First Mission
"So... What now?"
Kun Ming asked, staring at the laptop screen with Ming Chen and Han Wei.
"Shouldn't we just grab missions from other places?"
Han Wei suggested, looking at their new dark-net website.
They set up their own site, hoping for missions and quick cash. They even contacted a former classmate now in Taipei's underworld to get access into this.
Han Wei and Kun Ming wanted to grow their dark-net app by taking missions from established sources. Ming Chen, however, insisted on exploring other options.
In their excitement, they forgot it might be tough to get missions from established groups as newcomers.
The day passed with no progress on their app, and their excitement started to fade.
"I'm hitting the bed. You guys keep an eye. I've got the office in the morning."
Kun Ming said, yawning as he stood up. Han Wei sent his resignation by mail, but Kun Ming, less hopeful, didn't rush. Instead, he patiently explained his concerns. Among them, he was considered the 'poor' one, but not so much that he couldn't take a break for a year or two.
As Kung Ming headed to his room, a notification popped up on Ming Chen's laptop, surprising both Han Wei and Kung Ming.
"Stop right there. Don't move a muscle, Kun Ming."
Ming Chen exclaimed, explaining that they had just received a mission the moment Kung Ming looked away from the screen.
Han Wei nodded and urged Ming Chen to check the mission. Kung Ming stood still, unsure of what was unfolding.
"Quick, check it, Chen!"
Han Wei eagerly prompted, making Kung Ming grasp the situation.
Feeling a rush of excitement, Kung Ming remained in place, not wanting to jinx their mission. He patiently waited for further instructions from his friends.
Ming Chen, with trembling hands from the thrill, clicked on the 'missions' section on the screen.
[Title: Driver Job
Description: Requires to transport a person from Taipei Nangang district to Taoyuan district in Taoyuan.
Risk Factor: The person is under unknown death threat.
Requirements: Picking up the person and safely dropping in the designated place.
Rating: E - rank.
(Note: The person under threat is a normal person and mostly doesn't involve firearms.)
Remuneration: 50000 NT$
Communication Details: +886 09******** ]
"Hm! It's an escorting mission, and it's just an E-rank."
Han Wei remarked with a hint of disappointment. He had hoped for a more challenging task.
The missions were classified into ranks ranging from E to S, each with specific details and minimum remuneration. The lower ranks, from E to D, usually involved missions without firearms.
The trio, still building their experience, found themselves assigned a relatively straightforward task.
The minimum payment for an E-rank mission was 50,000, but Han Wei couldn't shake off the feeling that it was a bit underwhelming for their first mission.
"Don't let it bother you, Han! It's good that our first mission is a simple one. We're still new to this field."
Ming Chen tried to reassure him.
Despite the apparent simplicity of transporting someone fifty kilometers, Ming Chen understood the potential risks. The thought of it made his heart race with nervous anticipation.
"Yes! It's good that we have this mission. It's a whole month's salary for me, and we can't forget, we're still novices at this."
Kun Ming, who had silently joined them, was already scrutinising the mission details on the screen.
"Well, it's a bit... disappointing, but let's not dwell on that. We should contact the client before they assign the mission to someone else."
Han Wei, after a moment of contemplation, agreed.
"Among the three of us... You have the 'hardest' voice'... "
Ming Chen remarked, handing the mobile to Kun Ming after making the call.
Kun Ming absentmindedly took the phone, then snapped back to reality, realising that he became scapegoat again and was about to unleash a tirade of curses at his shameless companions. But the call connected just in time, diverting his attention.
"Hello! This is Bear King talking..."
Bear King is the alias that he took, much similar to his buddies Ming Chen alias Demon King and Han Wei alias Ghost King.
"Alright! Black dress with a red mask, around 150 centimetres in height, right beside the bus stop. Yes... We will be there by 7 in the morning. Got it..."
Kun Ming relayed the details to his buddies, a middle-aged uncle's voice on the other end. Ming Chen promptly typed in the details in another section they have created for mission details that links with mission section.
"Ask for name and also tell that we will raise the rank of the mission, in case if we have to face more than one person accordingly."
Han Wei slowly stood beside Kun Ming, as he whispered in his ears.
"Hello! One minute mister... It's like this..."
Kun Ming explained the additional details, causing a moment of silence on the other end. The trio nervously exchanged glances.
Kun Ming and Ming Chen shot disapproving looks at Han Wei for his risky suggestion.
While they had discussed the idea before, they recognised the importance of building their reputation, even if it meant accepting missions with a slightly higher rank in the middle.
"Alright! Don't worry, mister... Consider this done... Bye."
Kun Ming disconnected the call and slumped down on the nearby couch, feeling utterly drained. He never imagined that a simple conversation could be so exhausting.
"Alright! Stop looking at me like that... The person we need to escort is Xu Yan, and they're okay with changing the mission rank in case of unexpected difficulties."
"That's great..."
"That's good to know... "
Both Ming Chen and Han Wei also sank into their respective chairs with relief.
"How about we celebrate a bit for our first mission? I'll grab some beers and good food?"
Han Wei suggested after a minute of awkward silence among the three.
"This is our last chance to back out, Ming! If you want, we can ignore the mission and shut down the operation..."
Ignoring Han Wei's suggestion, Kun Ming focused on Ming Chen. He knew that once they embarked on this path, there would be no turning back.
Ming Chen didn't outright reject Kun Ming. He hesitated for a moment, wrestling with complex thoughts in his mind.
"No! We can do this. Don't try to talk me out of it, Kun!"
"And if either of you wants to back down now... It's the last chance. Think about yourself; I'll be your friend regardless."
Ming Chen firmly responded back once he thought back to his dull life again. He himself know that many people like him have dreams that are like this and actually less than 0.01 percent tries to achieve them.
He pushed himself to the point that he is about to joint that 0.01 percent. He doesn't want to back down now, no matter what.
"Well! You know me very well... Once I decide something, I would never back down."
Han Wei also firmly responded back. To which both of them didn't scoff at all, as they know what Han Wei said is true.
Despite Han Wei often acting like a wealthy second-generation individual, he possessed a strong will; once committed, he never retreated.
"Haha... You both know that once you're into something, it means trouble... So, I must be there to keep you two in check."
Kun Ming also responded with his own comeback, which is also very true. He is the one that is always there to keep the two of them in check.
"Haha... Then, we're doing the mission tomorrow... as Mystic Shadows."
Ming Chen laughed heartily, relieved that his friends hadn't backed down at the last moment.
"Then? Should I go and bring some... "
Han Wei cheerfully asked as he headed towards the door to fetch some beers and food to celebrate.
"No! No drinking today. We need to be sober for the mission early tomorrow... Let's quickly have some food and get a good night's sleep to be ready for the mission."
Kun Ming said, causing Han Wei's face to turn livid.
"It's true, Han! But we can celebrate tomorrow, once our first mission is finished."
Ming Chen added, sensing Han Wei's disappointment.
Han Wei left the room, a bit dejected, followed by Kun Ming, who wore a thoughtful expression, as though already strategising for the mission tomorrow.