Chapter 70: The Role of the Base Pass

Chapter 70: Chapter 70: The Role of the Base Pass

Renee Morgan’s face was serious, clearly unhappy. The military utility knife spun around her thumb, again and again—mesmerizing, but with a deadly edge.

Taylor and the others stood at attention, filled with respect.

The Hall Master was about to speak, but suddenly paused. Watching Renee flip her knife, he quietly took a step back, worried her thumb might slip and the blade end up in someone’s body.

Renee caught their reaction and instinctively explained, "Don’t be scared, I’m really steady with knives."

"..." That made them even more nervous.

The Hall Master, who had been feeling hesitant before, was now even less sure what to do. They might not care about Zayed and his father, but they knew for a fact—some local powers, especially the hidden bosses, were not to be messed with.

With online viewers’ hearts pounding, the Hall Master raised his hand and said solemnly, "Alright, for Renee’s sake today, we’ll let bygones be bygones with Zack. From now on, we’re all brothers when we meet."

Taylor: "?" He’d been talking for ages, mouth dry, and at best they just agreed not to hold it against him. But they were set on teaching Zayed a lesson. Turns out, he just doesn’t have enough weight. Frustrating!

Zayed: "?" His father spent all that money and pulled endless strings, but never managed to resolve these old grudges. And now it was fixed so easily?

Renee: "?" Was it because she showed off her knife skills and impressed them?

Renee quietly spun the knife handle again, the military tool dancing across her hands, flipping and jumping. It finally settled back in her palm with precision, and she spoke slowly, "No problem."

Talk it out, peace is best—she was genuinely happy about that.

The other side’s eyes all sharpened. The Hall Master shook hands with Taylor, Brown, and Zayed, then looked at Renee and seemed to think he wasn’t qualified to shake her hand. He put his hands in front, gave her a deep bow, and then turned to leave with his people.

Once they left, everyone else’s legs felt weak, staring at Renee in disbelief.

Renee wanted to explain, but thought of something else and frowned at Zayed: "What did you just say to them? Why did their attitude change..."

The kid honestly repeated what he’d told them: "Renee really is someone with military influence from country Z. I didn’t say anything wrong, right?"

The instructor represents military backing, and Renee is his trainee—under his protection. That’s right, isn’t it?

Renee: "..." Didn’t expect Zack’s so young, yet this crafty already.

Lynn Miller, Miles Yates, and Kyle Beckett finally realized what happened—Zayed and Renee were acting, scaring that group away.

Lynn looked worriedly at the others: "What do we do now? If those guys come back, our cover’s blown way too easily."

Renee’s "big boss" identity was fake. If things got real, the other side would quickly see through it.

Kyle was pretty chill about it: "If they come back and there’s no way out, we all just blow the whistle."

Miles nodded in strong agreement: "The forest’s way too dangerous anyway. Getting out would actually be a good thing."

Zayed and Taylor stayed quiet; obviously, getting the base pass was their top priority.

Compared to them, Renee had more on her mind. Now everyone thought she was some major figure—and if they found out they’d been played, would they come after her at night?

Zayed saw Renee’s bitter expression and seemed to guess her thoughts. He said apologetically, "Renee, don’t worry. Once I get the base pass, they won’t dare touch you."

Renee squatted by the fire, looking at him, confused: "Everyone’s here for the base pass?"

Zayed nodded, seeing she didn’t get it, and explained: "Only if you get the pass can you recommend a spot for someone to enter the base."

As for why local powers are fighting tooth and nail to get in—there are all kinds of matches here, huge prize money, competitions for the base game, and everyone dreams of winning the champion’s prize. Plus, the forces behind the base are rumored to have big shots from lots of countries—even military powers from around the world, all trying to get resources from the base.

Renee started to understand Zayed’s point.

So as long as she gets the base pass, Zayed’s trap is filled in?

But things said and done can’t be fixed that easily.

Zayed watched Renee’s gloomy face and spoke seriously: "If I get the base pass, I’ll definitely protect you."

Renee glanced at him: "Isn’t all this trouble your fault?"

Zayed: "..."

Renee didn’t take Zayed’s promise to heart. In her dream, she fought her way through showbiz, relying on the company for some help but never thinking of shortcuts—why would she wait to be protected now?

Rather than pinning hopes on others, better to fight with everything she’s got. Even if she loses bloody, she won’t resent anyone.

Tonight she helped Zayed’s group by instinct, no heroics. At the end of the day, they’re teammates—stick to the principle of never abandoning anyone—she couldn’t just stand by.

Forget it. It happened, whatever consequences come, that’s for later. Instead of fretting, she should figure out how to solve it. If she gets the base pass, all worries go away.

So, getting the base pass is absolutely necessary now.

Renee, in some ways, is a bit stubborn. Like when she was a kid learning martial arts—her grandfather had tons of disciples, her father was taught directly by him. Renee trained with her grandpa too, and they say few could handle his training. Renee was one of the rare ones.

Grandpa was an old hardass. No matter how much he doted on her, he never went easy. Every day she hauled water, held horse stance, practiced striking posts. If she looked weak, his whip would lash down—at times like that, Renee was always different. She wouldn’t cry, just gritted her teeth, trained even harder, sometimes doubling her normal regimen, nearly passing out from exhaustion but always finishing.

Just like in her dream—she wanted the best actress award, wanted to prove herself. She absolutely wouldn’t admit defeat; she would fight to the end.

Even if she could do it all again, she’d never give up easily.

Renee quickly bounced back, seeing everyone weighed down. She called out to reassure them: "Go rest in the tents, guys. Try to sleep a few hours before dawn. They won’t be back yet—at least until they’ve checked my background, they won’t risk crossing me."

The others thought about it and agreed, heading back to their tents.

Miles Yates worried about Renee. He hesitated several times before finally saying, "The director and instructors won’t let anything happen to us."