Chapter 83 - 80: The Frenzied Members

Chapter 83: Chapter 80: The Frenzied Members

「A little over ten minutes ago.」

The Countermeasures Bureau’s Elites were gathering in the Black Street Nightmare to prepare. But something else was moving faster: the aberrant BOSS from the Ancient Village Nightmare.

The black-robed aberration’s gaze was eerie as it stared from afar at the Nightmare outside the Ancient Village.

By observing the large number of people in black trench coats going in and out, it had located the ’human sanctuary’ hidden within this Nightmare Area.

’This must be the place it has been searching so desperately for!’

The black-robed aberration had actually found it several hours ago.

However, it had taken some time to mobilize the aberrations from the various Nightmares.

But because of this delay, by the time the several aberrations arrived at the Blood-colored Bus Nightmare, they had just missed the assault team’s experts who had departed for the Ancient Village Nightmare.

The black-robed aberration’s ability to spy on this Nightmare Area was limited; it couldn’t know everything.

The same was even more true for the Countermeasures Bureau.

Communication became difficult once you crossed between Nightmare Areas.

Only the logistics team leader, Song Jianshen, and a few others like Old Cai were left to watch the aberrations appear outside their camp, their faces turning grim.

...

"Why not try posting a commission here with us?"

Only then did Old Yao realize that the Safe Zone had changed dramatically since his last visit.

But he had no time to dwell on it and quickly questioned the Manager.

Shi An explained, "The Dream Descenders who come here all have their own things to do, but our Safe Zone also provides a mission platform. People in need can post commissions and accept missions. This way, some get help, and others get rewards. It’s a win-win."

At that moment, several other Dream Descenders were resting inside the store.

They looked over upon hearing this.

Old Yao immediately understood the Manager’s meaning.

’Post a mission to get help from these Dream Descenders.’

’But can Ordinary Dream Descenders fight against aberrations? Old Yao could only hope there were some experts in the Safe Zone right now.’

Posting a commission required setting a reward amount.

As just an ordinary, newly-advanced Control Stage Dream Descender, Old Yao naturally couldn’t afford the fee to hire an expert.

However,

this situation wasn’t hard to solve.

"In the name of the Countermeasures Bureau."

The Countermeasures Bureau already had plans to use both profit and a sense of duty to motivate civilian Dream Descenders to help them.

In this case, Old Yao was acting first and reporting later by promising a huge reward. But as long as he could save his colleagues and protect the camp, he would be credited with a great achievement. Even if he failed, his actions were in line with emergency procedures.

As for the Dream Descenders who accepted the mission, they wouldn’t have to worry about not getting paid.

The down payment was ’the Countermeasures Bureau’s credibility’.

Soon, a mission written in gold font with a striking red [Urgent] tag appeared on the display panel hanging high above the bar in the business area.

There were only a few missions on it.

The long-term missions were ’Map Drawing’ and ’Nightmare Conquest’.

The ordinary missions included things like ’Acquire XX Materials’, ’Recruit Teammates for XX Nightmare Conquest’, and ’Investigate the Secrets of XX Area’. These were posted by members and peripheral Dream Descenders. Sometimes, Shi An himself would secretly post a small mission or two under the guise of a civilian Dream Descender.

The long-term missions were originally at the very top.

But now, the gold-framed mission with the red urgent tag had leaped to the most prominent position at the very top.

[Large-Scale Mission: Support the Countermeasures Bureau Camp in the Blood-colored Bus Nightmare Area [Urgent]]

[Type: Multiplayer/Time-limited]

[Reward: A Treasure worth 150 Dream Crystals]

[Mission Details: ...[Click to expand]]

The reward was huge!

Even Shi An gasped when he saw it.

He only had thirty or forty liquid Dream Crystals on hand at the moment.

One hundred fifty Dream Crystals were worth approximately thirty Complete Level Curse Objects, forty stalks of Treasure Medicine, or a hundred Incomplete Level Curse Objects, props, or other items.

’The Countermeasures Bureau is loaded.’

’Oh, but my mission platform takes a cut? Never mind, then.’

...

The icon for the urgent, large-scale mission flashed.

At a nearby table, a group of Dream Descenders saw the mission. They exchanged glances, all of them looking tempted.

"The Blood-colored Bus Nightmare... I remember, it’s right next to the Nightmare we’re in! We can make it over there!"

"Yeah, so are we doing this gig?"

"But if we have to face the aberrations directly..."

"No problem. We definitely can’t beat the aberrations, but if we can’t beat them, can’t we still maneuver around them?"

"Good point. And we won’t be the only team to take this mission. Some of the big shot members will definitely join in. We just need to tag along for an assist and get a little something out of it."

...

「Training Room 3.」

Profound Sword was still practicing his swordsmanship. At a certain moment, his sword intent became clear, and his Curse Art, Instantaneous Sword, reached the Mastery Realm.

Instantly, Curse Power surged forth, transforming into a black blade of light that coated the Evil Eye Sword and extended forward.

’A Master Level Curse Art is strong enough to support my Lifebound Curse Art, allowing the two to be combined.’

Just then, the Member Card in his pocket grew slightly warm.

Profound Sword took it out. Small, golden words had materialized on its surface.

The expression on Profound Sword’s face changed.

’Countermeasures Bureau camp... under attack?’

He strode outside.

「The Business Area.」

At Shi An’s signal, the Hair Ghost quickly accepted the mission.

[Current Mission Takers: 6]

The Hair Ghost was not the first to accept the mission.

But it activated its Member Card and used one of its abilities, which could only be used once a week.

"The holder can also enter other ’connected’ Nightmare Worlds through the Safe Zone."

Just a moment ago, the Safe Zone had connected to the Blood-colored Bus Nightmare.

That was how Old Yao had been lucky enough to burst in and escape with his life.

And now, in the Hair Ghost’s eyes, two divergent paths appeared at the Safe Zone’s main gate.

One led into a fog, which would cause it to fall randomly into a Nightmare.

The other pointed clearly toward its destination: the Nightmare where the Countermeasures Bureau camp was located.

As the Safe Zone’s representative, the Hair Ghost was the first to go provide support.

...

「A certain Nightmare.」

Li Wei, a member of the Safe Zone’s second batch of inductees, stared at the Member Card in his hand.

He used to be just an Ordinary Dream Descender, hounded by Nightmares and on the verge of being killed at any moment.

Until he met the Manager.

But now, thinking about his development of his Curse Object and the Lifebound Curse Art he had created through blood, sweat, and tears...

Li Wei’s gaze gradually grew feverish.

He wanted profit.

He wanted fame.

’Let the aberrations come and test my strength!’

...

「Another Nightmare.」

Peaches was not with Xi Xue. She was preparing to conquer a Nightmare on her own to show off her invincible style.

Just then, she received a notification from her Member Card.

"A large-scale, time-limited mission?"

"Saving my comrades-in-arms from the Countermeasures Bureau in their time of need? This young lady is duty-bound to help~!"

After all,

only on an occasion like this could her heroic, powerful form be seen by more people.

She didn’t want to be a rookie; she wanted to be an expert!

...

Elsewhere, Xi Xue was also preparing to conquer a Nightmare.

She paused, stunned.

"A mission? And it’s urgent?"

"Mm, alright. I’ll head back to the Safe Zone first, then take the special passage to the Blood-colored Bus Nightmare."

"Plan’s a go."

The Ordinary Dream Descenders accepted the mission, looking for an opportunity.

The members rubbed their hands together, eager to test what they had learned.

Their thoughts and goals differed, yet they all began to simmer with excitement.