Working Records in a Weird World - 14

 

| WRIAWW | Good Person VS Fake Saint | 14

The group chatted and laughed as they rode their delivery electric scooters up the mountain.

The road leading to the affluent district was extravagantly wide and smooth, with the black sheen gleaming under the streetlights. It was wide enough to allow three trucks to drive side by side with ease. They had more than enough space for everyone to sit in a row.

What was even more striking were the dense security measures along the way—infrared sensors, surveillance cameras, and dedicated patrols were everywhere, almost in every ten meters.

Zong Le quietly took note of these details, feeling a sense of awe.

The public safety in Guiyi City was notoriously poor, with hundreds of random robberies happening daily on the streets. The police wouldn’t even bother with cases unless they involved fresh deaths.

Yet, the wealthy had managed to build an invisible fortress with their money. The straight-line distance from the foot of the mountain to the top was only a few hundred meters, but it felt like two entirely different cities.

Soon, the opulent, brightly lit buildings under the blood moon came into view.

Following the towering iron fence surrounding the perimeter, they quickly arrived at the entrance of the community.

"Stop," a security guard stationed at the booth raised his hand to halt them. "Just leave the packages on the shelf over there. We’ll have someone deliver them to the residents."

"Hey, hey, that won’t do. These are valuable items. The recipients need to sign for them personally," Wang Lin hurriedly explained as he got off his scooter.

Being the oldest among the survivors and having warned everyone earlier not to go to Ankang Community, Wang Lin was naturally chosen as the leader for this mission.

"Yeah, yeah, we’ll just go in to deliver the packages and come right out," the other survivors chimed in.

"Right, and there’s this oversized package here. We brought it up with a cart, so it’ll be easier to move together."

The security guard eyed them suspiciously, then checked the packages in their scooter boxes. After confirming that the names on the packages matched the residents of Tianmen Mansion and that they were indeed marked as valuable items, he reluctantly agreed to let them in.

"Once you’re inside, be quick. Deliver the packages and leave immediately. No loitering. Keep your hands clean—there are cameras everywhere. The people living here aren’t the kind you delivery guys earning three thousand a month can afford to mess with."

"Got it, got it. We’ll be quick."

The low-level survivors clearly understood the importance of not provoking these NPCs. After enduring the humiliation, the security guard finally opened the gate for them.

The black cast-iron gate, adorned with thorny patterns, slowly creaked open, revealing the true appearance of the Tianmen Mansion.

Over a dozen Baroque-style villas were scattered along the mountain ridge, stretching from the mountainside to the summit. Each villa was surrounded by meticulously planted trees, with protective nets separating them to ensure privacy and prevent outsiders from peeking in.

The D-level survivors slowly stepped into this extravagant, decadent villa complex.

As they walked along the cobblestone path, Han Yueyue couldn’t help but whisper, "Don’t you think this place, despite all its luxury and bright lights, feels kind of eerie?"

"Well, duh. The ultimate dungeon is always dark, with a blood moon hanging above. It’s supposed to be 10 a.m. on my phone, but does this look like morning to you? No matter where you put on exterior, it’s not going to feel like the land of the living."

As they chatted, they eventually split up, each heading to their respective delivery locations.

"See you later, I'm heading east to deliver some goods."

"Alright, if there's any emergency or unexpected situation, remember to notify us in the group chat."

"Let's deliver the smaller items first, then we'll tackle the big one together."

"By the way," Wang Lin reminded them kindly before leaving, "The people living here are probably the elite of Guiyi City. If you happen to find a layout map of the villas or a detailed list of residents, make sure to take a photo with your phone. Selling that information to Madam Spider's guild could earn us some extra cash."

"Got it, got it."

Zong Le waved goodbye to each of them with a smile.

In the end, only he and Han Yueyue were left heading west.

"Brother Le, I'm off to deliver a package to Building 12. See you later."

Since all the D-level members in the team had added each other as friends, Han Yueyue had learned Zong Le's real name, and they now addressed each other smoothly.

"Alright," Zong Le nodded and headed toward Building 11.

Building 11 was located at the peak of the Tianmenfu residential area, likely the crown jewel of this villa district. Its area was more than twice that of the other buildings, and it was surrounded by thick reinforced concrete walls topped with barbed wire, making it resemble a fortress more than a residence.

Remembering Wang Lin's words, Zong Le deliberately glanced at the building's nameplate as he approached.

The nameplate bore no words, only the familiar symbol of an equal-armed cross.

Zong Le had noticed that ever since the director he met on the street told him this was the emblem of the Taikang Yongle Group, he had been encountering it more frequently. Of course, this could be due to an information bubble or the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, but even so, the frequency of this symbol's appearance was unusually high.

Each villa entrance was also heavily guarded. He pressed the smart touchscreen on the wall to initiate a call.

"Hello, I have a package for you that requires a signature."

After two beeps, a cold electronic voice came from the black screen.

"Leave it in the delivery box at the entrance."

Zong Le scratched his head. "This package is marked as containing valuable items. The recipient needs to sign for it personally."

"I said, just leave it in the delivery box."

"But this is a package that requires a signature for delivery. If you don't come to collect it personally, I'll have to deliver it another time."

The electronic voice fell silent for a moment, clearly a bit annoyed.

The wait this time was longer than expected. Finally, after ten minutes, a hole slowly opened in the door, revealing a man with glasses. Zong Le noticed that despite the sweltering heat, the man was wearing a thick woolen sweater, and his hair had strange marks as if it had been pressed by something.

The man snatched the pen, scribbled a signature, and then grabbed the package.

"Signed. Now leave."

Zong Le took back the signature sheet and politely said, "Thank you for your cooperation. If possible, could you leave me a positive review on the delivery app..."

Before he could finish, the hole in the door slammed shut with a loud "bang."

Facing the empty wall, Zong Le blinked. Sure enough, the next second, he received a notification on his phone that the customer had left a negative review.

Zong Le: "..."

Great. Out of five deliveries, the first customer already gave a bad review. Now he had to ensure positive reviews for the remaining four to complete the side quest of this D-level mission.

Fortunately, his luck held up for the next three deliveries, and he successfully secured positive reviews without any mishaps.

After all, such a large villa couldn’t possibly be without a butler. Most of the time, after ringing the doorbell, the butler would sign and receive the packages on behalf of the residents. 

Although they, like the security guards at the gate, looked down on couriers with their noses in the air and harbored disdain for the profession, at least they wouldn’t deliberately leave negative reviews.

Fun fact: not leaving a review actually defaults to a positive one.

Zong Le: If only I hadn’t mentioned it during the first delivery.

After finishing the fourth delivery, he hurried back to the entrance of the villa area.

The other survivors were also waiting there, ready to deliver the final item.

Wang Lin rolled up his sleeves first: “Come on, let’s push this thing up together.”

The last item was enormous, and judging by the packaging, it seemed to be some kind of large furniture, with images of mother and baby products on it. It might have weighed about several tons. 

Unfortunately, the villa it was destined for was located deep inside the area, and the asphalt road leading to it was blocked off. They had no choice but to rely on the most primitive method—manual labor.

After much effort, they managed to push it to the garden entrance using a pulley system, only to find the gate wide open. No one answered the intercom or the phone.

“What’s going on?”

Everyone exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what to do.

The rules stated that the package had to be signed for. They couldn’t just leave it there and walk away, or it would count as a mission failure.

“How about this? I’ll go in and look for someone. You all wait here!” Han Yueyue volunteered.

The other survivors, however, weren’t too keen on the idea: “No way, this is the ultimate dungeon. Danger could be lurking anywhere. If you go in alone and something happens, we won’t be able to help you in time.”

“Yeah. We’re low-level survivors to begin with. We should stick together. There’s strength in numbers.”

At this point, it became a consensus that they should all go in together.

But then another problem arose: what should they do with such a large package? They couldn’t just leave it at the gate.

From the garden gate to the villa’s main entrance, the path was paved with uneven cobblestones, and there were over a dozen marble steps to climb. Just pushing it up to this point had already been exhausting, let alone navigating this obstacle-filled path.

Just as everyone was at a loss, the ever-helpful Zong Le stepped forward.

“Don’t worry, leave it to me.”

The slender, black-haired young man rolled up his sleeves decisively and grabbed the straps tied around the package.

His movements were simple and unadorned, without any unnecessary flair. Yet, with what seemed like minimal effort, the nearly two-meter-tall, heavy package suddenly became as light as a foam model, easily gliding over the cobblestone path.

The young man remained composed, his steps light and his breathing steady, as he effortlessly covered more than ten meters in no time.

Wang Lin was stunned and quickly followed: “This... little brother, are you a strength-specialized survivor?”

“Yeah, judging by your strength, you are at least level three, right? 666!”

Only a strength-specialized survivor could have such incredible power.

Although it was a bit absurd for someone with level three strength to still be at D-level, the Infinite Space wasn’t without its so-called “point warriors” who relied on sheer numbers of missions to accumulate points.

These survivors typically had extremely low mission evaluations, making it impossible for them to rank up through evaluation. However, the sheer volume of survival points they amassed allowed them to undergo multiple self-enhancements.

"Um... yeah." In reality, Zong Le hadn't undergone any enhancements, so he could only nod vaguely.

He wanted to blend in with the group and didn't want to come across as arrogant or out of place, so he chose not to express his opinion.

However, even without Zong Le's input, the move he had just made was enough to astonish everyone. His image within the team shifted from "that good-looking but frail black-haired guy" to "a powerhouse who shouldn't be judged by appearances," earning him a wave of admiring glances.

Soon, Zong Le carried the goods to the villa's entrance.

Strangely, unlike the tightly shut doors of the other buildings, this one was slightly ajar. Through the gap, they could see the brightly lit interior.

"There must be someone inside."

The presence of inhabitants significantly reduced the likelihood of anything eerie happening.

After knocking again with no response, the survivors had no choice but to step inside.

What greeted them was an incredibly luxurious and meticulously designed hall, entirely cream-colored.

High above, an intricate and dazzling crystal chandelier hung from the dome, several meters tall, casting fragmented rainbow spots on the polished marble floor.

In stark contrast to the opulent surroundings was the cold atmosphere inside.

Several people were standing in the center of the hall, discussing something. They stopped and turned in unison when they heard the door being pushed open.

"Uh, hello."

Han Yueyue was the first to speak: "May I ask who Madam Xue is? We have a package here that requires your signature."

Seeing the blue delivery caps on the heads of these unexpected visitors, the middle-aged noblewoman standing in the center of the group, dressed impeccably and cradling a Maltese dog with her pregnant belly, frowned deeply.

"What's going on?" Madam Xue turned to the butler standing beside her, her tone sharp: "Didn't we already notify the police and the crematorium? How did these commoners get in?"

"This... we're not sure, but the police have indeed taken over the matter concerning the young master."

The butler seemed even more confused than they were and quickly used his walkie-talkie to contact the gatekeeper, finally learning the full story.

"They're probably just here to deliver a package. The entrance has already been closed off, so no more outsiders will be allowed in."

"That's for the best." Madam Xue snorted condescendingly, then suddenly turned her head, adopting a pitiful demeanor: "You are all bodyguards I hired at great expense. Today is the last day of our contract, and the real culprit should be found soon. Please make sure to stay close and protect my safety... especially Mr. Joshua."

"Of course, that's my duty."

As if in response, a soft voice gently rang out.

Only then did everyone notice that on the small balcony protruding from the second floor of the villa's main hall stood several people with equally distinct black-and-white pupils. Without a doubt, they were also survivors from the infinite space.

The one who responded happened to be the most striking in appearance.

The man was dressed in a stark black and white priestly robe, the lines of the shoulder drape strict and austere. A mysterious, ancient gilded pendant hung from his chest, softening the divine countenance behind him.

Of course, the most striking feature was his rare silver hair, smooth as moonlight cascading down, with the silver chain of his monocle disappearing into the depths of his shoulder—elegant, wise, framing the captivating ice-blue eyes behind the lens. In this perfectly reasonable attire of a priest's attire, the strange cross-shaped mark on his forehead seemed almost natural.

"Woof woof woof!"

Upon seeing the man upstairs, the snow-white Maltese quickly broke free from Madam Xue's embrace and joyfully dashed toward the stairs. However, just a few steps away, it suddenly came to a halt, flopping onto the ground and wagging its tail furiously.

"Ars is so obedient."

The priest smiled, reaching out to gently pat its head, his movements natural and tender.

In stark contrast to his aloof and holy demeanor was the faint smile that always lingered on his lips. Like the first breeze of early spring melting the ice, it carried a comforting power. 

To gaze upon him was like looking up at a divine statue in a temple, it did not make people feel like he was distant or unapproachable, but as if he were a deity had descended from the altar with compassion, extending a hand to bestow blessings upon the mortal world.

"Ars has been fierce since he was a pup, often killing wild rabbits in the garden and dragging their bloodied corpses home."

Madam Xue unfolded her fan, hiding the crimson curve of her lips behind it: "But he’s exceptionally enthusiastic toward you, he is always the first to rush over and wag his tail. It’s a scene I never tire of watching, it's always makes me feel young and excited."

Another survivor following the man quickly chimed in.

"Well, the Patriarch loves all living things, so it’s no surprise animals adore him."

"Indeed. Mr. Joshua, despite his youth, holds the position of a religious leader. He must possess extraordinary qualities."

Madam Xue leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with eagerness: "Ah, speaking of which, when can the confession ritual we discussed last time be held? I’ve been looking forward to it for so long."

"If time permits, it can be done in an hour."

......

Zong Le had been staring at the dog the entire time, completely oblivious to the conversation around him.

So he didn’t notice the shock and commotion among his companions when the noblewoman mentioned the name "Joshua."

When Zong Le finally snapped out of it and saw the awe and excitement around him, he whispered a question.

Han Yueyue was stunned: "That’s Joshua!"

"Joshua? Don’t you know him? He’s the top-ranked legend in the Infinite Space, the god among gods!"

"A top-tier healer, the gentle saint, voted as the most desirable teammate in Infinite Space for ten consecutive years! The undisputed savior! Without him, the space would be littered with the missing limbs everywhere"

"Speaking of which, the S-class survivor following Joshua must be Bai Shao, right? I remember he’s Joshua’s fanatic follower."

"Yes, that’s him. And there are a few other survivors upstairs. Don’t they look like the guild leaders of the Watchtower and the Spiritual Guild? Or am I mistaken?"

"Wait, no, you’re right! It’s really them! I didn’t notice earlier—Joshua’s just too captivating."

"Are they here to tackle a mission together?"

Amid the excited chatter, Zong Le struggled to extract the key points from the conversation.

——The silver-haired man is a very powerful figure.

Moreover, he is noble, virtuous, and highly respected—a truly great person.

Zong Le looked at the man who was the center of attention in the crowd, his eyes filled with deep confusion.

Thanks to his habit of feeding the stray dogs at the corner of his neighborhood, he had accumulated a wealth of experience in interpreting animal body language. For instance, he could now tell that the front limbs of the Maltese dog lying on the ground was trembling, which was not a sign of joy but rather fear.

Similarly, wagging its tail didn’t necessarily mean happiness; it could also be a gesture of submission.

In any case, this behavior was far from what Bai Shao had described as "being liked by animals."

Although it was just a small detail and hard to put into words, Zong Le couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

While he was lost in thought, the conversation in the center of the hall came to an end.

Madam Xue, holding the dog, mentioned that she was prone to sleepiness in her late pregnancy and needed to rest in her bedroom. Everyone watched as she left, and the butler came over to sign for a package on her behalf.

Joshua finally managed to free himself. He slightly turned his gaze toward the group of low-level survivors. His long hair cascaded down, and under the light, his overly pristine profile seemed almost inhuman, evoking an irresistible urge to worship him.

Zong Le noticed that Joshua’s eyes swept over the low-level survivors, lingering on him for a second longer than the others before moving on. If not for his naturally keen senses, he might not have even noticed.

"Are you doing a mission nearby?"

Being addressed by such a high-ranking figure, the D-level survivors were momentarily stunned.

Wang Lin was the first to react, his face filled with excitement. "Yes, we are indeed here on a mission, sir!"

Before Joshua could respond, he was interrupted by someone descending from upstairs.

"How could D-levels intrude into a S-level mission?"

A middle-aged man in military uniform spoke in a deep, cold voice, his tone carrying the stern aura of someone who had been tempered on the battlefield—a presence only those who had truly experienced war could possess.

The moment he spoke, the low-level survivors recognized who he was.

Han Yueyue kept an eye on Zong Le, noticing his confusion, and took it upon herself to explain the basics: "That's Qin Ye, the guild leader of the Watchtower Guild. Before entering the Infinite Space, he was an active-duty officer. He’s also the person with the highest level of strength enhancement now, known as the strongest individual soldier. He’s reliable, steady, and has the demeanor of a soldier. It’s just his son... well, you probably know about his son’s notorious track record, which has dragged down his reputation quite a bit."

"There’s no need to be so harsh. Could it be that Leader Qin isn’t aware that this is a new mission mode in the ultimate dungeon, called the movable mission? Movable missions aren’t confined to a fixed environment; they have a broader range of activity. They probably took on this kind of mission."

The man who spoke this time was dressed in a black suit, with a white shirt and a matching tie at the chest. His appearance exuded a classic British style, but the words he spoke were laced with sarcasm and veiled hostility, instantly shattering the gentlemanly aura.

"It seems the Watchtowers Guild’s intelligence agency needs to be strengthened again. If it’s really not up to par, they should go learn from the Merchant Guild."

Han Yueyue: "9th, Shu Xingwen, the guild leader of the Spiritual Guild, a top-tier medium, and the pinnacle of psychic-focused survivors. He doesn’t get along with Qin Ye because the two guilds have always been at odds."

A few days ago, when Zong Le checked the forum, he only looked at mission updates and completely skipped over the power dynamics. Now, with the help of his friends, he was quickly catching up on the complexities of the Infinite Space.

"Indeed, where there are people, there’s bound to be drama."

"Exactly."

As they chatted, the package was finally signed for by the butler.

At the same time, the system notification sounded.

[D-level mission 'The Courier Station on Anfu Road' has been completed]

[Team mission evaluation: Excellent]

[Personal mission evaluation: Good]

Qin Ye didn’t bother wasting words with Shu Xingwen and directly said to Wang Lin, "Since the mission is done, leave immediately. The entire villa area falls within the scope of an S-level mission. Your levels are too low; it’s not safe to stay here for long."

At these words, the lower-level survivors nodded in agreement.

"Got it. We’re leaving now."

But as always, what you fear most tends to happen.

Just as they were about to step out of the villa, Zong Le sensed something and abruptly stopped in his tracks.

At the same moment, a cold, evil aura erupted from deep within the villa. An invisible black boundary line appeared on the ground, instantly enveloping the entire villa and its garden.

The surroundings rapidly lost their color, turning into a lifeless gray.

Wang Lin trembled all over, his teeth chattering as he struggled to speak.

"...It’s a Weird Domain!"

The first S-level mission’s Weird Domain in Guiyi City had quietly descended at this very moment!

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