Chapter 510: Accepting All Challenges
"Oh my god! He really made it into the Heaven Ranking!"
"This guy is insane! He's only been in the fortress for less than three days, and he's already climbed into the Heaven Ranking with his merits!"
"Can someone please tell me what this guy did?"
"..."
The ranking update.
Immediately caused quite a stir!
Actually...
The merit rankings are updated daily, but they usually don't shock anyone.
Generally speaking, there aren't big shifts in rank unless there's an epic-scale battle happening.
But now...
The S-4 area's siege battle allowed this non-specialist scatterling from Dragon Kingdom to leap into the Heaven Ranking!
What exactly did he do on the battlefield!?
There are countless battles large and small happening every day, and not every reserve squad participates in the same battle.
And for those who weren't involved in the S-4 siege, they were all left utterly dumbfounded as they looked at the updated merit rankings!
They had just witnessed what it means to go 'from nothing to something!'
To put it into perspective, making it into the Heaven Ranking typically takes a year or two on the battlefield!
Or it's achieved by the captains of the most elite squads.
Moreover...
Even for these elite captains, most of the time they get into the Heaven Ranking with the help of their squadmates.
Because generally, captains claim the bulk of the mission's rewards.
Out of 100 merit points, 50 usually go to the captain.
And for that...
Squad members rarely have any complaints.
Since the fact that someone can remain captain proves they have earned everyone's respect through strength.
But now...
Word has it that this non-specialist scatterling only arrived at Hundred Ghost Fortress two days ago!
And he's already skipped the Earth Ranking, shooting straight into the Heaven Ranking!
Just how many merit points did he earn? How many ghost slaves did he slay in yesterday's battle!?
His single day's kill count was more than what many soldiers here manage in an entire year!
What the hell is going on!?
"Those veterans who've been here at the fortress for over a year just got overtaken by this non-specialist scatterling..."
"I bet they're completely shocked and in disbelief right now..."
And that's exactly the case.
Many saw the captains of various squads staring at the updated rankings in utter confusion as they watched this non-specialist scatterling surpass them.
But soon...
After hearing about what happened in the S-4 battlefield yesterday from a few informed sources...
They were utterly amazed!!
"Let me tell you..."
"I finally understand what 'one man army' really means after witnessing that non-specialist scatterling in action!"
"You have no idea the impact he made when he appeared behind enemy lines!"
"Thousands of A+ ranked summoned spirits spread across the battlefield, covering the sky, tearing apart mountains and seas! The entire vast plains on the horizon were occupied by his summoned creatures!"
"In that battle, it's estimated he killed over ten million ghost slaves by himself!"
Every person who witnessed the incredible scene was now excitedly explaining the non-specialist scatterling's feats to those who hadn't been there.
And everyone who listened to these accounts couldn't hide their amazement.
It was truly overwhelming!
Not to mention, this non-specialist scatterling had also led his squad to kill a ground-level Ghost General!
This...
While the crowd was still reeling from shock...
Ling Zhan, the man responsible, was as self-disciplined as ever, continuing his intense physical training at the practice range.
Having just leveled up yesterday, he refused to let himself feel even the slightest discomfort in his body.
Every time Ling Zhan gained a new skill or attribute boost, he would throw himself into focused training.
This ensured that he never felt unfamiliar with his body or the abilities he mastered.
It was this self-discipline...
That kept Ling Zhan's combat technique and instinct always in peak condition, never faltering.
The word "discipline"...
Is easy to say.
But incredibly hard to practice.
Even among the transfer professionals at Hundred Ghost Fortress, few could maintain the kind of rigorous training Ling Zhan did, day in and day out, for years.
Ever since he first arrived in this world of job transfers and learned about it...
Ling Zhan had never stopped training, as long as there weren't special circumstances. You could always find him sweating it out in the training grounds.
At this moment...
Bang!!
Ling Zhan, holding his black dragon sniper rifle, suddenly pulled the trigger.
A bullet infused with spiraling energy shot out like a bolt of lightning!
The deep sound of the gunshot, like thunder, caused many of the nearby onlookers to feel their hearts skip a beat.
Boom!!
The moving target two thousand meters away was engulfed in a blaze of flames, thanks to the bullet's explosive impact.
The crowd couldn't help but marvel in amazement!
"Whoa! He actually hit it?"
"Damn... this scatterling is unstoppable!"
"Just this sniping skill alone is something we could learn for years!"
"Honestly, I envy the members of the Ninth Squad more! This non-specialist scatterling is even giving them personal hands-on combat training!"
"If I wasn't so embarrassed, I'd be begging for tips myself..."
"Seriously though, disregarding his level and age, this scatterling is a master of combat! I haven't seen anything he can't do!"
"Yeah, swordsmanship, archery, firearms, magic, close-quarters combat..."
"He's a master of all trades!!"
"..."
Today, Dragon Kingdom's Ninth Squad was given a day off.
Due to their heroic performance on the battlefield yesterday, the entire squad was greatly praised by the higher-ups from various nations.
Along with that, the squad's privileges were increased.
For instance...
They were now given more slots for free equipment maintenance and repair.
Their monthly supply of free pills was increased.
And more.
And today...
The members of Ling Zhan's squad, who were now thoroughly convinced of his prowess, requested that he teach them combat techniques.
And of course...
With nothing else to do, Ling Zhan agreed.
The stronger his squad members became...
The higher their chances of successfully completing missions.
And it also meant Ling Zhan wouldn't have to worry about them as much.
Meanwhile...
At the squad members' urging...
Zhou Xue'er, representing the team, presented a challenge!
They proposed that ten elite members of the Ninth Squad face Ling Zhan in a battle!
They wanted to see just how wide the gap was between them and their non-specialist scatterling captain!
Naturally, Ling Zhan had no reason to refuse!
When it came to combat, Ling Zhan never turned down a challenge!
But as soon as this news spread throughout the training grounds...
It immediately drew a crowd of spectators, all eager to watch!