Chapter 90: Revealing Identities

Chapter 90: Chapter 90: Revealing Identities

Zara and the others had no idea that, in the instructor’s eyes, they were such rookies. Still, they vaguely realized that the captive status wasn’t easily killed off, which was considered an advantage, and they regained a bit of confidence.

Renee Morgan actually liked the sniper role a lot. Although the rules heavily restricted her, snipers could just grab a gun and go for a headshot, earning points by making the opponent’s head "smoke"—that felt way more satisfying than playing a captive, relying on some frustrating skills to barely hang on.

Even if they’re on different sides, captives and snipers don’t seem to have direct conflict, right?

After all, if someone from her own side is captured, Renee wouldn’t shoot her own teammate in the head. If someone from the opposing side is captured on her side, she can’t headshot the captive either. Of course, if the captive tries to escape and runs past the obstacle zone, then she can pull the trigger.

There’s really not much conflict. After all, captives won’t just break out easily—breaking out is suicide. They’ll try to survive first, then work out how to score points.

Once Renee figured it out, Zara and the others naturally thought of it too. That means, as captives, if they escape, Renee gets points for headshotting them, but they can’t get any of Renee’s points themselves?

She’s the sniper, after all. How would a captive ever get close to her?

For a moment, everyone was jealous of Renee Morgan.

The instructor spoke at just the right time: "Every role has its own advantages. The sniper role isn’t something just anyone can handle."

Zara Chapman rolled her eyes, muttering, "Then let her swap out already."

The instructor’s sharp gaze shot over: "Zara Chapman, what did you say?"

Zara jumped, shaking her head frantically: "N-no... nothing."

The instructor’s dark brows and eyes locked onto her.

Everyone thought the matter had passed, but unexpectedly, the entire crew was sent on a three-kilometer sprint to the training field.

Standing at the firing range, everyone began to catch on to what the instructor was planning.

Each person gets five shots—their final score will be calculated.

First up were the group one members, then group two took their turn.

When it was Zara Chapman’s turn, she was nearly in tears. Renee’s role was different from theirs; anyone would feel unfair. She’d only said a single sentence—was the instructor planning to embarrass her in front of everyone?

Why? Why was everyone so protective of Renee Morgan?

Zara hadn’t practiced much at the range—her results were downright dismal.

It wasn’t just her; the other group two members were just as bad. After all, their training time was short—how could they expect good scores?

Miles Yates had attended shooting classes as a kid; his shooting scores were at least presentable.

The group one members’ scores had everyone stunned when they came out.

The livestream viewers were getting fired up:

[Are the Mercenary Guild guys’ skills mainly shooting?]

[In Merrick, that seems like a must-have for their specialty.]

[Damn, those scores are awesome. Too bad they ended up as captives. Sure, with hidden skills they gotta stay still and play it safe—total waste of talent.]

[By the way, Renee Morgan is the sniper. If her scores are trash...]

[LOL, here’s the real scoop. The base’s forest, all sorts of challengers, even The Boxing King went with a squad, plus mercenaries and mysterious experts with crazy skills. But only Renee Morgan got the base access pass on camera. Doesn’t that seem fake to you? No idea which Apex Conglomerate big shot is backing her, but they sure spent a fortune to open the road for her.]

[Wake up, dude. The base is globally renowned for its authority. The show only got filming rights through a partnership. Forces involved reach all the global elites—fairness is guaranteed.]

[I also believe in the base’s fairness. There’s no country in the world with privileges in the base. But getting the base access pass has nothing to do with shooting skills. Everyone who’s played games knows the sniper determines whether the team wins or loses. If her skills are crap but she snags the sniper role, she’s screwing everyone.]

[Yeah, yeah, it feels like the role assignment wasn’t careful. Maybe Renee Morgan should swap out of the sniper role?]

[If you guys are such experts, why doesn’t the base invite you to direct? Renee’s scores haven’t even been announced yet, but you’re all shouting already.]

[Seriously, what are these people yelling about? I’m a pistol pro, judging from Renee Morgan’s calmness and technique, her scores won’t be bad. And hey, she got her access pass by skill, so why are you all salty?]

Before entering the base forest, it was made clear: anyone who doesn’t pass gets the captive status. Renee Morgan cleared it, so getting the sniper role makes perfect sense.

[...]

The international viewers were much more chill, since they’d always put the Mercenary Guild on a pedestal—only to be disappointed.

Now that they’ve seen their shooting scores are barely passable, it’s nothing special.

As for Renee Morgan getting the sniper role, they also felt the instructor’s decision was questionable.

Renee Morgan is talented and capable, sure, but snipers need to be accurate. Her skills are good, but can she really outshoot the Mercenary Guild members who carry guns every day?

If it were just fifteen people competing, it’d be fine. But the instructor said earlier: there are over a thousand people in the event, two camps, and Renee Morgan is a sniper. The other team must have snipers too.

Renee’s direct opponents aren’t group two rookies—they’re enemy snipers.

All the analysis led to the idea that giving such an important role to Renee Morgan wasn’t necessarily a great thing.

[...]

As group one scores were announced, Zara Chapman and Miles Yates were blown away. Absolutely incredible.

The five-shot scores: two got 48, one got 49, three got 47, and even the weakest ones got 45.

Group two members:

Lynn Miller: 32.

Lionel Lincoln: 35.

Zara Chapman: 22.

Gael Prescott: 38.

Kyle Beckett: 34.

Miles Yates: 41.

When it was Renee Morgan’s turn, there was no inspector announcing the score. Instead, as per the instructor’s signal, she walked to her target and pulled off the cloth, handing it to the instructor.

The instructor spread it out on the ground, letting everyone count their own rings.

Renee Morgan had practiced all kinds of bows and slingshots since she was a kid—even played a ton with slingshots—but never got to touch a gun. Though she’d practiced last time, she still felt uncertain inside.

When Lynn Miller dragged her up, she started hunting for bullet holes.

The PD’s cameras focused on everyone, but the close-up showed only Renee’s target. So the livestream viewers joined in, hunting for bullet holes.

They searched for ages, but only found a single bullet hole?

Could it be...?

The chat exploded in chaos.