1: Chapter 1: Forced to be bait at the start

"Lin Mo, you're too selfish! We can all understand that you're afraid of death, but you can't let other students die in your place!"

Jiangcheng University, Enhancement-type, Class 3.

The class advisor, Wang Yan, stood on the podium and scolded him with righteous indignation:

"The positions for the training internship are arranged according to each person's traits. They were carefully researched by the school and then submitted to the military for review!

"Asking other students whose traits are not a match to take the Mobile Bait Post for you is nothing short of murder."

Lin Mo was stunned for a moment and subconsciously looked at the projection screen on the podium.

[Elite Assault Team]: Zhao Fansheng, Xu Yuting, Lin Sisi... (4 people)

[Regular Patrol Team]: Liao Ping, Du Yueming, Zhang Qiu... (12 people)

[Logistics Support Team]: Song Yijia, Liang Siqi, Wu Yue... (17 people)

[Mobile Bait Post]: Lin Mo (1 person)

There were four columns of names on the screen. The first three rows were densely packed, while only the fourth line had his name written all alone.

Lin Mo was bewildered and looked at a set of blood-red data attached behind the list:

[Elite Assault Team] Average Survival Rate: 85%

[Regular Patrol Team] Average Survival Rate: 89%

[Logistics Support Team] Average Survival Rate: 92%

[Mobile Bait Post] Average Survival Rate: 8%

Lin Mo was even more confused, then scanned his surroundings.

"Where... is this?"

"Wasn't I sleeping at home? This dream is way too real..."

The next second!

Buzz—

The original owner's memories sprayed into his skull like a high-pressure water gun.

Lin Mo, 19 years old, born in Laoshu Alley of Jiangcheng. His parents died in a massive beast tide five years ago, and he lived with his older sister, Lin Xi. It was a standard orphan start.

A year ago, he awakened the white trait [Swift Step]. Its effect is a permanent 10% increase in Agility, and when activated, it briefly increases leg explosiveness and sprinting speed.

It was a combat-type trait, but of the lowest white quality. The effect was basically negligible; he was just a bit faster than others, like an ordinary person who had activated a sprint.

Although he had luckily gotten into a martial arts university, because his family was poor, he had never given gifts to his class advisor, Wang Yan. He was mockingly called a 'fast waste' by Wang Yan.

Wang Yan had hinted to Lin Mo many times that he could give him special care, provided his family 'showed some appreciation.' As for how to show it, any adult would understand.

The original owner had been dull and timid since childhood. Although he knew what the class advisor meant, because the family was truly poor, he could only play dumb every time and pretend not to understand.

Until two nights ago, his sister Lin Xi returned from a cafe with red and swollen eyes, then locked herself in her room and cried all night.

The original owner kept knocking and asking, and only then did she say through her tears:

"Momo, your teacher said... as long as I'm obedient and listen, he'll arrange a good position for you."

"But, but I really can't accept being a mistress for a man nearly forty years old..."

"I'm sorry, I've failed you..."

...

His vision refocused, and Lin Mo, having come to his senses, finally understood.

Just now, the class advisor Wang Yan announced the training positions for this year's freshmen at Jiangcheng University.

Out of thirty-six people in the class and four types of positions, he alone was assigned to the Mobile Bait Post, which had an average survival rate of only 8%!

It meant that out of a hundred people, only eight could come back alive.

At this moment, all eyes in the classroom fell on Lin Mo in the back row.

"Teacher Wang is right. Out of four positions, someone has to be assigned to the Mobile Bait Post. Lin Mo, just consider yourself unlucky!"

A boy in the front row said, leaning back in his seat.

A beast tide had broken out in Nanling this year, and the Ministry of Education had issued an emergency notice for all universities to arrange for students to support the Southeast Military Region in Nanling.

The survival rates of the frontline positions varied. Every slot had to be filled; if someone occupied the slot with the highest mortality rate, the others were naturally happy.

"Lin Mo, just go. You're a grown man and yet so afraid of death; it's embarrassing to even mention!"

"Yeah, Lin Mo, your Swift Step trait is only useful for running fast. The bait post is perfect for you; play to your strengths."

"Exactly, you can't expect those of us with incompatible traits to go and die, right?"

"Exactly, exactly. With my strength-type trait, I couldn't even go if I wanted to."

"Right, right, right. Lin Mo, you should just go. Don't drag everyone else down."

"What's wrong with 8%? What if you're part of that 8%? Take a gamble, and you might turn a bicycle into a motorcycle!"

"Hahaha—"

Before Lin Mo could even speak, a burst of laughter erupted from those around him.

Lin Mo ignored these people and looked up at the screen.

In the Elite Assault Team, the names of Zhao Fansheng and Xu Yuting were particularly striking.

Over in the Logistics Support Team, Zhang Hao's Flash and Li Wei's Spirit Cat were both speed-type traits. Their quality was higher than his, and their effects were better, yet they were safely staying in a team with a 92% survival rate.

Just as he was about to speak, a girl in the back row suddenly stood up.

"Enough!"

Lin Sisi, a top student in the class and a neighbor from Laoshu Alley, usually looked out for Lin Mo, acting like a sister figure.

"Do you people have any humanity left? An 8% survival rate—would you go if it were you? What's with all the sarcasm?!"

She turned to Wang Yan and said angrily:

"Teacher Wang, this is unreasonable! Why... why should Lin Mo be the one to go and die alone?"

Wang Yan slowly took a sip of water from his thermos, not even lifting his eyelids.

"Lin Sisi, your grades have always been excellent, and I usually think highly of you. But this matter today has nothing to do with you. Sit down."

"But—"

"Sit down!"

Wang Yan's voice wasn't loud, but his tone was bone-chillingly cold.

Lin Sisi bit her lip and slowly sat back down.

Only then did Wang Yan look back at Lin Mo, a sickeningly gentle smile on his face.

"Lin Mo, I know you're upset, but you must understand that collective interests come before individual interests!"

"Although your trait is only white, the linear acceleration of Swift Step is indeed the most suitable for the bait post. This is the school's arrangement and the result of the military's review. You must obey and be understanding."

He paused and sighed:

"It's understandable for young people to be afraid of death, but you can't let others die in your place just because you're afraid, right?"