocking said, "What else can I do? The way I am, I canât even get hired on a construction site."
Su Mo: "You could work with me."
"What?" KK froze, staring blankly at Su Mo.
Su Mo downed his beer, squeezed the empty can, "You should see by now; Iâm a mercenary. The Lady Countess I introduced you to a moment ago is Audiana, one of New Moon Cityâs most renowned intermediaries."
"You join me, and two of us could work for Audiana. You must understand, many people are itching to connect with her. You get to hitch a ride with me, luckier than 99% of the mercenaries in New Moon City."
KK didnât hesitate to refuse, "No, no, no, Iâm just a thief; other than stealing, I have no skills. How could I become a mercenary?"
Su Mo: "Being good at stealing is a skill too, isnât it? Mercenaries arenât just about fighting."
KK gave a helpless smile, "With my level, letâs not talk about going out to embarrass myself. That Lady Countess just said itâher contact list has at least fifty skilled thieves, who are far superior to me."
Su Mo smiled slightly, "Yeah, this city must have better experts than you, and more than a few. But what I value isnât your stealing technique."
"What I value are the qualities you possess, ones hard to find in a place like New Moon Cityâhonesty, loyalty, and a serious attitude."
"My criteria for selecting partners is simple: strong ability is essential, but itâs not all. The person must also be trustworthy, capable of handling things I hand over."
"Itâs alright if it doesnât work out, as long as genuine efforts are made, thatâs whatâs invaluable. Iâd rather entrust my back to someone who genuinely helps despite average ability, rather than cooperate with dubious âmasters.â"
KK lowered his head and softly said, "Boss, thank you for thinking so highly of me... but Iâm far from what youâre saying. I actually have lots of faults."
"I know my levelâjust one of those ordinary punks seen everywhere in the borderlands, not qualified to be your partner. I really donât want to drag you down someday."
Su Mo shrugged, "Anyway, Iâve sent the invitation. Accept it or not is up to you; I wonât pressure you to join. If you really donât want to work with me, I will provide what you deserve as a reward, and we part ways amicably."
He pulled a bank card from his pocket, placing it next to KKâs beer can, "This card contains 300,000 Moon Coins. You should be able to lead a decent life with this. Weâll still be friends when we meet again."
KK was stunned, "3...300,000??? Donât scare me! I thought if I got just a few hundred Moon Coins, it would be enough..."
Su Mo, in a cheerful tone, "Donât be shy, you helped me big time, this is rightfully yours. Actually, I feel itâs a little short, but I currently canât gather more, itâll have to do for now."
KKâs gaze floated, peeking at the card, unable to hide his longing, "Boss, if I take the money and go, you wonât mind, right... I genuinely feel I am useless, tagging along will only hold you back."
Su Mo generously said, "No pressure. Like I said, whichever path you choose is yours. I wonât press for it."
KK pursed his lips, only hesitating for a moment before reaching for the bank card.
"But." Suddenly, Su Mo spoke.
KKâs hand instinctively froze.
Su Mo opened another can of beer, drank leisurely, and spoke with meaning, "In my view, what you said is just an excuse."
"Itâs not that you think youâre incapable or will hold me back. Youâre just numbed from being oppressed by miserable life for too long, becoming confused, indifferent, afraid to try new things."
"After all, if given the choice, who really wants to be a little rat?"