Chapter 176: Operation Whirlwind (Part 1)
"Here, Zhang Fan, this weapon is for you." Yui, pulling a Glock 17 semi-automatic pistol from the desk drawer, handed the Austrian-manufactured weapon to me.
As a member of the warfront, it was my duty to engage in combat. The Glock 17, known for its reliable performance, seemed a fitting choice for a newcomer. Yui had thoughtfully considered this. However, she was unaware that I was far from a novice, and a Glock 17 was hardly suitable for my needs. Shaking my head and smiling, I drew my own weapon, a Flame Magnum, skillfully spinning it before an astonished audience and reholstering it within my coat.
"What's that?" Yui asked incredulously, having not expected me to possess such a powerful and heavy-recoiling weapon as the Magnum.
"I have my own arsenal. And as I've mentioned before, I merely stumbled into this world," I replied nonchalantly, taking a seat on the sofa, sparing further explanation.
"An accidental arrival?" Yui pondered, trying to grasp the concept.
"Regardless, to familiarize you with our operations, let's have you participate in our next strategic exercise, codenamed: Operation Whirlwind!" Yui declared, donning a white cap and pulling down a projector screen. The room darkened, illuminated only by the blue light of the projector flashing the SSS emblem.
Operation Whirlwind was a straightforward mission: steal meal tickets from students. By diverting their attention with a feint and activating the cafeteria's exhaust fans, we aimed to whisk away the tickets. Despite the impossibility of death in this world, pain and hunger persisted — even the deceased crave sustenance.
Side Mission 2: Successfully carry out Operation Whirlwind, ensuring the NPC students' meal tickets are smoothly confiscated. Prevent the student council president from entering the cafeteria until the mission's end. Reward: 1000 game points.
This seemingly simple operation also triggered a side mission, a pleasant surprise for me. Even without my involvement, the mission would likely succeed, making my participation merely icing on the cake.
"Zhang Fan, you'll be assigned to the barricade team, blocking the Angel's path. As a newcomer, you'll be placed in an easy position. Don't worry," Yui reassured, perhaps underestimating me. Newcomer or not, an easy task was always welcome. If I could earn game points without fighting, all the better. But would things go as smoothly as I anticipated?
By 6:30 PM, everyone was in position, vigilantly guarding their assigned areas with a variety of arms, including snipers on standby. It felt almost like preparing for battle, an odd sentiment for a school setting.
Guided to my post on the Second Connection Bridge, I was told the Angel rarely passed this way. This was based on the speculative analysis of our less-than-reliable strategist, Takamatsu. But who could say for certain?
"How are you adjusting?" Takamatsu checked on me before the operation's start. Despite his unreliability, he showed genuine concern.
"Of course, it's just guard duty. I've done similar work before," I responded with a smile, knowing Tachibana Kanade, the Angel, wouldn't initiate an attack unless provoked.
As the operation commenced, Takamatsu returned to his post, leaving me to contemplate the upcoming encounter with the Angel. Known in the original story not as a celestial being but another human drawn into this world, her intentions were far from malicious. She simply wished to thank the person whose heart donation had once saved her life.
Understanding the misunderstandings that fueled the conflict between the Afterlife Warfront and the Angel, I saw an opportunity for reconciliation. The challenge lay in finding the right moment, as longstanding grievances would not be easily dispelled.
Returning to headquarters, the atmosphere was a mix of relief and lingering tension. Some members, like Noda and Fujimaki, were visibly uneasy about my presence. Yet, my discussions with Yui had only strengthened my resolve to mend the divisions within our afterlife community.