Chapter 144: New Features
Once out this door, even if Xiao Gao searches the internal network for the list of top talents, he won’t find it. The screen will only show policies related to the list, not specifics on individuals.
“Captain, you can rest assured on this point. We both understand the rules. We don’t ask what we shouldn’t ask, and we don’t say what we shouldn’t say.”
Hui Lang quickly assured He Da Dui while sitting on the sofa, and Gao Zhong Dui nodded along beside him. Although he didn’t speak, his guarantees were never broken.
“All issues are resolved, so why are you still lingering here?”
He Da Dui started chasing them out. After a busy day, he really couldn’t hold on any longer.
“Yes, we’ll leave immediately.”
With that, Gao Zhong Dui and Ma Da stood up, saluted He Da Dui, and opened the office door for the Captain to go first.
“You two cheer up. Although Chang Ning doesn’t belong to 026, before the transfer order comes down, he’s still under your leadership. Having such an excellent soldier working under you is reassuring.
Besides, compared to Old Fan and the Assassin, Chang Ning is at least your soldier. You can boast and outshine them.”
Perhaps unable to bear seeing Gao Zhong Dui and Ma Da too upset, He Da Dui turned back midway to console them.
Between people, the worst is mutual comparison, especially on certain people or things where one side has it and the other doesn’t, which most reveals their psychological states.
Following He Da Dui’s words, as the two thought of Fan Tianlei and the Assassin’s pained expressions, their mouths involuntarily curved upward, gradually turning smug.
There was no personal grudge between them; mutual competition was the norm. But this competition inevitably involved tripping each other up and digging pits, and over time, no one could tell right from wrong. Anyway, whenever there was an opportunity, they would dig pits for each other.
Lying on the iron bed in the dormitory, Chang Ning didn’t know that the three leaders had racked their brains over his matter. Poor Ostrich had only served as a conversation starter.
The bright moonlight filtered through the window glass wiped clean enough to reflect shadows, slowly creeping onto Ostrich’s face. No one knew what he dreamed of, but Ostrich’s mouth moved as if chewing.
‘Ostrich is probably dreaming of something delicious.’
Seeing Ostrich’s sleeping posture, Chang Ning made what he considered a very reliable guess.
“Medic, why are you everywhere!
Don’t rob with me, leave some for me!”
Well, it seemed Ostrich’s dream wasn’t pleasant. Sure enough, Ostrich and the Medic were true love; he even dreamed of the other and wouldn’t separate for a moment. Xia Lan was just tagging along.
“Mission settlement completed. Merit Points received, please check, host.”
The system’s electronic voice rang in his mind, pulling Chang Ning’s attention back from Ostrich’s frequently changing face.
His mind sank into the system in his consciousness, bringing up the character panel. In Chang Ning’s mind, the system was a sphere emitting soft light.
“Name: Chang Ning”
“Age: 19 years old”
“Military Rank: Second Lieutenant (Platoon Leader)”
“Merit Points: 700”
“Stamina: 600/??? （Ordinary adult male’s stamina is 100）”
“Knife Skills: 100/100 (Cannot be upgraded)”
“Shooting Mastery: 70/100”
“Combat: 10/100”
“Demolition: 60/100”
“Makeup Reconnaissance: 80/100”
“Note: This system’s level is linked to the host’s Military Rank. Please strive hard, host!”
Last time’s Merit Points were 500, now 700, increased by 200, meaning the hostage rescue mission’s reward was 200 Merit Points.
Chang Ning didn’t know what others’ systems were like, but his system wasn’t intelligent at all, and its functions were even incomplete.
Just like this time, it didn’t remind when releasing the mission, nor did it clearly mark the mission’s value.
Chang Ning had reason to suspect the system’s developer was taking kickbacks from it.
Now it’s a seller’s market; even if his guess turned out true, what could he do? Could he uninstall the system? Moreover, the big light ball in his mind didn’t have an uninstall option.
“Ding, you have a new email, please check.”
Chang Ning instinctively looked at the system-built space, which could only carry things from the system; it was impossible to put outside things in.
He had tried it before, ending up holding a towel in the washroom, standing foolishly making all sorts of weird gestures to summon the system, but getting no response.
In the end, Xiao Zhuang, who came in to fetch water, saw it all, scaring him into thinking Chang Ning’s brain was trained silly, dragging him insistently to have the Medic check him.
All black history for Chang Ning, the kind that makes his face red recalling it.
Looking at the empty System Space, Chang Ning was even more annoyed with the system; he couldn’t afford any products in the system shop.
The only chance to buy things was the daily one-time Market refresh, which would refresh products he could afford.
The special bullets in the System Space were bought from the last refresh; one special bullet cost 200 Merit Points, ridiculously expensive.
“System, you have the opportunity but don’t make use of it. How come you can’t offer anything for my 700 Merit Points?”
Chang Ning grumbled while opening the email; it was a mission brief.
The moment the email was opened, it turned into specks of fluorescent light and disappeared, with the content directly appearing in Chang Ning’s consciousness.
After reading the mission brief, Chang Ning finally understood exactly how those 200 Merit Points came about, and it made him feel more and more that his system and America’s were family.
The capitalists’ ugliness wasn’t even lazily concealed at the corners of their mouths.
The hostage rescue mission itself was only 150 Merit Points, with the extra 50 as a reward for his outstanding performance in this mission.
“Forget it, the more I look, the angrier I get.”
Chang Ning decisively exited the system to calm his churning mood.
“No need to get upset with the system; it’s not worth harming my body. Better to see what good things the Market can refresh.”
The daily free product refresh opportunity was like a blind box, with all sorts of products.
But lately, Chang Ning had been consistently unlucky: either the refreshed products were powerful and aesthetically pleasing but unaffordable, or affordable but useless.
So far, the most suitable product Chang Ning had refreshed was the special bullet, but unfortunately only once.
“Hope this time’s product is good.”
Chang Ning rubbed his hands, eyes shining with anticipation.
Clicking the refresh button, the next second an Aircraft Carrier appeared, rusty and spotty from the picture; Chang Ning would believe it was just salvaged from the sea.
“Akagi Aircraft Carrier, Japan’s first heavy Aircraft Carrier built by the Navy in World War II.
This Aircraft Carrier has 200mm main guns, curved horizontal smokestack, through deck, bridge, and elevators; carrier-based aircraft capacity 60.
Sunk by heavy damage on June 6, 1942, in the Battle of Midway.
Price: 1000 Merit Points!
Tip: Don’t mind the rust; when you buy it, the system will handle the refurbishment, plus gifting matching carrier-based aircraft 60 units.
Heart moved, better take action! What are you waiting for!
No 6888, no 1999, just 1000 Merit Points to take home a genuine Aircraft Carrier!”
Alright, ignoring the system’s sales pitch like it trained at a mall, a WWII-era Aircraft Carrier for 1000 Merit Points was indeed tempting.
If bought, it could be stored in the System Space, no worry of discovery, and safer for future sea missions.
But he was still 300 Merit Points short.
“Why always just a bit short, dog system, are you doing this on purpose?”
Chang Ning vented his dissatisfaction with impotent barking; only in his consciousness could he be so unrestrained.
Once back to reality, he must always stay calm. His profession dictated emotions couldn’t control his brain.
Detecting strong dissatisfaction from host towards the system’s Market function, system begins automatic upgrade to improve related functions.
“System upgrading…”
“Upgrade successful!”
Unlike in novels where system upgrade kicks out the host.
This was Chang Ning’s consciousness space; he was the master—who drives away the master for a guest?
The upgrade was quick; Chang Ning didn’t even have time to complain before it finished.
“Upgrade successful. Host can spend Merit Points to increase daily refresh times.
First refresh costs 100 Merit Points, second 200, and so on, no upper limit.
Daily free refresh changed to monthly once; additionally, host can spend 500 Merit Points for Specific Refresh of a product category.”
After reading the update notice, Chang Ning felt every word revealed one core idea: spend money!
