Sky-cracking Rider

"The old man has no interest in joking around about this kind of thing with you youngsters."

Old David stretched out his hand to grab some of Chen Fei's popcorn chicken. It wouldn't be polite not to respond when someone reaches out to you.

You steal my beef tenderloin, I take your popcorn chicken—no problem, this old kid...

"This really is good news, I need to digest it a bit. Chen Fei, keep Mr. Sid company for now, we'll talk later."

Hanna Gagel put down her glass and also disconnected the video call.

Because Old David was present, there were some things she couldn't discuss with Chen Fei, so they would have to wait until the next call.

Old David, suddenly curious, asked, "Jiu Defense, that name is quite unique. Did you come up with it, or did she?"

He could tell that there was something special between Chen Fei and Hanna Gagel.

"She did!"

Chen Fei couldn't help but facepalm.

Hanna always seemed unreliable when it came to stuff like this.

"How did you come up with such a name?"

Old David was even more curious about how the onomatopoeic name came about.

Ordinary people starting a company would never think of using such a name.

"Because I raised a little bird called Xiao Jiu."

Chen Fei counted on his fingers; the little guy was close to completing its Advance in Rank too.

"Heh, must be a clever little thing. Next time, bring it over for me to see."

Old David suddenly really wanted to meet the little bird that both Chen Fei and Hanna were so fond of.

"Actually, I've already brought it over; in a few days, you should be able to see it."

Chen Fei downed his beer in one gulp and then opened a second can.

"Where is it?"

The old chap was full of question marks.

"Right now, it's a ball and can't move."

Chen Fei gestured with his hands; Xiao Jiu, when curled up into a feathery ball, was only slightly larger than a tennis ball.

He had consulted the Urban Monster Management Center to estimate Xiao Jiu's Advance in Rank time at around fifty-six days or so. He wasn't sure how accurate this was, but by his calculations, the time should be nearing.

A ball? Can't move? A foggy-headed Old David, more bewildered than ever, had no choice but to ask, "Uh! Can you tell me what exactly is Xiao Jiu?"

"Xiao Jiu is a Pure Light Sparrow, currently in the process of Advancing in Rank."

Chen Fei took out his cellphone and showed Old David a photo of Xiao Jiu.

"Pure Light Sparrow, so it's a Magical Beast!"

Old David scratched his white hair, finally understanding.

The little bird with its glossy black feathers appeared to be indeed whimsical and cute.

He thought to himself, no wonder the name Pure Light Sparrow sounded so familiar; he almost thought Xiao Jiu was a toy mascot or simply a cartoon image.

Using a mascot as the visual identity for a company was a common tactic, which could significantly reduce advertising costs. It's a strategy often favored by small businesses. The laziest ones simply use a bitten apple; it's easy to manage without putting in too much effort.

Chen Fei said with a smile, "So we have to wait a few more days."

A Third-Rank Pure Light Sparrow, Xiao Jiu was really something.

"Yes, yes, we have to wait!"

Old David agreed enthusiastically. In principle, birds are the natural enemies of an airport.

But as the owner of this private airport, even if he didn't care, then... why should it matter?

"Here's to you, Old David. May I ask, how many years has this airport been standing?"

Chen Fei clinked cans with Old David.

At least he didn't have to drink alone; this way, he might even drink a few more cans.

Old David chuckled and said, "What, you're interested? I'll sell it to you for half the price."

The old man's comment was purely a probe; in reality, forget about half price, people were lining up to buy it even at double the original price.

"No money! I still owe the boss over three million!"

Chen Fei patted his pockets, indicating he was flat broke.

Although his bank account had over two million Star Yuan lying in it, it wasn't his own; it was just there temporarily for emergency situations, and ultimately he still had to return it to Manager Hanna.

This private debt, even without interest, couldn't be delayed indefinitely.

Once he amassed the total, he planned to clear it all at once, otherwise the bit of goodwill with Manager Hanna would eventually run out.

Goodwill was more important than money. Taking money too seriously would definitely harm the relationship.

"I bought the land thirty years ago, and it took me ten years to finish building the airport. Why do you ask?"

Old David stuffed some popcorn chicken and a few peanuts into his mouth at the same time, surprisingly finding the taste quite pleasing, and he nodded his approval.

Don't assume he's too old; his teeth were still in great shape. In fact, he was wearing dentures. As long as the muscles in his mouth hadn't deteriorated completely, he was even able to crack walnuts.

Casually he picked up the remote and pressed it hard towards one corner of the hangar.

Several large screens lit up, and after a round of menu selections, changed to the news channel.

Beer, snacks, company for a chat, and the television news—that's what life should taste like. As people get older, they seem to crave the buzz of activity more.

In days past, Old David had done the same, carrying his beer and snacks to every corner of the airport with a screen, leisurely drinking and eating while casually watching the news. Occasionally, someone would join him, but most of the time, he was alone.

"Don't you feel like this airport is a bit outdated and in need of a makeover?"

Even though he had downed a couple of beers, Chen Fei's mind was still clear, remembering that deadly task thrown at him by the Dog System.

Within 10 days, demolish Eagle Nest Private Airport (1/10 days) and earn +2000 Energy Points! |※ Note: If not completed on time, death!!!

After tonight, only nine days would be left.

Therefore, the sooner he completed the task, the better.

"It is a bit old-fashioned, but I renovate every year!"

Old David nodded subconsciously. After all, so much time had passed, and even the newest things became worn and weathered with the years.

"Small-scale renovation won't solve the outdatedness of Eagle Nest Private Airport. It needs to keep up with the times and the modernization movement, carrying a sci-fi temperament and style. Look, where the apron is, we could totally build a Jiangnan Gardens-like place with flowers, grass, trees, and waterways.

Installing a magic array that maintains a 24-hour soundproof barrier would put the instructors and students in a good mood. We could also build a high-end hotel inside the airport. To save a bit of trouble, buy a decommissioned Sky Patrol Ship, refurbish the interior, ensure good soundproofing, and renovate hangars, canteens, classrooms... So large-scale demolition and reconstruction is essential!"

Chen Fei gestured energetically into the dark beyond the hangar as he spoke with passionate conviction.

Listening, Old David nodded repeatedly. Eagle Nest Private Airport was indeed outdated and a complete refurbishment could perhaps attract more young people, turning this place into a must-visit tourist destination and incidentally creating more jobs for the local area.

Putting aside his beer, Old David started counting the cost of demolition on his fingers, furrowing his brows slightly.

"But the cost of demolition is so high!"

It wasn't a small figure and required a lot of labor and time.

"There's no need for that. Just give me 20 rounds of thousand-pound high-explosive aerial bombs, and I'll level it for you in one go. You provide the bombs and fuel, I'll handle the rest—it's my way of doing a good deed."

Chen Fei thumped his chest proudly, uttering his generous proposal.

Who's the best at demolition in the world? Come on, that's an easy question!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

With the aerial bombs in hand, he wouldn't even need an hour to flatten the entire airport.

"You said... aerial bombs for... demolition?"

It took Old David a moment to grasp the concept.

Twenty thousand-pound high-explosive aerial bombs would indeed be much cheaper than his own estimate for demolition costs.

"That's right, see how simple?"

Chen Fei clapped his hands together, proud of how economically sound his idea was—true to his undergraduate economics education, his calculations were sharp and tight.

A thousand-pound aerial bomb with nearly 300 kilograms of explosive could destroy within a 300-meter radius. One bomb and buildings would collapse, even the foundations could be scooped clean. It was certainly quicker and cleaner than manual demolition or using engineering machinery.

After dropping 20 bombs, the construction team could move right in without even needing to clear the site first.

"Hehe, hehe, you sure have some unique ideas, young man!"

Old David pointed at Chen Fei, chuckling to himself.

Suddenly, the news channel on the display screens in the hangar interrupted its regular programming with a breaking emergency news report. The footage seemed to be captured with a high-zoom lens from a distance.

In a suburban area, a multi-legged monster insect as tall as a two or three-story building suddenly leaped high into the air and pounced on an armed helicopter that was firing rockets and machine gun rounds continuously.

Flames erupted violently in an explosion, destroying the helicopter and killing all on board instantly.

The nearby people and vehicles were ant-sized in comparison to the monstrous insect.

"A mutant attack on the economic zone? My god!"

As Chen Fei saw this scene, he couldn't help but exclaim. The scene was as dramatic as a special effects blockbuster, but the casualties and damage were very real.

The defense forces of the economic zone were far superior to those stationed in remote and desolate aircrew bases.

A barrage of bullets and shellfire from all directions formed a fierce concentrated attack on the multi-legged monster insect, which seemed to care little, casually toppling a small building as it tried to break through the encirclement.

Two missiles hurtled towards the creature and smashed into it with a crash.

Chen Fei speculated, "Killed it?"

"No, it didn't hit!"

Old David, with his sharp eyes, quickly noticed something off about the explosion of the missiles.

The contour of the blast wave released wasn't right.

Sure enough, before the smoke had completely cleared, the seemingly unharmed multi-legged monster insect burst out.

"The supernatural power users are about to take action."

Old David noticed some individuals appearing on the ground, dressed in standard-issue single soldier tactical armor, with special magic runes inscribed on the surface.

With a flash of silver light—whether it was due to the camera's frame rate not keeping up, the video report's broadcasting standard, or the display screen's performance—Chen Fei and Old David only saw a flash before one of the long legs of the multi-legged monster insect mysteriously severed in the middle.

Old David exclaimed loudly, "Ha, a Dimensional Slash from a Space Series user, at least a B-rank supernatural power user. Too bad the cut was off, otherwise it would've been a lethal strike, or at least severely wounded it. The precision is lacking!"

B-rank supernatural power users were second only to Sovereignty-level A-rank users, powerful enough to safeguard an entire area.

With the addition of other ability users, it was clear the situation was under control.

Although the multi-legged monster insect was fierce, surrounded by so many ability users, it was nearly impossible for it to turn the tide.

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