Chapter 26: The Third Day

Wednesday morning, and a chilly breeze swept through the streets of Ring C.

The White Sun and the Red Sun had completed their cycle across the zenith and returned to the east. Their light intertwined on the horizon, forming a bright orange-red band. The Gray Sun remained high above, casting a faint, soft glow.

Last night’s rain had washed this dust-ridden land; though the ground was dry, the air remained heavy with moisture. The morning breeze carried fine grit and sand. Xingyu covered her nose and mouth, following Hill through the same streets they had walked yesterday morning.

Their minds remained linked, and she tried her best not to let her thoughts wander to irrelevant matters.

"Are you used to it yet? Even if you aren't, you need to be quick."

"Almost. Mental communication is indeed much more convenient than speaking," Xingyu replied, shifting her thoughts. "But is there any need to be in such a hurry? Won't you be exhausted if you keep using your ability?"

"Training you is the top priority. You are the only other transcendent besides me; you need to grow quickly so you can assist me with various tasks."

"Assist you?"

Sensing Xingyu’s confusion, Hill explained, "Those various tasks are just chores. Our main income comes from Council missions, which are specifically assigned to me. Lately, things have become increasingly busy, and your assistance will make things much better."

She pondered for a moment before promising, "Six months. Spend six months with me, and I will make you an agent capable of standing on your own."

Xingyu nodded and changed the subject: "If your energy is limited, do you have to handle things like rent collection personally?"

"That is the custom here. It’s better for agencies, but for gangs, rent collection is their primary source of income, so they always do it themselves."

"Because they don't trust their subordinates?"

Hill didn't mind the slightly offensive question. "Not at all. It’s just that there’s no need to intentionally test them."

Xingyu nodded thoughtfully, her eyes clouded with confusion. She scanned the street ahead. The familiar yet strange sight left her feeling dazed, as if she were suspended between two worlds.

"...Is this 5th Street, where we came yesterday? Wasn't it burned down? How is it that it looks brand new?"

Yesterday, this place had been a sea of fire, with blood and ash woven into a hellish landscape. Yet today, not only had the stains and wreckage vanished without a trace, but even the destroyed buildings had miraculously been rebuilt overnight, restored to a state as good as new. The only things that hadn't been restored were the various weeds and plants that had grown along the sides of the street, leaving behind barren, empty patches.

"There is bloodshed every day; how could we function without some method of tidying up?" Hill said calmly, her tone tinged with helplessness.

She walked to the side and lit a cigarette. Amidst the swirling smoke, Hill’s expression became hazy and indistinct. She waved at Xingyu, signaling her to go door-to-door to collect payments.

Xingyu followed, but her inner doubts grew stronger. "How is this done? How can all these houses be rebuilt overnight? Is it the 'Cleaners' you mentioned yesterday?"

Hill took a deep drag and slowly exhaled. "Yes. After such large-scale incidents, we dispatch Cleaners."

"What exactly are these Cleaners? How do they achieve such an effect?" Xingyu, unable to suppress her curiosity, kept pressing.

Hill shrugged, her tone growing impatient. "I don't know who they are. We are only responsible for coordination and handing them the mission; that is all."

"Xingyu, stop digging for answers. Sometimes, ignorance is a blessing. Around here, knowing too much will bring you trouble, or even death."

"I understand," Xingyu replied softly, sensing the warning in Hill’s words.

...

After making a round through the streets under the jurisdiction of the Raindrop Agency, Xingyu returned with Hill. Although it was her third day as an agent, she had spent the previous two days busy with entry tests and purchasing equipment, so she had not yet taken on any real missions.

According to the schedule, Hill would be out of the Raindrop Agency for the afternoon.

"As a trainee agent, you can currently only participate in F-class and E-class missions. F-class missions are quite safe and are mostly outsourced to the postmen out there. E-class missions are the primary focus of your training during your probationary period."

"From E-class and up, the difficulty increases significantly, often involving negotiation and combat. By the time you reach B-class, it’s usually handled by senior staff like the director, and it essentially has nothing to do with regular agents."

"What about A-class missions?"

"That is a realm that has nothing to do with you."

"...Tell me clearly."

Fran sighed, a look of helplessness in his eyes as he patiently continued to explain to Xingyu.

"A-class missions involve very thorny and dangerous situations. For example, if a gang appears that traffics controlled goods across districts, smuggling items from Ring A to our area. Such actions inevitably involve the interests of Ring A and the power struggle between various factions. Once you get involved, the consequences can be dire."

"Ring A is closed off to ordinary people like us... you know that, right?"

"The complexity and conflicts of interest behind A-class missions far exceed anything else. For instance, even if the director went over and killed everyone, we might still be subject to constant revenge from other factions. We are severely lacking in experience and intelligence in this regard. Usually, the emergence of an A-class mission means the situation has entered a critical period."

"If such a situation were to arise, the Council would notify multiple senior agents to handle it in advance. You don't need to worry about A-class missions; they are too dangerous for you. Just focus on the work at hand."

Xingyu nodded thoughtfully, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "Right, I understand. So, the example you gave, about someone trafficking controlled weapons from Ring A—is that mission real?"

"No. I just made that up," Fran said, spreading his hands with a helpless smile.

"A-class missions are rare, and the few that exist have been dragging on for a long time without resolution. As an administrative officer, my information is actually quite limited. If you want more details, it’s best to ask the director."

Xingyu listened carefully and nodded slightly. Her brow furrowed as she recalled last night's conversation.

"By the way, I have a question," Xingyu hesitated. "I previously... might have signed a 'contract' without knowing it. It seems I must fulfill certain requirements for them every week, or I might be in danger. Do you know anything about this?"

Fran’s expression turned serious upon hearing this. His tone was filled with concern. "A 'contract'? It must be a mission contract. Only mission contracts signed by both parties carry such weight; other documents are just empty paper that can be torn up at any time."

He paused, then added, "Agents and agencies often use the nature of these contracts to sign unfair treaties. Signing treaties that favor one's own side is the norm."

Xingyu nodded, her expression grave. She thought of the regulator's badge, which seemed to mimic the agents' standard, and her suspicions hardened—there must be an agent acting as a guarantor behind the Border Mutual Aid League, and it was highly likely the regulator themselves was an agent. Through this connection, would she have a chance to uncover information about the regulator?

Fran seemed to notice her underlying anxiety and continued to press, "You don't know the specific content of that contract?"

"...Yes."

"That is not good," Fran frowned, his voice worried. "The validity of a mission contract depends mainly on the text written on it, and these texts are often very easy to exploit."

"Every agency has someone specifically responsible for drafting contracts, and their goal is to make them as favorable as possible to their own side. If you signed it without knowing the content, the contract might not even bother to disguise its intent, and it is likely extremely disadvantageous to you. Why would you sign such a contract?"

"I guess so," Xingyu sighed deeply, her eyes filled with helplessness and anxiety. "In any case, I'm in a bit of trouble. Is there any way to cancel it?"

"This... the best way is to go directly to the agency, or apply for cancellation with the other party at the Notary Office. There are quite a few people who use the nature of mission contracts to engage in private transactions and control, and this path might be much more dangerous than you think."

Seeing the disappointment on Xingyu's face, Fran added quickly, "However, since you are also an agent, I suspect the Notary Office will prioritize your cancellation request."

"Is there no other way?"

Fran shook his head, his expression apologetic. "It depends on the specific content of your contract. But without seeing it, it's hard for me to give you more specific advice."

After all the explanations, she still couldn't determine what the contract she signed entailed, how much danger it posed, or what kind of situation it would drag her into...

It felt like... a dead end.

Xingyu sighed in frustration once more.