Chapter 9: A Dream
Poster and Iron Ring quickly completed the medical treatment for the indigenous people. From Poster’s solemn expression, it was clear that their condition was not good.
“They are mostly in a state of malnutrition, but they have no external injuries.”
Poster sat down on a relatively flat rock across from Lu Cheng, and Iron Ring handed her a can of food.
“Those who were injured and severely ill probably didn’t survive.”
Lu Cheng glanced at the indigenous people in the distance. Even though Poster had left, they continued to make prayer gestures towards her back.
In their eyes, this messenger of the gods had healed their diseases and left behind such delicious food.
“Have the buns been distributed?” Lu Cheng asked Poster.
“Distribution is complete. The food should last them about two days if they ration it.” Poster opened her can and said, “Captain… we can’t keep taking care of them.”
Poster knew that her mission here was to explore this world, not to save it.
From the mission briefing, she had learned that the energy of the portal between the two worlds was limited.
Providing simple medical treatment and some food to these indigenous people was already the limit of what she could do. Rationality told Poster that to truly save them, they needed to find more energy to sustain the portal.
“It’s only temporary. Tomorrow we will leave here.”
Lu Cheng glanced at Noyes, who was eating preserved egg and lean meat congee with great relish.
According to the dining standards within the ruins of the temple, Noyes’s meal could be considered a five-star luxury meal.
Beside Noyes sat an indigenous girl who had approached cautiously upon smelling the congee’s aroma.
Seeing this, Noyes generously handed her a steamed bun.
“Regarding the plan for the next move,” Lu Cheng continued, taking out a map made of what seemed to be animal hide and spreading it on the ground.
The map was drawn in a very obscure manner, with various illustrations showing the locations of towns and certain special mountains.
Fortunately, the map indicated the location of the town and the core city of this country, Skarre.
“From Noyes’s intelligence, we know that the core city of this country has more Earth Vein Crystals, which are the crystals needed to replenish the energy of the Sacred Crystal.”
Lu Cheng took out a small fragment of an Earth Vein Crystal, only the size of a thumb.
This was a small part he had separated from the main block. The larger portion had been sent back to Earth for research through the portal.
“This map doesn’t mark directions or anything like that, but Noyes has been to the core city several times and knows the way. According to her description, it takes over half a month on foot from this town to the core city,” Lu Cheng said.
“Will we encounter those red monsters on the way?” Kite asked, holding her Type 88 Rifle.
“Certainly. These creatures called Blood Crystal Beasts are rampant in this country. If you don’t want to become monster fodder, it’s best to stay alert at all times,” Lu Cheng replied. “As for tonight, we’ll stay here.”
The sky outside had completely darkened. Traveling in the forest at this time was almost like suicide.
After all, there were a bunch of hungry monsters waiting inside the forest.
“I’ll take the first watch. I found a vantage point in this building earlier.”
Iron Ring quickly finished his can of food, stood up with his weapon, and headed towards the ‘lookout point’ with the radio. Lu Cheng didn’t stop him.
“If anyone is tired, you can go to sleep. Tomorrow we’ll have to endure several Ironman Triathlons.”
Lu Cheng glanced at Poster and Kite, who showed no signs of fatigue, while Noyes, after eating her fill, was struggling against drowsiness.
“It’s only around five o’clock on Earth. Captain… it’s impossible for anyone to be tired.”
Kite glanced at her watch, which showed it was exactly five in the afternoon. The sky here darkened much faster than on Earth.
Moreover, there were two moons in the sky, but unfortunately, they were not visible here.
“Let’s chat then, starting with the simplest introductions… I still don’t know your real names.”
Lu Cheng began with the usual questions asked when soldiers enter a new team—where they’re from, their names, and what they want to do.
“Poster, you go first.”
Kite seemed particularly interested in the only woman in the team.
“Xu Lei, from Shangcheng, served in peacekeeping before. That’s all.”
Poster appeared to be the reserved type, or perhaps she simply didn’t want to chat much with Lu Cheng and Kite.
“Is that it?”
Kite asked tentatively, but he obediently fell silent after receiving a glare from Poster.
“Next, it’s your turn.” Lu Cheng turned his attention to Kite.
“Me? My name is Chu Jiangning, from Jiangcheng. I served in the Lì Jiàn Special Forces for almost four years. Although I originally wanted to be a pilot.”
Kite felt a bit embarrassed and rubbed the back of his head, then added, “When I signed up, they said this was the army, and pilots needed to pass a different test.”
“A pilot? Did you want to fly the J-10 or J-20?” Lu Cheng asked.
“I actually wanted to fly a helicopter, like the WZ-10. That would be great,” Kite gave an unexpected answer.
“Most people dream of flying fighter jets. It’s unusual to hear someone with aspirations to fly helicopters.”
Every pilot Lu Cheng had met dreamed of flying fighter jets, or even aircraft carriers. Kite’s aspiration to fly helicopters was a first for him.
“Fighter jets fly too high and fast, and during battles, people on the ground can’t see them… I think helicopters are more impressive, hovering in the air and shooting all around,” Kite expressed his somewhat childish thoughts. “But after spending years in the military and flying in helicopters a few times, I want to pilot one even more. I wonder if I’ll get the chance in the future.”
“I won’t dampen your spirits. Just keep it up,” Lu Cheng said.
“Thanks, Captain. Next, it seems like it’s your turn.”
When Kite handed the ‘mic’ to Lu Cheng, Poster, who had been writing records beside them, also looked up at Lu Cheng.
They were all very curious about Lu Cheng’s identity.
When they received their mission orders, they didn’t even know Lu Cheng’s rank.
“Original name Lu Cheng, as you all know. As for other information, if you want to know, you’ll have to copy the confidentiality regulations,” Lu Cheng said.
“Captain, we can’t even know your identity?”
Poster furrowed her brows slightly. Her initial guess was that Lu Cheng’s rank was not low, but it seemed Lu Cheng’s identity was more complicated than she had imagined.
Kite was about to ask more when Iron Ring’s voice came through the radio.
“Unknown personnel spotted at the edge of the town. Repeat, unknown personnel spotted at the edge of the town!”
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