This Game Is Too Realistic-Chapter 457.2: I, Pangolin, Will Not Let You Down!

Becoming a Centurion in the regular army meant stepping into the Army’s middle officer echelon!

Looking at Cowley’s smile, Pangolin could barely contain his joy. He shoved his chair back, sprang to his feet, and gave a sharp salute. “I, Pangolin, will not let you down!”

“I believe you won’t.” Cowley nodded with a smile, sincerely happy for him. But his expression soon turned serious. “Still, I’m afraid our good days are about to end. Tomorrow morning, we will deploy to the frontlines.”

To avenge General McClennan, and to reclaim their honor!

Cowley’s heart burned with resolve, though he didn’t let it cloud his reason.

He’d already paid the price once for underestimating those wastelanders.

Those in the southern part of River Valley Province weren’t the ragtag spearmen or pipe-rifle tribesmen he had once imagined. He had to treat them with the utmost caution!

But unlike Cowley’s caution, Pangolin burst out laughing.

The chance to earn merit is finally here!

He’d been undercover long enough for that set of exoframe!

Any longer, and he might’ve ended up a real commander of the Army!

“How can it be over?”

“Brother, our good days are just beginning!”

...

Dawn City, Highway Town Hotel.

Holding a basket of laundry, Elisa paused in front of the hallway window and let out a soft sigh as she gazed at the moonlit night.

Though no one had told her exactly what Pangolin was doing, the way the others acted around her had given her a vague idea.

He was someone from the New Alliance, and he was on an extremely dangerous mission.

She hoped, truly, that he would come back safe.

Just then, coming up the stairs, Li Shuyue happened to spot the young girl standing silently by the window.

"Elisa? Is something wrong?"

Hearing Li Shuyue’s voice, Elisa quickly turned around with a bashful smile. "Ah, you’re back... Your clothes are already dry. I folded them and was just bringing them to you."

Dryers weren’t common in the Alliance. Most clothes and bedding relied on natural sunlight to dry. Li Shuyue had been a bit unaccustomed to that at first, but gradually grew fond of the energy-saving and eco-friendly lifestyle.

Clothes dried in the sun carried a warm, pleasant scent. Wearing them felt like being wrapped in sunshine, brightening their mood.

"Thank you." Taking the laundry basket from Elisa, Li Shuyue noticed the worry lingering in the girl’s eyes and couldn’t help but ask, "Is something bothering you?"

She had a soft spot for the thoughtful, diligent young girl. Especially after hearing about her past as a slave under the Army, her heart ached with sympathy.

Those animals didn’t deserve to be called human.

If she could, she’d gladly donate a tactical nuke just to erase them from the planet. But failing that, at least she could try to help those still within reach.

Seeing the concern in Li Shuyue’s eyes, Elisa softly shook her head.

"It’s nothing, miss... I’m just... a little worried about him."

Li Shuyue raised an eyebrow, "Are you thinking about that Pangolin guy?"

A faint blush rose to Elisa’s cheeks as she gently nodded.

Watching that rosy face, Li Shuyue didn’t quite know how to respond. She gently patted the girl’s fluffy hair and, after a moment of silence, finally spoke. "I’ve finished the work I came here to do."

Elisa’s eyes widened in surprise. "You’re going back to Ideal City?"

Li Shuyue nodded. "Mhm."

Her market research report was complete, and the partnership plans with a few New Alliance companies were finalized. She needed to return quickly to implement those strategies, recruitment, personnel placement, sourcing, and sales... An entire list of tasks awaited her attention.

Elisa's expression turned wistful, but she still smiled warmly. "I hope we’ll meet again. You’re always welcome here."

Li Shuyue was silent for a few seconds, then made up her mind. "Have you ever thought about moving somewhere else?"

Elisa blinked, caught off guard. "Somewhere else?"

Li Shuyue nodded. "I know this might be sudden, but I happen to need a personal assistant, and I really like your attitude and work ethic. If you’re interested, I can help you apply for a work visa. You can come with me to Ideal City. I can offer you a salary of 5,000 Cr per month, not including bonuses or vacation pay. And that’s just the start."

Elisa stared at her in disbelief.

Though she’d never been to Ideal City, she had heard travelers say that 1 Cr could be exchanged for 3 silver coins.

15,000 silver coins...

That was 40 or even 50 times the salary of an ordinary position!

She didn’t know why Li Shuyue would offer her such a generous deal, but after a moment’s hesitation, she gently shook her head. "Thank you for your kindness, but... I don’t want to leave."

Li Shuyue was stunned by the unexpected answer. She stared at the girl, puzzled. "You don’t want to... Are you sure? Wait, do you know what Ideal City even is?"

Elisa nodded and smiled. "I’ve heard about it. It’s supposed to be a wonderful place. I’ve heard customers downstairs say it’s their lifelong dream to see it at least once."

Li Shuyue stared at her. "Then... Don't you want to go?"

Elisa shook her head. "I want to wait here for him to come back... There are some things I want to tell him in person."

Li Shuyue gave her a helpless smile. "If he knew you turned down such a great opportunity, he probably wouldn’t be too thrilled... And once you get your visa and work enough hours to qualify for residency, you could bring him there too."

Elisa suddenly interrupted her. "Miss, have you ever met him?"

Li Shuyue blinked and shook her head. "No... why?"

"Then why do you assume he would want to live in your hometown?" Elisa looked at her, blinking innocently.

Li Shuyue was quiet for a moment. Only after some time, she spoke. "Hmm... I guess I don’t know for sure. I just assumed most people would want to live there."

"Right? You were just assuming. But maybe not everyone thinks the way you do." Elisa’s smile was soft as she looked out at the moonlight again. "Actually, it’s not just about waiting for him... Being here already makes me happy."

Li Shuyue studied her seriously. "You’re sure? That place is the only land untouched by destruction left on this planet."

Elisa gently shook her head. "To me, this is the land untouched by destruction."

These people had rescued her from hell and showed her that there was another way to live in this world.

As for Ideal City...

Maybe it really was as wonderful as they said.

But what did that have to do with her?

Li Shuyue didn’t push her any further, but inside, her thoughts were a tangled mess of emotions she couldn’t even describe.

She couldn’t understand, couldn’t imagine, why someone would turn down such an incredible offer. And not just once, but twice.

If it were that guy named Ample Time who refused, because of his identity as a resident of a shelter, she could at least see the logic.

Every shelter had its own mission. Maybe he believed there were things more important than material comfort.

But Elisa... She was just a regular wastelander, wasn’t she?

Back in her room, as she was about to pack her clothes into her suitcase, she noticed the notebook lying open on her desk.

She turned on the lamp.

It was an essay she had written days ago, not about business, but just some thoughts sparked by the stark cultural contrast she had experienced in Dawn City.

Just as every other Ideal City citizen who had visited had described, the place really was unlike any other survivor settlement.

The locals were filled with confidence about Dawn City’s future, some even believed it could become a world even more prosperous than Ideal City.

Because the administrator had promised them so.

On that point, Li Shuyue had always scoffed. Physically speaking, it wasn’t even possible. Ideal City’s creation had been a once-in-a-lifetime convergence of events, a miracle born from countless choices. It couldn’t be replicated.

Too bad she hadn’t managed to meet the administrator on her trip.

Next time, she thought, maybe she’d get the chance...

...

Official Forum.

Just after the peak logout period had passed, the Battlefield Cheerleader popped up on the forum.

Battlefield Cheerleader: Hahahaha! Bros! I got promoted!

The moment he posted the thread, the whole forum exploded.

Tail: Oooooh! That’s amazing!

Night Ten: Wait, you got promoted again?!

Sideline Slacking: Holy crap! Are you a general now? ( ˶°ㅁ°)

Battlefield Cheerleader: Ahem, not quite... I’m a Centurion now!

Quit Smoking: What the heck? Did you get demoted overnight?

Battlefield Cheerleader: Demoted?! I used to be a contract temp staff, now I’m officially salaried with benefits! It’s not the same thing!

Night Ten: Damn! That’s impressive!

Sideline Slacking: 666! (˵ ¬ᴗ¬˵)

Darkest: Yo bro, which sector are you posted to? Want me to drop by and offer up a free kill? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Battlefield Cheerleader: Hell yeah! I’ll send you the coordinates later! (˵ ¬ᴗ¬˵) 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Spring Water Commander: Wait, you’re at the frontlines now?! How much ammo do you guys actually have? Any accurate figures?

Escaping Mole: Yeah yeah, and what about anti-tank weapons? You guys all using those ‘Iron Fist’ rockets or do you have other stuff?

Battlefield Cheerleader: Chill, bros. I’m only heading to the front tomorrow! Don’t worry, I’ll scope everything out for you when I get there!

Ample Time: Yo, those of you blasting artillery up front, go easy, don’t turn our boy Pangolin into roadkill. Remember, bait the big fish. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Mosquito: Roger that! <(˘ ˘ ˘)>

Battlefield Cheerleader: WTF?! That ‘roger’ just made my butt clench... You better not be planning anything shady!

Mosquito: Relax! You think I’m that kind of guy?

Battlefield Cheerleader: I’m begging you, just be a decent human being for once!

Makka Pakka: LMAO!

The forum was filled with the usual chaotic joy.

Watching his little players turn even a brutal war into something this fun, Chu Guang couldn’t help but smile with genuine contentment.

Earlier that day, Spring Water Commander had shown him the proposed assault plan. If the Army was truly bogged down by logistical problems, the New Alliance could simply bleed their ammo through continuous harassment and skirmishes.

Once the Army showed signs of fatigue, the New Alliance could then concentrate all armor and firepower, tear a hole in their defense line, and insert mechanized infantry into the breach, flanking from the rear while the kingdom’s regular army pressed from the front. Like a pair of pliers yanking out teeth, they’d crush Army’s positions one after another.

This strategy had been dubbed Plan No.3.

It required 120 tanks and five Cloudfly planes.

Although the New Alliance couldn’t quite gather that many tanks just yet, they still had the batch of tanks captured from Camp 530, currently in the hands of the Honey Badger Kingdom’s Resistance Army.

The Conqueror 10 tanks had thick enough frontal armor that the Army’s Iron Fist rocket launchers barely scratched them.

They were perfect for leading the charge.

As for the New Alliance’s Tank 2s, they could follow behind as self-propelled artillery, using their massive 155mm howitzers to provide support fire.

Preparations for the offensive were already underway.

And Chu Guang didn’t need to micromanage the battlefield. There were plenty of professionals in the game, and everyone was enthusiastic, eager to shine in front of their peers.

The only real problem now was the Enterprise.

From the sound of it, someone within the Orca transport crew had leaked the info that McClennan had been captured by the New Alliance. Ever since then, the higher-ups in Enterprise seemed to be signaling that they wanted to cut their losses while they were ahead.

It might’ve been Chu Guang’s imagination, but that feeling that their allies were planning to retreat was becoming harder to ignore.