The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 139: Onboarding

Gray Bear nodded, waiting for Gao Yang to continue.

But instead, Gao Yang checked his phone. It was two o’clock in the morning. “I have to return to the Black Tortoise Branch. There are still some administrative procedures to take care of.”

“I’ll drive you.”

“It’s fine. Go do your work.” Gao Yang played the firm leader. “Tell the fifth team to be at the Black Tortoise branch tomorrow past midnight. We’re having a short meeting.”

“Understood. But past midnight?”

Well, I’m still a highschool student who has classes during the day and self-study in the evening. I’m only free after that.

“Don’t ask questions. I have my reasons.”

“Of course.” Gray Bear smiled. “Then I’ll go back to the station, Captain.”

“Wait,” Gao Yang added. “Bring me a dossier of the previous victims. Copies will do.”

“Okay.”

Gray Bear got into his car. This kid seems to know what he’s doing, he thought. He must be the real deal.

He trusted Elder Black Tortoise’s judgment, at the very least.

...

At midnight, Gao Yang returned to the Black Tortoise Branch in the Walled City of Ten Dragons. In the brightly-lit lobby, the two receptionists were still on shift.

“Seven Shadow.” The receptionist in black qipao walked up to him. “We’ve been waiting. Do you have time for the registration now?”

“I do.” And that was what Gao Yang returned for.

“Okay. Please follow me.”

She led him to an office and opened a cabinet with a key, taking out a formal contract. Gao Yang spent some time going over it. Spotting nothing wrong with it, he signed.

Then the receptionist took out a biometric scanner for Gao Yang’s voice, iris, and fingerprints.

Finally, she produced a finely crafted box. Inside was a gold qilin brooch.

“What’s this?” asked Gao Yang.

“The guild brooch,” the receptionist explained with a smile. “It differs according to the rank. Regular members are given bronze brooch, Elites, platinum, Protectors, gold, and Elders, diamond.”

“Am I supposed to keep this on?”

It may look impressive as hell, but will attract way too much attention.

“Only when attending an internal meeting or an official awakener function. You may do with it as you wish outside of such events.”

“What if I lose it?”

The receptionist chuckled with a hand covering her mouth. “You tell good jokes, Protector Seven Shadow.”

I’m not joking. I mean every word.

“If you lose it, you’ll have to apply for a replacement and pay a fine of 20 jinwu. So it’s best that you keep it safe with you.”

Gao Yang grumbled inwardly, That’s a lot. But acceptable given my new salary.

“Am I allowed to leave now that we’ve finished registration?”

“Yes, congratulations on joining the Qilin Guild officially.” She smiled. “According to the standard procedures, I still need to take you around to get to know the facilities and receive your personal items.”

“Now?” It was midnight.

“Any time.” She gave him an easy smile with no trace of exhaustion.

“Alright. Then take me on a tour.”

“Please follow me.”

She led him out of the office to a staff elevator. They entered with a card. She punched in the code and pressed -3F.

Soon, the elevator came to a halt, and the two of them walked out.

Gao Yang was stunned. Outside, it looked like a small, brightly-lit subway platform. By the platform was a tunnel where a few cars were parked, each an independent vessel that resembled a capsule.

“These are the hyperloop capsules, meant for quick transportation between the branches.” She walked to the first capsule and opened the door. “Come in.”

“Where are we heading?”

“The White Tiger branch in the Changyan District. That’s where the dormitory is.”

Gao Yang nodded and entered the capsule.

It wasn’t big. There were two rows of two single chairs with the center occupied by a terminal. At most, the capsule would fit five people.

The woman in black closed the door. They each took a seat and put on their seatbelt.

She made some clicks on the terminal, and soon, the capsule started moving. It rushed through the tunnel like a maglev train, stable despite the impressive speed.

“Please wait a moment. We will arrive at our destination in five minutes.”

She was still smiling.

Gao Yang had long noticed that the woman in black qipao didn’t seem like an awakener. She acted so perfectly proper that she was more like an AI. That was only his subjective impression of her, of course.

“What’s your name?” Gao Yang asked.

“Xiao Ya,” she said.

“Are you a cutie?” Gao Yang tested her with a jargon.

“What’s a cutie?” She looked confused.

It seemed that she was a wanderer.

Gao Yang was taken aback. Is it really okay for the Qilin Guild to employ wanderers for basic services?

“How long have you been working at the Qilin Guild?”

Xiao Ya blinked, a look of confusion flicking through her face. “I don’t remember. It’s been a long, long time.”

“Don’t you have a home to go back to?”

“The Qilin Guild is my home,” she said without thinking like it was the standard response.

“Where’s your family?”

“The Qilin Guild is my family.”

The feeling of discrepancies grew. Then Gao Yang noticed a flash of light on the side of Xiao Ya’s face. On her temple, which had been covered by her bang, was a light green tattoo that looked like a web.

Or it would be more accurate to call it a brand.

Realization dawned on Gao Yang. He speculated that it was a Summon-type Talent, meant to control living beings with weak will for one’s own uses through brainwashing.

However, such power must be limited in duration and range.

Gao Yang looked down to observe her. Under her long sleeve, there was a sturdy Black Gold bracelet on her wrist, and on the bracelet was the same web-like pattern.

Gao Yang would’ve gasped if he could. The Qilin Guild was certainly in a league of its own. They had reached a terrifying height with the use of Talents and Black Gold items.

Rumble.

Soon, the capsule slowed to a stop.

“We’ve arrived.” Xiao Ya released the seatbelt with a smile and opened the door.

Gao Yang followed her to the platform and then the member-exclusive elevator. She again punched in the code and pressed 50F.

The elevator ascended quickly without pause, reaching their destination in less than one minute. The two of them walked out into a hallway paved with red carpet. On both sides were the rooms. It looked like a high-class hotel.

“Floor 45 to 51 are for members of the Guild.” Xiao Ya led the way in the front. “Don’t worry. There’s airtight security measures in place as well as added protection implemented with Guard-type Talents. The safety is guaranteed.”

Soon, Gao Yang was led to room 5007.

Xiao Ya stepped to the side of the door and smiled at Gao Yang. “This is your room. You may unlock it with your fingerprints.”

Gao Yang placed his right hand on the sensor.

“Beep-beep. Identity confirmed. Welcome.”

The door opened. Gao Yang entered his room.

Standing outside, Xiao Ya bowed with her hands clasped on her abdomen. “It’s late. I’ll leave you to rest. Please call the front desk if you need anything. The staff of the White Tiger branch will provide you with any services you so require.”

“Okay.” Before closing the door, Gao Yang added, “Ah, I almost forgot.”