After listening to the report, David Clark generally understood that the four people in front of him were equivalent to a fully functional army. But they could only display terrifying combat power in localized battles. When facing a direct assault from thousands of troops, they wouldn’t stand a chance. David Clark suddenly found his own thoughts laughable. Of course, they’re all flesh and blood—how could they possibly fight an entire army?

“Alright, I now order Special Operations Team 7 to set out from today and work together to eliminate any military camp with more than 500 people around GX City. Return immediately after the mission to receive the second order. Do you understand? Remember, my goal is to let the TW government know just how powerful their opponent is!” David Clark said sternly.

“Yes, sir!” the four shouted in unison.

As Team 7 dispersed, David Clark called out to 13 and said, “You must not die!”

“Don’t worry, we won’t let him get killed. After all, he’s the central…” The child with the code 36 said with a smile.

“36, you are leaking state secrets. Say one more word and I have the right to shoot you!” 13 said coldly, looking at 36 with a blank expression.

“13, do you think it’s that easy?” The child also looked coldly at 13.

“Have you forgotten the Special Operations regulations? Or have you forgotten Grandpa Nie?” From the distant corridor, 1 said without even turning his head.

David Clark noticed that the expressions of 13 and 36 suddenly changed, and the two quickly caught up with 1 and 24 ahead.

David Clark pondered in his heart, “Even 13 can show fear—who could ‘Grandpa Nie’ be?”

“13, can you promise me one thing?” Before departure, 1 called 13 to the corridor for a private talk.

“What is it?”

“Only use SEED when all other methods have been exhausted and the mission still cannot be completed.”

“Is that your order?” 13 still said coldly.

“No, I’m asking you as a favor.” 1 said with a smile, “You’re the only one with the launch authority for SEED, so I’m asking you.”

13’s body twitched slightly.

“Actually, we’ve always known your wish, but now is not the time. The country still doesn’t have the strength to compete with the world. The ‘germination’ of SEED must be in everyone’s hearts.”

“Enough! The country! What does the country have to do with me!” 13 roared, “You think you understand me? How could you possibly understand me? I have no parents, no relatives, no friends. When you were warm in the womb, drawing nutrients through the umbilical cord, I was displayed in a glass tank like an exhibit! Every day someone came to change my nutrient solution! I’m not a damn goldfish! I just want to die quietly—why do I even have to wait for someone else to decide when I die?”

The corridor fell into dead silence...

“Feel better now?” 1 patted 13’s trembling shoulder.

13 let out a light breath, then quickly returned to his usual cold demeanor and said, “It’s nothing. Sorry, 1, I shouldn’t have lost my temper.”

“I know, you don’t need to apologize. Everyone needs to vent sometimes—you’re human too!” 1 stroked 13’s head like a kindly father.

A trace of gratitude flashed in 13’s eyes. “1, I promise you. But you have to promise me one thing too…”

In the early hours of the same day, at the TW Army’s 3rd military camp on the outskirts of TN City...

“Boss, can I borrow a light?” A soldier carrying a rifle climbed up to the watchtower and spoke to the guard, Veteran.

“You still haven’t returned my ZIPPO lighter from last time, damn it. If you want to smoke, do it here and keep me company. It’s freezing cold and I have to climb up here—damn, I’m going to freeze to death.” Veteran pulled out a lighter from his pocket and handed it to the soldier.

“Boss,” the soldier said as he lit his cigarette and looked at Veteran, “I heard the mainland soldiers are all on a seven-day holiday. Why do we still have to freeze out here on guard every day?”

“You know how paranoid our officer is. Always setting up ambushes—damn, how many sneak attacks can there be?” Veteran said disdainfully.

“None of the higher-ups are any good, just a word from them and all of us have to suffer…” The soldier said angrily.

“Do you know what it’s like for the president’s bodyguards? I heard the president is so afraid of being assassinated by someone from the mainland that he has five or six bodyguards standing by his side even when he sleeps. At least we get a chance to slack off—those bodyguards aren’t even allowed to blink. You should count yourself lucky.”

The soldier laughed and said, “Boss, that last thing you said—what dialect is that? It sounds pretty funny.”

“Oh, that’s Beijing dialect. My grandpa taught me a bit.”

“Beijing dialect, huh.” The soldier took a drag and said, “I really want to see Tiananmen someday. I wish I could call myself a citizen of Z country.”

“You’ll get the chance. After TW loses this war, I’ll take you to Bei—” Veteran couldn’t finish his sentence, because half his head was blown off by a high-velocity penetrator fired by COOL—FIRE.

The soldier’s pupils contracted as he watched Veteran slowly collapse, his cigarette falling to the ground. As the cigarette bounced lightly on the ground for the first time, the soldier’s head met the same fate as Veteran’s.