Chapter 37: The Guardian

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Escort for Safe Passage
Task Type: Single
Task Level: Grade E
Task Description: Shuntong Logistics Company is recruiting two escort personnel to accompany the vessel to the capital star of the Rising Dragon Republic. Applicants must be bounty hunter group members, and possess superhuman abilities of Grade E or above.
Task Objective: Escort the cargo safely to its destination.
Task Reward: 600,000 star coins. (System bonus: 1 skill point.)
Accept/Decline?

Why must the escorts be members of a bounty hunter group?
Because of the credit points and reputation grading system, bounty hunter groups formally registered with the Hunter Guild are considered more trustworthy than solo hunters. While enjoying greater rights, they are also subject to stricter oversight from the guild.

After accepting the task, Han Feng brought Tifa along and drove straight to a shop specializing in recycling various items. He sold the vehicle and all the firearms and ammunition they had brought with them. Everything he had was basic, entry-level gear—nothing valuable. The vehicle and the whiteboard-grade equipment altogether fetched 150,000 star coins.

After sorting out these odds and ends, the two hailed a taxi directly to the port where the mission ship was docked.

The so-called port was actually a vast open field, with ships landing and taking off in constant succession—civilian vessels, cargo freighters, even warships from the planetary defense forces.

Most of these warships and ships were small; large ones rarely landed on a planet's surface. Typically, once a large ship sets out, it won't touch down again except under special circumstances.

The reason is simple: the immense weight of large ships combined with planetary gravity makes takeoff and landing consume extraordinary amounts of energy—a colossal waste of resources, costing countless star coins. Thus, large vessels usually remain in orbit, deploying smaller ships or landing craft for surface operations.

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Planetary surface ports differ greatly from those of space stations. Planetary ports can only accommodate small ships, while large stations offer docking for bigger vessels and even towing services for super-flagship-class ships.

Han Feng walked into the port’s main hall, scanning his surroundings. He quickly found the designated meeting point—Hangar 13. Passing through the corridor, he saw a Taurus-class industrial transport quietly docked there.

Tifa eyed the ship curiously. It was 135 meters long, 68 meters wide, and 36 meters tall, with a volume of 330,480 cubic meters. Its jump prep time was 7.96 seconds (from full stop to entering warp), and its jump speed was 4.5 AU per second.

AU stands for astronomical unit, which is the average distance between Earth and the Sun—1 AU equals about 149.6 million kilometers. One light-year is 63,240 AU.

The Taurus-class was considered agile among small industrial transports, with a fast jump speed and thick shields, though its armor was thin—more suited for transporting smaller cargo.

A dozen or so cargo robots were loading goods into the ship's hold. At the entrance to the gangway, a man and woman were conversing, while seven or eight armed warriors in combat suits stood guard nearby.

“Private ship, strangers keep away,” two guards suddenly blocked Han Feng and Tifa, eyeing them warily.

“We’re bounty hunters hired for the escort, here to see Manager Sun Fei,” Han Feng presented his hunter badge.

“Follow me,” the guard on the right said after sizing them up, then turned to lead them to the gangway.

Han Feng and Tifa followed him.

“Captain, these two are bounty hunters hired for the escort, here to see Manager Sun,” the guard reported to a blond man by the ship’s side.

The blond man was engrossed in conversation with Sun Fei (mostly talking himself), and seemed impatient at being interrupted. He waved dismissively; the guide saluted and returned to his post.

Shuntong Logistics’ long-term partner was the Grizzly Hunter Group—a Grade B, mid-sized team led by Grizzly, a B-grade transformation-type beast warrior who had awakened the bloodline of the Razorclaw Rock Bear. With hundreds of members, they had a three-year contract with Shuntong for security escorts. The blond man was Grizzly Hunter Group’s squad leader for this mission, Mitchell Fran.

Mitchell Fran was tall and well-built, with a handsome face and stylishly groomed, shoulder-length blond hair. He was a D+ grade martial artist, among the top fighters in his group’s D-grade superhumans. Gifted from a young age and frequently praised, he had grown arrogant and conceited. He was also rather lecherous.

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Sun Fei, regional manager of Shuntong Logistics and captain of this transport, was tall, coolly elegant, dressed in a pale grey uniform with a short pencil skirt and flesh-toned stockings accentuating her long legs.

Mitchell Fran was actively pursuing Sun Fei. Her aloof demeanor only fueled his desire to conquer. From the first day aboard, he had launched his advances.

His arrogance annoyed Sun Fei to no end, but she was helpless; he had been boasting in her ear for half an hour. Yet, since they were partners, she could hardly protest unless he crossed the line.

Han Feng and Tifa’s arrival provided her with a timely escape.

“Welcome to both of you. We’ve already lost several days’ journey, so if possible, let’s depart immediately,” Sun Fei shook Han Feng’s hand.

“We’re ready anytime,” Han Feng replied.

“This is the escort captain for the journey, Mr. Mitchell Fran from the Grizzly Hunter Group—a formidable martial artist. His team will lead the security operation, and you two are to assist,” Sun Fei introduced.

“Hello, Mr. Fran. I hope we work well together,” Han Feng offered his hand.

“Sorry, our people don’t practice handshakes. My apologies,” Mitchell Fran lied without sincerity, his arrogance surfacing again. Then, catching sight of Tifa beside Han Feng, his eyes lit up. “You’re that hunter group with only two members?”

“Yes, that’s us,” Han Feng replied, unconcerned, withdrawing his hand and slipping it into his pocket. He cared little for such arrogant types—people like this rarely lasted long. The universe was vast, geniuses countless, but few truly made it.

“Routine security is handled by our Grizzly Hunter Group. Unless something unusual happens, you won’t be needed. Just stay out of our way,” Mitchell Fran said haughtily.

“No problem,” Han Feng replied. He was only looking for a cheap ride and some pocket money; as long as they reached their destination safely, he was happy to keep idle and earn a bonus on the side.