Ringo shook his head, finding the conversation pointless and decided to get straight to the point. -Two options, I leave and you go on with your life, we pretend we never met, or you become my subordinate. You and those two brats can be trained to become Supers, but in return, you'll have to be loyal to me.
Price paused for a moment, confused.
Price wanted to accept the first option directly and let Ringo go quickly, he didn't think Ringo, being so strong, would lie to them. It didn't make sense, he could just knock them out and take them away.
But looking at the corpses of the Desert Lizards, as well as the pair of companions lying on the ground, Price fell into deep thought.
Ringo watched Price as he looked thoughtful and apprehensive. The boy had sandy hair, like the desert around him. He seemed handsome, with tanned skin, even though he was a little thin. He would probably be a handsome guy when he grew up, capturing the hearts of many girls.
Of course, that depended on whether he could survive in that desert until that age.
-Sir... may I speak with my friends first?- he asked cautiously.
Ringo raised an eyebrow and gave them both a mild nightmare, causing them to wake up screaming.
Price looked at Ringo, even more frightened, but still dragged the pair aside, talking in hushed voices.
Ringo could hear everything, even though they had moved away, but he didn't say anything, just finding it funny that the boys were thinking up all sorts of conspiracy theories. Finally, ten minutes later, Price approached.
-Sir, may I ask, if we follow you, what kind of work do you expect us to do?- he asked, a little apprehensive about the answer.
-It depends. Carrying out missions, usually combat involving war, assassination, infiltration... all sorts of things.- Ringo shrugged. -But I really have no interest in harming civilians and innocent people for anything, so you don't need to worry about that.
This relieved Price and the pair somewhat, but they were still apprehensive. Ringo was getting tired of it, so he asked. -So, are you coming or not? I'm still busy, I can't spend the day under the hot desert sun with you brats.
Price turned to look at the pair and Ringo saw that in the end they looked at Price confidently, clearly placing the decision in his hands. At that moment, Ringo felt the connection between them return.
He narrowed his eyes and looked thoughtfully at the confident pair and then at Price.
-So it requires trust?- Ringo murmured for a moment, but found the ability increasingly intriguing.
Price lowered his head for a moment, then his eyes became resolute. Life in the desert was very difficult, they had almost died several times and had even lost many friends and loved ones. So Price, seeing an opportunity for change, made his decision.
-Sir, we accept your invitation.- Price nodded and bowed toward Ringo, the pair behind him bowed as well.
Ringo looked at them, feeling the connection grow stronger, he really wanted to stay and study Price's skill, but he didn't have time for that.
He picked up a cell phone and called Lena.
-Ringo, what's wrong?- Lena asked, surprised and curious, not thinking Ringo would call her so soon, after all, he had just left to look for something in the desert.
-I found three kids with some potential, I'll leave my phone with them, track them down and take them back.- Ringo commented lightly. It was just a satellite phone that Lena had given him recently, apparently updated, but he preferred his old phone, so he didn't mind "lending" it to Price.
Lena on the other end rolled her eyes, it had taken some effort to get Ringo to accept the new phone, but he'd already gotten rid of it again. Even so, she still agreed, after all, talent was something the current Hell needed.
Ringo hung up the phone and threw it to Price, who caught it, listened to the conversation, then kept the phone safe, treating it as a ticket to a better life.
He didn't know who Ringo had spoken to, but it was too late to change his mind now, and he really didn't think the situation could be worse than three teenagers surviving in the desert.
Ringo quickly said goodbye and continued following the map.
This time he didn't find anything else interesting, even encountering nomads and mutant beasts, he didn't find anything special in any of them, finding Price was truly luck.
His search could not stop, he could only continue searching slowly, wishing that the clone were here too, even if weaker than him, it could still be useful.
On the other side, the clone was having a lot of fun.
Han Xiao's upper body was exposed, wearing only pants, as he faced the clone with a bitter look.
He didn't complain because a progress bar appeared on his interface as soon as the clone started teaching him the "Steel Body" talent.
Han Xiao had no idea what the effect was, but seeing the name, it was clear that it was a good skill.
But the way of learning...
Another punch landed on his abdomen, then his face and just as he was about to retaliate, another punch struck him in the back, causing him to fall.
-Get up.- That was all the figure in black said.
Han Xiao groaned, seeing the bar at only 17%. He wanted to give up, his body was covered in bruises. Just half an hour later, he was released. The man threw a small pot to him, which Han Xiao caught with difficulty, looking at the man with clear doubt.
-It's a special ointment, it heals and hardens, very useful for learning this skill, but it has a side effect...- The man spoke in a serious voice, but Han Xiao swore she could hear a playful tone in his voice.
-What are the side effects?- Han Xiao asked doubtfully, opening the jar and seeing the bluish-green ointment.
-Who knows...- The man spoke with a slightly "disinterested" tone, making Han Xiao want to throw the pot at his head, but the following words stopped him. -You decide if you want to use it, but I won't go easy on you because you're injured. If you think you can handle it, feel free to refuse...
Han Xiao took a deep breath, thinking that he had already wasted almost half a day there, he needed to speed things up, his experience points were waiting!
Gritting his teeth, he took some and rubbed it on a bruise on his chest. The effect was immediate, it was icy cold and relieved the pain. But the next moment, Han Xiao had to hold back a scream, it felt like he was being stung by thousands of insects in that area.
Ringo simply watched happily, this ointment was Emma's creation from the last month. Its restorative effect was strong, but regenerating muscles at such a high speed felt like sewing the muscles back into place.
Emma had already developed a milder version, but he picked the stronger version for Han, after all, he couldn't waste any time, right?
Ringo was very pleased, messing with the protagonist... it's really fun!
Even the Leader of Germinal, who doubted that Han could learn his steel body, found the situation interesting, because due to Han's short period of suffering, Ringo and the Leader reached a consensus.
Seeing Han (Zero) suffer is really interesting!
Han Xiao finally stopped yelling, sweating profusely. He looked at the disappearing bruise and the ointment in his hand, conflicting feelings resurfacing within him once more.
But thinking about XP, he clenched his teeth and grabbed more of the ointment.
Thirty minutes later, the man stood up, looking brand new, but seeing the Leader assume a fighting stance, he groaned inwardly.
Deep down, he just wanted to rip off that mask and etch that man's face into his head. He, Han Xiao, might have to endure a setback, but he would definitely get his revenge!
Of course, since he was helping him, he wouldn't kill him, he would just beat him several times and throw him into a bucket of that ointment!
"I, Han Xiao, am very fair and honest !" - He shouted in his mind, assuming a fighting stance again.