Chapter Nine: The Request
Meanwhile, inside the auditorium.
The leader of the KB militants, Uznyev, surveyed the entire hall with satisfaction.
Uznyev sported a thick beard reminiscent of Harden’s, wore camouflage fatigues, and held a compact submachine gun in his hands.
He looked around at the bombs scattered across the floor, each strapped to a student, his voice rising with excitement:
"Now we no longer have to worry about the damned Northern Alliance government refusing our demands! Stan will be independent at last!"
"Stan will be independent!"
Cheers erupted from KB militants throughout the auditorium.
As if injected with adrenaline, Uznyev, elated, barked new orders to his men:
"Drag the boy we just killed to the main entrance—let those Northern Alliance bigwigs see for themselves."
The auditorium doors opened briefly, and the body of a youth, features still childlike, was flung outside. Soldiers peering through their scopes witnessed this scene; rage twisted their faces as one of them squeezed the trigger in fury.
A single gunshot set off a volley of fire. When the gunfire finally subsided, the soldiers saw with grim satisfaction that the KB militant who had thrown the body out was torn apart by bullets. The auditorium doors slammed shut.
Seeing his comrade killed, Uznyev’s eyes glinted with a new plan.
Soon, a group of students was released...
In the academic building, at the temporary command center.
The room was silent, weighed down by the general’s fury. He quickly mastered his emotions and issued swift orders:
“Mayor Stran, organize a team to comfort the students’ parents outside the school. Register the hostages while you’re at it…”
His command was interrupted by a breathless soldier at the door, who reported:
“KB militants just released a few hostages, each with a note attached.”
“Read it!” the general barked, not bothering to take the note—he already knew nothing good could come of its contents.
The soldier, stumbling slightly over his words, read aloud:
“The KB militants say that if one more of their people is killed, they will execute ten hostages in retaliation.”
The cascade of grim tidings forced the general to restrain his anger. He ordered decisively:
“From now on, do not open fire unless absolutely necessary! Have the armored vehicles surround the auditorium. Snipers, find good vantage points and hold your aim.”
The general’s bushy, graying mustache quivered with agitation. After pondering for several minutes, he gave another order:
“Remnants of Stan, are they? Bring in the former mayor to negotiate with the KB militants. Wasn’t he the one criticizing the Northern Alliance’s policies towards Stan, showing sympathy for those people? I hear those remnants respect him.”
The soldiers sprang into action, the command center transforming into a well-oiled machine.
At this moment, General Zakayev finally turned his attention to Chen Qi, approaching him.
A young man who could read the mood, Chen Qi noticed the old general’s deliberate, forced smile as he strode over. Standing upright, Chen Qi greeted him in a clear voice:
“Good day, General!”
The general’s smile deepened at Chen Qi’s words. He clapped Chen Qi on the shoulder and back, saying,
“You’re looking strong, lad. I heard about what happened this morning—are you holding up?”
Knowing the general was a traditional military man who disliked pointless pleasantries, Chen Qi replied in a firm, decisive tone:
“No problems, General!”
This answer brought a hint of admiration to the general’s face. He withdrew his hand and said:
“Accompany me to the press conference later. And don’t wear that look of a victim. Good—you have the right look in your eyes now.”
As if remembering something, the general added, “By the way, if you have any requests, speak up. On behalf of the Northern Alliance government, I’ll do my best to meet them.”
Chen Qi had been waiting for this moment for too long. Without hesitation, he declared:
“I want to join the assault on the auditorium. I want revenge, to show them the true character of the men of the Northern Alliance!”
Chen Qi had prepared this line after careful consideration. This was his first mission in this world; he would not allow himself to coast through the main story.
Besides, he glanced at the general, thinking to himself, “As a survivor who escaped death, the Northern Alliance will make me a model—soldiers will do everything to protect me.”
This last point had occurred to him only after meeting the general, believing that as an old-school soldier, the general would admire such courage. A mission he normally would never be allowed on might now hold a sliver of hope.
Upon hearing Chen Qi’s words, Mayor Stran reacted first, his eyes wide as he protested sharply:
“Nonsense! You’re just a high school student—how could you possibly take part in this operation? You are the future of the Northern Alliance; you must protect your own life!”
The mayor seemed oblivious to the growing admiration on General Zakayev’s face.
The general replied in a deep voice:
“Good! Good! Get him a set of gear, and give him some quick training on how to shoot.”
He then ordered the nearby soldiers to escort Chen Qi away.
As Chen Qi followed the soldiers out, he overheard the mayor’s anxious protest:
“General! How can you send a high school student to his death? He barely survived! The President and all the people of the Northern Alliance will not allow this!”
As he left the room, Chen Qi caught the general’s firm reply:
“I approve! You can tell the President and the entire Northern Alliance that this is my decision!”
The soldiers led Chen Qi behind a truck, where they tossed him a set of combat gear. To his surprise, the uniform shimmered with a faint blue glow!
[You have obtained the Night Stalker II Nano Combat Suit]
[Night Stalker II Nano Combat Suit]
Origin: Exclusive Novice World (Earth-derivative)
Quality: Blue
Category: Set (Jacket + Pants)
Durability: 85/85
Base Defense: 8
Requirements: Strength 4, Agility 4, Constitution 4
Effect 1: Nano Fiber (Passive)
Nano Fiber: Reduces ranged damage taken by 5 (high-intensity attacks will rapidly decrease this item’s durability).
Effect 2: Stealth Rank +1 in darkness
Rating: 150 (Note: Blue items range from 100 to 170; higher scores indicate greater rarity.)
Description: The latest single-soldier infiltration suit developed by the Northern Alliance. The nano-materials can absorb bullet kinetic energy, and thermal color control enhances concealment.
Price: 2,440 Universal Points
(Note: This equipment cannot be removed from this world!)
The last line, in vivid red, chilled Chen Qi’s heart. With a mixture of grief and indignation, he donned the uniform.
The soldier beside him paid no mind to Chen Qi’s disappointment and tossed him a half-face-covering helmet, saying,
“As for weapons, you’ll be issued a pistol. For rookies, a handgun is usually the most reliable choice.”
[You have obtained a Night Vision Helmet]
[You have obtained a PL-15K Compact Pistol]
A glimmer of hope flashed in Chen Qi’s otherwise lifeless eyes. Like anyone clinging to luck, he focused on the two green-glowing items, muttering under his breath,
“If you won’t give me blue gear, at least two pieces of green gear is fair enough.”
[Night Vision Helmet]
Origin: Exclusive Novice World (Earth-derivative)
Quality: Green
Category: Headgear
Durability: 74/74
Base Defense: 12
Requirements: Agility 5, Constitution 4
Effect 1: Night Vision (Passive)
Night Vision: Grants the wearer night vision capability.
Effect 2: Agility -1, Head damage -15%
Rating: 60
Description: A bulletproof helmet with night vision functionality, helping you gain the upper hand in darkness. However, its heavy weight limits mobility, lowering its overall rating.
Sale Price: 860
(Note: This equipment cannot be removed from this world!)
Like a desperate gambler, Chen Qi immediately turned his gaze to the pistol.
[PL-15K Compact Pistol]
Origin: Exclusive Novice World (Earth-derivative)
Quality: Green
Category: Handgun
Durability: 45/45
Magazine: 9/9
Attack: 17-23
Requirements: Strength 3 (barely usable), Strength 6 (fully agile use)
Effect: Accuracy +8%
Rating: 65
Description: An improved, more compact version of the PL-15 pistol, easier to conceal and carry. The gun feels good in the hand and slightly improves user accuracy.
Sale Price: 920
(Note: This equipment cannot be removed from this world!)
Seeing the identical restrictions on all equipment, Chen Qi was deeply frustrated; it seemed bargains in this world were hard to come by.
Once Chen Qi had his gear, the escorting soldier shut the truck door and chuckled:
“Now let’s get you a little familiar with your weapon, rookie. Not expecting you to shoot anyone—just don’t shoot your own side out of nerves.”
With that, he headed toward an empty classroom.
Chen Qi hurried after him. As a chosen one, he certainly couldn’t pass up this free lesson—besides, he truly wanted to put a bullet through the face of a KB militant.