99: Chapter 99 Youth is wonderful

Speaking of this, Minister Li's expression became unprecedentedly grave.

He took a small firearm out of his space backpack and placed it on the table.

The gun body was engraved with the special emblem of the military department, faintly emitting fluctuations of magic power.

"Take this."

Minister Li pushed the signal gun in front of Chen Xi.

"This is the highest-level distress signal gun specially made by the military department. In the unlikely event... I mean, in the unlikely event that you really have to go Outside the Border to perform a mission during the upcoming competition schedule and encounter irresistible life-threatening danger, fire it into the sky."

"Once this gun goes off, as long as there is anyone from the military department within a fifty-kilometer radius, no matter who they are, they will immediately drop everything they are doing and rush over to save you. Even if it is me, if I am nearby, I will arrive immediately."

Chen Xi felt a jolt in his heart, solemnly reached out to take the heavy signal gun, and tucked it into his embrace.

"Thank you, Minister Li."

Minister Li looked at Li Murou, his eyes revealing a hint of reluctance to part:

"A daughter grown up is hard to keep... Mu Rou, you must also promise Dad. If you really encounter anything Outside the Border, don't think so much about glory, missions, or anything like that."

"Run if you need to! It doesn't matter even if you become a deserter! Keeping your life is more important than anything! Only by coming back alive can you eat the food your mom makes."

Li Murou's eyes turned red, and she was deeply moved. She nodded vigorously:

"Don't worry, Dad, we won't be in any trouble. You are underestimating us too much. Besides, we are currently just going to participate in the regional challenge competition, it's not certain that we really have to go Outside the Border; maybe it will still be arena fighting."

"Heh, naive."

Minister Li shook his head, stood up, and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.

He gazed at the city outside the window, which was gradually being shrouded in the night, his tone heavy:

"There are things you don't know... This world is undergoing some terrible changes."

"Since this year, the number of fierce beasts Outside the Border has not only exploded but they have also become more ferocious and bloodthirsty, and even many mutant species that have never been seen before have appeared."

"What's even more terrifying is—the phenomenon of spacetime travel has appeared."

"Spacetime travel?"

Chen Xi frowned; this term reminded him of the spacetime turbulence that the Nightfall Team had encountered before.

"That's right."

Minister Li stood with his back to them, his voice low:

"Some high-level fierce beasts, not knowing by what means, are actually able to bypass the war zone and teleport directly into residential areas within the border!"

"What?!"

Su Xiaoxiao exclaimed:

"Directly into the city? Then that would mean..."

"Yes."

Minister Li turned around, his face as gloomy as water:

"During this period, it has already caused commotions and casualties in quite a few cities. Although we have sealed off the news to avoid causing panic, this is already an imminent crisis."

Chen Xi was horrified.

In this world, although humans have awakened data panels, their living space is still being compressed.

It was only after decades of bloody battles by the military department that the fierce beasts outside the city were forced back.

Between the towns and the fierce beasts, a so-called "Safety Zone" was formed.

Although this area has no residents, it also has no fierce beasts; it is the final buffer zone for humanity.

But if fierce beasts can teleport directly into the city... wouldn't the so-called Safety Zone and the city wall barrier become mere decorations?

"To cope with this crisis, the high-level officials of the military department have already made a temporary decision."

Minister Li looked at the three young champions in front of him and said word by word:

"If we want to suppress this restless beast tide, we must increase manpower, especially high-quality combat manpower."

"Therefore, the rules for this Southern District Joint Challenge Competition have been completely changed!"

"It is no longer a dungeon competition like children playing house, nor is it a sparring match in an arena."

"It is—conscription!"

"All participating teams will be directly incorporated into the reserve forces, organized into special combat squads, and undergo a month of high-intensity training. After the training is completed, they will be directly deployed to the front line of the military department!"

Minister Li's voice hammered against the eardrums of the three like war drums:

"You only have one mission: clear out the fierce beasts and push the front line outward! Drive those beasts back into the abyss, 10 kilometers away from the Safety Zone!"

"You few."

"Now... do you still dare to go?"

Minister Li's words lowered the atmosphere of the entire office by several degrees.

And Chen Xi also fell into a brief silence.

"So that's how it is."

He nodded slightly, his gaze becoming increasingly profound.

It seems that the situation outside is much more serious than he had imagined.

Chen Xi's thoughts raced in his mind.

As a transmigrator, he came to this digitized parallel world, obtained such a heaven-defying unique hidden class as [Miracle Card Maker], and even possessed the [Myriad Rivers Return to the Sea] talent that can plunder attributes.

But at the same time, he is also a member of humanity in this world.

In this era where the strong prey on the weak and monsters run rampant, there are no unbroken eggs under an overturned nest.

If humanity's defensive line collapses, even if he is strong, it will be difficult for him to stay out of it.

Protecting civilians and maintaining the order of this society is not only the duty of the strong but also a necessary means to protect his own interests.

What's more important is...

Chen Xi clenched his fists slightly.

To truly stand at the pinnacle of this world.

Outside the Border is not only a place he must go, but also a hunting ground where he must fight for a long time in the future.

Rather than waiting passively, it is better to take the initiative.

Thinking of this.

Chen Xi suddenly raised his head, his gaze locked directly onto Minister Li:

"Minister Li, this has never been a question of whether we dare to or not."

His voice was calm, but it carried a power that penetrated people's hearts:

"Having received its power, one must bear its weight. Our strength is here; going Outside the Border to clear out fierce beasts is something I must do, and will definitely do."

Su Xiaoxiao, who was beside Chen Xi, also straightened her already upright back slightly at this moment.

A touch of determination appeared on that cold and beautiful face.

"Me too."

Su Xiaoxiao was concise, her voice as crisp as ice jade clashing:

"From the moment I awakened my talent and became a Professional, my goal has been very simple—slay fierce beasts and protect civilians. If I don't even have this awareness, the magic staff in my hand will lose its edge."

For Su Xiaoxiao, fighting is an instinct and a belief.

She doesn't need much mobilization; just telling her where the enemy is is enough.

Li Murou, seeing that both teammates had expressed their stance, was not to be outdone.

Although she still had some of the coyness of a little girl in front of her father just now, she became serious when discussing business at this moment:

"Dad, I have already stated my position just now. I am not afraid of danger, and besides..."

She glanced at Chen Xi and Su Xiaoxiao beside her, her eyes full of trust:

"With the captain and Xiao Xiao here, I believe we can handle any crisis."

Looking at these three young people with fearless light flashing in their eyes, Minister Li was stunned for a moment.

Immediately, a wry smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he shook his head.

"Heh heh... Being young is truly great."

Minister Li picked up the teacup, only to find that the tea had already gone cold.

He did not drink it, but just rubbed the rim of the cup:

"Every college student, before they have truly seen the fangs of wild fierce beasts and smelled the nauseating bloody stench on the battlefield, is indeed full of hot blood and fearless, just like you are now."

His eyes seemed to pierce through time, seeing those young faces who were once equally high-spirited but eventually buried their bones in the wilderness.

"The fierce beasts Outside the Border are all man-eating devils... never mind."

Speaking of this, Minister Li let out a long sigh, as if he had exhaled all the pent-up turbid air in his chest.

"Forget it, some truths are not as clear as bleeding once yourself. As for the rest, wait until you get Outside the Border and experience it for yourselves."