Chapter 58 of 100

Chapter 58

7 min read1,660 words

Chapter 57. Part 1. Squad Leaders (2)

"Did everyone hear? The person selected as the new Commander is coming here."

A man sitting in a chair with his legs stretched out on a meditation bench chuckled.

He had his sword, which should be worn at his waist, stuck on the floor, and was twirling a brush with his fingers.

[State Summary, Status Brief Summary]

Yaolin [Squad Leader of Squad 1]

Body: Normal

Realm: Peak

Stamina: 1,340,000/1,340,000

Internal Energy: 1,270,000/1,270,000

Combat Power: 2,850,000 (+Senses)

Description: The member who has been selected as a Commander for the longest time.

『This man is rather lean but appears unusually tall. In particular, his combat power caught my eye.

'2,850,000... Senses?'

Indeed, becoming a squad leader in the Command Team means having considerable combat power.

And then there's this unknown ability called Senses.

I listened to the conversation again.』

"This time, the personnel addition seems to be quick."

A man leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

His small eyes, angular face, and firm jawline make him look powerful.

[State Summary, Status Brief Summary]

Akamatsu [Squad Leader of Squad 2]

Body: Normal

Realm: Peak

Stamina: 2,330,000/2,340,000

Internal Energy: 1,270,000/1,270,000

Combat Power: 3,100,000 (+Spirit)

Description: A sixth-year member of the Yin Ying Team. The oldest among the squad leaders.

『'This one also has Spirit?'

Xu Jue, the leader of the Baixue Team, whom I met during a previous mission, also had Spirit attached to his combat power.

For some reason, I'm curious about his ability.』

"Perhaps this time, it's an insider. The Commander position has been vacant, and there are rumors that he has connections with Gonma."

A woman sitting on the windowsill and looking outside replied.

"How do you know that?"

As Yaolin asked immediately, she answered nonchalantly.

"Those of the same kind recognize each other well."

『As the light from the window illuminated her face, I felt as if my mind went blank.

It was her. The woman who made me feel as if my breath would stop the moment I saw her. She was here.

And what was even more surprising was...』

[State Summary, Status Brief Summary]

Xiaoling [Squad Leader of Squad 4]

Body: Normal

Realm: Peak

Love for Coins +3

Stamina: 360,000/360,000

Internal Energy: 1,220,000/1,220,000

Combat Power: 1,120,000 (+Precognition)

Description: A member of the Core 1 Branch, specially selected by Gonma from the Hongma Yuan headquarters. If Master Xuhui falls in love with this woman, he can gain three lives.

『Love? My heart seemed to stop again.

Falling in love means gaining lives? Then how? How should I do it?

Or, is it even possible in the first place?』

"Whether it's a parachutist or not, it doesn't matter. If he's useful, we follow him; if he's not, we kill him."

A man with long hair entered the room, opening the door.

His fierce gaze could be seen through his hair, which was parted into two strands.

[State Summary, Status Brief Summary]

Ryushin [Squad Leader of Squad 3]

Body: Normal

Stamina: 1,340,000/1,340,000

Internal Energy: 1,270,000/1,270,000

Combat Power: 2,770,000 (+Senses)

Description: The man with the most impulsive and choleric personality among the squad leaders. Despite his fiery temper, he is also straightforward and doesn't plot. He can only be subdued by sheer force.

『I could sense that to control the squad leaders, I needed to deal with this guy first.』

And once again, text appeared before his eyes.

It begins.

Time, which had stopped, started to move again.

* * *

The scenery before his eyes disappeared, and Xuhui found himself standing in front of the door where they were gathered.

He could roughly guess why he was here.

The conversation he overheard in the 'Prologue.'

The four squad leaders who showed hostility towards the new Commander.

It felt like a test to see how he would control them.

‘What does this mean?’

Xuhui, realizing that everyone was frozen and only he could move, pondered for a moment.

He then carefully observed each of the frozen figures.

Yaolin, with his legs stretched out on the table.

Akamatsu, leaning against one wall.

Xiaoling, sitting with one leg up on the windowsill.

Ryushin, standing a few steps inside after opening the back door.

All of them were frozen, not moving an inch.

‘Huh?’

The explanation came a bit late.

Under normal circumstances, he could have just started a conversation, but the fact that this appeared suggested something was different.

Just start a conversation?

How, when everyone is frozen?

Xuhui approached Yaolin, who was closest to him.

And then.

‘This is it.’

Xuhui immediately agreed.

Regardless, it was time to listen to their thoughts to move the story forward.

"Since joining the Command Team, I haven't been able to learn proper martial arts. The tasks assigned to me are just searches outside the camp. Such trivial tasks make the guys from other teams look down on us. The Commanders who are supposed to teach us martial arts don't do anything right. I want to learn things like Night Vision or Mountain Fragrance quickly!"

Xuhui's expression stiffened at the mention of Night Vision.

A martial technique that allows one to see clearly in the dark.

A skill he learned during the advanced tracking course.

‘So, it was intentional...’

Now he could guess why the head of the training hall had taught such skills.

It was probably to show his teachings and build trust here.

‘What about the others?’

With no more inner thoughts to hear, he moved to the man leaning against the wall, Akamatsu.

As soon as he reached him, Akamatsu's inner thoughts flowed out.

"I'm sick of these kinds of tasks. I need something more thrilling. Anyone will do. I want to eliminate the strong outside the camp and be given a more special mission. If that happens, I'd be willing to risk my life... "

A strong desire could be felt.

Not just a desire to kill, but a determination to risk his life for a proper mission.

Xuhui thought it suited the man's taciturn appearance.

Next, he moved to the one with a disgruntled expression.

The person who had expressed the most negative opinion when entering.

It was Ryushin.

"Damn bastards. We always get the dirty jobs from other teams. The new Commander coming in this time will probably be someone with connections. If he's another useless guy, I won't stand for it. Damn it. If I had joined another disciple's team, I wouldn't have to endure this humiliation."

The anger towards the Commander was palpable.

He also learned that, according to his standards, only useless people had been appointed so far.

Xuhui turned his head.

Now, the last squad leader.

A woman of breathtaking beauty who had made his breath catch.

Thump, thump.

As he approached her step by step, Xuhui's heart began to race.

What was she thinking?

Did she also have distrust towards the Commander, like the others?

The woman before him was truly beautiful.

It was hard to believe such a beautiful woman existed in the main school.

Xuhui steadied his heart and agreed.

"What benefit do I get from being in this organization? The outcome won't change anyway... "

He was puzzled.

Suddenly, her inner thoughts were incomprehensible.

But her thoughts didn't stop there.

"I need to find a way. If we don't, we'll all be killed by Taihuang Pavilion Master within two years."

‘Taihuang Pavilion Master?’

Xuhui's eyes widened.

Why did she suddenly mention Taihuang Pavilion Master?

Was that bastard planning to harm us?

But the next thought from her made Xuhui doubt his ears.

"That person must also want to escape this hell, just like me."

‘Who is she talking about?’

Thump.

Xuhui's body shuddered.

After three inner thoughts, the last one, the mysterious 'that person,' made his heart race for some reason.

He waited a bit longer, but no more inner thoughts came from her.

Instead, another message appeared before his eyes.

<Completed! Heard everyone's inner thoughts.>

Please return to your original position.

Looking around, he saw the lectern in front of them.

A strong light emerged from the floor beneath it.

Xuhui immediately understood its meaning.

It was probably the progression of time.

Indeed, as the light rose, this message appeared before his eyes.

It continues.

* * *

With the message, time began to flow again.

The squad leaders looking at him.

Their gazes, filled with discomfort and displeasure, were directed at him.

In the heavy silence where no one seemed willing to speak first,

Xuhui opened his mouth.

"You all know who I am."

Xuhui had no intention of sympathizing with their feelings.

He knew from countless experiences that being visible was meaningless.

The Bi Ke Team was formed by those who had failed and had no affiliation.

He had spent ten years with the lowest of the low, being pushed around here and there.

"But I don't know anything about you. To be honest, I don't care who you are."

There were too many dirty and despicable acts.

Too many unfair and unequal situations to count.

"I have no intention of giving you orders or making changes."

That's why he knew better than anyone how to train them.

In other words, he was well aware of how to make them follow him.

"Those who want to follow, do so. Those who don't, quit."

"What makes you think you can...?"

"I'm not done speaking."

Before he could finish, Ryushin, who had been the most displeased with his appointment, interrupted roughly.

"And those who have complaints about what I say..."

Xuhui lifted his head.

After looking around, he slowly turned his gaze to Ryushin.

"Feel free to attack."

Arrogant people need to be taken down early.

Nothing was more effective for establishing dominance.

"Preferably all of you."