Chapter Twenty-Four: The Manifestation of Ability

"Wait!"
In the dense forest, if it weren't for that faint voice, no one would have noticed several figures moving quietly. The soft call came from a few hidden figures, their forms blurred beneath thick camouflage netting. The speaker was none other than Chen Diwen, hailed as the rising star of Unit 0611. He signaled his teammates to halt, then crouched low.

Beside him, Bear and Xiao Li dropped down instantly, disciplined and precise.

"Look, a booby trap," Chen Diwen whispered, his eyes fixed on a slender thread stretched through the thick underbrush, a disdainful smile curling his lips.

Xiao Li chuckled. "Seems our friend here hasn't mastered his theory. Doesn't he know that anti-personnel mines buried in the ground should use bounding charges?"

"Child's play," Bear snorted, producing a sapper's shovel and preparing to defuse the mine.

"Wait," Chen Diwen tapped Bear's shoulder. "Let me handle this."

Bear had always obeyed Chen Diwen without question, and he immediately handed him the shovel.

"You're underestimating them," Chen Diwen murmured as he crouched, gently parting the grass. The sight made even Bear frown. The single thread was connected to a buried booby trap, but at the far end, at least eight more threads branched out, indicating at least eight mines within a few meters.

"These guys really went all out," Xiao Li remarked with a grin. "It’s a death zone—no way through here."

Chen Diwen stood slowly, still smiling. "Yes, but I think they’re desperate now, pushed to the brink by us. They're venting their frustration, hoping to take us all down with them."

"Let’s go around," Bear said, hefting his weapon—the Fire King, a micro-gun known for its power. "Only thirty kilometers left to the finish line, boss. I can hardly wait!"

"Let’s move," Chen Diwen commanded, and the three slipped quietly around the minefield.

Meanwhile, by a tall tree, a contestant was tied naked, lashed tightly to the trunk. Chen Cao cinched his belt, patted the mud-smeared captive on the cheek, and offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry, brother, but I had to borrow your gear. Someone will rescue you soon." With the contestant nearly in tears behind his camo-painted face, Chen Cao fired a distress flare and set it beside him. As smoke drifted up, Chen Cao politely said, "Goodbye," snatched up the weapons and gear, and vanished into the jungle.

After Chen Cao left, the contestant finally broke down, tears streaming. He’d heard of being robbed, but never like this. At least leave a pair of underwear! Now all he had was a fig leaf for modesty—and in his nerves, even that fell off...

Working the bolt, Chen Cao expertly checked his newfound weapons. Though he’d never handled firearms before, his theoretical knowledge was extensive. After a few minutes of practice, he was operating them with ease.

Camouflaged and grinning, Chen Cao felt his desire burning stronger within him—this was his true self.

His ears pricked; he instantly held his breath and raised his pistol. Besides the Czech submachine gun, he now had two handguns. The original owner had carried a sniper rifle, but without a magazine, it was useless; he had to prepare for close combat.

He needed to stay hidden to avoid enemy snipers. Even though the bullets were semi-conductive training rounds, they still hurt.

The jungle rustled—his keen hearing picked up an enemy squad advancing in a triangular formation.

"Perfect timing," Chen Cao thought. "I need more ammo. Forgive me, then." Silently, he melted into the dense undergrowth.

The squad was cautious, constantly shifting formation. The leader kept the pace and scanned the ground, while the flanking members watched the surroundings, clearing the path for their commander.

Suddenly, the right flank stepped on something soft, which twitched. He leveled his gun, but before he could react, something seized his ankle and flung him to the ground.

The teammate beside him, startled, tried to fire but saw smoke rising from his chest—a clear sign he'd been "killed."

Without pausing, Chen Cao drew his pistol and shot the squad leader squarely in the head.

The leader stood frozen, mouth agape, as smoke curled from his helmet, stunned that he hadn’t noticed the enemy right in front of him—a masterful, stealthy maneuver.

With the three "enemies" dispatched, Chen Cao began sorting through their weapons as if browsing a market stall, muttering to himself, "This sniper rifle is too long and awkward to carry. Handguns are better. These mines are handy—maybe I should take a few and make things easier for myself."

"Who are you? I’ve never seen you before!" the squad leader finally stammered.

Chen Cao offered no reply. He simply looked at the leader, who shivered, a chill running down his spine, until Chen Cao flashed a bright smile, slung his pack, and disappeared into the woods.

"He... that's impossible..." the squad leader collapsed to the ground, mouth wide in disbelief.

...

"This is impossible!" Chen Diwen clenched his fists until his knuckles cracked. Listening to the eliminated contestant's tale, he could no longer maintain a leader's composure.

"Boss, if it's that kid, we'll just take him out!" Bear straightened, grabbing his Fire King.

"No," Xiao Li cautioned. "If he’s seen us, we have to be careful. He’s clearly prepared for this." Unlike the impulsive Bear, Xiao Li was the strategist of Chen Diwen’s group.

"So you’re saying we’re not even a match for one of his orderlies? Xiao Li, I can’t stand your timid attitude!" Bear snarled.

"Wait, Bear. Let’s hear Xiao Li out," Chen Diwen said, regaining his calm and leader’s wisdom at Xiao Li’s words.

"He single-handedly took out three specially trained squads. That means he’s not the same as before," Xiao Li said, glancing at Chen Diwen and Bear before moderating his tone. "At the very least, he’s ahead of the other squads now."

Chen Diwen fingered his military knife, gazing at Xiao Li, waiting for his analysis.

Having followed Chen Diwen for so long, Xiao Li knew what he wanted—Chen Diwen never wasted words, just as he was decisive with his comrades.

After a brief pause, Xiao Li said, "Boss, I think we shouldn't act rashly until we understand his capabilities. We shouldn't charge in blindly and risk unnecessary losses."

"What do you suggest?" Chen Diwen’s eyes brightened.

"Our dream is within reach; we can’t let his appearance change that. But right now, a little patience preserves the greater plan. We must unite the other squads—lead them, as you do best," Xiao Li said, his eyes shining.

Chen Diwen trusted Xiao Li. On the battlefield, there are no rules, only victory or defeat. With Chen Cao as the dark horse, there was the real risk of elimination and a year’s effort wasted. That would shatter the training regimen set by his family and extinguish the dream of inheriting the family honor.

With that thought, Chen Diwen looked around at the other squads and said quietly, "This is no longer a routine elimination test. For every cadet here, this is a turning point in life. We've survived a year of hellish training, but our journey is just beginning. Each of us has the chance to climb higher, for a second year, a third—until we reach the peak. We must unite, fight for ourselves and our families' honor!"

The cadets looked to Chen Diwen. In daily life, he was already their de facto leader. Now, under his command, they saw the best path to minimize losses and survive. His words reignited their fighting spirit—a true king among newcomers.

"Alright, Boss Chen, we’re with you. Let’s take him down!"

"Yeah! We didn’t train a whole year for nothing. We’re as good as anyone!"

"I’m in!"

"Count me in!"

At that moment, as everyone pledged themselves to Chen Diwen, they knew: Chen Cao, the once-disgraced member of Da Chen’s elite corps, had become a formidable opponent.

...

But on the other side of the vast forest, Chen Cao was locked in a desperate struggle, unable to break free. The simulated gunfire grew more intense, the rustling in the undergrowth revealing a swarm of relentless foes with nothing to lose.

"Damn it, this is tough. Where did these maniacs come from?" Chen Cao muttered, leaning against a tree. He checked his pistol magazine—empty. He’d started with nothing, and under such fierce assault, there was no time to replenish his ammo.

...

Flame King 24 – End of Chapter 24: The Emergence of Ability

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