While defending against the Blade Mantis, both Wen Lei's chest armor and giant shield sustained damage.
The chest armor has a complex structure with intricate internal circuits, making it the most expensive piece of equipnt for a chanical Warrior.
A First Level Basic Exoskeleton Chest Armor requires 40 Contribution Points, while Wen Lei's enhanced armor goes up to 60 points.
Based on the extent of the damage, Wen Lei estimated the repair cost for the chest armor to be 20 points.
The shield's situation is unique, being forged from a single piece of alloy. If repaired by welding after severe damage, it only costs 5 Contribution Points, but this would compromise the shield's structural rigidity.
Hence, the best option is to replace it with a new shield, which costs as much as 20 points.
Wen Lei currently only has 30 points in savings, which poses a problem for him.
"Originally, I thought that after paying for dical treatnt, I'd only have 20 points left, so I could only repair the chest armor for now and manage with the shield as it is. Now that you've helped save 10 points, I can go and fix the shield later. Though it's not perfect, it can manage for a while."
Wen Lei said with a cheerful smile.
Ren Zhong frowned, "You're a combat personnel, and the shield is your livelihood. How can you compromise on that?"
Wen Lei waved it off, "Hey, what's there to worry about? Many chanical Warriors who can't put together a full set of equipnt just wear arm armor and hunt outside. I was worse off before, only able to scavenge scrap tal from trash and assemble it myself. Sotis it would just fall apart during battles. It's a miracle I'm still alive."
Ren Zhong instinctively felt sothing was off, "Getting wounded by the Blade Mantis isn't your fault. You took the hit for the team as a tank, yet you're paying for the dical and repair costs yourself. Isn't that unfair?"
Wen Lei explained again.
"There is public funding within the team. During each operation, we each contribute 20% of our earnings into a reserve. But just recently, Zheng Tian ntioned that our current vehicle has terrible performance, and she just got a lead on a reasonably priced second-hand armored cargo truck. It's decently protected, fast, and has a strong range—much better than the junk I've cobbled together. It's a one-ti opportunity, so she asked to cover the cost myself for now. We'll figure out the shield later; it'll have to suffice for now."
Ren Zhong nodded, "I see."
Perhaps Zheng Tian made the decision for the team's overall benefit, but he had a different view.
Zheng Tian was taking advantage of an honest person.
Wen Lei, serving as the team's tank, using a subpar protective shield, is being irresponsible with his life.
If luck is good and they only encounter First Level Ruined Beasts in upcoming missions, that'd be okay.
But if luck is even slightly worse, encountering a Second Level or multiple First Levels at once, Wen Lei would be in real danger.
"Here's the thing, I have so money on hand. We'll go together to the Military Weapon Store later to buy a shield, and I'll lend it to you for now."
Wen Lei was overjoyed upon hearing this, not holding back on courtesy, "Thanks a lot!"
"No problem."
"But I think you're a bit extravagant, Ren. You should develop a habit of saving money."
When Wen Lei began to give advice to Ren Zhong, it showed that in his heart, they'd moved past the stage of re acquaintances.
He considered Ren Zhong a true friend.
Ren Zhong laughed heartily, "Wen Lei, do you know what's more tragic than being alive with no money to spend?"
"What?"
"Being dead with unspent money. You must spend money while you can. Besides, investing in you is investing in the team's strength, which in turn is an investnt in my personal safety. It's worth it."
Wen Lei understood, "Oh, I see."
Then Ren Zhong asked him when he joined the team.
"About half a year ago. At that ti, I was still a broke and naive rookie chanic, really down on my luck. At least now I have so equipnt," Wen Lei reflected. "Zheng Tian is well-known among our peers. Although she can't compare to you, Ren, she's quite professional and smart. I wouldn't even have had the chance if the previous chanical Warrior in the team hadn't sacrificed himself. I'm quite lucky. Also, Captain Zheng Tian is an easygoing person, not like so Scavenger Captains who are always looking down their noses, sending others to their deaths while treating them like beasts. Talking to them requires extre caution, or you risk getting kicked out or quietly eliminated."
Ren Zhong continued to smile amicably, "True. She's quite decent."
"Zheng Tian has been the captain for about three years now. Back then, she wasn't even a First Level Gunsmith, just leading a group of newbies who hadn't even passed their professional evaluations. Over these three years, her team has consistently maintained a five-person roster, making it a very stable unit."
Ren Zhong: "Oh? So how many people have been replaced altogether? Is it only when soone dies that they get replaced?"
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