Dudian was taken to a luxurious office.
An elderly man with a sturdy build was sitting inside. When the elegant man pushed the door open, a pretty young girl was sitting on the elderly man's lap. She was holding a Burgundy glass filled with deep red wine, enjoying her life.
"Pete, can't you learn to knock?" Disturbed from his pleasure, the elderly man patted the girl's buttocks, signaling her to leave, and then said with a straight face.
The elegant man smiled. "It's you who never remember to lock the door every time."
The elderly man gave him an annoyed look. Noticing Dudian following behind him, he raised his eyebrows and said, "Is this one of the scavengers you went to select? Why did you bring him here?"
Pete smiled and said, "This is a key talent among this batch of students. His contract needs to be revised. Don't worry, it's all within the permitted range."
"Oh?" The elderly man looked at Dudian with interest. "You've done a good job this time. You actually managed to recruit the best among this batch of scavengers. Train him well. Maybe our consortium will have another Hunter in the future."
Pete smiled slightly and said to Dudian, "Take a seat anywhere. The new contract will be brought here soon." Then he said to the elderly man, "Bring out the identity medal and the uniform."
The elderly man smiled, opened the drawer below, and took out a stack of black standard soft armor.
Dudian sat on the sofa beside him. When he saw this uniform, he couldn't help but think of those people who had taken him to the special training ground three years ago. The uniforms they wore were exactly the same as this one.
"This is your scavenger medal and uniform." Pete handed the clothes and the medal to Dudian. There were two different medals on it. "This is the guard medal. When you encounter commoners, you just need to show this medal. This will be your cover identity in the future. If you encounter nobles or knights, you can show the scavenger medal."
Dudian looked at these two medals. The guard medal was silver, engraved with crossed swords. The scavenger medal was black, engraved with the outline of the Sylvia Great Wall, somewhat similar to the pattern on the banknote.
"You are a key cultivation target of our Mellon Consortium," Pete sat down beside Dudian and said. "After each scavenging mission, the consortium will give you the Light Spring Water, an extremely expensive potion purchased from the Holy See of Light, which can purify the radiation value in your body. So, you don't have to worry about radiation during scavenging. When the points you accumulate reach a certain level, the consortium will specially approve and give you the opportunity to train in the Hunter School. At that time, as long as you can persevere, you can become a Hunter!"
Dudian's eyes flashed. He didn't expect that besides the congenital "Light Constitution" mentioned by the Hunter named Fino, there was such a way to become a Hunter. Indeed, opportunities were for those who were prepared. If he hadn't known that he was undergoing scavenger special training and would go on dangerous missions outside the Great Wall in the future, he wouldn't have trained himself so desperately, and naturally, he wouldn't have achieved such excellent results.
"I will work hard," Dudian took the medal and the uniform and said seriously.
"I believe you can do it," Pete encouraged.
Dudian asked, "Compared with nobles, which is of a higher status, a Hunter or a noble?"
Pete smiled. "It depends on what level the Hunter is and what level the noble is. Some down-and-out nobles will be polite and fawn over an excellent scavenger like you. After all, scavengers can bring wealth to nobles. In a sense, scavengers are the most favored workers of nobles. However, in the eyes of some wealthy and ancient nobles, scavengers are nothing. Only Hunters can satisfy their appetite."
Dudian's eyes moved. "Are there different levels for Hunters?"
"Of course there are, but you'll find out later. So you must work hard and don't let down the cultivation the consortium has given you," Pete encouraged. "The benefits of becoming a Hunter are far more than you can imagine. Not only can you obtain the permanent residence qualification in the commercial district, but you will also be equivalent to a noble yourself. If you accumulate enough military merits, you will be conferred a title!"
Dudian nodded slightly. Although he knew that Pete was offering him an incentive, he was still a bit tempted. However, what he cared about in his heart was neither the permanent residence qualification in the commercial district nor the title of a noble. In his view, these were just the vain appearances created by the rulers of this world. What really attracted him were the privileges and power that Hunters possessed!
Since he almost died in the Hunter Detection Ancient Castle three years ago, he had clearly realized that only by obtaining power could he control his own destiny and no longer be dominated and trampled upon!
Living as humbly as an ant would eventually lead to being stepped on and killed by the casual steps of powerful people!
At that time, self-pity would only make one seem even more pitiful!
"By the way, you scavengers of this batch will carry out your first scavenging mission in seven days," Pete smiled. "You have to perform well. The superiors will pay close attention to your results this time. The specific operation details and the location range will be informed to you later. Before that, my suggestion is that you'd better go and wash yourself immediately and change into clean clothes. I'll come to pick you up in the evening. Nobles hate dirt and mess. Remember to comb your hair neatly."
Dudian nodded slightly. "I will pay attention to that."
At this moment, the door opened, and the pretty girl from before walked in and handed a contract in her hand to Pete.
Pete took a look and handed it to Dudian. "Take a look. Sign it if there's no problem."
Dudian went through it from beginning to end again. The parts he had proposed to be revised before had been changed. He immediately took the quill pen Pete handed him and quickly signed his name.
"Done," Pete put away the consortium's copy of the contract and said to Dudian, "Keep the contract well. Oh, right, remember to wear your medal in the evening. It's a symbol of your identity. If it's not necessary, it's better not to take it off your body."
"I will."
"Now, you can join the others outside. Someone will take you to the temporary residence," Pete said.
Dudian nodded, turned around, and left. He closed the door behind him as he went out.
When he returned to the hall, Mekin and the other three, as well as the others, had already received their respective uniforms and medals. These two items were no different from Dudian's. When they saw Dudian coming, the pretty woman from before said, "Come with me, everyone. I'll take you to the accommodation."
Dudian and the others were arranged to stay in an ancient castle owned by the Mellon Consortium. The environment was comfortable and clean, and there were servants and gardeners to serve them. However, this place was only for them to stay for three days. After three days, except for Dudian, the others had to return to their respective residential areas. When it was time to carry out the mission, the consortium's carriage would take them to the gathering place.
"Dian, can't you really take us with you?"
"Dian, you can't be as girl-crazy and friend-neglecting as Mekin."
Mekin and Zach looked at Dudian, who was neatly dressed, knowing that he was about to attend the noble gathering, and wailed.
Dudian adjusted his cuffs, turned sideways to look at the mirror, and was satisfied with his appearance. He said to the wailing Mekin, "Bring me my boots."
Mekin howled, "This is too much!" After shouting, he turned around dejectedly and picked up Dudian's black boots and handed them to him.
Dudian got dressed neatly. Seeing the carriage speeding towards the castle from the window, he immediately waved to Mekin and the other three. "I'm going." He went downstairs, left the castle, and pinned the medal on his shoulder.
"Not bad. You look quite handsome when you dress up," Pete lifted the carriage curtain and said with a smile.
Dudian smiled slightly and stepped into the carriage.
Before long, the carriage arrived at a secluded place in the commercial district. There was an extremely huge ancient castle here. There were high protective walls outside the manor, with a row of lanterns hanging on them. Dozens of exquisite noble carriages were parked outside the manor, and servants were guarding them.
When Dudian and Pete arrived, the banquet had already started, and the melodious music was faintly floating out from the manor.
Pete smiled. "It seems we're a bit late. Let's go in. Remember to be cautious in your words and actions."
Dudian nodded.
After Pete showed his identity and the invitation, he took Dudian into the manor. They followed the path to the banquet hall. A special servant helped them push open the door, and the brilliant golden light rushed towards them. The faint music inside also drifted out, quiet and melodious.
"It's Master Haydn's 'Moonlight Beauty'!" Pete's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly stepped inside.
Just as Dudian was about to follow, a tall figure suddenly passed in front of him, and he almost bumped into the person. Looking up, he saw a middle-aged nobleman dressed in fine silk, wearing a jade thumb ring on his finger.
"Boy, don't you have eyes?" The middle-aged nobleman glanced at Dudian. When he saw the scavenger medal on Dudian's shoulder, he frowned. "Who let you in?"