Chapter 27

The changes in evaluations reflect the changes in Qin Ran's strength.

Moreover, compared to objective evaluations, Qin Ran's own feelings are even more profound!

In just two and a half days, Qin Ran felt as if he had undergone a complete transformation.

Holding the [Viper-M1] obtained from the sniper he had killed, it was as if he had become a seasoned veteran in the military, even though he knew it was based on virtual reality and was false.

But it still made him somewhat immersed.

Because everything was too real.

If it weren't for the ability to call up character attributes, mission bars, and such, Qin Ran would have taken it as reality.

"The allure of the underground game, huh?"

Qin Ran thought about those different from him who had entered the underground game and slightly understood their thoughts.

However, if he were a healthy person, he would never touch this game.

No matter how real! No matter how exciting!

For Qin Ran, it was better to live out the rest of his life in peace.

Qin Ran was never an ambitious person, unwilling to be ordinary.

He was just a guy who had been forced into this.

But this did not prevent Qin Ran from striving to do his best.

After all, it was a matter of life and death!

Leaning against the wall of the ruins, Qin Ran hid himself in the shadows, squinting his eyes, and breathing as lightly as possible.

If he could, Qin Ran would have lain down and slept.

But the current situation did not allow it.

The critical moment was about to arrive!

The sky was completely dark.

The moon rose in the night sky, a thin, curved moon, bringing a fleeting sense of tranquility to the war-torn city.

However, it was immediately broken by a series of footsteps—

Thud, thud, thud!

The distant footsteps caught Qin Ran's attention.

By the moonlight, he saw the rebel soldiers who had left earlier.

These hastily returning rebel soldiers did not notice Qin Ran hiding in the shadows.

Their anxiety greatly reduced their observational skills.

At this moment, all they wanted was to inform their commander, Saluka, of the news they had gathered at the ruins.

Hank was dead!

Along with his entire team, there were no survivors.

This was truly shocking!

After all, Hank was a true powerhouse among them, excelling in both shooting and combat, especially after completing several seemingly impossible missions, the entire camp had started to call Hank the strongest.

Most of the soldiers accepted this claim.

But such a Hank was actually dead!

Killed by a machine gun!

By their own machine gun!

All of this filled the soldiers with doubt and made it hard for them to accept.

They needed an explanation!

And Saluka was the one who could provide it!

So, their steps became even more hurried.

Hiding in the shadows, Qin Ran watched the soldiers rush past and slowly stood up.

Qin Ran knew that what he had been waiting for had begun.

...

"Damn it!"

In a voice almost like a roar, Saluka abruptly stood up from his chair after listening to the soldiers' report. The sudden force made the chair fall to the ground with a dull thud.

However, no one in the room cared about the chair.

All eyes were on Saluka.

They needed an explanation for why Hank and his team had been completely wiped out.

Even the adjutant, who was usually terrified of Saluka, did not avert his gaze.

"I know you have many doubts and questions!"

"I will tell you everything in a moment!"

"For now, go and gather the soldiers on standby!"

"They have the right to know the truth!"

Saluka's gaze swept over the people in the office as he said this in a deep voice.

"Yes, sir!"

The adjutant and the soldiers saluted and left the office.

Alone in the office, Saluka's face was as dark as water.

Before his scouts returned, Saluka still harbored some hope.

But with the news brought back by the scouts, Saluka immediately discarded the last bit of hope.

His most capable subordinate, Hank, was dead, and the people Hank had taken with him were also dead.

And they were killed by a sniper and their own machine gun.

The moment he received this news, the image of Jennings, the bastard, sending people to follow Hank and his team and then launching a surprise attack appeared in Saluka's mind.

No one else could have done it.

After all, Jennings' subordinates were well-versed in such deeds.

"You took what was mine and want me to die? Then let's see who dies first!"

Saluka muttered to himself.

Then, he pulled open the drawer and took out his sidearm.

Feeling the roughness of the gun handle in his palm.

The sense of charging into battle seemed to return to Saluka, and he turned to walk out of the office. Through the window, he could already see his soldiers gathering.

Even in his anger, Saluka would not go to Jennings alone.

That would be suicide!

Fortunately, he had the most advanced and combat-ready battalion in the entire rebel army under his command.

These were the cards he had accumulated over the years!

Now was the time to play them.

Saluka walked out of the office, his posture straighter, his steps steady and powerful, and the sound of his boots hitting the ground became louder.

Thud, thud, thud!

Like a clock.

Anyone who saw him would be deceived by his meticulous appearance, thinking he was a true soldier.

Even with his fiery temper and strong personality.

But wasn't that what soldiers needed?

Therefore, even some flaws could be forgiven.

Saluka seized on this point.

He knew what kind of commander the soldiers needed, so he played that role.

Looking at the rows of soldiers, seeing their respectful gazes, Saluka was very satisfied.

Saluka walked to the platform, took a deep breath, and began with a deep, powerful voice through the loudspeaker.

"My soldiers... we have been betrayed!"

Saluka did not beat around the bush but directly said the shocking words.

As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding soldiers were stunned, but the authority Saluka had built up over the years kept them from speaking out immediately.

Saluka's voice continued.

"General Jennings has agreed to peace talks with the enemy—using our lives as the price!"

"That damn son of a bitch chose to betray us to survive!"

"He started the war, made us fight with our lives, and now he's pushing all the blame onto us! Making us his scapegoats!"

Saluka's voice grew more agitated and louder.

Then, it suddenly turned somber.

"I know it's hard to believe, but it's the truth!"

"I sent Hank to gather more evidence... but he was assassinated by that son of a bitch!"

"The reconnaissance team I sent earlier can prove everything!"

"Hank was my most capable subordinate, a true warrior, and such an ambush is unfair! It's not what a true warrior should endure!"

Saluka's expression was somber, and his eyes even reddened.

The soldiers who were closer could see the tears welling up in Saluka's eyes.

As if not wanting his subordinates to see his vulnerable side, Saluka turned and waved to the reconnaissance team.

These soldiers, seeing the 'deeply saddened' Saluka, had their captain step up to the loudspeaker.

"I can confirm that Captain Hank was assassinated—he was shot in the back, and the other team members were killed by a sniper's ambush!"

The captain said this.

Instantly, the entire camp was in an uproar.

The soldiers looked at each other in disbelief.

Then... anger began to grow.

Saluka timed it perfectly.

Just as the soldiers' anger reached its peak, he turned at the right moment.

"My soldiers, Hank was assassinated! The next one could be me, and then it could be you—because only by wiping out our frontline team can that bastard Jennings gain the enemy's forgiveness, complete the peace talks, and... survive!"

Saluka once again looked around at the soldiers.

His voice took on a tone of incitement.

"I don't want this, because we are warriors!"

"Even if we die, we should die on the battlefield, die with clarity—not in such humiliation!"

"Now, I'm going to settle accounts with that bastard Jennings!"

"Who will come with me?"

Saluka shouted loudly.

"I will!"

"I will!"

...

The soldiers, already enraged, responded to Saluka's call.

Only the adjutant looked surprised and hesitant.

As Saluka's adjutant, he knew more.

Everything did not seem to be as Saluka said.

For example, he had heard the word 'jewelry' with his own ears.

However, before the adjutant could raise his doubts, a gun was pointed at his forehead.

The person holding the gun was Saluka.

Bang!

Without hesitation, Saluka fired.

Looking at the adjutant who died with his eyes open, Saluka felt no pity.

Who let him know too much!

"He was the spy Jennings sent to me, unfortunately, I discovered it too late! Otherwise, Hank..."

Saluka once again performed his acting skills.

Immediately, the soldiers' surprise turned into even more anger.

Their gazes toward the adjutant's body became filled with disgust.

"My soldiers, it's time to seek justice from Jennings—let's go!"

"Seek justice!"

"Seek justice!"

The voices rose like a wave, finally shattering the night's tranquility.