#2811 - Outsourcing

"Thank you."

Fang Heng stepped out of the car and looked up at the massive, semi-spherical building before him.

Interesting.

From the outside, the Star Chart Control Center resembled a hemisphere, its exterior covered in hexagonal honeycomb-like scales, each nano-glass panel refracting gradient iridescence with the angle of light.

It bore a certain resemblance to the buildings of the Scavengers.

It seemed this control building was also the work of the Scavengers.

"The third phase of the main control building is still under construction. Officer Bakar is waiting for us in the outer area, first floor lobby. Please, follow me."

The driver-guard led the group to the security checkpoint outside the building, registered their information, entered the park, and finally passed through the outer garden to enter the main control building's lobby.

Bakar was sitting on a sofa next to the lobby entrance, waiting.

"Report, sir! The people have been safely brought in."

"Mm, you can wait outside."

Bakar stood up from the sofa, looked at Fang Heng and the others, and said, "Thank you for coming from afar. We appreciate your help. The young lady has been sent to the hospital as quickly as possible, and her condition is currently stable. Without further ado, please come with me."

As he spoke, Bakar led them towards the elevator in the lobby, explaining the current situation.

"As you all know, incidents of the game invading the world through black fog are frequent. Our West Beacon Federation has established the Star Chart Project to counter the large-scale game invasion."

"To this end, we need a large number of capable players to join and assist us. We don't expect loyalty from you to the West Beacon Federation. Our relationship is more of a cooperative one, which can be understood as mercenaries."

"In exchange, the Federation is willing to provide corresponding rewards, such as high-level items from the game, real-world money, and a way to completely unlock high-level 'locks'."

Speaking of unlocking 'locks', Bakar smiled slightly.

"I will now take you to Area A of the Star Chart main control base. This area is built specifically for mercenary warriors recruited by the West Beacon. The area where you can operate is only within Area A."

"I can guarantee that as long as you acquire enough contribution points, the rewards you can redeem will be the same as those available to the warriors trained by our West Beacon Federation. Of course, if you share the same ideals as us, you are also welcome to join our West Beacon Federation."

"The areas you can operate in include, but are not limited to, the training ground, lounge, information inquiry office, points inquiry and exchange office, library, SPA, health area, and so on in Area A. All areas are open for free. If you want to leave here, you need to apply in advance. Generally, the application will be approved on the same day..."

Fang Heng took the ID card from Bakar and quickly scanned it.

"I'm here to unlock. How many points are needed to unlock?"

"First, you need to accumulate 50 million contribution points to unlock the highest-level S-class exchange permission, and then you need to collect a total of 80 million contribution points. After the exchange, we will have someone to accompany and guide you through the breakthrough."

Fang Heng frowned slightly.

"That's roughly the situation."

Bakar introduced, "Also, the supervisor here is Vinador. He's not easy to get along with, but you usually won't see him. Anyway, I owe you a favor. If you encounter any trouble in the future, you can come to me."

As he spoke, the elevator door opened.

The elevator door faced the Area A lobby.

A Western Beacon Federation officer stood in the center of the empty lobby, ramrod straight.

The officer looked relatively young, with short, dark red hair and a cold gaze.

Bakar nodded to the officer as a greeting, then lowered his voice and whispered to Fang Heng and the others, "That's Area A Deputy Supervisor Watson. Currently, the Star Chart Control Center is entirely managed by the military. I can't interfere with matters here, so I won't see you off."

"Thank you, Officer."

Zaka thanked Bakar, followed Fang Heng and the others out of the elevator, and walked towards Watson in the center of the lobby.

"Mercenaries, welcome to the West Beacon Federation. Officer Bakar should have already introduced you to the facilities, usage rules, and construction purpose here. Also, your rooms have been arranged."

Watson's gaze swept over Fang Heng and the others, his expression indifferent, but he was actually quite displeased.

People recommended by the Councilor's Security Department?

Hmph!

The entire Star Chart Control Center is directly managed by the military. The Councilor's hand is reaching too far.

"But I don't think you'll need them. You're not here on vacation. There's an urgent task that needs your immediate attention."

As Watson spoke, he turned and walked forward, "Follow me."

"You're a step late. The new batch of teams joining the game completed their team formation and joined the game two days ago. Currently, only the four of you can form a team. After the previous stage of the mission comes to an end, I will arrange for you to form subsequent secondary teams."

Passing through the lobby, Watson led the group into the game hall D at the back.

Rows of game pods were arranged in the hall.

Unlike the outside world, a thick black cable was connected to the end of each game pod.

Almost every game pod was staffed by a federal military support personnel, with about a third of the game pods in operation.

"Everyone, let me briefly explain the mission request. As you can see, the game pods in front of you have been specially modified by the West Beacon Federation. After entering the game, you will receive a teleportation invitation to enter a special game world."

"After entering there, you will automatically receive a mission request. Completing the mission will grant you corresponding mission contribution points, which will be synchronized to your ID cards. You can use contribution points to exchange for equivalent items here."

Watson's gaze swept over Fang Heng and the others. "It's worth noting that after entering the game, the mission request you are about to execute is not low in difficulty. Be careful and start as soon as possible."

"Uh..."

Zaka looked at the companions next to him.

Is it starting already?

Good heavens.

Is the West Beacon Federation so competitive?

We just got here and we're already going into the game to work without even taking a break?

"Heh, that's right. Since we're already mercenaries, we should have the awareness of mercenaries."

Zaka laughed self-deprecatingly and walked towards the game pod.

Su Guantong passed by the operating game pods, curiously glanced at them, and asked, "These people?"

"Yes, they, like you, are mercenaries who have been invited to come here. They entered the game earlier than you to accept mission requests."

Watson explained, raising his hand to signal the staff to open the game pod.

Fang Heng observed the game pod, then lay down in the game pod under the guidance of the staff next to him.

The hatch closed.

Fang Heng's vision gradually turned into a chaotic blur.

[Hint: The player's current connection is experiencing interference...].

[Hint: The player has entered a special area].

[Hint: The player has accepted an invitation from an unknown world. If the player accepts the invitation, they will enter a special area. Spatial teleportation will not be possible after entering the special area in this way].

[Hint: Ensure that the player is currently in a movable space, otherwise teleportation interference may occur].

[Hint: Preparing to teleport...]