Chapter 56: System Upgrade
The next day, Chang Ning opened the System, preparing to upgrade “Rifle Shooting” first. He wanted to see what changes would happen when he filled this Experience Bar to max level.
Now, without even upgrading the System, it had already given him a shooting assist that greatly increased hit rate beyond effective range, and 100% hit rate within range!
If he upgraded this Experience Bar, would it unlock the ability to shoot down an Airplane with a Rifle?
Chang Ning naively thought. He didn’t even consider that with current technology, it was impossible to succeed without using anti-materiel weapons.
This was just an Experience System, allowing the host to visually see their learning progress. At most, it could improve Physical Fitness a bit.
Shooting down planes—such fanciful ideas should be forgotten. Sleeping on the bed was more reliable than such wild fantasies, since anything was possible in dreams.
Just as Chang Ning was about to upgrade the “Rifle Shooting” Experience Bar, the System Panel showed a prompt.
“Spend 100 Merit Points to upgrade this Experience Bar?”
“No way, this also costs 100 Merit Points!”
Chang Ning never expected that the System, which had previously given him whatever he wanted, would suddenly turn into a “Girod” fixated only on his Merit Points.
“Why didn’t you write this out before? You’ve wasted my feelings!”
System: “…”
What responded was the System’s endless silence.
Such a familiar taste—silence whenever there was a problem.
Upgrading “Rifle Shooting” now seemed a bit not worth it.
Chang Ning reasoned in his mind. Currently, the Experience Bars or skills he had were “Rifle Shooting”, “Knife Skills”, and “Sniper Rifle Shooting”. Stamina was something everyone had, just his was stronger than others, so it wasn’t counted as a skill.
The “Rifle Shooting” skill alone, with 100% hit rate within effective range, would let Chang Ning outshine over 90% of the entire Military Unit.
Of course, this wasn’t the kind where it was 100% hit as long as within range. Chang Ning had tested it—if there was Cover blocking between him and the target, he couldn’t hit, even if the target was within range.
Unless Chang Ning had the ability to make Bullets curve, that was another story.
But who in this World had the skill to make Bullets curve with a Rifle? He certainly hadn’t seen it.
In summary, Chang Ning thought the “Rifle Shooting” Experience Bar didn’t need upgrading for now; it was sufficient.
Chang Ning’s gaze moved down to “Knife Skills”. He had a premonition that this skill would bring him a surprise.
However, since acquiring it, the most Chang Ning had used this skill was chopping vegetables in the Cookhouse.
“This skill might be useful in Actual Combat.”
Thinking of this possibility, Chang Ning’s face lit up. His Combat level was really poor; even the System wasn’t willing to record it as an Experience Bar.
But thinking that he usually spent most of his Time on Shooting and Physical Fitness Training, Chang Ning felt it wasn’t that hard to accept.
There were gains and losses; wanting to excel at everything would end up mediocre at all.
It wouldn’t help much with improving his Strength. On the contrary, if Chang Ning hadn’t had Marksmanship as a foundation in this Exercise, would he still dream of earning Military Merit?
Two words: Dream on!
Without excellent Marksmanship, among so many Soldiers in the entire Military Unit, why would Chang Ning earn a Military Merit Medal?
Similarly, without excellent Marksmanship, Chang Ning was no different from most Soldiers in the Barracks. Gaining favor from superiors would be extremely difficult.
Next was “Sniper Rifle Shooting”, which Chang Ning hadn’t maxed out yet, short by five Experience Points. Similarly, a one-click upgrade would cost 100 Merit Points.
“Feels like a loss; short by 5 points, I could level it up myself through Training.
If I spend these 100 Merit Points and the System upgrade brings good stuff afterward, I’d only be left envious.”
Chang Ning decided not to rush upgrading the Experience Bar; better to see what changes came after the System upgrade first.
Based on his novel-reading Experience, System upgrades always loaded new functions, and Merit Points were likely the currency for System services.
Chang Ning submitted his Decision to the System: “Upgrade the System.”
“Ding!
System upgrading…”
“System upgrade successful.”
The System upgrade Time wasn’t as long as Chang Ning imagined; it took only about two or three seconds total.
“System, I dub you the fastest System!”
Chang Ning couldn’t help teasing. Since learning the System had AI, he occasionally provoked it to see if the AI would snap back.
System: “…”
Clearly, Chang Ning failed again. The aloof System ignored him except for Public Affairs.
“Tch, boring.”
The System’s AI was very aloof, so Chang Ning turned his attention to the upgraded System.
The overall style of the System Page hadn’t changed much, still olive green with a golden Military badge shining at the header. His ID Photo now showed Military Rank changed from Private to Second Lieutenant.
The personal panel had changed, adding Military Rank and Merit Points information.
“Name: Chang Ning”
“Age: 19 years old”
“Military Rank: Second Lieutenant (Platoon Leader)”
“Merit Points: 100”
“Stamina: 400/??? （Ordinary adult male’s Stamina is 100）”
“Rifle Shooting: 100/100↑(Upgradable)”
“Knife Skills: 100/100 (Not upgradable)”
“Sniper Rifle Shooting: 95/100 (Can spend 100 Merit Points to upgrade)”
“Note: This System level is tied to the host’s Military Rank. Please strive hard, host!”
‘So this System upgrade only brought these changes?’
“Please open your eyes wide and Observe carefully before concluding.
This System is registered with the Industry and Commerce Bureau; it won’t Deceive customers!”
Seeing the System’s response, Chang Ning didn’t know how to retort; there were too many points.
Now, the most important thing wasn’t retorting the System, but finding the new functions loaded after the upgrade.
After some effort, Chang Ning finally discovered a small House-shaped icon at the bottom of the System Panel.
“Found it! Can’t blame me for missing it—the icon is green? And so small, easy to overlook.”
Muttering to himself, his hands didn’t slow down.
Chang Ning clicked the House icon, and the System Panel changed, jumping from the personal info panel to the System Mall.
The words “Mall” were glowing gold!
As expected, a proper System wouldn’t lack a Mall function to shear the host’s leeks.
As described in novels, items in the Mall were definitely beyond what he could afford now.
But Chang Ning still opened it; he just wanted to see what was in the Mall.
He Guessed he was in a Military movie world, so the System Mall surely sold related products.
Products related to Military were naturally massive Arms Dealing items. Chang Ning wanted to know how many Merit Points a “Big Ivan” cost in the System.
Entering the Mall Page, the first thing that caught the eye was a Stun Gun, with bold enlarged text saying “Discount”.
Opening the Stun Gun’s Information, it said this Weapon was officially equipped to police Military Units in 2100, capable of outputting up to 220V current, directly causing Death!
That wasn’t the key point; mainly, its Battery was a Button Battery!
If this thing were taken out, the energy Industry would undergo massive changes.
Its Quoted Price was 200 Merit Points—indeed, something Chang Ning couldn’t afford.
“System, filter out items I can afford now.”
Then Chang Ning watched as items on the Mall Panel vanished one by one, leaving nothing; the panel was as clean as if licked by a dog.
“I can’t afford anything in the System Mall!”
Seeing this, what could Chang Ning do? Since he couldn’t buy, at least he could window-shop.
Chang Ning entered “Big Ivan” in the Search bar; result: no such product.
“System, why no such Weapon!”
“This System comes from the future. In the future, humanity has abandoned nuclear weapons, shifting focus to controllable nuclear Reaction for benefiting human society.
Weapons like Big Ivan, huge and cumbersome, have long been Eliminated. Humanity developed portable Weapons with even greater power.”
Hearing the System’s introduction, Chang Ning’s eyes lit up: “Does that mean you sell Weapons from the future World here?”
“Yes.”
Thinking he only had 100 Merit Points now, Chang Ning calmed down. He was someone who couldn’t even afford the cheapest item in the Mall.
“System, can Merit Points only be gained by promoting Military Rank?”
“Not only by promoting Military Rank. Promoting Military Rank upgrades the System, loading more plugins and better Service for the host.
There are many ways to generate Merit Points; promoting Military Rank is just one.”
Chang Ning impatiently urged the System.
“Then tell me quickly—what other ways?”
“Missions, lots of Missions!
Including but not limited to daily Training Missions.”
Meaning any Military Unit Mission could generate Merit Points, even something like a big cleanup.
Chang Ning didn’t ask the idiotic question of why previous Missions didn’t give Merit Points. Merit Points were clearly a function after System upgrade; it didn’t exist before.
Moreover, the technological value in those System Weapons was immeasurable; one piece could revolutionize an Industry.
The System and Chang Ning were in the same boat now; the System needed him to upgrade, and he needed the System’s help.
So the System couldn’t possibly turn into a villain exploiting the host like in some novels.
The System’s help for Chang Ning wasn’t actually that obvious.
Even with Experience Bars, without Chang Ning Training and Studying hard, no Experience Points would be gained, and bars wouldn’t upgrade.
From previous dialogue, the System actually focused more on his Military Rank promotion; Merit Points meant nothing to it.
Thus, Chang Ning concluded his System wouldn’t harm him, nor embezzle his Merit Points.
“Gotta become a Mission maniac from now on.”
Chang Ning could already imagine everyone’s expressions when he became the king of involution.
