Chapter 88: The True Meaning of the Word Comrade-in-Arms
Chapter 88: The True Meaning of the Word Comrade-in-Arms
The four members of Zhou Min's team hit it off immediately and went to their school to ask for leave.
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When the principal of No. 16 Middle School heard that Xu Yan needed support,
he approved the leave without hesitation!
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Principal Dong now understood clearly who the success of No. 16 Middle School depended on!
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He knew that repaying Xu Yan's favor would be difficult for a while.
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Soon, the four members of Zhou Min's team arrived at the train station.
They bought four train tickets to Baitan City!
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At That Moment…
Xu Yan's four teams returned to the recruit camp in Area 36.
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The recruit camp had already been taken over by veterans.
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These veterans had been transferred from the original third line of defense.
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It was now confirmed that the walls and periphery of Baitan City had officially changed from the fourth line of defense to the third line of defense.
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The Situation at the Camp
Since the recruit assessment ended early,
the original instructors had been automatically reassigned to the third line of defense.
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At this time,
thousands of new recruits in Area 36 had already gathered,
forming an orderly array,
waiting for the instructors to announce the disbandment of all members.
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The Chief Instructor Speaks
The chief instructor of District 36 stood on a high platform,
holding a loudspeaker,
and spoke loudly to all the recruits in the district.
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"Since the front line and the first line of defense have been breached…
There will be a large number of disaster beasts above Level 30 arriving outside Baitan City."
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"Disaster beasts of this level are simply not something you can handle."
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"For safety reasons…
The recruit assessment is officially over!
All members are disbanded!"
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"While the train station is still open…
Take the train immediately and return to your city!"
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The Recruits React
After the chief instructor finished speaking,
all the nervous recruits finally relaxed.
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"Finally, they've announced our disbandment!
If we were forced to stay here, we'd be doomed against Level 30 beasts!"
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"I didn't expect the beast tide to counterattack a second time…
This is terrifying!"
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"It's a relief that the train station is still open!
We can all leave Baitan City safely!"
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The Chief Instructor's Personal Request
Just as the recruits were breathing a sigh of relief,
the chief instructor continued speaking:
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"I have already given the official notification."
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"But what I am about to say next…
Is my personal opinion."
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A Soldier's Duty
"Although you are all still new recruits…
Many of you have already obtained official qualifications to enlist in the army."
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"Some of you have already reached the level of veterans."
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"Theoretically speaking, since you have officially joined…
You are now real soldiers!"
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"And all formal soldiers have both the qualifications and the obligation to participate in this war!"
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"But considering that you are still recruits…
And that the military region where you are stationed has not assigned you any reinforcement tasks…
You also have the right to refuse!"
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A Desperate Plea
"However…
I still want to make a sincere request…
On behalf of the Baitan Military Region…
And all the helpless people of Baitan City!"
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"Is there anyone here…
Who is willing to stay and fight alongside us?"
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"To resist this catastrophic beast tide…
An event Baitan City has not seen in a century?"
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A Heavy Silence
After the chief instructor finished speaking,
the field fell completely silent.
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No recruit dared to accept this request.
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Seeing no one step forward,
the chief instructor continued:
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"Staying to resist the beast tide will not be without reward."
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"If you kill disaster beasts…
Your points will no longer be counted."
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"Instead, you will earn merits!"
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"Merits can be exchanged for powerful rare equipment and materials that are not available on the market!"
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"Merits cannot be measured by money."
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"They are a strategic currency, exclusively for military personnel!"
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"If you choose to stay…
You will have the opportunity to gain merit points…
That you would never be able to obtain under normal circumstances!"
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The Recruits' Dilemma
Even after hearing this,
no one spoke.
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Even the stronger teams,
who could potentially fight Level 30 disaster beasts,
hesitated to step forward.
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They all knew the value of military merit,
but it wasn't worth their lives,
at least not now.
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A Difficult Decision
They were all still new recruits.
There was a long future ahead for them.
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If they chose to stay,
they would have to fight to the death alongside Baitan City.
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This beast tide was too dangerous,
and they didn't stand a chance.
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Moreover,
they had not been assigned this mission.
If they died as volunteers,
their families might not even receive compensation.
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The chief instructor of District 36 saw the silence and sighed.
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"Forget it…"
"This is Baitan City's disaster to bear."
"These recruits should not be forced to carry this burden."
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A Single Voice
Just as the chief instructor was about to give up…
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A single voice rang out!
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"I!"
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"Dayan City Military District!"
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"Xu Yan!"
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"Occupation: Farmer!"
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"Level: 15!"
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"I voluntarily stay and fight alongside you!"
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"I will fight until the last moment—until the beast tide collapses!"
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Shock and Silence
In the dead silence,
Xu Yan's voice was unmistakable.
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Thousands of recruits and dozens of instructors turned to look at him.
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One by One, They Stood
One after another,
recruits stepped forward.
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"I voluntarily stay!"
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"I will fight until the beast tide collapses!"
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As if a second oath was being taken,
more and more recruits joined in.
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The Meaning of Comradeship
At that moment,
Xu Yan finally understood…
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The true meaning of the word "comrade-in-arms."
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Xu Yan smiled and said:
"Okay!"