Soon, a little girl in plain clothes came to Kevin under the guidance of the staff.
Apart from the label hanging on her clothes, she had no other decorations.
Her waist-length scarlet hair was simply draped behind her, not styled in the twin ponytails Kevin remembered.
"Sir, are you sure you want to choose her?"
The staff member beside him glanced at the information in his hand and stated in front of the little girl without hesitation,
"Her enterovirus erosion rate has exceeded 30%. Even with the inhibitors provided regularly by the institution, there is still a great risk..."
The cursed child is a child infected with the enterovirus from the womb.
This group is characterized by being born with certain protozoan viruses and protozoan-related abilities.
In addition, there is some impact caused by the protozoan virus.
All known "cursed children" are girls.
The cursed children who have been adopted and trained by IISO can serve as partners of the police.
But every time they release the ability of the protogastric animals, the rate of viral erosion in their bodies increases.
Once the erosion rate of the protozoan virus exceeds 50%, it will be impossible to maintain human form and they will transform into a protozoan.
Although some research institutions developed inhibitors that could slow down the rate of viral erosion after the war,
it was just a slight easing of the accelerator for a car with failing brakes.
Therefore, when selecting initiators, the police pay special attention to the virus erosion rate.
A lower erosion rate means more leeway in combat and also indicates that this "weapon" is more durable.
"I hope your organization can use more humane language when conducting business."
Kevin glanced at the staff without revealing much emotion.
Perhaps from the other person's perspective, what he had just said was actually for his own benefit.
"I don't need to change the starter, I chose her."
After completing the final formalities, Kevin officially became a civilian security practitioner.
Leaving the IISO headquarters building with him was the "Starter" who had just been assigned.
"There was another person who came with us, and she was the president of our company."
Holding the little girl's hand, Kevin said as they walked.
"But she has to attend an aristocratic girls' school, so she only comes to the company at night on weekdays."
"This is fine. As long as we meet our performance targets, we can go wherever we want without having to sit in an office."
Although Kevin was late on his first day of work, Miss Kisara was not much better.
After rushing him to the IISO headquarters, he hurried to school.
Even the registration procedures were handled by Kevin himself, the president played no role at all.
Listening to Kevin's mumbling, the little girl named Aihara Enju remained silent and simply followed his footsteps mechanically.
"It seems that the current 'Aihara Enju' hasn't become more cheerful yet."
Kevin raised his hand to hail a car, thinking secretly.
Even when he looked at her, Enju's face was dull and her eyes were empty.
If she didn't blink occasionally, she would probably be mistaken for a lifeless porcelain doll.
"The cultivation system... It's nice to change things up once in a while."
On the way back, Kevin used [Identification] on Enju.
As expected, Enju also had a contract skill!
However, her contract was somewhat similar to Minami Rika's, both being related to combat.
However, the triggering method was completely different.
[Contract Skill - Cursed Child: The bonus to jump times and height will also apply to melee attacks. The skill effect will be shared when teaming up with other Cursed Children.
(Holding the same color of "big gems" is considered a team, and the maximum number of people in a team is 5)
"Teaming up" is a mechanism in the Terraria world when playing with multiple people.
When in a team state, you can use some team props.
For example, the "Wormhole Potion" can teleport you to another teammate.
"It turns out that we can form a team this way."
"But the cost is a bit high."
Seeing the identified information, Kevin felt a slight pang.
Large gems can be synthesized by combining 15 gems of the same type, such as diamonds, amethysts, emeralds, rubies, etc.
It was originally a flag-grabbing prop used in a PVP game, but now it had become a team-building item.
With Kevin's current gem reserves... putting together a full 5-man team was a pipe dream.
"It seems that acquiring the Adventurer's House is also on the agenda."
"To earn so much money, you naturally have to exchange it for resources."
Originally, Kevin had planned to wait until he had accumulated some assets before starting the acquisition business.
He didn't want to steal business from the Adventurer's Guild and recycle magic stones.
Instead, they would purchase resources such as ores and gems from adventurers.
Because of the existence of the dungeon, Orario was extremely rich in resources, from potions to minerals.
There were also fixed material production points on specific floors to facilitate adventurers' collection.
It is said that high-grade minerals such as mithril, orichalcum, and adamantium exist in the deep dungeons.
These also have corresponding ores in the Terraria world and can be converted into useful materials through [Identification].
Kevin doesn't yet have sufficient financial resources to purchase materials like mithril.
However, he can start considering gold, silver, and gems.
The thoughts triggered by Enju's talent subsided when the taxi arrived at the Tendo Civilian Security Company.
"We're here. This is our company."
Leading Enju into the small office, Kevin sat in the president's favorite armchair and looked at the little girl before him.
"Theoretically, I'm your partner from now on."
But I still need you to sign a contract."
Enju's eyes finally flickered. She tilted her head in confusion and met Kevin's gaze.
"...?"
"You can."
It was likely a document like a contract that needed signing upon joining a company.
Enju didn't ask any further questions and simply nodded in agreement.
For a little girl around 10 years old, this was likely all the possibilities she could imagine.
She didn't fully react until Kevin's will left an indelible mark on her soul.
"Should I call you 'Master'? Or something else?"
"Please don't call me that."
Kevin immediately rejected Enju's suggestion, feeling a chill run down his spine.
Fortunately, no one else was in the office.
If someone overheard him asking a little girl to call him master while they were out...
He'd likely become a social outcast in Tokyo.
The process of signing the contract with Enju went very smoothly, as expected.
After all, she was originally a cursed child trained to be an "Initiator."
It was likely that before Kevin claimed her, she had been taught to obey the orders of her promoter without question.
After granting Enju the ability to enter and exit Terraria, Kevin teleported her directly to the spawn point.
"This is another world. There's no one here except me and some contractors like you."
"Next, I need you to help me explore a certain area of this world."
"You might run into an enemy... well, just like a Gastrea."
"Fighting won't be a problem, right?"
After listening carefully to Kevin's introduction, a spark finally lit up in Aihara Enju's eyes.
"Fighting... I'm good at it!"
"Very good."
Kevin nodded and began rummaging through the boxes, intending to get a set of equipment for Enju as well.
Contractors could also wear equipment and accessories.
It was just that there had never been anyone to accompany him in exploring before.
"Okay, that's it."
This time, Kevin prepared two sets of "Victide Armor" for himself and Enju.
This was because the area needing exploration this time was the "Sunken Sea"—an ancient ocean located beneath the desert.
When moving through water, Victide armor allowed the wearer to walk as if on flat ground, with almost no effect from the liquid's resistance.
In addition, Kevin also prepared two sea wave necklaces that could provide oxygen when stationary.
Although he had more than enough Gills Potions in his inventory, having a backup plan was always a good idea.
"Take these potions, and drink two bottles when the light on your body disappears and your vision darkens."
Kevin handed a portion of the Spelunker Potion to Enju and instructed her.
"Don't worry about wasting them, your safety is the most important thing."
The Spelunker Potion could make you emit light and illuminate the surrounding environment.
The effect of the Night Vision Potion was just as the name suggested. Even corners without light could be seen clearly.
These two potions were very useful when exploring environments like caves and the seabed.
"Okay..."
Enju took the potion, hesitated for a few seconds, and then suddenly asked,
"Um, can I call you 'brother'?"
It seemed she had been considering how to address Kevin during this time.
"As long as you like."
At least compared to calling him "master," calling him "brother" on the street wouldn't attract the attention of the police.
Seeing Kevin agree, Enju's face suddenly broke into a happy smile.
Only at this time did Kevin vaguely recall the image of Aihara Enju from his memories.
"Brother Kevin?"
"Yes, what's wrong?"
"It's okay… hehe."
Kevin touched Enju's head, thinking that she and Lily might get along well.
"Are you ready? It's time to go."
The Sunken Sea.
Rumor has it that the desert in Terraria was originally an endless ocean.
It also gave birth to the maritime nation "Ilmeris," famous for its magic.
The reason it became what it is now is that the magic of the "Sulfur Witch-Calamity" boiled the ocean and killed all living things.
The once prosperous maritime kingdom is now only left with a few remnant puddles.
This is the origin of the "Sunken Sea."
"..."
Enju seemed to have discovered something and was about to turn around and report to Kevin.
But she forgot that she was underwater, and when she opened her mouth, only a bunch of bubbles came out.
Fortunately, the gill potion ensured she could breathe underwater, so no accident occurred.
"... I saw it too."
Kevin nodded to her and pointed forward, motioning Enju to follow him.
All that could be seen was the endless expanse of coral and nutrient-rich sand.
An underwater laboratory with an exposed steel frame was emitting a steady light from the window.
Some gentle marine creatures seemed to regard this place as a light source, swimming back and forth from time to time.
"Finally found it, the Sunken Sea Laboratory!"
Seeing a corner of this underwater building, Kevin's heart was filled with anticipation.
He had two main purposes for exploring the Sunken Sea this time, and collecting materials was secondary.
One purpose was to find the location of the mini-boss, the Giant Clam.
Defeating it would drop some materials for making equipment and unlock a new NPC function.
Another purpose was to find the Garden Laboratory located in the Sunken Sea.
Unexpectedly, the Boss was still missing, but the whereabouts of the laboratory were found first!
"Let's go in and take a look."
Kevin swam directly over, and when he got close, the door of the laboratory opened automatically.
He didn't know what kind of black technology was used, but the seawater outside was actually blocked off as if by a conscious force.
...
After entering the laboratory, still wet, Kevin reached out and caught Enju, who was also swimming over.
"Huh... I can finally speak."
Enju shook her wet hair and wiped the seaweed off her body.
"I didn't expect there would be such a structure underwater."
"It looks more advanced than the laboratory at IISO."
"It's much more advanced."
Hearing this, Kevin couldn't help but smile.
The power of Jarden's creations rivaled that of gods, which was why he was pursuing Jarden's laboratory.
Although some of the early Jarden equipment were mostly fashionable little trinkets with unknown meaning,
this didn't prevent Jarden's powerful weapons from becoming even more potent after the technology had been improved.
The Sunken Sea Laboratory was the first nuclear issuance laboratory, predating the Asteroid Laboratory.
It could be said that this was the starting point of all Jarden technologies.
"Be careful of the turret in the lab. I'm scouting ahead."
The turrets in the Sunken Sea Laboratory were similar to those in the Asteroid Experiment, both being pulse laser turrets.
Kevin knew this thing very well. As long as he had cover, he could easily avoid the turret's attack.
After dismantling the few experimental turrets, Kevin was finally able to start looting with peace of mind.
The overall structure of the laboratory was in the shape of an oblique "8."
The upper left deck had an aquarium containing a Sunken Sea landscape.
On the lower right was a very complete sea prism column. After collecting all of them, Kevin counted them and found that there were more than 200 pieces!
"Finally, we don't have to dig for prism fragments all over the Sunken Sea."
There was a reason why Kevin was so happy.
It takes 5 pieces of building crystal fragments to synthesize one sea building crystal.
It takes 7 sea prisms to make a "Sea Blade," which was all the materials Kevin could usually collect in one exploration.
With these two hundred or so sea prisms, Kevin basically wouldn't need to collect any additional prism fragments.
In the center of the laboratory was a vein of "silt stone," which Kevin also collected.
Silt Stone can be collected in the Sunken Sea. It is not very rare, and its uses are not widespread.
It can only be used as a building material, to make a "water turret," or for later decorations.
In addition, Kevin also discovered several new energy battery factories and charging stations.
Now his daily battery production could reach a new high.
Kevin came to the most valuable safe in the entire laboratory and opened it.
A list of props quickly popped up in front of him.
[The following items are included in the safety box]
[Suspicious plating x15, mysterious circuit x10, torch x30, gold x12, healing potion x10, yellow locator x1, gravity potion x6, prototype map sunken sea]