Chapter 49: Joining the Special Operations Force
Half an hour later.
After finishing their meal, Zhou Yuan and his team returned to their dormitory. They understood Zhou Yuan's decision to join the Special Operations Force. Though they felt a bit reluctant, they genuinely wished him well. This was normal. In fact, Zhou Yuan didn't have deep emotional connections with his teammates, and it was the same for them. After all, they hadn't spent much time together. The longest was less than two months, and some had only known each other for a little over ten days. They hadn't experienced life-and-death battles together yet, so Zhou Yuan's departure didn't affect them greatly.
Back in the dormitory, Zhou Yuan was surrounded by many people. The events from last night were no secret, as many had witnessed Angus climbing the defense wall and had guessed the truth.
"Hey, guys!"
"You won't believe it, but our leader is about to join the Special Forces!"
"Last night, he beat up a Special Forces captain, and immediately received an invitation from a general!"
In response to the veterans' inquiries, Zhou Yuan's teammates eagerly started sharing details. James, in particular, exaggerated the events of last night, almost making Zhou Yuan out to be a "great emperor."
Upon hearing that Zhou Yuan was transferring to the Special Operations Force, and specifically to the special operations unit, the dormitory became lively. People congratulated Zhou Yuan with hugs, and applause filled the air.
Such events weren't unprecedented, but they were rare. For a teammate to become a special forces soldier was a form of recognition. It meant that their team was excellent, that the Third Platoon was excellent enough to produce special forces soldiers.
...
In the following days, Zhou Yuan waited. He awaited notice from the Strategic Department and the call-up from the Special Operations Force. He waited until the 25th, having survived the second wave of the insect tide. The promotion to Second Lieutenant came on that day, but the call-up notice didn't arrive.
When it was time for the Third Platoon to be replaced by the Third Group, Zhou Yuan didn't rush to leave. Instead, he found the platoon leader, Campbell, and asked about the situation with Buck's side.
It turned out that the delay wasn't due to a failure to issue the call-up notice but rather an inability to do so temporarily. Buck's team had gone to the quarantine zone and was currently engaged in a special mission, which made it impossible to send Zhou Yuan the call-up notice.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan felt extremely regretful. He also wanted to go to the quarantine zone. If Buck had taken him directly that night, he would be there now.
Fortunately, there was still the insect tide. Today's wave allowed him to earn over 50,000 soul points, slightly compensating for the regret of not being able to go to the quarantine zone.
After receiving his Second Lieutenant insignia, Zhou Yuan returned to the dormitory and lay on his bed, his mind filled with thoughts of his transfer. He didn't know when Buck would return. Waiting from the 25th to the 5th might seem simple, but it was difficult without the insect tide. The days without the tide were truly hard to endure.
Protagonist: Zhou Yuan
Rank: Federation Second Lieutenant, 18-year-old male enhanced human
Attributes: Strength 3.5, Speed 3, Jumping 3, Agility 2.5, Endurance 3, Defense 3, Self-healing 3.5, Skill 1.5, Brain Function 5.5
Skills: Rapid Memory, Fast Learning, Mind Sensing
Equipment: Heavy Atomic Wing Suit, ZF-1 Rifle, Infinite Ammo Saw...
Title: Bloodthirsty - Increase by 0.5 in Strength, Speed, Jumping, and Self-healing
Soul Points:
After lying on the bed for a short break, Zhou Yuan opened the panel and began sorting his gains. Over the past few days, his soul points had increased by nearly sixty thousand, most of which came from today's wave of insects.
"The Berserker... Sounds pretty fierce."
After calculating his remaining soul points, Zhou Yuan muttered to himself and opened the achievement panel. Today, midway through the insect wave, he had activated several new achievements: "Berserker," "Tycoon," "Trial - Warrior," and "Curse of the Warrior."
The best one was "Berserker," an upgraded achievement of "Bloodthirsty Maniac," which rewarded him with the title of "Berserker." Wearing it would increase his strength, speed, jumping ability, and self-healing by 1. The other achievements were not very useful. "Tycoon" was related to his soul point balance and rewarded him with a small amount of soul points. "Trial" was a series of achievements that rewarded titles, requiring him to kill more and more types of insects. He was just getting started with it. "Curse" was also a series of achievement titles, but these titles had a sarcastic nature. Wearing them would turn him into a "Large Communication Window." For him at the moment, this title was nothing more than a death sentence, but it might come in handy in the future.
Host: Zhou Yuan
Identity: Federal Second Lieutenant, 18-year-old male enhanced human
Attributes: Strength 4, Speed 3.5, Jumping 3.5, Agility 2.5, Endurance 3, Defense 3, Self-healing 4, Skill 1.5, Mental Functioning 5.5
Skills: Rapid Memory, Rapid Learning, Telepathy
Equipment: Mini Plasma Spark Device, Heavy Atomic Flying Wing, Infinite Bullet Saw...
Title: Berserker - Increases strength, speed, jumping ability, and self-healing by 1
Soul Points:
"Yesterday it was Captain Zhou, today it's Lieutenant Zhou, and tomorrow it will be General Zhou!"
After glancing at the updated panel, Zhou Yuan smiled contentedly and went back to sleep.
"Buzz..."
In the middle of his sleep, Zhou Yuan was awakened by the vibration of his work tablet. He checked the time and realized it was only three in the afternoon.
Most people in the dormitory were still asleep, with only a few who had already woken up playing cards.
"It's here!"
Upon seeing the message, Zhou Yuan jumped up from the bed and clenched his fist in excitement.
"Lieutenant Zhou Yuan of the Tarceis Fortress, Third Squadron of the Western Defense Force:
Your transfer application has been approved. Congratulations on becoming a member of the Tarceis Fortress Strategic Response Group - Hunter Special Operations Force.
Please arrive at the Underground Tenth Floor Work Hall of the Number One Strategic Zone before 6 p.m. on August 25th, Year 209."
He could finally join the special operations force!
He had to go now!
Zhou Yuan quickly got up, put on his military uniform, and started packing his belongings. Over the past few days, everyone in the squad knew he was leaving, so all the farewells had already been said, and the new team leader had been chosen to take his place.
So he didn't need to say goodbye again; he could just leave.
Before leaving, Zhou Yuan distributed another batch of cigarettes. Each squad leader received five recovery cigars, and each team member received two packs of cigarettes, placed on their bedside tables as farewell gifts.
"Zhou, are you leaving?"
Seeing Zhou Yuan's actions, the few veterans playing cards immediately approached him and asked softly.
"Yes, I received the recruitment notice."
Zhou Yuan nodded with a smile, hugged each of the veterans one by one, and finally gave them the last few recovery cigars he had.
"Take care, buddy. The casualty rate in the Special Operations Force is very high."
"Congratulations, Zhou. Not everyone can become a special forces soldier."
"I know; I wish you all good luck."
After bidding farewell to his squad mates amidst blessings and warnings, Zhou Yuan left the dormitory and headed to the next stop on his journey of life.