Worlds’ Apocalypse Online

With money shown, the treatment was naturally different.

Currently, Gu Qing Shan was sitting in the VIP lounge of the mercenary guild, the one receiving him was the most experienced Mission Designer of the mercenary guild.

"Sir, the S-rank mission you've issued has been prepared, only one last part remains, waiting for your confirmation"

"What's that?" Gu Qing Shan asked.

The Mission Designer asked: "Would you like to directly hire a mercenary corps, or would you like to gather a group of individuals?"

"No need to ensure their designation and status------- I only need the top elites, a total of five of them" Gu Qing Shan replied.

"I understand" the Mission Designer pondered briefly before telling him: "The mission rewards you promised were more than double that of regular S-rank missions, but I have to advise you that it isn't simple to gather the top elites. Sometimes, their goal isn't necessarily just the mission rewards and instead have different considerations. Even more importantly…"

"What?" Gu Qing Shan asked.

"They might be the very best, but they won't necessarily follow the basic rules of a mercenary, I'm afraid there might be complications"

"Complications? Just tell me straight, no need to mince your words"

"Some Combatants have very bad reputation, some others especially like to kill people------- in truth, our organization is nothing but a loose collection of individuals, more like a public platform than anything else, so we have no control over any of them. Would you like to reduce your rewards and find others who aren't quite as strong to take on this mission?"

Gu Qing Shan replied: "My only principle is that appropriate effort deserve appropriate rewards, as for the issue of safety, there's no need for you to worry about that------- in reality, when it comes to killing, I might be more notorious compared to any of them"

The Mission Designer looked closely at him, wanting to persuade him again.

"Publish the mission, time is precious" Gu Qing Shan replied.

------he was determined to find a squad of only elites.

If the people he hired weren't strong enough, leading to him having to take care of and even save them during the operation, what would even be the point of doing this?

"Then I will post the mission in the main lobby, results will most likely come out very soon"

The Mission Designer replied and dismissed himself.

Gu Qing Shan silently waited.

Only to hear a large commotion from the main lobby.

Shocked exclamations, hysterical shouts, and excited sounds of discussions could be heard, but then swiftly died down.

Gu Qing Shan frowned.

I offered a much higher reward compared to normal S-rank missions, so there should already be plenty of people trying to sign up right now.

Did something unexpected happen?

------I should go and take a look, if there are those with unique abilities, I should make sure that they don't pass this on.

With that in mind, Gu Qing Shan stood up and walked out of the room, heading straight to the main lobby.

To his surprise, the main lobby was empty.

Only some people remained in the main lobby while other Professionists had all exited the main lobby to stay on the street outside.

The street was literally full of Professionists.

They all appeared very wary and nervous while peeping into the main lobby, but none of them tried to take a single step into the lobby.

"What's going on here?" Gu Qing Shan couldn't help but ask.

The Mission Designer wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and explained: "Sir, the Heads of the Blood Slaughter, Stars, and Deadman mercenary corps have decided to join forces to take on your mission"

Gu Qing Shan scowled: "I only need five experts, there's no need for an entire mercenary corps"

Suddenly, a voice called out from outside the mercenary guild:

"Don't worry, all of us here are the best of the best, I can assure you that you'll get the five best people"

The sound of discussion completely ceased.

Completely silent.

No one dared say another word.

Gu Qing Shan turned to where the voice came from, only to see three figures approaching him from the gate of the mercenary guild.

A thin lanky man with pale skin and a pair of long daggers hanging from his hips.

A humanoid monster-like man wearing heavy armor with several flickering sprites of light similar to stars hovering above its head.

In the middle of these two was a woman in a grey robe, while she was beautiful, her entire body exuded the presence of death with a flickering grey figure behind her.

Wherever she walked, everyone lowered their heads without the courage to look up.

Gu Qing Shan looked at these three with some interest.

These three are certainly very powerful, if they join my mission, they would definitely be useful.

-------as long as they actually work to the best of their abilities.

The Mission Designer gave Gu Qing Shan a glance and silently spoke to him through telepathy: "Sir, you cannot let these three mercenary bands accept your mission, they are all the most notorious members among mercenary corps; not 'one of', but the very worst"

"Are they strong?" Gu Qing Shan asked.

"Exceptionally strong------ but they're willing to commit any crimes, there's no sense of credibility or anything of the similar nature. They had most likely taken interest in something from you that they joined forces to make sure that the other Combatants won't accept your mission"

Hearing him, Gu Qing Shan nodded with a look of deep thought.

The other Combatants…

He turned to the rest of the lobby.

The few people who are still within the lobby were observing the situation while whispering among themselves.

They glared at the group of three outside, clearly unwilling to lose in spirit.

But the combination of the three had clearly made them wary.

In that case, they're the 'other Combatants'.

Tch, I just wanted some time to think so I hired a small squad of people who will listen to my orders, why does it have to be so difficult?

Which part of the process went wrong?

"Hey, you guys"

Gu Qing Shan turned to the waiting group and asked: "I need a total of five experts, aren't you going to sign up?"

Before they replied, the lanky man outside suddenly vanished.

He appeared in front of Gu Qing Shan and laughed: "There's no need to ask them, we'll take care of everything for you!"

Gu Qing Shan shook his head: "You're only three people"

The lanky man walked in a circle around Gu Qing Shan and licked his lips, speaking excitedly: "The three of us are equal to a thousand others, and with us here, don't even think about others agreeing to take on your mission"

That's not quite right.

Gu Qing Shan smiled and amicably asked: "What's your name?"

"I am the head of the Blood Slaughter mercenary corps, Xue Shi. I can kill anyone for you, from a hundred-thousand-years-old ancient tree to a newborn child, I can perfectly resolve any missions" the lanky man replied.

"Xue Shi?" Gu Qing Shan asked.

"That's right" the lanky man replied.

"I'm Gu Qing Shan" Gu Qing Shan replied.

"Gu Qing Shan, I've heard about you before, I heard that you have quite a good relationship with the Bramble Bird Empress from the 900 million World Layers" the lanky man commented.

His gaze was constantly moving about, observing Gu Qing Shan from top to bottom before turning to the ring on Gu Qing Shan's left hand.

He stared straight at the ring.

The Bramble Bird ring.

"Hm, that's right, but we're talking business right now. I can faintly discern your strength; you've qualified as a scout in my squad" Gu Qing Shan said without changing his expression.

Seems like I let this ring come to light when I went shopping yesterday.

These people sure are knowledgeable, being able to recognize even the Bramble Bird ring.

-----Although, in retrospect, this ring should be considerably famous as well, considering it represents wealth enough to drive anyone crazy.

Gu Qing Shan silently thought.

The lanky man suddenly chuckled and exuded clear killing intent.

"Gu Qing Shan, I said that we'll take care of everything in your mission, so there's no need for you to delegate any roles. Just follow our group into the Doomsday Necropolis, and we'll guarantee being able to complete your mission"

He drew his dagger and lightly licked it, his eyes clearly radiating killing intent.

Everyone then heard him continue:

"Or perhaps, you'd like to gauge my strength before you decide whether or not to follow my suggestion?"

Complete silence once again.

The Combatants in the main lobby silently watched.

The mercenary outside didn't even let out a squeak, as if their throats had been grasped by something.

The two people who accompanied Xue Shi, the Heads of the Stars mercenary corps and Deadman mercenary corps slowly strolled into the main lobby of the mercenary guild.

Gu Qing Shan chuckled and replied: "Alright, then I'll test your mettle, but don't blame me if you die"

Xue Shi was surprised, then laughed maniacally: "Bahahaha, I already recognized you yesterday, but I'll make sure that you learn to know your place when you're out in the world!"

As soon as he said that, he thrust the dagger in his hand forward!

Sha--------

Blood spilled.

Xue Shi's dagger had just turned around and violently stabbed straight into his chest.

He was stunned.

Everyone was also stunned.

Gu Qing Shan amicably stood motionlessly with a smile on his face.

Xue Shi clenched his teeth and tried to draw his dagger out to make a move.

But he noticed that he couldn't move.

-----Red Dragon Origin Hex – Twist!

-----Azure Dragon Origin Hex – Binding!

"Stars, Deadman, hurry and act!" Xue Shi shouted out loud.

The female Head of the Deadman mercenary corps had already acted before he even said anything-------

She pressed her hands on the ground and recited: "Dead men from the River of Death, emerge!"

A gloomy illusion of a river appeared on the ground.

Armored skeletons emerged from inside the river wielding various weapons with unrelenting miasma.

"Charge!" the female Head ordered.

The skeletons howled in response and charged into the mercenary guild.

At the same time, the armored humanoid monster raised its hand and whispered: "Stars-------"

It was preparing to use some sort of spell.

Gu Qing Shan turned his head and glanced at the monster.

Instantly, 36 sword phantoms manifested from thin air like blooming lotus as they slashed towards the monster.

The monster didn't even get the time to prepare and could only switch from offense to defense, calling the stars hovering above its head to stop the sword phantoms.

Clang clang clang clang clang---------

A long series of clanging resounded as the 36 slashes were stopped by the stars.

Instantly, 72 slashes manifested from the void of space, followed by 144 slashes, 288 slashes, 576 slashes, then finally 1000 slashes all at once.

The monster couldn't defend against it at all and was knocked into the air by the sword phantoms. At the 231st slash, the stars were broken through, causing it to face the full barrage of the remaining slashes and reduced to nothingness.

Gu Qing Shan shook his head: "Star Force isn't supposed to be used like that; you don't have a position in my squad of five"

Thud!

Another headless body collapsed in the middle of the lobby.

Xue Shi's head was sent flying out of the mercenary guild, leaving a long line of blood on the main street.

-----he also died instantly.

Gu Qing Shan sheathed his sword with his hands clasped behind his back.

Once again, complete silence filled the mercenary guild as everyone was speechless.

The Heads of two notorious mercenary corps were killed on the spot.

How ridiculous for them to even think of taking advantage of this man!

Only one person remained.

The Head of the Deadman mercenary corps, the female caster who summoned the dead men of the River of Death!

Gu Qing Shan turned his gaze to her and asked with interest: "Your incantation just now mentioned the River of Death"

"Yes" the female caster replied.

"Was that referring to the River of Death from the Twin Rivers of Life and Death?" he asked.

"Yes" the female caster answered.

Cold sweat was dripping down her forehead, but she didn't dare to even wipe it off.

She thought for a brief moment before clenching her teeth and knelt down in front of everyone.

"Can you tell me, how exactly do the living beings belonging to the Twin Rivers of Life and Death cycle through reincarnation?" Gu Qing Shan looked down at her and asked.

"When the River of Life and the River of Death intersect, the living shall die and the dead shall live----- I only know that much" the female caster trembled and replied with a respectful tone.

Gu Qing Shan thought briefly and praised: "That's quite miraculous if you put it that way, hm, I only need five people, you can be one of them"

The female caster simply knelt there while hanging her head, unable to even respond to that.

------the skeletons that she had summoned completely lost their will to fight the moment they entered the mercenary guild's main lobby.

All the skeletons had laid down their weapons and knelt respectfully in a circle around that man.

As if-------

He was their actual master.

That man didn't even attack me.

Simply by standing there in the middle of the skeletons, a burst of faint black flames flickered on and off around his body.

Just like that legend from the extremely distant era--------

As if he was the Death God of the Twin Rivers of Life and Death.

",