Chapter 398 - 364: Mission and Reputation

Chapter 398: Chapter 364: Mission and Reputation

Three hours after the new rule was announced, every Ascender who hadn’t discarded their challenge Invitation Letter received the temporary title of "Contestant."

This title was mandatory, and its effect was to display the wearer’s nickname and point total above their head.

Five hours after the rule was announced, Zhang Minglu was walking through the halls of North Star’s Strategy Research Room to report to Gao Liangwei when he unexpectedly ran into Han Qiu.

Unlike Zhang Minglu, who had "Cloud-Sailing Vast Sea, 1" displayed above his head, there was nothing above Han Qiu’s.

He had to admit, he found Han Qiu’s decision to forfeit baffling. But considering the outcome of the meeting held before the title was announced, he saw the younger man’s move as a direct protest against the decision.

"Academician Han."

Zhang Minglu stopped in his tracks.

"I know you disagree with the final decision made by the North Star government, but isn’t protesting by damaging your own Psychic Power limit a bit too impulsive?"

Han Qiu smiled at his words and admitted it directly. "You may see it as impulsive, but in my own mind, I’m simply following the rules."

"Following the rules?" Zhang Minglu frowned. "Becoming a Contestant *is* following the rules."

"I told you during the last rule, Dr. Zhang. I intend to play this game according to the path laid out by the Fire Thief. In this new rule, the Fire Thief’s path requires Contestants to fight one another, not to get a free pass under the umbrella of some powerful protector."

Zhang Minglu felt a surge of anger at Han Qiu’s words.

"So you just forfeited? In your eyes, is it wrong for the North Star government to protect the public?"

"Protection isn’t wrong, but a flock of overprotected chicks will only die helpless and miserable when the real storm hits..."

After speaking, Han Qiu strode away. Zhang Minglu watched his back disappear, took a deep breath, and headed for Gao Liangwei’s office.

When he entered, Gao Liangwei had just finished a video conference. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

"Dr. Zhang, please have a seat."

"Director, I’ve spoken with the Ascenders on the front lines with the coalition forces," Zhang Minglu said as he sat down. "After the Parasites’ surprise attack failed during the last rule, the remaining ones scattered and went to ground deep in the mountains and remote forests.

The coalition forces now have full control over the major cities in the Black Banner Country, but since over eighty percent of the country is mountainous, it won’t be easy to find all the Parasites now that they’re in hiding. It will take time."

Gao Liangwei said, "The Human Federation is already aware of this. We previously had high-efficiency requirements for capturing Parasites on the front line because we needed to provide them as food for the Alien Intelligence. Now that the rule is over, we can slow down. It’s a good time to do a rotation."

Soldiers on the front lines face immense pressure every day. Even when they hold the advantage, they need to be rotated out regularly. It allows veterans to recuperate and new recruits to gain experience.

Zhang Minglu nodded. "Director, after I talked with the Ascenders in the coalition forces, some of them want to stay abroad to compete for rankings in this current rule, while others want to come back and rest."

The North Star Country forbids Ascenders from competing or fighting amongst themselves. This was an official decision and would not be changed.

However, for the country’s Ascenders who were abroad, the government basically gave its tacit approval if they wished to compete for rankings. There would be no repercussions upon their return.

"Let those who want to come back do so during this rotation. And as for those who want to compete for the rankings, let them compete."

"I understand. I’ll pass that along to them." Zhang Minglu added, "After the higher-ups made their decision, Han Qiu and the others in the Strategy Research Room who support limited competition seem very displeased. Han Qiu himself went so far as to protest by forfeiting... Should you talk to him, Director?"

"It’s not as simple as Han Qiu just forfeiting."

With that, Gao Liangwei pulled a document from his desk.

Zhang Minglu stared at it in surprise. "A resignation letter? He’s leaving?"

It all clicked for him then. No wonder he had run into Han Qiu. The man had just come from handing his resignation to Gao Liangwei.

"I’ve already accepted it," Gao Liangwei said. "But according to the Strategy Research Room’s confidentiality regulations, there is a mandatory six-month waiting period between the approval of a resignation and departure."

"...What a shame." Zhang Minglu sighed. "I might not have seen eye to eye with him, but I have to admit he’s brilliant."

"There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Brilliant people who aren’t on the same page will eventually part ways. Let’s set this aside for now. Dr. Zhang, I have another task for you."

"What is it?"

"Contact ’Shadow.’ I want to initiate a new collaboration with him."

...

「Afternoon.」

Since her original office had been attacked, Yelena was temporarily working from her estate.

Guan Tong, Shangyuan Zi, and Sikokun were all present in her study.

"The guards at the administration building have all been replaced with people from the Security Bureau? That’s too dangerous!" Sikokun exclaimed with a grim expression, having just been briefed on the situation.

Since the fifteenth rule ended, she, as the field Commander, had been handling the cleanup operations. She had just returned from the barracks moments ago and was still in her military uniform, not yet having had a chance to change.

"Governor, these people from the Security Bureau are all rigorously trained agents. After the Apocalypse Rules began, Valery also recruited many powerful individuals from the general populace. Once trained, these people became even more dangerous. Having them near you..."

In response to Sikokun’s concern, Yelena looked over at Guan Tong, who was standing to the side. "No matter how formidable those people are, could they possibly be a match for my teacher?"