Becoming Their Guiding Spirit

# Chapter 26: Exusiai Here, and I’m the Best at Chatting! In about an hour.

Swire and Franka signed a written agreement, and all known intelligence was fully disclosed. Franka was somewhat satisfied with the Lungmen Guard Department’s intelligence capabilities; at least she didn’t have to worry about that aspect.

After the three from Blacksteel Worldwide left.

Sir Ch’en’s face turned grim again, her expression changing faster than flipping a page.

”Have you been so busy lately that your head’s all muddled, Rice Noodle Dragon?”

Swire said with exasperation.

”How many times have you tried to take down that gang, yet not once have you succeeded? Even when you did, you only caught one or two small fry. Haven’t you ever thought that there might be moles from other factions within our L.G.D., tipping them off the moment you make a move? Only the three of us know about hiring mercenaries, and they aren’t bound by L.G.D. regulations. A small group is also convenient for avoiding some spies and won’t attract their attention, making them the best choice.”

For once, Sir Ch’en didn’t argue back, seeming to have tacitly approved of Swire’s unilateral action.

”If the mission is successful, the L.G.D. will reimburse you for the commission fee. If they fail, I will report it to Director Wei as it is.”

”Oh, please, as if I’m short on that little bit of money...”

Seeing Ch’en agree, Swire finally smiled.

”So no reimbursement then?”

”Reimburse! Of course, reimburse! Only a fool wouldn’t take free money.”

--------------

Walking out of the L.G.D. headquarters.

Although Franka verbally complained about her wonderful vacation coming to an end, the corners of her mouth had already uncontrollably curled up. Her eyes looked like a money-lover’s, and her slender fingers were rapidly tapping on her phone’s calculator.

”Oho~ We’re gonna make a killing on this one!”

Franka clapped her hands, somewhat excited.

The price for this job was indeed quite substantial, a full five million in commission fees. Blacksteel Worldwide’s salary structure was generally a base salary plus commission. The base salary was earned by completing a minimum guaranteed number of commissions per month. The commission was a portion of the client’s fee.

For an elite team like Franka and Liskarm’s, the commission could reach 60%. This meant that out of the five million commission, Franka’s team could take 3 million for themselves. This three million would then be distributed among the team members. Usually, Franka and Liskarm would split it fifty-fifty.

”Senior Franka~ Do you really like saving money?”

Jessica’s question made Franka pause for a few seconds.

”Indeed. Unlike other mercenaries who live for the moment, the mercenary profession isn’t something one can do forever. If I get injured and have to retire one day, I’ll need ample savings. Although the company provides extra subsidies for disabled veterans, that little bit of money probably isn’t enough for my lavish spending. And don’t forget, Jessica, I’m also B.P.R.S (Biochemical Protection Response Personnel). Besides my daily commissions, I occasionally have missions related to Oripathy contamination. If I get Oripathy one day, the treatment will be a huge expense.”

Jessica quickly and frantically waved her hands.

”Don’t say things like that, Senior.”

”Hahaha~ How can someone who’s already a mercenary be superstitious about these things?”

Just then, an excited voice came from the side.

”Yo~~ Jessica-chan, what a coincidence to meet again!”

”*Hiss~~*”

Franka didn’t look, but the voice was unforgettable. She turned her head slightly, and sure enough...

A red-haired young lady with an ’LED lightbulb’ on her head was already running over excitedly. She scooped Jessica into her arms and began to vigorously rub Jessica’s face.

”Yo! Isn’t this Miss Franka?”

Upon seeing Franka next to Jessica, Exusiai acted as if they were old friends and patted Franka on the shoulder, looking cheerful as always, and said with a smile.

”What’s wrong, Miss Franka, why do you look so down? Did something unpleasant happen?”

”Indeed...”

Franka’s mouth twitched.

”Because I ran into you...”

”Hahaha~ Miss Franka, you’re so good at joking.”

”....”

Jessica, on the other hand, was stunned. It turned out that Senior Franka and Miss Exusiai knew each other, and... their relationship seemed a bit strange...

Even with Senior Franka’s usual mischievous and sly personality, Miss Exusiai managed to make her wear her emotions right on her face.

Lucas: ”After all, the naturally airheaded are the natural enemy of the sly and scheming.”

”Makes sense~”

Upon seeing Exusiai, Franka already wanted to run. Seeing that cheerful face reminded her of a mission she did with Penguin Logistics back when she first started. That girl nearly made her lose her composure. In the following years, due to cooperative commissions, she ran into this girl several more times, and those times almost gave Franka high blood pressure.

After not seeing Franka for a long time.

Exusiai’s mouth started chattering non-stop, not caring if Franka was listening or not, as long as she was happy talking. In contrast, Franka had a look of disgust, the kind of look one gives to ’trash’.

Exusiai didn’t come alone.

The other members of Penguin Logistics were behind her, carrying large and small bags, seemingly just back from grocery shopping.

”Ah~ Jessica-chan!”

Sora bounced over to Jessica, pointed at the bags in Texas and Croissant’s hands, and said.

”We’re planning to have hot pot at my place tonight. I was originally going to message you this afternoon, but what a coincidence. Are you free tonight?”

Sora’s invitation made Jessica blush again.

”Yes... Yes...”

”Jessica-chan, you guys are coming out of the L.G.D.? Did you receive a commission from them? I didn’t expect that Superintendent Ch’en would actually ask for outside help. She doesn’t have a very high opinion of us at Penguin Logistics.”

Exusiai might seem naturally airheaded, but she wasn’t actually stupid, it was just her personality.

”No comment...”

Franka replied coldly.

”Don’t be so cold. We were teammates once, at least. How about we go on the mission with you? I really want to go on a mission with the cute Jessica-chan. Anyway, we at Penguin Logistics know this part of Lungmen inside and out. You can just point to any random person on the street, and we can find out their entire family history.”

Exusiai talked a mile a minute.

From beginning to end, she chattered non-stop, her mouth like a machine gun. Perhaps this was a talent of the Laterano people; not only were they good with guns, but their mouths were also like submachine guns, *rat-a-tat-tat~*

That vibrant red short hair, delicate and beautiful features, and the self-illuminating lightbulb head should have been the traits of an angel, but in Franka’s eyes, she was more demonic than a demon, reminding her of things from the past.