Chapter 56: Legally Purchased Talent!

Chapter 56: Legally Purchased Talent!

A talent market seemed like something that could only exist in a civilized society, yet such a place existed even within the Shidong Alliance.

With numerous shops already established in the Shidong Alliance and the embryonic form of a basic market taking shape, demand naturally arose, which in turn gave birth to a talent market.

Many mercenary teams would sometimes recruit people here, often managing to hire hands simply by offering some food.

However, competition was clearly fierce. Almost everyone stood holding signs detailing their skills and seeking employment.

"Former General Manager of Haitian Group before the apocalypse... Daily wage: one nutrient paste. Skilled in team management, corporate strategy, and business planning!"

"Former Technical Engineer at Dar Air Conditioning before the apocalypse... Daily wage: one steamed bun. Skilled in repairing air conditioners and milling parts and molds!"

"..."

Clearly, many of these job seekers had been elites before the end of the world, yet now they were struggling bitterly for a daily wage of a single tube of nutrient paste or one steamed bun.

To Lu Feng's surprise, however, not long after they entered the talent market, they saw a truck carrying a group of people driving toward the interior of the market. These individuals had some sort of electronic lock fastened around their necks, and their complexions were ashen.

Moreover, a prominent character meaning "for sale" was painted on the side of the truck.

"What is going on here?" Lu Feng asked in confusion.

Lin Jiao explained, "These people are put up for sale. Not all survivors in the Shidong Alliance are free; some who have lost their freedom are treated as commodities and sold off."

"Some of these people had no other choice but to borrow food or energy values from the Alliance and failed to repay them, while others committed certain offenses and lost their freedom."

"People like this are fitted with electronic shackles by the Shidong Alliance and sold off as commodities, just like slaves."

"Furthermore, many people are willing to buy such individuals because, thanks to the electronic shackles, they have complete control over them. With just a gentle press of a remote control, these people are done for."

This piqued Lu Feng's interest.

After all, a controllable talent was definitely superior to an uncertain variable.

Just as they were discussing this, Lu Feng saw the vehicle stop. A chubby man leading a squad of soldiers escorted the shackled people down from the truck.

Among those people, a pair of twin sisters stood out strikingly. They appeared to be in their early twenties, and crucially, not only were they attractive and well-figured, but their chests and curves were particularly prominent.

Yet, there was not a trace of color on the faces of the twin sisters, as they were painfully aware of their current plight.

Once everyone was herded down, the fat man began to strike a gong and shout, "Look over here! We have a new batch of processed commodities for sale. As long as you pay, you hold the power over their life and death!"

Sure enough, a crowd quickly gathered around, most of them carrying weapons—either knives or guns.

These individuals were mostly those who dared to venture out into the outside world to take risks, so as long as they managed to stay alive, they invariably lived much more comfortably than other survivors.

As the crowd closed in, the twin sisters naturally became the primary focus of attention, with quite a few people wearing wicked grins.

One could imagine that given the sisters' looks, engaging in certain activities with them both at once would undoubtedly be extremely thrilling.

Lu Feng led Lin Jiao and the other three forward. The fat man seemed to sense that they were different from the rest and asked, "Mister, take a look at these commodities. The prices are extremely reasonable."

Lu Feng looked at the people and asked bluntly, "Are there any among them who understand household appliances? Especially those skilled in the technical design of home electrical appliances?"

He had not forgotten the purpose of his trip to the Shidong Alliance: to find someone to fully repair the technology of the electromagnetic rice cooker and then develop the game.

The fat man gave Lu Feng a surprised look, clearly failing to understand what use household appliance technology could possibly have nowadays.

Nevertheless, he dutifully questioned the commodities, "Did you hear that? Whoever understands home appliance technology, speak up immediately."

"I... I do..." A crisp yet nervous voice rang out.

Lu Feng looked over and was surprised to find that it was one of the twin sisters.

He frowned and asked, "Are you sure you know how?"

Having a subordinate with a great figure and high looks was certainly better than having some crude, unkempt man.

The girl hurriedly said, "I majored in home appliance design and hold a home appliance technical engineer certificate. My records are on file within the Shidong Alliance."

The fat man stepped forward professionally, scanning the girl with a specialized electronic device. After a moment, he handed the device to Lu Feng. "Boss, she is not lying. She indeed possesses this skill. Moreover, this is the first time they have been put up for sale. Their father owed the Alliance a massive amount of energy value and committed suicide a few days ago."

Frowning, Lu Feng took the device and saw that the girl's profile indeed appeared on the screen: Cheng Yaoyao, 25 years old, majoring in home appliances, holding a home appliance technical engineer certificate.

"How much is she?" Lu Feng asked after confirming the details.

"4 energy points," the fat man introduced the price with a beaming smile. "Naturally, boss, you can also pay with equivalent items, such as food, nutrient paste, or valuable parts of mutant beasts..."

Lu Feng knew that energy value must refer to the energy contained within crystal sources.

To be able to buy a talent for just 4 energy points was surprisingly cheap.

Or rather, the lives of these people who had lost their freedom were truly worthless.

Feigning that he was reaching into his pocket, he retrieved a crystal source from his backpack space with a single thought.

At that moment, Cheng Yaoyao immediately pleaded with him, "Buy my sister as well! You can make me do anything you want."

The fat man did not forget to pitch in, "Boss, if you want to purchase the other girl as well, it will cost 8 energy points in total. But I'm sure you won't regret it. After all, their figures and looks are top-notch; it should give you double the pleasure."

As he spoke, he winked lewdly and mischievously at Lu Feng.

Lu Feng naturally understood what kind of "double pleasure" the fat man was implying.

Seeing Cheng Yaoyao tightly hugging her sister with a look of desperate anticipation in her eyes, his heart eventually softened. He took out the crystal source and asked the fat man, "How do I pay?"

He could only hope that Cheng Yaoyao would be able to fully repair the electromagnetic rice cooker technology; otherwise, he would take a huge loss.

The fat man immediately produced a specialized device with a beaming smile. It appeared to be some sort of energy-storage device. He instructed Lu Feng to place the crystal source onto the device and then punched the number 8 into it.

Next, they watched as the numbers on the energy-storage device ticked upward: 0.2... 0.4... 1... 4... 6... 8!

Finally, the numbers stopped at 8, and the fat man said with a flattering smile, "Sir, congratulations, this pair of twin sisters is yours."

Lu Feng checked the crystal source in his hand using the game's exploration function and felt somewhat surprised:

[This is the crystal source of a mutant hunting hound. It is of considerable value and can be used as currency or energy, possessing an energy value of: 1!]

Previously, this crystal source had 13 energy points. He had consumed 2 points to recharge the laser pistol, and Lin Jiao had consumed 2 points to recharge the laser rifle, leaving 9 points.

Now, the device in the fat man's hand had accurately absorbed 8 points, leaving only 1 point.

This was quite magical.

Soon, the Cheng Yaoyao sisters were pulled forward and handed over to Lu Feng. At the same time, the fat man handed Lu Feng a remote control with a smile, saying, "Boss, this thing will make them completely obedient. Otherwise, with just a slight press, their heads will bloom like flowers."

"Naturally, if you want to give them a little punishment, there are also punishment buttons on it that can make their electronic shackles discharge electricity. The maximum setting can instantly strip them of all resistance, and you can do whatever you want with them."

The fat man's words grew increasingly vulgar.

The complexions of the twin sisters turned paler still as they huddled tightly together.

*(Seeking bookmarks, recommendation votes, and monthly tickets! New book follow-reads are extremely important. If you all like this book, please don't let it sit unread in your library. We failed the trial cut by 4 follow-reads, and the editor has given us one more chance. We desperately need your follow-read support!)*

*(End of Chapter)*