Chapter Seven: Harvest and Solace

Page (1/3)
[The Steadfast Youth]
Origin: Novice Exclusive World (Earth Derivative)
Quality: Green
Type: Ring
Durability: 30/30
Requirement: None
Effect 1: Strength +2, Agility +1
Effect 2: Critical Rate +3%
Rating: 79 (Note: Green items are rated 30 to 80, the higher the rating, the more precious the item)
Description: Awarded to the youth who dares to stand up against injustice. This equipment has no requirements, unless it requires a resolute heart.
Price: 1,200 universal points
[Note: White-quality equipment has 1 effect, green-quality equipment has 1 or 2 effects, blue-quality equipment has 2 or 3 effects, purple-quality equipment has 3 effects or comes with rare attributes... Insufficient authority to view further details.]
As soon as Chen Qi put on the ring, he distinctly felt a surge of strength rise from his heart. He was immensely satisfied; based on his gaming experience, such accessories were undoubtedly precious, and they could directly enhance his combat power.
Swinging his fists faster, feeling the wind whistling as his fist sliced through the air, Chen Qi turned his attention to the second piece of equipment.
[Boots of the Fugitive]
Origin: Novice Exclusive World (Earth Derivative)
Quality: Green
Type: Shoes
Durability: 41/41
Requirement: Agility 5
Effect 1: Running Speed +5% ~ 40% (depends on HP; the less HP, the greater the boost; at 20% HP, reaches peak)
Rating: 60
Description: The youths could not escape misfortune, but they hope you can.
Price: 800 universal points
Chen Qi laughed heartily as he put on the shoes. Fleeing? He liked any equipment that increased his chances of survival. He firmly remembered the wisdom of "the son of a wealthy man does not sit under an unstable roof" and "a gentleman does not stand beneath a dangerous wall."
After changing into the new shoes, Chen Qi felt a lightness in his steps. Suppressing the urge to take a lap, he focused his attention on the door.
The gunfire outside had stopped at some point, and he could hear the sound of many footsteps drawing closer.
“Is it the army?”
Chen Qi burst out laughing; this main quest seemed solidly secured.
The drone circling outside suddenly flew in, its camera pointed straight at the bewildered Chen Qi.
Several fully armed soldiers rushed into the classroom where Chen Qi was, with others standing guard at the door. A man who looked like a commander walked directly up to Chen Qi, helping him up eagerly and comforting him warmly:
Page (1/3)

Page (2/3)
“Child, are you alright? Sorry—we arrived too late!”
Whether it was an illusion or not, Chen Qi heard the drone's shutter clicking...
Under the protection of the squad of heavily armed soldiers, Chen Qi was quickly escorted to the temporary command post. First, a group of men who looked like doctors gave him a thorough check-up, followed by enthusiastic questioning from a few psychologists.
After being forcibly taken to a makeshift hospital bed, Chen Qi saw an elderly man and a large group of reporters enter.
“Quick, bring this child food and water.”
The old man said passionately,
“I’m sorry, child. You’ve suffered so much. As the mayor of Sterlan City, I feel deeply guilty.”
Then Chen Qi heard the sound of flashing cameras.
The mayor gripped Chen Qi's hands tightly; Chen Qi could feel the roughness in the mayor's hands.
The mayor gently added,
“Child, if you have any requests, speak freely. We promise to fulfill them immediately. General Zakayev will see you soon, so rest well and eat something first.”
After the doctors repeatedly assured that Chen Qi was unharmed, the mayor hurried away. The army dispersed the reporters at the door, and peace finally settled over the ward, giving Chen Qi time to think.
The main quest was completed—did that mean this world was secure?
Chen Qi lay back leisurely on the hospital bed, legs crossed under the covers, pondering slowly.
A nurse soon brought him a steaming meal. Chen Qi thanked her and took it, eating as he continued his thoughts:
“I can't think of anything in this world that could breach the army’s protection to take my life. Even if there were, I’d be powerless against such a threat.”
Chen Qi calmly analyzed further:
“So my main quest is now as secure as can be, but if I want better rewards, what I've done so far is far from enough.”
Recalling the multi-layered rewards from the live-action CS side quest, Chen Qi could clearly perceive that completing main quests was not always the same—some people could achieve extraordinary feats under extreme anger...
His mind flashed to the words of the bold warrior who slid and charged like a tiger. Chen Qi took a big gulp of juice beside his food, summarizing:
“Though this is only my first mission in 'Sprout Space,' to survive better, I must strive for more rewards in every world.”
As he reflected, memories of the students' tragic fate surfaced, reigniting the smoldering anger within him.
“Two kills are far from enough. I want to personally cut down these bastards!”
Biting down, the delicious food suddenly lost its appeal.
He chewed fiercely, as if destroying the terrorists themselves, and finished the meal in a few bites. After handing the tray to the nurse, he started reviewing previous details.
“My grenade was truly heroic! Steadfast really suits me.”
Chen Qi shamelessly muttered to himself.
It was his first time killing anyone; recalling the terrorists’ mangled bodies after the fragmentation grenade exploded, Chen Qi realized he didn’t seem to have any lasting trauma.
Hmm, thinking of that scene filled him with a smug satisfaction.
He found himself somewhat addicted to the feeling after battle. “Could I be born for combat?”
Chen Qi, even more shameless, whispered softly. The autumn breeze outside swayed the curtains as if to say, “Enough, kid!”
Page (2/3)

Page (3/3)
“Next, I have to meet that General—what should I say, what requests should I make?”
Chen Qi thought again of the mayor’s earlier words, pondering,
“What requests could earn me more quest rewards? Hmm, nothing too dangerous.”
With that, inspiration flashed, but quickly faded. Chen Qi chased after it in his mind, feeling it still eluded him.
The comfortable temperature in the ward sped up his digestion. After the nerve-wracking game of hide-and-seek and battle earlier, drowsiness swept over him.
“Alright, I'll sleep on it.”
He quickly convinced himself and closed his eyes comfortably on the bed...
On the highway, a convoy sped toward Sterlan City. In the back seat of an unremarkable armored sedan at the center of the convoy sat an elderly man with silver hair.
He wore an army-green general’s uniform, medals covering his chest, and the golden stars on his shoulders gleamed.
The adjutant glanced at him, noticing that the usually calm and composed veteran seemed unsettled at this moment.
The old man sat quietly, occasionally asking the adjutant how much longer until they reached Sterlan High School. He had just disembarked from the plane and immediately boarded the waiting convoy heading for Sterlan City, where he would serve as head of the hostage rescue command center.
He raised a hand to straighten his sweat-dampened hair, hurriedly done. Though his expression was outwardly serene and unaffected, the adjutant could see from his clenched fist that his mood was far from calm.
“Beep, beep!”
A phone rang, disrupting the scene. The old man cursed,
“Those damned bureaucrats only know how to fuss. Am I not more anxious than they are? Instead of calling me, they should come themselves!”
He answered the custom encrypted phone.
On the other end, the weary voice of the Northern Alliance President came through:
“I’ve canceled tomorrow’s visit. I’m coming back from abroad immediately. I leave the scene in your hands, General Zakayev!”
“In times of crisis, you have never let me down.”
The exhausted president added.
Hearing this, the old man in the car remained silent, but a deep, trench-like curve appeared on his war-weathered face.
“Report, General! Fifteen minutes until arrival at Sterlan High School.”
The soldier in the front passenger seat reported the time precisely, as ordered.
At last, the old man brought the phone to his lips and said calmly,
“The Eagle of the Northern Alliance, the Lion of Pazaka, the Flower of Army Generals, the Reaper of the Western Front—guarantees completion of the mission!”
With that, he hung up without ceremony.
The distant president looked at the disconnected phone and said helplessly,
“That old man really hasn’t changed a bit.”
Page (3/3)