"169." The gunner glanced at his personal panel, looking a little depressed. "What about you?"
"A little taller than you, 152." The bartender laughed bitterly. "This bastard Paul has disrupted everyone's rhythm. I've never seen this before. In less than a month, there are less than 200 candidates left in the examination room. He is simply a lunatic."
"I don't know what his keyword is?" The gunner asked lazily while lying on the deck.
"Shit stirrer!" the bartender said with a wry smile, "I can't imagine a more appropriate keyword than shit stirrer."
"If he is a troublemaker, what are we?" The gunner rolled his eyes at him and sighed, "In fact, when I got this keyword randomly, I knew there was no hope for this simulation field. I thought about performing well and seeing if the instructor could see my understanding of the keywords and give me a chance to be a soldier in reserve. Now, all the limelight has been stolen by that guy."
"This is originally a game about luck." The bartender shook his head. "I hope that damn bastard will have such good luck on the alien battlefield! But I just don't accept it. We should have more time to develop..."
"I don't accept it either." The gunner said, "I would rather risk being eliminated. I want to kick out this troublemaker. His behavior is too disgusting. I didn't expect that Admiral Mikaro and Mahamadou were also candidates. The candidates who took over their bodies were also quite lucky and started at a higher level than others."
"At least they're not annoying." The bartender took a big sip of his drink. "Before Paul showed up, they were following the rules of the game."
"Admiral Mikalo and Mahamadou are famous enough to influence the world's progress by doing a few things that fit the key words. It's impossible for them to be ranked outside the top ten. I don't understand what they are fighting for?" The gunner frowned and asked, "Do you think it's possible to trick us into killing them? To consolidate their ranking."
"It's unlikely." The bartender shook his head. "After all, every time there's another candidate around, the risk factor will increase. If someone assassinates them and takes their place, they will lose more than they gain. The top ten candidates won't do such a stupid thing."
"You mean, there's a good chance they're not even in the top ten?" the gunner asked.
"That's possible," said the bartender. "Smart candidates will suppress their rankings and keep their rankings between 10th and 30th to ensure their strength while hiding themselves. At the end of the exam, they will suddenly enter the top ten and finally get a good ranking."
"I can't imagine how a world-famous person can suppress his or her own ranking. Their every move will affect changes in the world." said the gunner.
"Who cares? This is our only hope of winning." The bartender shook his head and threw the empty bottle into the sea. "Maybe they just want to compete with Paul for the first place in the simulation field. Anyway, our ranking is so low that killing them won't increase our attributes much. We might as well try our luck. I would rather die at the hands of Mikalo than be eliminated in obscurity."
"That's right." The gunner stretched and said, "Admiral Mikalo made such a big fuss, he will definitely be in the top ten, and we can make good friends with him. If he becomes a soldier in reserve, and we help him, he may have a chance to help us. I will show my spirit and give him the top ten spot..."
…
The Watcher.
Admiral Micarro stood on the deck while the navy was busy transporting supplies onto the ship.
Vito stood beside him stiffly.
Admiral Micarro stood with his hands behind his back and asked: "Did you send Antonio to fight Mahamadou?"
"Yeah." Vito said.
"Paul sent you to me to disrupt my plan, right?" Admiral Mikalo asked, turning the gravity ring in his hand. "So, he knows your keywords and skills!"
"Yeah." Vito nodded again.
"Why are you so stupid as to listen to him? If you stay with him, you can play a greater role. If you use your keywords well, you may even have a chance to assassinate him." Admiral Mikaro said.
"My keywords don't work on him." Vito said, "So, leaving him is the best option."
"It doesn't work?" Admiral Mikalo frowned and suddenly asked, "You have been with him the longest, can you tell what his key words are? Is it confusion?"
"Not really." Vito shook his head. "His behavior was very complex. For a while, I even thought he was just a lucky native who only got the key words from a candidate."
"After Antonio was transferred, my ranking is 33rd." Vito said with his eyebrows lowered. "General, I didn't expect you were also a candidate."
Mikalo looked back at him and said, "Vito, you stay and be my deputy. You can mobilize my warships at will, but I hope you can help in the battle against Paul."
"General, my advanced skills don't work on Paul." Vito said after a moment's pause.
"I'm not targeting Paul, but Jen Sini who is next to him. I need you to lead Jen Sini away from Paul. As long as Paul doesn't hand over the Scepter of Poseidon to Jen Sini, this simulation field will not end, and the remaining people will have a chance to perform." Admiral Mikalo said lightly.
"An opportunity to show off?" Vito was stunned.
"Vito, I know your skills can influence my thoughts and even decisions, but I will still keep you and trust you. Do you know why?" Admiral Mikalo turned around and looked at Vito.
"Why?"
"Because my real identity is an instructor." Admiral Mikalo said, "We are soldiers coming down from the alien battlefield. We entered the simulation field to increase the difficulty for you and let you experience the cruelty of the alien battlefield. But now, Paul has disrupted this plan. Many candidates in the simulation field don't even have a chance to perform. So, I must eliminate this hidden danger and give everyone a chance to compete fairly. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Instructor?" Vito's eyes widened.
"Yes. We have to pay a huge price to open the simulation field once. It is not in line with our expectations to end it hastily." Admiral Mikalo said, "I can promise you that if you complete the task I assign to you, even if you don't make it into the top ten, I will still give you a chance to serve in the Warrior Reserve."
Gulp!
Vito swallowed softly: "Really?"
"Of course, I have the privilege myself." Admiral Mikalo smiled, "Otherwise, why can I take over Admiral Mikalo's body? Do you think this is a coincidence?"
"General Micarro, your wisdom is unparalleled in the world..." Vito looked at Micarro and flattered him skillfully, intending to find out the truth. However, just as he was halfway through his words, a huge pressure suddenly fell on his shoulders. He closed his mouth in time and looked at Micarro awkwardly.
"Vito, I allow you to use your power to bully others, but I don't want to see you flatter me anymore." Admiral Mikalo looked at Vito and smiled. "Before I decide the outcome with Paul, I must keep a clear head."
"..." Vito smiled awkwardly, "Okay!"
"Go! Find the generals under me, assign them some tasks, and work hard to improve their attributes! Remember, keep it a secret, and don't let more people know my promise to you." Mikalo turned the ring on his hand, releasing the pressure on Vito, waved his hand, and drove him away.
Wait until Vito leaves his perception range.
He directed his adjutant and called another candidate: "Jimmy, I remember your keyword is freedom, right?"
The candidate named Jimmy nodded, looking disinterested.
Admiral Mikalo looked at him and asked, "Do you know why I didn't kill you?"
"Although you didn't kill me, you imprisoned me, and my attributes have been weakened to the lowest level." Jimmy snorted impatiently, "You might as well kill me!"
"Jimmy, you know what happened outside. Actually, I am an instructor, the kind that came down from an alien battlefield..." Mikalo looked at Jimmy with a calm face, and repeated what he had just said to Vito, "...I must restore the simulation field to normal and give all candidates a fair chance to compete. I promise you to become a warrior reserve. Are you willing to use your skills to help me?"
(End of this chapter)