Firefly followed Ye Yunzhi and the others to the edge of the city. Since dragging the carcass proved inconvenient, she eventually stored the spider inside the system backpack.
A massive wall stood at the city boundary. It was not built of stone like an ancient fortress, but was instead a steel bulwark radiating a grey metallic luster. Beneath the wall sat a retractable metal gate where numerous vehicles and pedestrians shuttled back and forth.
"This is Greenshade Source. It is a border city of the Europa Empire and the one closest to the forest," Ye Yunzhi explained, stopping to turn toward Sam.
Sam nodded to acknowledge the information. She pointed at the vehicles and people lining up at the gate.
"Does this city require identification?"
Ye Yunzhi blanked for a moment. She looked at Sam's silver-white armor and then at the city gate, appearing lost in thought.
"Is the question difficult to answer?"
Firefly found the girl's hesitation strange. If ID was necessary, she would find another way in; if not, she would enter directly. However, Firefly forgot one detail: she was currently speaking through Sam. What should have been the confused voice of a sweet young girl was transformed into a cold, ruthless mechanical drone.
The statement made Ye Yunzhi flinch. she hurried to respond.
"No... it's not that. Greenshade Source frequently receives outsiders, so many people with unclear identities end up here."
"Initially, the city verified everyone. Over time, as long as you aren't a famous wanted criminal, you can enter just by paying the fee."
Ye Yunzhi pointed toward a group of soldiers near the gate. "But if anyone dares to cause trouble in the city, the City Guard won't let them off."
She pulled out a Mercenary Association badge. "The City Guard also posts commissions through the Mercenary Association. Depending on the target's strength, rewards range from a hundred to hundreds of thousands of Credits. Plenty of mercenaries scramble for the chance to catch criminals."
"Fine. Let us go."
Since Ye Yunzhi did not seem to be lying, Firefly stopped questioning. She planned to enter first and observe. Even if she were being deceived, those guards could not cause her much trouble.
"Of course, right away."
Ye Yunzhi breathed a small sigh of relief as Sam began walking toward the gate. She quickly grabbed Luo Lin and followed. Sam's willingness to enter meant the powerhouse intended to follow the rules, which made Ye Yunzhi feel significantly safer.
As the three joined the queue, Firefly felt multiple gazes landing on her. Standing in line in silver-white armor made her stand out like a crane among chickens. Fortunately, whether because this was outside AMA jurisdiction or because the armor was not considered a cybernetic modification, she sensed no malice—only curiosity.
Before long, it was their turn.
"Hello. Please pay ten Credits to enter."
A soldier stopped them at the gate. He stared at the conspicuous Sam for a moment before pointing to the payment area. Firefly reached for her terminal, but Ye Yunzhi quickly intervened.
"You saved us. Let us handle the entrance fee."
Before the words fully left her mouth, thirty Credits were swiped.
"Proceed."
With the payment confirmed, the soldier allowed them through. Once inside, Ye Yunzhi turned to Sam with an air of caution.
"Um... Excellency, how should I address you?"
"You may call me Sam."
Firefly answered without hesitation. As for the name Firefly, she would wait until she was out of the armor to use it.
"Understood, Mr. Sam. The Mercenary Association is nearby. You can sell that giant spider carcass directly there."
Ye Yunzhi led the way, gesturing for Sam to follow.
'Uh... I'm actually a girl... wait, I was a man in my past life, so "Mr." isn't technically wrong!'
Firefly complained inwardly at the honorific before following. After weaving through the crowds and traffic, she soon saw the sign for the Mercenary Association.
Unlike the two-story building she saw in the Pit Bottom District, the association here was a skyscraper at least a hundred meters tall.
'Sigh... it looks like Shen Yan isn't doing as well as I thought. This isn't even in the same league.'
Firefly looked up at the building, unable to stop herself from grumbling internally.
Inside, they were greeted by a clean, orderly lobby and a prominent large screen at the back. Sofas and coffee tables lined the area, each table equipped with a tablet-like terminal displaying various missions.
Six receptionists sat behind a front desk, separated by partitions. Four of them were currently busy explaining mission details to small groups of people.
Upon entering, Ye Yunzhi turned to Luo Lin.
"Luo Lin, you just went through Overclocking. Go rest in the lounge. I'll come find you once I finish up with Mr. Sam."
"Fine..."
Luo Lin looked utterly drained. She squeezed out a single word and staggered toward a sofa to sit down. Once she was settled, Ye Yunzhi called out to a receptionist.
"Hello, I am accompanying this gentleman to sell a mutant beast carcass."
"Hello, Ma'am. What rank is the mutant beast you wish to sell?"
The receptionist asked with a professional smile, her eyes shifting toward Sam.
"A- rank. The carcass of a giant spider. This place does not seem large enough to hold it."
After Sam spoke calmly, she pulled the head of the giant spider from the system backpack and placed it on the floor.