Song Yi reported truthfully, four women talking

After the phone call, Song Yi hurried to meet Chief Chen. She was ushered in after the guard at the door informed the chief of her arrival.

"Xiao Song, have you contacted Yuto Saito?" Chief Chen asked, his gaze sharp and expectant.

"Yes, Chief. Yuto Saito declined the offer to join the military," Song Yi replied, standing at attention.

A look of disappointment crossed Chief Chen's face before Song Yi continued, "However, he proposed an alternative. He's willing to cooperate."

Chief Chen's expression brightened with interest. "Oh? What kind of cooperation?"

Instead of answering immediately, Song Yi pulled out her phone and handed it to him. "You should see this first." She pressed play on a video.

The footage showed Yuto Saito and his team taking down a fifth-order giant zombie in the heart of the magic capital. Chief Chen watched closely, nodding as the powerful display of strength unfolded.

After the video ended, he handed the phone back, visibly impressed. "I've heard about this team from the Eastern Theater. They've mentioned their prowess."

Surprised, Song Yi asked, "You know about Yuto Saito's team, Chief?"

He smiled knowingly. "Yes. The Fire Phoenix unit tried to recruit them earlier today when they dealt with the human-faced spider. The Eastern Theater told us to extend the invitation, but Saito refused. They emphasized how strong his team is and insisted we should not lose the opportunity to work with them."

Song Yi nodded in understanding; no wonder Chief Chen had been so keen on making contact.

"What kind of cooperation are they proposing?" Chief Chen pressed.

"Yuto Saito requested spar in exchange for assistance in handling high-level zombies and monsters," Song Yi explained. "He mentioned that their team requires spar, possibly to enhance their abilities. They want 400 spar for a fourth-order monster, 500 for a fifth-order, and so on, scaling with the threat level."

Chief Chen's eyes twinkled with approval. "Spar, huh? That's a simple enough exchange. We have plenty, and other war zones have amassed even more, especially after collecting them from fallen cities. This could work well."

Song Yi nodded. "He also confirmed that it was indeed his team that took down the fourth-order human-faced spider this afternoon. He asked for the 400 spar as compensation for that."

"That's reasonable," Chief Chen said with a firm nod. "It's a good sign that they're asking for something tangible. It makes the cooperation more sustainable. The worst partnerships are the ones where you don't know what they want in return."

He paused, considering his next move. "We'll give him the 400 spar. This cooperation could be critical for us, especially in the long run. Our first step should be showing good faith."

"Understood, Chief. I'll deliver the spar immediately," Song Yi said.

Chief Chen gestured toward her. "Before you go, did Yuto Saito mention the current strength of his team?"

"Yes, their average combat power is at a 6-star level, and Yuto Saito himself is their strongest. He controls an elite force, one capable of taking down hundreds of high-level monsters with just a few members."

Chief Chen clapped his hands, beaming with pride. "Excellent! With a team that strong helping us, the people have hope. Xiao Song, you know as well as I do that some nations have already fallen to these creatures. Their entire governments crumbled."

Song Yi nodded gravely. "Yes, Chief. I'm aware of the situation."

Chief Chen's tone softened with concern. "When you and your team go out, be cautious. If you encounter something too strong, don't engage. We now have professionals like Yuto Saito to deal with the real threats."

Song Yi felt a wave of warmth at the chief's protective tone. He treated her and the team like family. "Yes, sir. We'll be careful."

"Good," Chief Chen said with a final wave. "Now go to the supplies office, get the spar, and deliver it to Yuto Saito."

Song Yi saluted and left the room, determined to fulfill the task.

Meanwhile, Mina and the others strolled through the forested path toward the girls' dormitory. The calm of the evening seemed to set the perfect mood for their light-hearted conversation.

Nazi broke the silence, blushing slightly. "Hey, Mina, Ruoruo, Orange… when I was charmed by Yuto Saito earlier, what did I say?"

Ruoruo grinned, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Nothing too scandalous. You just confessed that you like Brother Su."

Orange chimed in with a teasing smile, "Yeah, it's normal to like him. He's strong, handsome, and takes care of us. Who wouldn't?"

Mina giggled, her tone playful. "Not only did you admit to liking him, but you also said you wanted to be his girlfriend."

Nazi's face turned crimson as she gasped, "What?!"

Orange burst into laughter. "Nazi, it's not that big of a deal. We all feel the same way."

Ruoruo nodded with a dreamy sigh. "Yeah, Brother Su is amazing, but it's clear he's devoted to Sister Yun."

Mina's smile softened. "True. Sister Yun has his heart, and we wouldn't dream of stepping on her toes."

Orange added, "And she takes such good care of us. It wouldn't be right."

Ruoruo playfully nudged Mina. "But did you hear what Sister Yun said earlier? She wants to live with us as sisters. It's almost like she's encouraging us to stick together."

Mina paused, thinking it over. "Maybe. Or maybe it was a gentle reminder that we shouldn't overstep."

Ruoruo's eyes widened. "Do you think it was a warning?"

Orange shook her head. "No way. Sister Yun is sincere. She's always looking out for us."

Mina shrugged. "Perhaps. But it's wise to stay cautious."

As they neared the dormitory, Mina changed the subject with a wink. "Let's stay focused. We have a mission to deliver this food. We'll let them eat first, and then I'll use my charm."

The group nodded in agreement, ready to complete their task.