Chapter 62 Might Also Be an S-Class

Chapter 62: Likely an S-Rank Too

A soft chime rang out.

The hovercar began its descent into the central area of District 4.

Fang Ran stepped out.

The weather was pleasant that day, but his mind still felt a bit hazy.

To silence that madman, the two had finally exchanged private communication IDs.

The triumphant individual dutifully canceled the transfer and immediately sent him a voice message.

"If the higher-ups investigate, I'll just say my hand slipped."

"But Fang Ran, are you really not considering a mark?"

"That way, my Federation Credits would become your Federation Credits..."

Fang Ran abruptly cut off the call with a sharp tap, unwilling to hear another word.

He couldn't shake the feeling that he'd been drawn into the madman's nonsense.

The terminal in his hand vibrated repeatedly, its screen instantly flashing several messages.

Fang Ran ignored them, his face darkening as he stuffed the terminal into his backpack.

Today, he was reporting for duty at the District 4 headquarters.

After careful consideration, he felt he could no longer retreat.

To say he didn't care about Fu Zhangzhou would be a lie.

If he wanted to stand beside someone strong, he too had to grow stronger.

Moreover, the headquarters' pay and benefits were far superior to those at the sub-center—why wouldn't he go?

It was money for the taking.

He slowly made his way to a designated reception point outside the headquarters.

The reception area was sparsely decorated, with rows of reception robots on standby.

Fang Ran input his identification at the front desk.

A moment later, the eyes of one of the reception robots lit up with a blue glow, and its wheels began to move.

Fang Ran watched as the robot glided over to him.

These reception robots weren't designed with human-like forms; instead, they were round and bulky, with the center's emblem engraved on their chests, making them appear harmless.

Following the prompts, he pressed his palm to the screen and scanned his iris.

"Identity confirmed."

"Guide Fang Ran, please follow me to the HR department to complete the onboarding process."

Just as Fang Ran was about to follow the robot, he suddenly felt several gazes assessing him from behind.

He subtly turned his head.

Outside the reception area, seven or eight figures had appeared without him noticing.

Fang Ran couldn't help but frown.

These Sentinels had appeared so quietly that he only just now became aware of them.

Their strength was clearly not to be underestimated.

They were also wearing the center's black Sentinel uniforms, but...

Their sleeves displayed eight horizontal bars.

Could they be from District 8?

Fang Ran slowed his pace, his gaze lingering on them.

Cross-district exchanges within the Federation were not uncommon, but if these people were here for an exchange, they would likely have taken the center's hovercar directly inside. Why were they here, going through the same entry procedures as him?

Just then, the group of Sentinels stepped into the reception area.

Some glanced around, while others kept their eyes fixed on Fang Ran.

The leader wore a stern expression, his demeanor intensely cold.

Fang Ran felt there was something familiar about the man's features, as if he'd seen him somewhere before, and found himself staring a few more times.

Perhaps sensing his gaze, the man's eyes swept over.

His icy stare made Fang Ran shiver involuntarily.

An intense pressure instantly closed in—the natural aura of a high-ranking Sentinel.

This person was likely an S-rank too.

Fang Ran quickly averted his gaze, quickened his pace, and followed the robot away.

......

The path to the HR department also led through the central courtyard.

With summer's arrival, the greenery here seemed even more vibrant.

Fang Ran followed the reception robot, passing through one flowerbed and grassy area after another.

Ever since that mission, he'd become more cautious around particularly beautiful plants, afraid they might transform into monstrous, clawed creatures at any moment.

The flowerbed they were passing now was a vast sea of Nemophila flowers.

Their dreamy blue petals, almost the color of the sky, bloomed abundantly, with only a small white center.

A gentle breeze swept through, causing the flower stalks to sway like rippling waves of snow.

Somehow, Fang Ran was reminded of the group he'd just encountered.

Those Sentinels had an icy aura; their abilities were likely ice-related.

A cold, aloof figure flashed through Fang Ran’s mind.

Right.

Lu Wenchuan.

The second male lead in that book was also an Ice Sentinel.

The stern-faced Sentinel from earlier bore a strong resemblance to him, about sixty to seventy percent similar.

Fang Ran remembered Zhong Wan mentioning that Lu Wenchuan was also transferred from District 8.

The two might be related in some way.

Fang Ran lowered his gaze and took another look at the field of Nemophila flowers.

District 8?

This district was adjacent to the Central District in District 12, separated only by a mountain range.

Fang Ran had read online that although these two districts were geographically close, District 12 had a pleasant climate with few extreme conditions. District 8, on the other hand, was near the ice plains and experienced bitterly cold weather all year round.

Actually, that book never mentioned Lu Wenchuan’s background, nor did it describe District 8 at all.

The more people and events he encountered after transmigrating to this world, the more he felt that this might not just be a book.

This place... might be a real world.

"Fang Ran!"

A familiar call snapped him out of his thoughts.

Fang Ran looked up and saw his friend running toward him.

"Zhong Wan!"

Zhong Wan jogged up to Fang Ran, slightly out of breath.

He had requested to remain after their last mission and was now wearing the headquarters' dark blue Guide uniform.

"Are you reporting for duty today?" he asked, his large eyes lively. "Why didn't you tell me in advance?"

Fang Ran smiled awkwardly.

He had planned to contact Zhong Wan once he got on the hovercar, but someone had thrown him off.

Zhong Wan glanced at the reception robot in front of him.

"Are you heading to the HR Department now to complete the onboarding process?"

"Yeah." Fang Ran nodded, then asked, "What are you doing here? Don't you need to be with Lu Wenchuan?"

"Don't ask. He's been on a field assignment for over a week now."

Zhong Wan waved his hand, looking a bit uncomfortable.

"I'm heading to the Testing Department." He glanced down at his terminal. "It's on the way—let's go together."

Walking side by side behind the robot, Fang Ran noticed Zhong Wan seemed in low spirits and decided to strike up a conversation.

"Zhong Wan, what are you going to the Testing Department for?"

"Ah." Zhong Wan sighed. "To submit a level re-evaluation application."

"Level re-evaluation?" Fang Ran raised an eyebrow.

Like Sentinels, a Guide's abilities weren't fixed.

Many advanced further after their initial differentiation.

However, since Guides were scarce, Sentinels were matched with them regardless of their level, so most Guides didn't pay much attention to it.

Why would Zhong Wan suddenly want to take this test?

"Aren't you matched with Lu Wenchuan? Why do you need an advancement test?"

Zhong Wan's expression darkened slightly.

"We were supposed to sign an exclusive contract last week, but a new regulation suddenly came down."

"Cross-level matching cannot exceed one rank."

"Lu Wenchuan is S-rank, and I'm B-rank."

"I need to reach at least A-rank to be matched with him."

Zhong Wan ruffled his hair in frustration. "It's not like he can just downgrade, right?"

Huh?

There's such a rule?

Fang Ran was taken aback.

If it was just about ranks, he and Fu Zhangzhou were practically worlds apart.

So what about them...?

"Ah, let's not talk about this." Zhong Wan slung an arm over his shoulder. "Why did you suddenly ask me for pet recipes the other day?"

"Well..." Fang Ran paused, hesitating before finally saying, "Because I picked up a stray dog."

At the time, the dog refused to eat canned dog food, so Fang Ran, remembering Zhong Wan had also had a dog, asked him how to make pet meals.

"You? Cooking?"

Zhong Wan raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Fang Ran, no offense."

"But that meal I had at your apartment left quite an impression."

"Don't say that." Fang Ran couldn't help but pat his back. "You ate just fine."

"Haha, really?" Zhong Wan finally broke into a smile. "So now that you're at headquarters and staying in the dorm, who's going to take care of the dog?"

"He ran away."

"Ran away? Hahaha, I knew it."

"Even the dog wouldn't eat your cooking."