"Very good, being able to come up with these ideas from such limited information—you’re quite impressive. But this is only part of the task that Evelyn Smith has proposed; there’s another part he’ll only confirm after meeting you in person. What I want to ask now is, Brian Clark, do you want to accept this task?"

"Why wouldn’t I?"

"This task carries a certain level of danger. Members of the Free Ship have the right to make their own choices. We’re not a military; there’s no need for unconditional obedience to superiors’ orders. You can refuse."

"Why refuse?" Brian Clark looked at the amount listed in the plan, quite satisfied. Generally speaking, the riskiness of a task is proportional to the amount of money offered.

Scott Smith looked Brian Clark up and down. "Didn’t expect you to be so money-minded."

"That’s a hunter’s nature, isn’t it?" Hunters aren’t adventurers; hunters are the kind of people who walk the edge of life and death for monetary gain.

"Well said, that’s what a hunter is." Scott Smith chuckled. "In two days, you’ll come with me to meet Evelyn Smith. As for the price, we can still negotiate for more. Use these two days to get ready."

There were some things Scott Smith didn’t say, but Brian Clark understood. Regardless of the danger of this task, if Brian Clark accepted it, the deal that Team Six was negotiating with Evelyn Smith would most likely go through. Moreover, through this matter, Brian Clark could also gain the approval of several deputy captains of Team Six, which would be very beneficial for Brian Clark’s future development in the team.

The competition among the four major hunter groups was growing increasingly fierce. Although there hadn’t been any large-scale direct conflicts, undercurrents were surging. As a result, the main team of the Vanguard had already started taking measures, and the achievements of each sub-fleet were important to everyone in the sub-fleet. If they could use the connection with Evelyn Smith to facilitate communication between Team Six and the Dao’angsi family, it would undoubtedly be a huge boost for Team Six’s development.

The importance of the great families of the star systems to the hunter groups could not be ignored. The reason these families could stand firm through the dust of history was mainly due to their channels and relationship networks. The relationship between the military and the hunter groups was delicate. Although they weren’t absolute enemies, the relationship was far from harmonious. If possible, the military would not allow the existence of hunter groups, but reality was much more complicated. So, even if they couldn’t suppress them openly, the military would often secretly hinder the hunter groups’ missions and development.

Few dared to provoke the main fleets of the four major hunter groups in their home star systems, but it was different for the sub-fleets. The military, political organizations in various star regions, and those small hunter groups—whenever they had the chance, they’d all try to take a swipe at the sub-fleets, because the sub-fleets were competing with them for money and reputation. Of course, if the great families of the star systems could mediate, the development of the sub-fleets would be much easier.

That’s why Team Six was so reluctant to give up the opportunity with Evelyn Smith, especially when competing with another hunter group’s sub-fleet—they had to fight for it with all they had. Furthermore, if, with Brian Clark’s help, Evelyn Smith could successfully rise to power, the future benefits for Team Six would be limitless. Everyone understood this well. So, the key figures in Team Six who were in the know placed high hopes on Brian Clark.

As for what Scott Smith said about letting Brian Clark get ready, it meant that Brian Clark should use these two days of free time to gather the information needed for the task.

In terms of experience, Brian Clark definitely couldn’t compare to those veteran hunters. And because of his background, Brian Clark’s understanding of the latest information was also quite limited—a major drawback for a hunter traveling among the stars. For this reason, Scott Smith specially selected some materials for Brian Clark to read.

After arranging a private room for Brian Clark, Scott Smith gathered the six deputy captains for another meeting to handle confidentiality matters regarding Brian Clark. However, when Scott Smith finished the meeting and brought food to Brian Clark, he found that the person who should have been using the time to absorb information was instead lying there fast asleep, snoring away.

The electronic notebook for recording information was tossed aside, and several computer screens nearby were flashing rapidly, making it impossible to see what was playing.

Dylan Smith, standing nearby, opened his mouth as if to say something, but swallowed his words. He glanced cautiously at Scott Smith, whose expression was shifting, and screamed inwardly: Brian Clark, can’t you show a little backbone?! How can you fall asleep at such a critical moment?!

Taking a deep breath, Scott Smith set down the tray of food and turned to leave, with Dylan Smith following behind, wearing a bitter expression.

Over the next two days, Brian Clark slept so much he didn’t even eat, and during this time, everyone in Team Six sensed a freezing atmosphere. From Captain Scott Smith to the six deputy captains, each was surrounded by an aura of "danger, keep away."

If it weren’t for Scott Smith holding them back, the deputy captains would probably have woken Brian Clark up and forced him to study the information. Don’t they know that a hunter without information is no good?

"What do you think, how can that kid sleep so soundly?" Scott Smith lay back in his chair, his fingers rhythmically tapping the table.

Sitting across from him, Dylan Smith scratched his curly hair. "Ahem, well, how should I put it? Even though that kid’s behavior makes you want to smack him, still..." Dylan Smith pondered his words, "I just feel like that kid has nothing to fear."

Chapter Thirteen: What kind of monster is this kid, anyway?