Chapter 32
Chapter 32: Tiger-Grade Squad, Trial?
"That's great…"
Huaxia Nation's Second Base.
Staring at the frozen image on the screen, Wan Changzheng leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath.
"Thank goodness this 'No Words Needed' didn't fall off the leaderboard from running out of steam."
"It was simply because the time of the kill against that S-Grade monster straddled midnight, causing the second day's score settlement to miss."
"A false alarm, truly a false alarm."
Zhao Yan nodded along, the tension that had gripped him finally unwinding.
But his brow furrowed shortly after, and he spoke with some concern.
"Commander, the strength isn't in question."
"It's just… what a shame that this 'No Words Needed' seems to have serious issues with his character."
"Or rather… his mental state is extremely unstable."
Recalling that indifferent disregard for human life from the video just now, and that near-warped composure.
Zhao Yan's heart pounded with unease.
Could someone like this actually be controlled by the nation?
"Ha, Xiao Zhao, you're still too young."
Wan Changzheng laughed and waved a hand.
"Just as his name says—No Words Needed."
"For a powerhouse of this caliber, we don't need to speculate about his character, nor do we need to win him over with words."
"We only need to prove ourselves through action."
Wan Changzheng rose to his feet, his tone resolute.
"Whatever he wants, we give! Meet his needs as fully as possible, recruit him with everything we have!"
"If we can't recruit him, we absolutely must not make an enemy of him! Someone like this can only be a friend—never a foe."
"Of course…"
Wan Changzheng's tone shifted as he gazed out the window toward the distant east. "Before any of that, there's one major problem we need to solve."
Zhao Yan looked up, instantly understanding:
"You mean… how to get him off that death trap called Eerie Island?"
"Exactly."
Wan Changzheng nodded.
Eerie Island earned its name precisely because it was a paradise for high-grade monsters, located in an extremely remote position.
The surrounding waters were sealed off by terrifying sea monsters.
Even for an Extraordinary One, swimming back alone was pure fantasy.
At that moment, Shen Lian, who had been fixated on her tablet, spoke up:
"Commander, there's no need to worry."
"Central Base issued a top-level Red Directive just 1 hour ago."
Shen Lian adjusted her glasses.
"Central has decided that on next Monday—the 12th of March, Savage Calendar year 1314."
"The 8th day after the newcomers' arrival in the Savage Realm—they will officially launch the 'Lighthouse Plan.'"
"At that time, a 【Tiger-Grade Squad】 led by an S-Grade Extraordinary One will be dispatched."
"They will carry heavy firepower to Eerie Island to execute an expansion mission and establish a Shelter base."
"Simultaneously, their primary covert mission is to locate and make contact with 'No Words Needed.'"
"A Tiger-Grade Squad?!"
Hearing those words, Zhao Yan shot to his feet, shock written across his face.
"Central has really gone all-in this time!"
In the Savage Realm, to respond to crises of varying levels, the nations had jointly established a strict squad classification system.
Ranked from lowest to highest: Wolf, Eagle, Leopard, Tiger, Dragon!
The standard configuration was 5 members per squad, covering roles including reconnaissance, assassination, firepower, defense, and support.
【Wolf-Grade】: The most basic combat unit.
The squad leader must be Grade C or above with at least 3 years of Savage Realm survival experience.
Members must be no lower than Grade D. Configuration: C leads D.
【Eagle-Grade】: Advanced squad. Squad leader Grade B, members Grade C. Configuration: B leads C.
【Leopard-Grade】: Elite squad. Squad leader Grade A, members Grade B. Configuration: A leads B.
【Tiger-Grade】: Strategic-level deterrent force! Squad leader must be an S-Grade powerhouse! All members minimum Grade A! Configuration: S leads A.
【Dragon-Grade】: The nation's ultimate weapon—a legendary squad. All members minimum Grade S! Even Divine Chosen may be present!
Most importantly.
Every member selected for a 【Tiger-Grade】 squad or above is a hardened veteran with at least 1 year of fighting and surviving in the Savage Realm!
True killing machines—absolutely no rookies!
"As far as I know, Huaxia Nation currently has only 3 active Tiger-Grade Squads, right?"
Zhao Yan remarked with a sigh. "Although the billions of transmigrators this time will surely allow expansion down the line, that's still the future."
"Mobilizing 1 Tiger-Grade Squad right now is equivalent to deploying a third of the nation's top-tier combat strength!"
"For a single 'No Words Needed'—is it worth it?"
"Worth it." Wan Changzheng didn't hesitate. "If he truly belongs to the Divine Chosen sequence, it would be worth sending all 3 Tiger-Grade Squads!"
He turned to Shen Lian and asked, "Has Central decided which one to send? 【Storm】? 【Blade】? Or 【Iron Wall】?"
Shen Lian shook her head.
"Nothing confirmed yet."
"When those 3 squads heard the mission target was Eerie Island, every single one of them burned with an intense desire to take it."
"None would yield to the others—they nearly came to blows in the sparring grounds at Central Base."
"So…"
Shen Lian continued, "Central decided to have them compete for the assignment."
"After the server-wide Monthly Trial concludes on the 10th—3 days from now—"
"Whichever of the 3 squads achieves the best result in the Trial will receive the mission."
"I see."
Wan Changzheng and Zhao Yan exchanged a glance and nodded with satisfaction.
This was the soldier's way of settling things—whoever has the bigger fist goes in.
It also made clear why the mission date was set for the 12th—to allow time after the Trial for rest and reorganization.
"Speaking of the Trial…"
Zhao Yan glanced at the calendar, a puzzled look crossing his face.
"The Trial opens on the 10th of every month."
"By convention, the stage preview should've been released on the 1st, right?"
"Why so late this time? It's already the 7th and there's still no movement."
Shen Lian also looked baffled. "No idea. The Sky Screen system seems to be glitching lately… by all accounts it should have—"
Ding-dong!
Just then, the tablet in Shen Lian's hand suddenly popped up a notification.
"It's here!"
All 3 of them perked up and fixed their eyes on the screen.
Shen Lian adjusted her glasses and instinctively read the contents aloud.
"Trial Level: S-Grade."
"Trial Stage Name: 【Death Wheat Field】."
"Trial Boss: 【Watchful Scarecrow (S-Grade)】."
"Completion Conditions: Survive 24 hours within the Wheat Field, or slay the Boss."
At that, Shen Lian's voice cut off abruptly.
The entire office fell into silence.
The smile on Wan Changzheng's face froze.
Zhao Yan's teacup—just raised to his lips—stopped mid-air.
The 3 of them stared blankly at the preview on the screen.
Then they turned to look at the "kill replay" video that was still looping on repeat…