Chapter 573

After all, a Seventh-Rank Huang Tong Dragon finding it troublesome certainly wouldn't be a simple task.

But if it exceeded his capabilities, he would refuse outright.

Li Ang truly wanted the resources offered by 【Aio Logistics】, but not enough to risk his life for such a reward.

Thinking this, he asked calmly, "Could my lord Ma Zires please tell me what exactly this task is? I'd like to prepare in advance."

"Simple," the red dragon grinned, a cruel expression crossing his face. "A few days ago, 【Giant God's Heavy Industry】 placed an order with us, but those useless fools at the Bahamut branch were ambushed during delivery and lost many personnel; the subsequent team sent by the Tiamat branch also went silent. I need you to lead the investigation and find out what happened."

"."

Li Ang immediately wondered if he'd misheard.

Someone in the Prime Universe dared to hijack cargo from 【Aio Logistics】 and 【Giant God's Heavy Industry】? How bold could they be?!

But he quickly realized this must be the very incident the emerald dragon Zimei had mentioned before entering the meeting hall—the one that had put Ma Zires in a foul mood.

Seeing Li Ang remain silent, Ma Zires lowered his head and asked with a mocking tone, "What? Afraid?"

"If you're unwilling to take this task, then just pick a department to join and stop making such unrealistic requests."

At these words, Li Ang snapped back to attention.

He didn't feel fear now—only curiosity.

After so long in this world, this was his first time dealing with 【Giant God's Heavy Industry】, unlike the other four cosmic giants he'd already encountered.

Add to that his recent acquisition of three mechanical deities in the Demon University world—visiting this cosmic giant, renowned for mechanical professionals, might yield unexpected gains.

Thinking this, Li Ang ignored Ma Zires's mockery and asked, "What will 【Giant God's Heavy Industry】 do? Will they join us in the investigation?"

Before the red dragon could answer, Randolph on the high dais spoke up: "Since the issue occurred during transit, this investigation will be primarily handled by us, but 【Giant God's Heavy Industry】 will also send personnel to assist."

He sighed. "Still, I urge you to consider carefully. Our assessment is that this matter is likely far more complicated than it appears."

【Aio Logistics】 had lost cargo before—after all, there were countless star pirates in this universe who didn't know their own limits.

But most were eventually hunted down and given a "friendly visit" by the Tiamat branch; only a few managed to escape with a million-unit withdrawal.

Yet a pirate bold enough to provoke two cosmic giants at once? In Randolph's extremely long life, he'd rarely encountered such a case.

Even whether the perpetrator was a pirate at all was questionable.

Facing the brass dragon's advice, Li Ang shook his head slightly, declining his goodwill: "Thank you for your concern, but I believe I can handle this task."

From Ma Zires's earlier behavior, Li Ang didn't think he'd assign a suicide mission.

And even if he misjudged, the veteran Seth beside him would surely speak up.

Besides, even if unforeseen circumstances arose, as long as no Seventh-Rank intervened, he could certainly escape while in full 【Hundred Forms Avatar · Divine Form Manifestation】 mode—and likely even dare to clash with them.

Seeing he had decided, Randolph ceased his persuasion: "Since you have your own thoughts, let's discuss the reward."

"Reward?"

Li Ang blinked in surprise—he'd assumed this was merely an evaluation, and his salary would only be paid after officially joining 【Aio Logistics】.

"You work for the group; the group must pay you," Randolph said as if it were obvious. "We're not some exploitative corporation, and besides, Emperor Aio doesn't care about minor profits within the group."

"."

Li Ang couldn't shake the feeling that the brass dragon on the dais was subtly referencing his pre-transmigration days of delivering takeout—anyone who'd ever used those platforms knew how ruthless they were.

After a moment's thought, he asked, "May I access some classified information within the group?"

Hearing this, the black dragon from the Farazul branch on the dais laughed: "Don't worry, kid—if you actually complete this task, the group's intelligence network will open to you anyway. So pick something else."

There was such a perk?

Li Ang was genuinely surprised—he hadn't expected this to be an onboarding benefit.

But now he had to think carefully about what to ask for.

As he pondered, Ma Zires tossed a gold coin onto the floor: "If you still can't decide, you can choose this as your reward."

"Normally, employees pick this coin as payment, so it's roughly considered hard currency within the group."

Looking at the massive gold coin—over a person's height—he grimaced.

The coin clearly bore signs of heavy use—no one could tell whether it had spent more time as currency or as a mattress.

Suppressing his absurd thoughts, Li Ang ventured, "If I wanted to travel to another world under Emperor Aio's control, what would the cost be?"

"?"

At this, all the dragons present froze—none had expected such a request.

After a brief silence, Randolph asked curiously, "Which world are you referring to, kid? Emperor Aio doesn't control just one world."

"."

Of course—since the Federation and Empire controlled so many worlds, it made no sense that 【Shenshangshen Society】, which had invaded the Prime Universe, controlled only one D&D world.

Thinking this, Li Ang quickly added, "The world where Toril is located."

"You want to go to Faerûn?"

"Uh-huh."

Seeing Randolph's surprise, Li Ang nodded hesitantly.

Faerûn was the heart of Toril—famous places like Baldur's Gate all lay on the Faerûn continent.

But he didn't intend to go to Faerûn—he wanted to reach the Abyss, to see if he could become a Lord of the Abyss.

Since he didn't know how 【Aio Logistics】's dragons felt about the Abyss, he decided it was wiser not to reveal his true goal.

The chromatic dragons might not care, but the metallic and gem dragons—

The 【Shenshangshen Society】 itself, however, likely wouldn't care about his small moves—so long as he didn't threaten the entire 【Nation Celestial】, the crystal plane containing Toril, the deity would probably ignore him.

'I wonder if the 【Abyss Composite Demon】's 【Abyss】 is connected to the 【Abyss】...'

As Li Ang thought this, Randolph scratched at the metallic scales on his cheek: "I don't know if Emperor Aio will agree, so I can't give you an answer now."

"But if you wish, I can petition him on your behalf."

"If Emperor Aio refuses, you can still change your request then—how's that?"

Hearing this, Li Ang immediately nodded: "Then I'm in your debt, my lord Randolph."

This was undoubtedly the best outcome; after all, even if he couldn't reach the DND world, it wouldn't cost him anything.

At that moment, Ma Zires said: "Heh. I knew I wasn't mistaken about you. As a reward for not disappointing me, you may freely choose your companions for this mission."

"But you must include one member from the Tiamat branch and one from the Bahamut branch."

Although the red dragon had acknowledged Li Ang's strength, he was still not a formal member of the Aio Logistics, so it was naturally impossible to let him complete this mission alone.

Yet upon hearing Ma Zires's words, Li Ang's expression turned peculiar.

With a questioning look, he quietly turned his head toward Saisi.

After seeing the other give a barely perceptible nod, he replied: "Then thank you, my lord Ma Zires."

If it were someone else, they might have hastily picked random strangers, but Li Ang truly had suitable candidates in mind.

Ilis, Sophia.

The little dragon, of course, needed no explanation—she would do whatever Li Ang told her to do, and the old mistress, after spending time with him, clearly would obey his orders, at least not excessively so.

"You decide for yourself," Ma Zires waved his claw, feigning indifference. "Alright, you may go."

The red dragon had already gotten the answer he wanted, so he had no reason to detain Li Ang.

Hearing this, Li Ang and Saisi exchanged glances, then turned to leave the circular meeting hall.

But just as the two were about to step out of the hall, a voice suddenly came from behind them.

"Wait, little one. Now that the business is settled, it's time for some personal matters." It was Randolph—now the brass dragon fixed his gleaming gaze on Li Ang. "Though you're young, you've surely experienced plenty, haven't you?"

"Tell me all about your tense and thrilling adventures."

It was well known that brass dragons held an almost obsessive fascination with stories, and Randolph was no exception.

And geniuses like the little dragonling below often had experiences far beyond ordinary beings—he was intensely curious, which was precisely why he had ordered Saisi to bring the other here earlier.

Faced with this sudden request, Li Ang finally understood why Saisi had warned him earlier to bring extra water.

He instinctively glanced at the other, but received only a helpless look in return.

Fortunately, Li Ang had no shortage of stories—he could simply tell Randolph "The Legend of the Athlete Who Fought with Fists," though he wasn't sure if the dragon could accept the outrageous plot of "The Strongest of the Modern Era vs. The Strongest in History."

With a complex mix of emotions, Li Ang leapt to the side of the brass dragon and began slowly recounting the tale in his mind.

…

Black rock lay exposed upon the earth, the cracked ground glowing with faint crimson fire.

Lava flowed slowly through the fissures, the air thick with the acrid stench of sulfur.

Ilis walked cautiously through this extremely hostile environment, as if danger might leap out at any moment.

"Woo… Li Ang…"

Thinking of her feeder, the little dragon let out a pitiful whimper, then pulled out a large white metal block to soothe her injured belly-soul.

But just as she was about to swallow the metal block, a teasing voice suddenly came from nearby: "You're just the same as always, Ilis."

Yet Ilis paid no heed to the voice; she simply swallowed the metal block and then patted her belly with great satisfaction.

Seeing herself ignored, the voice's owner clearly grew angry: "Ilis!"

Even so, Ilis still ignored him, walking straight toward the direction she remembered.

The voice's owner was clearly broken now—but then he thought of something, and couldn't help letting out a scoff: "No wonder your mother starved to death—it's because you ate everything."

Before he finished speaking, a black claw had already pinned him firmly to the ground.

Ilis looked down at the struggling black dragon and said seriously: "My mother didn't starve to death."

"Woo…!"

The black dragon's eyes were filled with disbelief—he hadn't even seen how the taunter moved before he was pinned to the ground.

As Ilis's claw tightened further, the disbelief in the black dragon's eyes slowly turned to terror.

This idiot dragon really meant to kill him!?