024 Side Quest - Confrontation

Train seriously!

I'm almost finished with my task!

No pie in the sky can measure up to the importance of a task you're about to complete on your own.

Bai E focused wholeheartedly and kept swinging his sword without distraction.

838…

839…

The earnest Bai E, even among these naturally born artificial human soldiers, stood out quite noticeably.

While companions couldn't keep their eyes on him at all times, as an instructor, Wood could observe everyone constantly.

He couldn't be certain if Bai E's training effects were sufficiently excellent, but at least his attitude was the most serious among them.

Although he motivated the other artificial human soldiers by saying that everyone had a chance, in his heart, he had already decided on the candidate.

…

[You have completed a swing, completion rate 98%, "Subsidiary Task – Familiarization with Weapon" progress 1000/1000.]

[You have repeatedly completed high completion rate learning, Heavy Weapon Proficiency Experience +1.]

[Current Heavy Weapon Proficiency Experience 51/100, reach 100 points to master "Level 1 Heavy Weapon Specialization".]

[Subsidiary Task – Familiarization with Weapon, Complete!]

[Task Reward: Heavy Weapon Proficiency Experience +50, awarded.]

"Phew~ Finally finished."

[Current Heavy Weapon Proficiency Experience 101/100, "Level 1 Heavy Weapon Specialization" acquired, and 1 Potential Point earned simultaneously.]

[Heavy Weapon Specialization (Level 1): Attack Power (Blunt) +2%, Heavy Strike +1%.]

[Current Heavy Weapon Proficiency Experience 1/300, reach 300 points to master "Level 2 Heavy Weapon Specialization".]

The moment the task was completed, Bai E felt a surge of heavy weapon use experience flood into his body, taking command of his limbs.

That instinctive familiarity made him feel curiously in sync with the battle saber in his hands, and he even felt the urge to spar with the warrior in front of him.

[??? (Human) (Ally) — Use "Lucky Strike" for a kill to drop: Certain (Fresh Meat*2000, Combat Experience 800 points); Possible (Specialty: Muscular Development)]

Forget it.

…

1011 times.

Yue Ying's sufficiently intelligent mind could easily remember this number.

It's rare for artificial human soldiers to take their instructor's initial command so seriously.

A thousand swings within an hour.

This was an extremely challenging criterion to meet, one that even the instructors themselves didn't really expect to be achieved.

And it had to be effective swings.

Yue Ying, with a comprehensive view, could easily notice —

That artificial human was the only one among the 2000 soldiers present who followed the instructor's order to the letter.

Time remaining... 1 minute and 26 seconds.

He stopped swinging.

Counting on his own? He was indeed strictly following orders.

But why exceed by 11 swings?

It must be... a miscount.

Yue Ying's lips curled slightly.

This particularly rigid artificial human soldier was unexpectedly clumsy in some aspects.

"Time's almost up."

Veslin mentioned kindly from the side.

They followed an absolutely reasonable schedule for the artificial human soldiers' training program, not allowing anything to disrupt this rhythm.

…

Wood kept an eye on the time, and as soon as the predetermined moment arrived, he immediately called a halt.

His fellow instructors were already having their groups sign up and vote democratically, but he was different... he decided internally.

"I've seen everyone's performance just now, and Soldier 95B27 has arguably outshone everybody. If there are no objections, let him represent our group against the mysterious War God."

In the group of 50 soldiers, most of the artificial human soldiers remained silent, seemingly content whether out of genuine approval or grudging acceptance.

The remaining few who were eager to show off hesitated after seeing Bai E's stern face, which remained expressionless even after grueling training, and then chose to keep their mouths shut.

Defaulted the qualifications for Bai E to represent the 358th Battalion in combat.

From a troop of 2000 people, 40 genetically engineered soldiers who had been selected in their own way, formed a neat square formation, with Weslin stretching out his hand towards the thin figure cloaked in black beside him.

"This is Yueying from the Elf Race, who is also an extraordinary master of swordsmanship. It's rare to have such an opportunity to make progress in a one-on-one duel with a master. What kind of advancements you make depends entirely on your own fate. I don't have high expectations for you..."

Weslin raised three fingers, "30 seconds of time, if you can last for 30 seconds, I will prepare a surprise package for you! Did you hear me clearly?"

"Understood!"

[Triggered a side quest—Duel.]

[Duel: You've benefited greatly from your duel with the swordmaster from the Elf Race, provided you can last a sufficiently long time. Quest requirements: Persist for 0/30 seconds in your duel with Yueying of the Elf Race. Quest completion reward: Ability Extraction Card*1.]

"30 seconds?"

Bai E vaguely sensed a flicker of disdain from beneath the black cloak of the Elf Race representative.

"You, step forward!"

Weslin, allowing some rest time for all the genetically engineered soldiers with the assembly and his speech, coldly ordered the leading soldier in the front row.

The soldier called upon was a tall Caucasian male, with a broadsword in his hand that seemed almost toy-like.

Upon hearing the order, the soldier jogged up to the platform. Weslin smiled and patted the shoulder of his most elite soldier, "Perform well."

"Yes, sir!"

The Caucasian male's face flushed with excitement; the silver bar sparkling on Weslin's shoulder denoted his status. Recognition from such a person stirred his genes into action.

"I will definitely defeat her!"

The soldier vowed silently.

Yueying gently held the standard-issue broadsword; even when directly faced, only her right hand holding the sword extended from the black cloak, exposed to the air.

Crystal clear and fair, with slender knuckles.

Weslin, who had stepped aside, pinched his chin, quietly planning to enjoy the spectacle of a beauty's battle.

It was unknown whether Yueying was truly an Elf who pursued swordsmanship as her ultimate goal, and to what extent a true swordmaster could achieve...

"Swoosh!"

With a flash of the blade, the standard-issue broadsword was flung high into the air, making several large arcs and emitting a 'whoosh' as it sliced through the wind.

It landed on the hard ground nearby with a crisp clang.

"Clang~"

Coming back to his senses, Weslin stared blankly at the broadsword lying close to him, then at the tall Caucasian soldier who had been disarmed and now lay defeated on the ground.

"Is... is it over?"

What happened to the 30 seconds? Just like that?

"Useless trash, get down!"

Regaining his composure, Weslin shouted angrily, "Next, up!"

"Yes, sir!"

...

"Clang~"

"Clang~"

"Clang~"

"Clang~"

Rain of standard-issue broadswords fell upon the stage.

Yueying seemed to have a penchant for disarming her opponents; every genetically engineered soldier's weapon ended its journey with a high plummet to the ground.

And the soldiers themselves...

Not a single one had managed to withstand the second strike.

Disarmament and subjugation happened at the same time.

No matter what stance the blade-wielding genetically engineered soldiers took as they charged forward, Yueying always found the perfect angle to strike down the enemy.

"Such ferocious swordsmanship... I feel like I wouldn't last more than a few moves myself," spoke the burly melee brawler of the team, unable to keep from expressing his amazement.

Members of the special forces squad who had been continuously watching Bai's training began to voice their astonishment.

"This elf lady doesn't know the meaning of holding back..."

"Trying to spar with such a master on your first training is indeed a bit out of their depth... Veslin didn't communicate beforehand to tone it down a bit."

"It's almost Bai's turn..."