Volume One, Chapter 10: Appointment as Sergeant and Official Promotion to Team Leader – System Mission Accomplished!
Under the combined efforts of Han Cheng and his teammates, along with the 3rd Armored Platoon of the Blazing Fire Company, the rebel Ahmad reinforcement battalion was forced to retreat!
“What? They retreated?!”
When Rodson, commander of the 7th Mercenary Group, received the news, he was stunned.
The Blazing Fire Company’s 1st Special Operations Platoon, C Squad, had only about three or four members, and the 3rd Armored Platoon had around thirty to forty troops. This force of less than fifty men had actually driven back a rebel reinforcement battalion whose numbers were ten times greater? That was truly astonishing.
“That’s right, they retreated, and it’s all thanks to the members of the 1st Special Operations Platoon, C Squad,” Rodson explained. “They held the enemy at the front, giving us a chance to counterattack. Although the enemy outnumbered us, being pinned down from two sides severely hindered their movements. I even ran a quick data simulation during the fight; if the enemy hadn’t withdrawn, there was a 90% chance we would have completely annihilated them!”
Sankel, commander of the 3rd Armored Platoon, felt nothing but relief after narrowly escaping death. He had thought he was doomed, but unexpectedly, a small four-man squad that he had underestimated had helped them escape—against an enemy force ten times their size. It was truly incredible.
Rodson sighed, “This ‘Dragon’—though his English is terrible and communication is extremely difficult—based on his combat performance, he’s far more impressive than Tom, the original leader of C Squad. Where is he now?”
Before Sankel could answer, the soldiers sent to retrieve Han Cheng and his group returned.
“Dragon is already on my side. I’ll connect him to the comms right away.”
Sankel hurried to meet him.
At that moment, Han Cheng was wandering around the 3rd Armored Platoon’s base, filled with excitement. Everywhere he looked, there were armored vehicles, tanks, rocket launchers, and missile carriers.
Being up close to these machines, Han Cheng couldn’t help but admire them as he toured around.
“Wow, this real-life battle royale is so hardcore! These armored vehicles, tanks, missile carriers... they look just like the real thing!”
“Could it be that these are just retired armored weapons refurbished for use?”
As he spoke, Han Cheng tapped on a nearby shell, producing a clear clinking sound.
“Tsk tsk, this shell sounds real too, and it feels heavy.”
He wanted to lift it but thought better of it. “Man, when I tried lifting that sniper rifle before, I almost dislocated my arm.”
“Max-level talents are just incomparable to what I have now. I remember when I had max talents, I could lift missiles of any size.”
While murmuring to himself, Sankel approached.
“I presume you’re the acting leader of the 1st Special Operations Platoon, C Squad. Thank you very much for your support!”
Han Cheng waved his hand dismissively. “No thanks, we’re all brothers here—no need for formalities.”
“So, what’s the current scenario of this real-life battle royale? What’s our next mission?”
Sankel was baffled, utterly unable to understand Han Cheng’s words.
Luckily, Rodson’s voice came through the comms headset: “Dragon’s English isn’t very good. Let me communicate with him.”
Sankel quickly handed the communicator to Han Cheng.
“Hello?”
“Dragon, you did well. I want to reward you properly.”
“I’ve contacted Tom, the original leader of C Squad. Due to serious injuries, he’s been sent to the rear for surgery and won’t be able to fight for some time.”
“So from now on, I officially appoint you as the leader of C Squad.”
“No matter your previous rank, I’m promoting you to Sergeant immediately, and awarding you $50,000!”
As Rodson’s message ended, a system notification sounded in Han Cheng’s ear.
“Ding! Detected host has received an appointment. Battalion level updated!”
“Current battalion level: Squad. Current maximum squad size: 3/12!”
The battalion level had changed from acting squad leader to official squad leader. At the same time, the maximum number of squad members increased from 6 to 12—a significant boost.
But the system notifications continued!
“Ding! Congratulations, host has completed the promotion path (Position Stage 1: Squad Leader), receiving a limited 1-hour double KDA value efficiency card and a 10% discount card for advanced replication.”
“Ding! Congratulations, host has completed the promotion path (Rank Stage 1: Corporal), receiving a limited 1-hour 1.5x KDA value efficiency card and a 5% discount card for advanced replication.”
“Ding! Congratulations, host has completed the promotion path (Rank Stage 2: Sergeant), receiving a limited 1-hour 2x KDA value efficiency card and an 8% discount card for advanced replication.”
“Ding! Congratulations, host has completed the promotion path (Rank Stage 3: Staff Sergeant), receiving a limited 1-hour 2.5x KDA value efficiency card and a 10% discount card for advanced replication!”
With Han Cheng’s formal appointment as leader of the Blazing Fire Company’s 1st Special Operations Platoon, C Squad, and his new rank of Staff Sergeant, he also completed a milestone in the system’s growth task—“Promotion Path”—receiving various KDA multiplier cards and advanced replication discount cards as rewards.
Though the initial rewards were modest, based on the task’s later stages, the benefits would continue to grow. This was very promising.
Thinking aloud, Han Cheng marveled, “Wow, this real-life battle royale is really something. Not only can you get promoted, but you can even rise in military rank? That’s fun.”
“By the way, you just said I got a $50,000 reward. Is that the internal currency for this real-life battle royale?”
“What can this money be used for? Like in games, can you use it to draw for outfits, gun skins, or vehicle skins? If so, where do you get those?”
“And by the way, are your clothes, gun skins, and vehicle skins similar to those in the game? Do you have things like the Flower Fairy or the Future Armor?”
Rodson, on the other end of the comm, was utterly dumbfounded. He couldn’t understand a word of what Han Cheng was talking about—this talk of drawing outfits, gun skins, vehicle skins, Flower Fairy, Future Armor... Although he understood Chinese, the gibberish coming from Han Cheng’s mouth was incomprehensible.
After pondering for a moment, Rodson replied evasively, “Uh... about the bonus, I’ll report it as soon as possible. Don’t worry, Dragon, the Night Wolf Mercenary Group has always been generous with rewards and punishments.”
After this confusing exchange, Rodson issued new orders to the 3rd Armored Platoon and Han Cheng’s C Squad.
Next, Han Cheng’s C Squad would operate alongside the 3rd Armored Platoon to support other units trapped and cut off outside the perimeter of Bebbart Desert.
The specific operational command was entrusted to Platoon Leader Sankel.
Just as the orders were given and the comms ended, Rodson received a message from his superiors.
“Colonel Rodson, the Chinese government has proactively contacted our mercenary groups operating in the Middle East.”
“They want us to assist them in investigating the recent scandal involving the Sky Mediator Company. From now on, you must thoroughly inspect your units for any Chinese nationals who might have been deceived into joining the mercenary group.”
Upon hearing this, Rodson couldn’t help but think instinctively of C Squad’s leader, Dragon, whom he had just spoken to.
He was, after all, a Chinese national.
But then again, could any deceived recruit compare to someone with such overwhelming combat ability?
From what Platoon Leader Sankel had described of Han Cheng’s heroic performance in the recent fight, he was like a war god—clearly a battle-hardened mercenary, or at the very least, a former elite soldier or military champion from China.
There was no way he was someone who had been duped into joining this mercenary group.
So without hesitation, Rodson said, “Sir, when we received the initial report, I already instructed all units to report any abnormalities. Nothing suspicious has been found.”
“I can assure you that our 7th Mercenary Group has absolutely no Chinese nationals who were tricked into joining by intermediary companies.”