Shi Ming sat in the "passenger cabin" of the Abyss Explorer. The lone attendant brought over a cup of Mentras Coffee, a specialty of the Twelve Stars.
Shi Ming accepted it graciously.
Thick steam rose from the coffee. Shi Ming placed it on the table beside him.
The other team members were also in the cabin, chatting amongst themselves. They seemed completely unfazed by a new member joining the team mid-mission.
Shi Ming deliberately acted reserved.
"Mr. Wright, it's… it's just one A-rank sea beast, yet so many distinguished veterans are on this mission. It wouldn't be right for me to just jump in halfway… What if I'm the one who ends up killing it? Wouldn't that mean I'd be stealing everyone's credit?"
His tone struck the perfect balance: seven parts sincerity, three parts jest, and a dash of feigned modesty.
"Hahaha!"
"Don't worry about it, young man! For us Awakened from the Black Gold Country, missions are secondary. Making new friends is what's most important!"
