The Night Before Dawn

"Alright. You can collect the full set of Series 5 combat equipment directly from the armory. I'll mark the Po Jun Sword manual as urgent, and it'll be delivered to you tonight."

"Also, your firearm requisition authority has been raised. You may carry Series 4 weapons and ammunition on this mission."

Lin Yan could not help feeling excited.

This was a real upgrade from a bird gun to a cannon!

Series 5 combat equipment could handle the attacks and defenses of most mid-level beast commander monsters, while Series 4 firearms were already sufficient to harm low-level beast commander monsters.

In a sense, this was already the limit of portable firearms.

Combined with his current 332 points of Soul Power, his combat strength could rise several levels at once.

"Alright, go back to the barracks and pack your things. I'll arrange for someone to take you to the Star Special Operations Squad's workplace."

Lin Yan rose to his feet and saluted. "Yes, sir!"

He headed straight back to the barracks to pack his personal belongings. In truth, he did not have much. Military regulations were strict, and many items were not permitted.

Wang Bing had already been waiting for him. With an excited look on his face, he lunged over. "Lin Yan, I heard you're already a Warrior?"

Lin Yan was rather speechless.

Who had he heard that from?

He had gone straight from the battlefield to the affairs office for his assessment. How had the news spread so quickly?

He felt that if Wang Bing could change his impulsive nature, he should not be a soldier—he should become a spy instead.

"Yeah." Lin Yan stopped the overexcited lanky ape from pouncing on him. "I nearly got killed by a lousy bird on the battlefield, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I finally crossed the threshold into becoming a Warrior."

Wei Xinran lowered his head and sighed. "The battlefield really is full of danger. I feel like I improved quite a bit too, but I'm still some distance away from becoming a Warrior."

He had encountered danger today as well. A Tiger Mastiff Beast had charged onto the position where he was stationed. He had even smelled the intense stench from its gaping bloody maw. The cold light of its exposed fangs had nearly torn him to pieces. Fortunately, it had only been a close call.

Even so, he was still shaken.

Wang Bing said carelessly, "I have confidence in myself. I'll definitely become a Warrior before school starts. Xinran, don't hang your head. We're soldiers—we were born to bear these burdens. Only by becoming stronger can we live better."

A trace of surprise rose in Lin Yan's eyes. That did not sound like something Wang Bing would say, yet on second thought, it really was his style.

Actually, among the three of them, Wei Xinran had the best talent, but his temperament was somewhat indecisive. He lacked a little fierceness and resolve.

Lin Yan smiled. "When the time comes, we can all become Warriors and return to school together. That'll be quite the sight."

Wang Bing grinned. "Exactly, exactly."

Seeing how optimistic they were, Wei Xinran was infected by their mood as well. He asked, "The person beside you is...?"

The affairs office staff member had been waiting nearby. He had not lost patience because the three of them were talking, merely standing quietly to the side.

Lin Yan explained, "Oh, he's from the affairs office. After I became a Warrior, I was transferred to take part in a mission. I probably won't be around for a while, so he's here to guide me to my new workplace."

Such situations were common in the military.

For soldiers, obeying orders was their duty.

Upon hearing this, Wang Bing and Wei Xinran immediately went to the barracks with Lin Yan to help him pack. Before he left, each of them gave him a hug.

"Brother, be careful when carrying out the mission."

Lin Yan smiled. "You two as well."

"We all have to survive."

As someone who knew how the story would unfold, he knew that once Luo Feng rose to prominence, Earth's civilization would embark upon a brand new, bright future.

The monsters would no longer be able to contend with humanity, and mankind would head toward the stars and the sea.

This moment was the night before dawn.

But for him, rather than wait for dawn to arrive, he would rather become the sharp blade that pierced the darkness.

Compared to the protagonist destined by that story, he too could be unstoppable in his sharpness.

Upon arriving at the destination.

Lin Yan stood at the entrance of an abandoned warehouse in the military district, carrying his belongings. The camera equipment by the door emitted a hazy beam of light.

The light vanished at once.

Lin Yan was still puzzled when, before long, a figure dressed in combat gear opened the warehouse doors. His combat visor was transparent, revealing a very young face beneath it.

The man curiously glanced at Lin Yan a few times. Once Lin Yan entered, he shut the door again.

He said nothing, only gesturing for Lin Yan to follow. Before them was indeed nothing more than an abandoned warehouse, with shipping containers scattered everywhere and messy maps and sheets of paper strewn across the floor.

But after turning through a corridor, the sight before them changed completely.

A silver metal door stood there, and a secret base straight out of a science fiction movie unfolded before him. All kinds of precision instruments were arranged inside, and the lights were as bright as day.

Two fully armed soldiers holding firearms guarded the entrance.

They did not stop them, and the two entered the base directly before arriving at the conference room.

"Reporting."

Lin Yan tossed his packed personal belongings outside the conference room and called out loudly from the doorway.

"Come in."

Liu Mingxuan's cool voice came from within the conference room.

Lin Yan strode inside. Including the young man who had picked him up earlier, there were seven people in total. Liu Mingxuan stood at the head of the room, while something played on the large screen beside him.

"Star Special Operations Squad reserve member Lin Yan, reporting for duty."

"Pfft."

An unfriendly sound rang out.

Lin Yan remained standing straight. He glanced toward its source, finding the person somewhat familiar, before realizing it was the man he had encountered at the training grounds yesterday.

His name seemed to be Jia Yan.

"No, Liu Mingxuan, what are you thinking? This kid isn't even a Warrior yet, is he? Did you transfer him here just to send him to his death?"

Jia Yan was genuinely angry. Although he greatly disliked Liu Mingxuan, he had not expected that, aside from pretending to be aloof, he would also be so utterly irresponsible.

What was their combat mission?

To go deep into the Wilderness Area!

Someone who was not a Warrior would only be dead weight!

"Reporting, sir. I have already passed the Quasi-Warrior test. The military district's arrangement is for me to join this mission, which will also serve as my practical Warrior assessment."

Jia Yan was furious!

Are you kidding me?

What kind of practical Warrior assessment was that? A group of people gathered in a monster town to kill some low-level monsters, with the military watching over them nearby. If they were not strong enough, they could withdraw in time.

Was the Wilderness Area a place that could be used for an assessment?!

Jia Yan stood up and stared intently at Lin Yan. Though not visibly angry, he radiated authority like a savage beast ready to devour someone. "I question whether you have the ability to qualify for the Star Special Operations Squad. In my capacity as the special operations squad's vice-captain, I will report to the military district and have your membership revoked."

Dressed in a green military uniform, Lin Yan met Jia Yan's gaze levelly. He held his head high and chest out, neither servile nor overbearing.

"I am willing to accept the vice-captain's test and prove that I have sufficient strength for this position!"

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