Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!

"Minister Likok?"

Seeing the man who had secretly followed him to his private office, Weslin was somewhat surprised, "You're looking for me... Is there something you need?"

Likok's gaze fixed intently on Weslin, his eyes a bit fervent, "Let's... cooperate."

"Cooperate?"

The biggest collaboration between the military and the Information Department was that they provided the army with drone video feedback and short-range communication technology for the troops; otherwise, there was hardly any interaction.

Weslin couldn't think of anything they could work on together.

Likok stepped closer, "You must have seen the attitudes at the meeting today. Everyone isn't unwilling to reboot the network; they're just afraid of the responsibility. But I'm not!"

"So?"

"There are bioengineered guards at the server host ruins, and en route, we might encounter bugs, orcs, and the like..."

Weslin's eyes narrowed slightly, "So you want me to send someone to escort you there?"

"Yes! Given your demeanor, Marshal, it seems you too wish to restore humanity's dominion over the planet in our hands, leaving no burden to the next generation. How long has it been since we've looked over this planet from ten thousand meters above? I want humans to return to the age of technology, and you want to perform great deeds and unify the cities; we could join forces!"

"But..."

"This matter doesn't involve you. If it succeeds, you reap the benefits; if it fails, throw me into the Spiritual Energy Furnace, and I'll accept it willingly."

"..." Weslin was silent and contemplative.

Likok, somewhat anxious, "You just need to send an elite squad to escort me, and if it fails, no one will know it was you."

"..."

"I've already arranged with others for the subsequent construction of the base station. Once we succeed, I can immediately set up an automated fire control network for you!"

Weslin smiled warmly, "Minister Likok, you misunderstood; I was just considering what kind of soldier to assign to assist with your operation. What type of soldier do you need?"

Likok's expression brightened, "I've studied the armaments at the ruins closely. The bioengineered guards aren't extremely formidable, but there are too many electrical cables and conduits in the guarded area which can't be damaged, as repairs will be highly troublesome. So if possible, we need some warriors with strong close-quarters combat ability who can strike with precision.

Moreover, if they understand some computer hardware, that would be even better, helping me in case of unforeseen complications."

Weslin listened quietly, then nodded in agreement, "I need some time to pick the right people for you."

"No problem, I also need time to thoroughly prepare for the work."

"Then... I'm pleased to be in collaboration," Weslin offered his right hand.

"Pleased to collaborate!"

...

After leaving the somewhat dreary room and stepping under the sun, Bai E finally felt a bit of warmth returning to his body.

"Whew~"

It was only now that he took a long breath out, releasing the physical tension he had been suppressing until this moment.

Self-restraint is about suppressing outward expression, not completely isolating the body's instinctual responses.

When everything was over, Bai E gladly freed his repressed emotions, which made him feel slightly exhilarated.

He could feel his fingertips trembling; this could be said to be the most dangerous encounter since his arrival in this world.

Facing what could be the most intelligent group in this world, Bai E's palms were sweating.

Fortunately, he had persevered.

A mix of truth and falsehood, the blend of real and fake, allowed for a perfect cover.

As for how much was true and how much was false... who knows?

Bai E looked up at the sky, where the cloud-shrouded sun cast a warm glow as if heralding a rebirth.

Having finally gotten a day to rest, what should he do?

His feet unconsciously moved toward the residential area.

"Bai... E?"

A voice suddenly sounded nearby, cool and clear, as a black cloak quivered slightly in the shadows of the houses.

That lady, from the Elf Race?

What did she want with him?

Bai E instantly tensed up again; in his current state, he was far too weak, and most unknown visitors were dangerous and potentially lethal.

Approaching her, Bai E asked with confusion, "Do you... need something?"

Yue Ying looked left and right as though wary of being seen by others. Making sure it seemed no one was paying attention to them, she then whispered to Bai E, "Follow me."

???

Something felt off.

Bai E followed nonetheless; he didn't know what status this elven lady held within the military barracks—seemingly no real authority.

Yet the entire barracks seemed to have no secrets from her, as if she could be seen everywhere.

He was an entirely detached character, transcendent over the ordinary, and what's more important was... power!

Bai E didn't know what the ceiling of combat strength in this world was, but setting aside that dominant giant worm, among the targets he had seen so far through lucky strikes, hers was the most outrageous.

With power, you can speak your mind anywhere.

Following Yue Ying, Bai E arrived in a secluded place.

Today was a day of rest for everyone. Clearly, not many had voluntarily come to the training ground, not to mention the great battle the day before and the torture by the research institute in the middle of the night; most were probably sleeping.

The usually bustling training ground was quiet.

Yue Ying had set up three targets in a line on the archery range and, seemingly out of nowhere, produced two longbows, handing one to Bai E.

"..."

Bai E took it, completely puzzled by her intentions.

Yue Ying gripped the longbow, pinched an arrow's fletching, and began to explain to Bai E, "I've seen your performance during the trial..."

"Hmm..."

"The last shot that saved the female soldier, that was a curved shot, right?"

"..."

This was the first time someone had directly pointed it out.

Considering the speed at which bullets leave a gun, it's hard for even slow-motion camera footage to capture the details, and neither the personnel who examined the mantis carcass nor Helen from earlier had noticed anything unusual. Bai E thought the matter had been left in the past.

Of course, it wasn't a particularly precious secret, just a special attribute automatically unlocked with Level 4 specialization. It probably wasn't that rare... probably.

There was no need to conceal it, but having less attention and more cards unknown to others was always better.

Bai E was somewhat anxious, unsure of her intentions.

"I originally thought you might possess some talent in swordsmanship, but I didn't expect your shooting talent to be even more outstanding. However..."

[Standard but...]

"Firearms are difficult to improve in terms of technical skill. When your power exceeds the limits of the weapon, the surplus of personal power cannot enhance your shooting ability any further. At that point, the weapon's performance becomes a restraint. Cold weapons, on the other hand..."

Technology is indeed important, but that belongs to the overall advancement.

Only abilities that can be cultivated are the direction for personal effort.

The Elf Race is keen to develop these ancient skills and believes that studying them is the key to finding true spiritual comfort in life.
Stay connected through m-v l|e'm,p| y- r

As she spoke, Yue Ying drew the bow and casually shot an arrow.

"Thud~"

The arrow's tail quivered lightly, landing in... the center of the last target in line.

"Gulp~"

Bai E swallowed hard. If the faint trace in his retina wasn't mistaken, then the elf miss's arrow just now had made an S curve before hitting the final target.

Two opposing arcs...

Meaning... if the elf miss wanted to attack someone with her bow and arrow, then no matter what kind of cover they hid behind, they couldn't escape the fatal pursuit.

Very impressive!

Yue Ying, standing with her bow at rest, continued, "Moreover, specially crafted arrows can accomplish many things that firearms can't."

Arrowheads containing explosives, toxins, electromagnetic pulses, and the like, in the hands of a true expert, make the bow and arrow far more functional than firearms.

However, this skill is difficult to master, and slow to learn, so normal human soldiers who train on a large scale naturally wouldn't consider it.

"So..." Bai E's gaze slowly moved from the target to the elf miss's face, not seeing it clearly, only the arc of her clean, pale jaw.

He didn't quite understand her point. Was she intending to teach him?

But even if you want to teach, it depends on whether I have time to learn...

Skills need practice. There are no shortcuts to success in this world. If others can't learn it, could he?

Yue Ying stepped aside, giving Bai E access to the target and passing him a light-feathered arrow, "Bows and firearms are completely different domains. Once you're familiar with them, both can bring out your talent, but it might initially be challenging for you. Give it a try, and don't be discouraged if you don't perform well."

[Trigger Side Quest—Yue Ying's Approval.]

[Yue Ying's Approval: Yue Ying from the Elf Race has shown appreciation for your performance and is willing to teach you some archery skills. Strive to demonstrate your abilities, and you may gain more of her attention...

Quest Requirement: Display at least Level 1 expertise in the corresponding specialization before the end of the instruction period 0/1 (Tip: The higher the expertise you display, the better the rewards you'll receive). Quest Reward: Clue to the Elf Breathing Skill *1 (Clue Quality: ???) (Countdown: ??? [Depends on the target's mindset])]

"..."

The Elf Breathing Skill!

In fact, ever since he had acquired "Self-Restraint," Bai E had been harboring various thoughts about the Elf Breathing Skill.

It was plainly stated there, always inviting wild thoughts.

And now, the possibility of obtaining the Elf Breathing Skill was laid out before him?