Central Army and Civilization Army

The recruitment office of the Arcane Civilization Federation was located at almost the farthest point of the giant tower.

We had to pass through that black market area before finally reaching the recruitment office.

Logically, as a representative office of the Galactic Federation, it should be located inside the giant tower.

Lister only discovered the real reason when he arrived at the destination.

The registration line stretched as far as the eye could see, and a quick scan of the system revealed that most of the applicants were unregistered. No wonder the location was chosen here; it made recruitment much easier.

"Get lost!"

Before Lister could even get into line, he heard the shouts and curses of the recruitment office staff nearby.

Although he was dressed in military uniform, judging from his pointed ears and appearance, he should also be a citizen of the Arcane Civilization.

"Reconnaissance of enemy and friendly forces is underway... Reconnaissance results have been obtained..."

[Level: Lv97]

[Overall Rating: E]

He looks impressive, but his actual combat ability is quite ordinary; he's probably just a regular office worker.

He was carrying out a man who was less than 1.5 meters tall and had horns on his head with one hand, and then "added a kick" to him.

They didn't really kill him; the man wasn't angry even after being kicked to the ground, he just shouted at the recruitment clerk again.

"My lord! I want to... come... come to the army."

The tone was very strange, as if he had just memorized that one phrase and was repeating it over and over.

Upon hearing this, the clerk's face grew even uglier, and she began to curse at the crowd queuing outside.

"You bunch of damn unregistered immigrants! You can't even afford a basic information chip to join the army?"

"I'm reminding you undocumented immigrants one last time, the conscription requirements are all on the wall."

"If anyone comes back and wastes our time because their standards aren't met, we won't be as polite as he was next time!"

After saying that, he turned around and walked back into the house without looking back. At this moment, a number of people in the long line stepped out of the line.

Lister glanced at them and found they were all unregistered.

It's estimated that they haven't even purchased the most basic information chips, which is equivalent to not having learned the common language of the Galactic Federation.

Communication is already a problem, so it's no wonder they wouldn't know about the conscription requirements.

Having witnessed this farce, Lister also noticed the conscription requirements inscribed on the outer wall of the tower.

There's only one standard: level six or above, regardless of combat power level.

After all, he was a soldier, so the standard for rank six wasn't very high.

"Sir, please go first."

Lister showed no signs of distress and seemed to want to wait in line normally.

However, his equipment was exceptional, not to mention Wang Yue was dressed in the robes of the Arcane Civilization, making his aura stand out among this large group of undocumented immigrants.

After the person in front gave way, a series of people began to scrutinize Lister companion, but finding nothing amiss, they all immediately became more discreet.

The two of them actually walked all the way from the back of the line to the front.

At that moment, they entered the recruitment office area inside the tower in groups of ten.

"Seventh rank, meets the standard, next."

"Sixth rank, meets the requirement, next."

The speed was not slow; everyone simply pressed their hand on a cube-shaped device, and their rank was immediately displayed.

The first seven were all unregistered individuals, with the highest level being seventh rank. Two others were kicked out because they did not meet the requirements.

Lister stepped forward and curiously placed his palm on the square device, and a blue light, just like that of the Federal Testing Room, flashed.

The next moment, the recruitment office clerk in front of him raised his eyebrows.

"Huh? Ninth rank?"

He looked up, finally showing interest, and began to examine Lister in front of him.

"The Merrick Civilization? This is the first time I've heard of it."

"You have two choices: join the Expeditionary Army or enter basic training."

What's the difference?

Lister the Expeditionary Army knew that in his previous life, the fifth act of the game involved the Galactic Federation's Expeditionary Army attacking the players.

Including his seventh act in the game, players are also recruited by the Galactic Expeditionary Army to participate in interstellar warfare.

I have some idea about the Expeditionary Army, but I haven't heard much about this recruit camp.

Of course there's a difference.

"The Expeditionary Army doesn't need testing; just wait for our arrangements and notifications in the next few days."

"If you want to join the recruit camp, you'll have to take another combat capability test. Only those with an E-rank or higher can enter the recruit camp."

Inside the same blue laser testing room, Lister silently surveyed the interior.

It was much simpler than the testing room in the Civilization Registration Office of the Giant Tower, and the testing speed was also much faster.

Before him, a familiar replica of his own body appeared, until it finally collapsed and disintegrated like particles, at which point Lister stepped out of the testing room.

At that moment, all three clerks outside stopped their note-taking work.

He stared blankly as Lister walked out of the house.

Wang Yue, who had not yet been tested, frowned even more deeply at this moment.

The display area outside clearly showed Lister's combat strength information.

"Ninth Rank, S Grade."

As expected, the information obtained from the test was much more rudimentary.

Lister walked up to the clerk who had examined him, his gaze sweeping over him silently.

The other party finally realized what was happening, and their expression immediately became warm.

"This... friend... you... you're actually an S-rank?"

"I... I... this is the first time I've ever met someone with such potential as you."

Just as he had expected, this S-rank seemed to be a special standard, and even citizens of a level three civilization still treated him with respect.

While it wouldn't warrant the other party, a citizen of a level three civilization, addressing him as "Sir," the other honorifics in his words were enough to convey his attitude.

"Does it meet the standards?"

A calm voice asked the other person.

"Certainly!"

"You certainly meet the requirements. Would you be willing to join the recruit camp?"

When asked about his willingness again, it seemed that participation in the recruit camp was not mandatory.

Lister noted this down, and then asked again.

What's the difference between adding a recruit camp and not adding one?

"Your Merrick Civilization... didn't inform you about this?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the clerk on the other end seemed to realize something and immediately began to explain.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up your relationship with the civilization you belong to."

Seeing his expression, Lister understood after a moment's thought.

It is estimated that his level and strength have met the standards of a level two civilization, but the civilization he belongs to is still level one.

Did they think they'd fallen out with the entire Merrick Civilization? Were they deliberately refusing to advance their civilization's rank?

Lister was too lazy to explain; the Merrick Civilization had only been registered for less than a month, so he decided to let the other party misunderstand.

"Let me explain to you first. The Federation Military District is divided into two main parts."

"Army Group and Expeditionary Army"

"The Expeditionary Army had the lowest recruitment requirements and the fewest restrictions on individuals, and generally only carried out simple mercenary tasks."

"As for army groups, they are further divided into the Central Army Group and the Civilization Army Group."

"Joining an army group requires first undergoing basic training; this is a necessary process for any galactic life form that truly joins the Federation Military District."

Upon hearing this, Lister's expression became strangely odd.

So it turns out that the Expeditionary Army the players fought against in the previous life, as well as the Expeditionary Army that joined in Act 7, were both located on the periphery of the Federation Military District's influence?

Even according to this recruitment office clerk, the Expeditionary Army wasn't even considered part of the Federation Military District; it was just an outsourced mercenary group?

"I suggest you join basic training and enter the army group."

"Although the Expeditionary Army has fewer restrictions, it doesn't provide many of the resources that the Federation Military Districts offer. Someone as strong as you must be joining the Federation Military District for its valuable resources, right?"

I'm joining boot camp.

Since it was related to the conservation of resources, Lister made a decision instantly.

The clerk nodded and then began entering the specific conscription information for him at his desk.

Compared to other unregistered individuals, his processing speed was significantly slower.

"Another ninth-tier civilization? And another Merrick Civilization?"

Another clerk, who was originally resting, was now continuing to process conscription.

But after examining Wang Yue, another gasp of surprise rang out.

He looked at her with a rather incredulous expression and led her into the testing room.

The clerk only breathed a sigh of relief after the test results displayed "Level 9, Grade B," though a slight disappointment lingered on her face.

Based on Lister's performance just now, he probably considers Wang Yue to be an S-class combatant as well, right?

After the result showed a grade B, he immediately returned to his normal attitude and did not give Wang Yue the special treatment that Lister.

"May I ask you, are you interested in joining the Central Army Group's recruit training camp, or the Civilization Army Group?"

The clerk in front of him lowered his voice, and the other remaining clerk, with a knowing look on his face, led all the unregistered residents who had completed the tests outside.

Even the person behind Wang Yue who had not yet been tested was taken away as well.

For the time being, only Lister and Wang Yue remained in the room.

Before Lister could ask any questions, the clerk in front of him offered an explanation.

"The Central Army Group is directly under the jurisdiction of the Federation Government, with a strict internal system, severe punishments, and immense pressure..."

"The Civilization Army Group is normally subordinate to the leaders of various civilizations, so the system is much easier, and there will be special consideration for talented individuals like you."

Can I tell which of the two army groups is stronger?

Lister immediately sensed the other party's obvious preference, subtly guiding him toward the Civilization Army Group.

"In terms of combat strength, the Central Army Group is undoubtedly the best."

"However, the competition within the Central Army Group is fierce, so it's really unnecessary for you."

"In terms of resources, the Central Army Group can also exchange for some of the Civilization Army Group. I still think you might want to consider the Civilization Army Group?"

Seeing that the other party's words were becoming increasingly suggestive, Lister vaguely guessed the answer.

"If I listened to you, which Civilization Army Group would I join?"

"Hehe, since you joined the Federation Military District through our Arcane Civilization Recruitment Office, you'll naturally be going to the Arcane Army Group's recruit camp."

"After completing basic training, they will be given priority for service in the Arcane Army Group."

Really!

No wonder these three clerks from the conscription office are so in sync!