I really don't want to work in the world of weird rules!

Han Yan was so anxious he almost jumped out of bed.

Team L was wiped out without a trace. Can that be considered a high survival rate?

Yang Shiyin was also extremely anxious. The original solution collection tank they brought back was clearly filled with dark golden liquid, which was a genuine Grade A original solution!

The excuse from higher-ups was watertight: although the concentration of the original solution met the standard, the possibility of special mutations in the occasional precipitation of high-concentration liquid in low-level superstitions could not be ruled out.

"In the official records, this project has always been classified as Grade D, with no exceptions or special approvals." Li Zihao finished reading the announcement in a flat tone.

Gu Changyuan sneered inwardly.

The translation is: There was a major error in the scheduling, and the higher-ups plan to simply block the news to quell the situation and prevent anyone from escalating it.

It's typical bureaucratic jargon, relying on exploitation and perfunctory treatment to coerce lower-level employees.

Yang Shiyin was so angry that she was trembling and shouted that she wanted to confront the higher-ups face to face, but Han Yan grabbed her.

Now that the higher-ups have taken over all the Grade A raw materials, are they really going to close the case for them as Grade D only?

Li Zihao shook his head.

"The compensation for the deceased's family has already been approved separately."

Gu Changyuan was not surprised at all; first a slap, then a sweet treat—this was a typical tactic.

As long as the company's top management isn't completely out of their minds, they'll definitely offer some hush money. The key question now is just how generous this money will be.

He deliberately avoided those scarlet vertical pupils, staring intently at Li Zihao's scaly mouth.

The higher-ups acknowledged that the devastation of this expedition was comparable to that of an A-level mission, and therefore agreed to issue exceptional compensation.

"Each person will receive an additional gag rebuff point."

For this exclusive Tuesday Q&A Show, a huge reward comparable to an A-level prize will be awarded in one go.

"30,000 points per person."

Han Yan and Yang Shiyin were instantly stunned by the enormous surprise.

After confirming the numbers, the two of them burst into a wild roar of excitement in the ward.

The total points for a normal A-level completion are 100,000. After deducting the cost per person for each group, according to past practice, each person will at most receive 17,000 points.

Now, the higher-ups have simply handed out nearly double the hush money.

However, Li Zihao hadn't finished speaking.

The enormous white-scaled head turned precisely toward Gu Changyuan.

"Furthermore, Gu Changyuan, a key employee who played a decisive role in breaking the deadlock, received an additional performance bonus from higher authorities."

As the highest contributor, an additional 10,000 points will be added, bringing the total to 40,000 points.

Gu Changyuan's mind went blank for a moment.

This is like a windfall! The progress bar for getting the all-powerful wishing spirit has been pushed forward by eight percent in one go!

As for the regret of not being included in the A-level clearance record? To hell with it! Making a fortune in silence is the best policy.

In this damned place, being too tall and exposed to the wind is a sure way to die.

Once targeted by higher-ups, not only will they be stuffed into an even more terrifying dead end, like filling a hole, but they will also dare not take out any of their privately hoarded life-saving tools.

A high rank can indeed grant access to core secrets, but what use are those privileges if you're dead? Survival is always the top priority.

Besides, with half his body already buried in the ground, he absolutely doesn't want to have anything to do with A-level ghost stories anymore.

Seeing such a generous reward, all the lingering shock seemed to have been soothed.

The other two clearly thought the same way.

Yang Shiyin muttered to herself, saying that she seemed to hear the heavenly sound of a countdown to her departure starting three years early, and Han Yan nodded frantically like a chicken pecking at rice.

After the initial excitement, the two seniors seemed somewhat flustered.

Although the points are non-transferable, they were able to return alive this time entirely thanks to Gu Changyuan's miraculous turn of events. Taking this huge sum of money made them feel somewhat uneasy.

Gu Changyuan waved his hand magnanimously.

Even if the points could be transferred privately, these two would probably come up with a bunch of excuses to avoid it.

This is not due to any despicable character, but rather an inevitable trend.

Everyone here has signed a life-or-death contract to exchange their lives for points, and the omnipotent wish-granting spirit is their only obsession.

In the eyes of the on-site investigation team members, even a small amount of points is more precious than a biological father; this ironclad rule is deeply ingrained in his bones.

A deafening cheer erupted in the ward, and the three of them immediately sprinted back to the office area to check their points.

[Employee Gu Changyuan / Current Total Points: 40100]

Looking at the huge five-figure balance on the screen, Gu Changyuan was filled with emotion and a mix of feelings.

Yang Shiyin hooked her arm around Han Yan's neck and grinned wildly.

"Having survived such a close call, good fortune is sure to follow! I should just apply for public funds to treat myself to a super lavish meal to calm my nerves!"

The suggestion received an immediate and enthusiastic response, and Gu Changyuan readily agreed without hesitation.

......

On the grill, the top-quality Wagyu beef sizzles, and the aroma of the fat fills the air.

Meanwhile, Gu Changyuan was forced to watch the bizarre sight of a lizard that could walk upright feasting.

He forced himself to look straight ahead, pretending not to see the giant lizard's mouth, which was wide open and swallowing beef.

After a few drinks, Yang Shiyin and Han Yan started showering Li Zihao with compliments, exclaiming that Gu Changyuan had been assigned to the "god-like group."

Gu Changyuan smiled and agreed.

It seems that only I can see Manager Li's non-human form.

However, recalling the frenzied scene of Manager Li dismantling the ghost stories with his bare hands, it's not surprising that the two seniors treated him like a leg to cling to.

The expensive Wagyu beef masked all fear, and putting aside the fact that a monster was sitting across from them, the atmosphere of this lavish meal paid for with public funds was surprisingly harmonious.

No one forced him to drink, and no one put on airs at the dinner. Gu Changyuan downed a few mouthfuls of ice-cold beer, and his tense nerves finally relaxed a little.

He planned that when he got home tonight, he would have to turn on all the lights in the house and watch ten episodes of cartoons to ward off evil spirits.

Just as he was planning an extreme sleep therapy, Li Zihao, who was chewing onion shreds, suddenly spoke up.

"Are you planning to save all 40,000 points and never use them?"

Gu Changyuan was taken aback for a moment, then answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Of course I have to save up to buy the all-purpose wish-granting talisman."

The enormous lizard head nodded slightly, and then said nothing more.

An eerie silence fell.

Alarm bells rang in Gu Changyuan's mind. He was all too familiar with this conversational pattern of throwing out bait but not taking the bait!

He quickly climbed up the ladder, humbly asking if there were any more cost-effective consumption channels.

As expected, Li Zihao readily gave an affirmative answer, and then fell silent again.

It turns out that you have to ask questions step by step, like squeezing toothpaste.

Gu Changyuan has thoroughly figured out the user manual for this lizard boss.

He took a deep breath and spoke again in an extremely natural and easygoing tone.

"Brother Li, what else can this be used for specifically?"

Li Zihao put down his chopsticks.

"Custom-made exclusive weaponry".

Gu Changyuan gripped the wine glass tightly.

My heart suddenly raced; I never expected to touch upon the core mechanics of the game in this setting.

The unique mark of advanced players in "Daydream Company", a symbol of ultimate combat power.

The exclusive weapon system is finally about to be unlocked!