Chapter 183: Still Able to Help

Compared to past topics, we should return to the main subject.

Of course, let's start from the unfinished words at that flower field slope.

You investigate research, I investigate trade, but I need to verify your identity.

Each to each, I can provide a mercenary ID, how about you?

Also a mercenary ID.

Alright, Mr. Mori'an of the Grey Raven Agency, do you use a phone or a terminal? Or can your body directly read the storage?

All are fine, Mr. Aomo Lindun; I've prepared this for you.

Li never listens to Aomo's advice, always heading straight to the hospital.

After all, Aomo wouldn't bluntly say: "I see your soul is all lines like a well-done steak, and the hues aren't quite consistent."

This likely involves some of the other's secrets; for a casual acquaintance, a rash suggestion is already reckless, but fortunately the other also once blundered with "You're a wanted criminal," turning the meeting into a "50-50 low-EQ" situation.

Such equality is also a high-EQ way to facilitate conversation; after a few brief exchanges, the two confirmed each other's identities.

Mercenaries usually go by codenames, but agency mercenaries are always formal, because they need to deal with officials, and using their real names also shows their stance.

"Go unchanged in name, sit unchanged in surname"—no need for a codename to conceal one's conduct.

As for Aomo, who felt uneasy about the other's real name, he glanced at the still-quiet standby screen and pulled out a floppy disk.

Li, surprised by the other's title, placed a file folder on the table.

Those who gather information are always familiar with the name Aomo Lindun.

From last month to today, that name has appeared intermittently in interstellar and local news, and even in foreign mercenary intelligence.

Li, however, didn't care much, at most thinking that the other wasn't a pure demon but a half-blood.

He didn't care much, but Aomo, watching him put things on the table, was very concerned!

"……paper documents?" he asked.

Looking at the bulging file folder, Aomo's memory of rummaging through records in the archives began to revive.

That wasn't an activity that could be made enjoyable just by having a pretty horse-girl companion.

"I thought you'd be more receptive to this approach," said the brown-haired youth, calmly stroking the storage device.

Because of the helmet, he couldn't see Aomo's furrowed brow, and that doubtful tone perfectly concealed his irritation.

Even demons of this age play terminals, do deep‑infiltration games, sit at a desk typing code—let alone that I'm just a devil.

The reluctant tone eventually showed; in Li's slightly surprised gaze, 'Snake' pulled out a pair of black gloves from his pocket and put them on.

Then he lifted the file folder and pulled out that stack of contents.

Suddenly he drawled, "You're not a time traveler, are you?"

One would think only time travelers would have this stereotypical "just naturally antiquated" impression.

Li had already rolled up his sleeve, pulled out a hidden interface on his arm, and the storage device was already plugged in.

The motion was swift, as if he weren't at all worried that Aomo had slipped a virus inside.

Such a straightforward fellow…

Grey Raven Agency…… Aomo, looking at the documents, glanced at the zero‑grade augment across from him.

That name indeed belongs to the Grey Raven Agency of Jiemen District, ranking among the top hundred proper large agencies.

By contrast, the Edge Runners Agency where David is placed ranked 193rd.

Jiemen District's agency list totals only 258; Aomo had scanned it once but never had the time to examine each in detail.

Thus the Grey Raven Agency remains a blank spot in his intelligence.

At this moment, the other party only answered him after clearly having read the information.

"Information ought to be exchanged, but the commander is willing to answer you: yes, we are time travelers who arrived in this world three years ago."

"Commander? That sounds like a military title; Aomo glanced up from the documents and asked, 'Is he observing me through your eyes?'"

Even source energy can achieve shared vision, and a mechanical body does it effortlessly.

"Yes, she is the director of the Grey Raven Agency."

"Sir or madam?"

"Miss."

"I see, sorry for the intrusion. Then… good afternoon, Miss Director; I believe a good attitude is the start of friendly cooperation."

"The chief said your helmet is very distinctive; she likes it."

"Thank you for your appreciation; I can later give you the link to buy a hair net."

"She asked… can it also glow?"

"That would probably require extra work," Aomo remarked subtly, "after all, you probably wouldn't like a potion of unknown ingredients."

"By the way, may I first finish reading the documents?"

"Please."

Without adding any preceding reported speech, the brown‑haired youth's expression suddenly relaxed a bit.

It seemed he had finally found a chance to break free.

He probably had no idea how to deal with that chief miss… Aomo thought, continuing to flip through the documents Li Mr. had provided.

The Grey Raven Agency's investigation of Yugel Company's monster trade gathered data mostly on the company's relevant conduct and activities in the monster sector.

This could fill the gaps in Aomo's intelligence, for Zhouri Ningjing cares only about horse‑girls; even if she could obtain a buyer‑qualified account for Yugel Company through connections, she wouldn't bother to work the channels to gather other information.

What could he say? Shout at the client to try harder, use some connections to look up monster‑trade data?

He's a bit afraid of being smothered to death by a pillow while sleeping.

This definitely doesn't mean scolding the client as a dog.

Aomo merely felt that this matter had dragged on too long.

Although it seems that none of the horse girls have suffered irreparable harm, and most are actually legally assisted, their contracts even include medical insurance to help them maintain their mental state.

But there are still some things that aren't made clear.

Moreover, even if it's completely legal, my client won't just stop there, will they?

She has always kept something back from me; she's afraid that bit by bit I'll see her secrets, so she refuses to act together with me, and only appears when I discover something and notify her.

Her appearance is also to personally judge the truth of the information.

In other words, she doesn't really trust me.

Even the acceleration has to be done by myself.

He gave the other party Dongzi Zhenren's research information, information about the gang's summoning of monsters, and the monster research journal plus sales list that Tuoli Fu saw last night—all of which he manually compiled.

Basically, aside from information involving Miss Dazhenhan's privacy as the concerned party, all other information has been compiled into a packet.

Using this to exchange for the remaining puzzle piece.

After putting down the last page of document in hand, Aomo, who could read ten lines at a glance thanks to the crystal, closed his eyes for two minutes, then restacked those papers back into the file bag.

After taking a deep breath, Mr. Li said: "... The commander asked how it was."

"Very helpful, I think I'm still missing the last puzzle piece, and you are too."

"The commander said he hopes to launch friendly cooperation."

"First, I don't advise taking direct action, you two. The current evidence isn't enough to settle the matter definitively."

"The commander said she found that Yuger Company has a mercenary unit under it that is currently recruiting."

"Mercenary unit?" Aomo asked.

"Not an office but a mercenary unit?"

"Yes." Li nodded, without adding "the commander said".

"Rising Star Mercenary Unit, one of the mercenary units directly under Yuger Company, has recently seen a huge shortage of personnel."

"Shortage?"

"It seems to be due to conflicts with several horse girls."

"……"

"What's wrong, Mr. Lindon?" Li noticed the slight tilt of the Gundam helmet.

"No, I think it's quite feasible; let's discuss the specifics of the cooperation."