Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Rat Legion
Residency in Mountain City Mountain’s Upper City District is hard to obtain. You need to own property in the Upper City District, possess a certain amount of assets, and most importantly, you need a guarantor.
It’s not something just anyone can secure. If they were really offering residency in Mountain City Mountain, it would be a chance for an ordinary person to completely change their social class.
Long Ming immediately replied.
"Thanks, I’ll think about it."
"Next."
Lu Wei called out indifferently, continuing on.
Seeing this, Long Ming turned and left.
Once he was a good distance away, he sighed in frustration.
’He hadn’t expected this Shadow Guild to have so many requirements. This was going to be a bit tricky.’
’Now it was hard to even find a halfway decent guild to just coast in.’
Just as Long Ming was wondering what to do, he suddenly remembered that the Star Wish Club was also recruiting.
’He seemed to recall their requirements being more relaxed, right?’
With that thought, Long Ming logged out of the game.
In his room.
Long Ming took off the helmet, picked up his phone nearby, opened WeChat, and found Xiaoqi to send her a message.
"Are you there?"
A few seconds later, Xiaoqi replied instantly.
"I am! Are you looking to order a game pod? (*^▽^*)"
"No, I wanted to ask you about something."
"No problem, ask away."
"I remember your Star Wish Club is also recruiting, right?"
"We are! Are you interested?"
"Yeah. I was wondering what the requirements are to join."
"We give priority to active-duty NCOs and veterans, or people with a special skill, like a combat instructor. Also, you can’t be too old, and it’s best if you have gaming experience..."
Xiaoqi listed a whole pile of requirements for Long Ming.
After reading them, Long Ming’s heart sank. He replied:
"The requirements are that high?"
"It’s normal for combat personnel. Of course, our benefits are great too."
"Thanks, but never mind then."
"Don’t give up! If you don’t think that’s a good fit, you could consider joining our guild’s Ratkin Legion. The requirements for that are much lower; there’s basically no barrier to entry."
Xiaoqi, seeing Long Ming back down, quickly sent another message.
"The Ratkin Team?"
"It’s the team that goes in to gather items and scavenge for loot."
"Oh, so what are the benefits and restrictions for joining?"
Long Ming asked, his interest piqued.
"The Ratkin Team also has two different modes."
"I’m listening."
"The first is full-time. You’re required to be online for eight hours a day, and anything over that is overtime. You get weekends off! The salary is 8,000 Mountain Coins for personnel from the Upper City District and 5,000 Mountain Coins for those from the Lower City District. It comes with a full benefits package and a year-end bonus."
"For full-time players, does all the loot you get while on the clock belong to the guild?"
"Yes."
"And the second type?"
"The second is part-time. You have to participate in one guild group mission per week, with an escort from our combat personnel. Any loot you find is split 50/50 with the guild. The rest of the time is your own. You also get a 1,000 Mountain Coin bonus for perfect attendance for the month."
Xiaoqi explained to Long Ming.
"The second option sounds pretty good, but let me think about it."
Long Ming was a bit hesitant; the second option was something he could reluctantly accept.
"What’s there to think about? There are tons of benefits to joining our club’s guild. Besides what I already told you, the guild can also get you a long-term pass for the Upper City District, and guild members get a 20% discount on game pods!"
Xiaoqi persuaded him enthusiastically.
When Long Ming heard about the long-term pass for the Upper City District and the 20% discount on game pods, he agreed decisively.
"Okay!"
"That’s great."
"So, do I log into the game from home, or do I have to come to the club?"
"The Ratkin don’t have that many mandatory requirements. You can log in from wherever you want. But you do have to come in once for the first time, because we need to give you the guild armband and have you sign a contract."
Xiaoqi explained happily to Long Ming.
"So when should I come over?"
"Tomorrow morning at 7:30. I’ll take you through the paperwork, and then you can join the group activity right after."
"Sounds good."
Long Ming nodded.
...
「The next day, in the Upper City District.」
Long Ming arrived early at the entrance of the Star Wish Cafe. As he walked in, he ran right into Xiaoqi.
"Mr. Long Ming, you’re here."
"Yeah. Could you please take me to get the paperwork done?"
"No problem, follow me."
Xiaoqi led Long Ming through a side door and into the Star Wish Club.
The interior of the Star Wish Club was even more luxurious. The floor was laid with gold-veined tiles, star-like lamps hung from the ceiling, and artistic paintings adorned the walls.
The hall was bustling with people chatting everywhere.
"This way. The Star Wish Club, just like the Star Wish Cafe, has six floors. Floors 1-3 are the helmet area, and floors 4-6 are for game pods. But you should know, the Ratkin Team isn’t allowed to go up to the 4th floor. Part-time Ratkin Team members can only use the helmets here for free when they’re participating in a guild mission."
Xiaoqi explained as she led Long Ming toward the office area at the back of the hall.
"Okay."
Long Ming nodded slightly.
Soon, Xiaoqi led Long Ming into an office, but there was no one inside.
Xiaoqi walked straight to the desk, sat down, opened a drawer, and took out a contract, which she handed to Long Ming.
"Take a look at the contract. If there are no issues, you can sign it."
"Aren’t you a receptionist at the Star Wish Cafe?"
Long Ming took the contract, a little confused.
"I am, but I also play Civilization Paradise. And I’m the leader of the Fifth Ratkin Team."
Xiaoqi explained with a smile.
"I see."
Long Ming looked over the contract, and seeing no problems, he signed his name.
"Welcome to the Fifth Ratkin Team. We’re guildmates now."
Xiaoqi flashed a brilliant smile and extended her hand to Long Ming.
"Mhm."
Long Ming reached out and shook Xiaoqi’s hand.
Just then, Xiaoqi got up, walked over to a cabinet behind her, and took out an armband printed with a purple star, handing it to Long Ming.
"This is the guild armband. You have to wear it on your shoulder before you log into the game. That way, it’s easy for our own people to recognize each other!"
"Got it."
"Also, I’ll send you the guild’s lists of allies and enemies. You need to look them over. When you’re in a dungeon, you can’t attack an allied guild unless they attack first."
"Understood."
"Of course, the list isn’t set in stone; it can be adjusted at any time. After all, in this world, there are no permanent friends or enemies. But you don’t need to worry, there will be a group announcement whenever there’s a change."
"Got it."
"Okay, I’m adding you to the Ratkin Five group chat now."
Xiaoqi picked up her phone, opened WeChat, and pulled Long Ming directly into a group chat.
Long Ming glanced at the group chat. It had a full 5,000 members and was incredibly lively.
Zhou Hui: "Man, I had the worst luck last time. I was *this* close to getting something good, but then a monster ambushed me."
Qin He: "Alright, alright, we’ve heard that story so many times our ears are about to fall off."
Shen Chu: "Isn’t there a group mission for the guild in a bit?"
Cloud Fish: "Yeah, are you guys going?"
Ning Yan: "Nah, I just went yesterday, so I’m sitting this one out."
Tang Ye: "Oho, and who was it that was just complaining about being broke? Not very motivated, are we?"
...
Just then, Xiaoqi posted a message in the group.
"Alright, everyone, pay attention to the time. Anyone signed up for the 8:30 AM operation, don’t be late. Being late counts as an unexcused absence, and it’ll be deducted from your perfect attendance bonus."
Cloud Fish: "Understood, Sister Qi!"
Tang Ye: "We’re on our way now."
He Zhong: "Wait for us, Sister Qi."
...
Seeing Xiaoqi’s post, everyone in the group responded excitedly.
"Let’s go. I’ll take you up to the 2nd floor to log into the game and join the guild’s group mission."
Xiaoqi looked up and said to Long Ming with a smile.
"Okay."
Long Ming then followed Xiaoqi out.
