Chapter 96: Tell Me About Your Shortcut

Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Tell Me About Your Shortcut

As the meeting was about to end, the commander said, "Rooms have been assigned in advance, and your names are on the doors. Find your room by your name and settle in. The competition starts tomorrow, so get a good night’s rest."

This room was just a temporary station; after the competition began tomorrow, they might be sleeping outdoors or at any task location.

Renee Morgan and Jay Monroe were assigned together, a two-bedroom apartment, not very spacious but clean and tidy.

Seeing it was still early, Renee took her belongings to the room, put them away, and locked the door.

As she came out, she happened to run into Jay Monroe, who had also just stepped out, seemingly to go out as well.

Ever since he found out Renee Morgan was his partner, Jay Monroe hadn’t felt like talking to her.

He said nothing, and Renee didn’t say anything either, just went out through the living room door.

Maybe it was fate, or just bad luck, the two of them ran into each other again in the conference hall.

Jay Monroe gave her another one of those creepy looks, as if he wanted to pierce her with his eyes.

Renee walked past him, going straight to the commander’s desk, where a sand table model of a building was set up.

The architectural model was lifelike, each building marked and labeled with its name.

Renee first familiarized herself with the surroundings of their own camp, then turned to check out Team Red’s territory.

Jay Monroe was suddenly standing on the other side, his gaze also fixed on the sand table.

Both of them studied it intently, frowning and pondering, neither saying a word.

Once Jay Monroe had memorized everything, he looked up at Renee Morgan, still deeply engrossed in the sand table, crossed his arms and lifted his chin. "So, Renee Morgan, tell me about your shortcut?"

Renee’s thoughts were still on the sand table. She lifted her head slowly to look at him, clear eyes clouded with confusion. It took a moment for her to realize what he meant by shortcut.

Her mind was full, so when she responded, her tone was a bit absent-minded: "Shortcut as in getting the base access pass?"

"...Base access pass?" Jay Monroe stared at her, her face serious, not joking at all. His eyelids twitched hard.

!! What kind of shortcut is that? That’s basically climbing Mount Everest, okay!!

Renee’s eyes returned to the sand table, thoughts still calm: "Yeah."

Honestly, Renee getting a base access pass was even more extraordinary than her becoming a sniper, but watching Renee’s serene attitude, Jay Monroe suddenly felt uncertain.

Did he really misjudge her?

Jay Monroe couldn’t help but ask again, "You really got the base access pass?"

Renee just responded with another "Mm," without even lifting her head.

Jay Monroe fell silent, counting on his fingers, occasionally glancing at Renee, his face full of speculation.

Time ticked by; Jay Monroe got a bit bored and stomped his foot. Standing there for ages made his legs go numb. Meanwhile, he saw Renee practically glued to the sand table, her eyes fixated on the architectural model.

Night fell. Seeing Renee had no intention of leaving, Jay Monroe pulled over a chair, crossed his legs, and idly watched her.

Renee stopped studying the sand table and spotted a manual on the desk, which documented the various player roles and the weapons they used in detail.

Jay saw how intently she was reading it, so he poured a glass of water, placed it in front of her, and tapped the table: "Drink some water first."

Renee glanced up at him; seeing his face genuinely serious and not mocking, she secretly relaxed, picked up the glass and took a sip, her red lips parted: "Thanks..."

The live chat didn’t expect Jay Monroe would bend so easily?

Ever since they found out Renee was a sniper, Jay Monroe had clearly been unhappy, but after learning she got the base access pass, he switched faces surprisingly fast.

Ha. Men!

Renee pretty much finished studying everything on the commander’s desk before heading back.

Jay Monroe followed lazily behind her, eyes occasionally landing on her, his expression complicated and hard to read.

Renee’s mind was filled with routes, blind spots in each side’s building areas, no room left to guess what he was thinking.

Back at the apartment, she washed up. The two of them each returned to their own rooms to rest.

By dawn, Renee opened her eyes, got up, dressed, and after preparing everything, she opened the door—just in time to bump into Jay, who was about to knock, striking a pose.

He was leaning against the wall by the door, one hand styling his messy but cool bangs, his lips curled in a charming arc. Apparently he hadn’t expected Renee to open the door suddenly—the arc stiffened, his face awkward.

Renee nodded at him and went to the bathroom; when she came out, Jay had already picked up his gear and was sitting on the sofa, apparently waiting for her.

Renee guessed his change in attitude was due to the base access pass and didn’t really mind. Jay’s problem with her wasn’t her sniper position, but that he doubted she could handle it. If the base access pass could show him she had some skill, then that was good—since they were partners, if Jay didn’t trust her, it’d be tough to work together.

When the two arrived at the conference hall together, plenty of people were already there. The commander hadn’t arrived yet; everyone sat in groups, and noticing them at the door, turned to look.

Jay Monroe raised a hand in greeting.

The others responded in turn.

Renee nodded at them as her way of saying hello.

Their looks suddenly turned meaningful.

Renee had no interest in digging deeper. Yesterday’s seat was taken, so she found a new spot.

Jay sat beside her, his pretty cartoon eyes swept the room and landed on her, seeing her holding a sniper rifle, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Ever trained with a gun?"

Renee: "Trained... for a few hours?"

Jay: "..."

The commander arrived late, the hall was full. He repeated yesterday’s battle plan, and the countdown to the competition began. Everyone split up to act.

Jay Monroe and Renee Morgan went up to the rooftop, found a spot with a great view and good cover, and started watching the enemy’s movements.

The competition had just begun; even if the enemy moved, it wouldn’t be so quick for them to show up in their territory.

But their own assault troops had started heading out in groups; according to the plan, they’d split up and launch an attack on Team Red’s building.

Renee found a spot by the window, set up her high-power sniper rifle, and carefully scanned all routes.

Jay kept his eyes on Seabrook’s route. Seabrook wasn’t big, but it was the fastest and safest way to reach both camps’ buildings.

If they took the waterway, Jay needed to spot them before they made landfall.