Translator: CinderTL
As he pressed the "Activate" button, a synthesized voice announced:
"Identity confirmed. Automatic billing will commence upon usage."
The glass door slid open.
Xiao Yu stepped inside.
Following the instructions, he changed into the provided suit, then climbed into the game pod and activated it.
After completing the naming process and newbie tutorial, Xiao Yu's avatar materialized in the virtual city center.
The hyperrealistic environment instantly stunned him.
He had approached this virtual game with mere curiosity, never expecting its fidelity to reach such a near-perfect simulation of reality.
More importantly, in the virtual world, his legs had reappeared.
In disbelief, he instinctively reached down and pinched his right leg.
The familiar pain brought tears to his eyes.
He suddenly understood why the game's developers were recruiting veterans.
This game wasn't just a game; it was designed to be a training ground.
Veterans possessed exceptional combat skills honed through years of real-world experience. Forced into retirement due to injuries or disabilities, their hard-earned techniques and knowledge could now shine anew in this virtual arena.
Overwhelmed with emotion, he followed the recruitment instructions and summoned the function panel.
From the dropdown menu, he selected "Coach Corps Cultivation Trial Mission."
A pop-up window appeared:
Initiate Coach Corps Cultivation Trial?
Yes!
Coach Corps Cultivation Trial initiated. Trial Mission 1: Reach diamond rank or higher in ranked mode. Current Rank: Unranked
Without hesitation, Xiao Yu closed the window and immediately opened ranked mode matchmaking.
For the next three days, Xiao Yu didn't log off.
In just three days, he had climbed to diamond rank.
His win rate was an astonishing 94.8%.
Years of frontline command experience allowed him to quickly devise battle plans and lead his team to victory.
His personal kill participation rate consistently exceeded 50% of the team's total.
His outstanding performance was even screenshotted and posted on the newly established Dawn discussion platform, becoming a hot topic among players.
After completing the first trial, Xiao Yu accepted the second challenge.
This trial required him to participate in hundred-player Team Battle ranked matches and achieve a command score of A or higher in each battle.
This was far more difficult than the first trial.
Hundred-player ranked matches were inherently unpredictable. In the game, all players had balanced stats, making it nearly impossible for a single individual to determine the outcome.
Battlefield command skills proved particularly crucial.
This time, Xiao Yu once again completed the assessment with remarkably impressive statistics.
His command score consistently remained in the A to S-Class range.
After completing the two assessment tasks, a pop-up window appeared before Xiao Yu's eyes:
Entering the review phase. Your information has been flagged for further evaluation. Please await a phone notification!
Seeing that he had passed the initial screening, Xiao Yu felt a surge of excitement.
Yet, remembering the repeated rejections he had faced before, a hint of melancholy crept across his face.
Even now, he couldn't be certain of success.
Summoning the function panel, Xiao Yu, who hadn't logged out for days, chose to exit the game.
As the game pod opened, an electronic voice announced the successful deduction of fees.
The surrounding ports began to drain the nutrient solution.
After getting up and dressing, Xiao Yu instinctively pulled out his phone and glanced at it.
The mix of anticipation and fear of failure made him sigh involuntarily.
Tiger Soul Research Institute.
Training Room.
Feng Qi sat before a screen, reviewing the contents of an email.
A new notification popped up in the lower right corner, its icon pulsing.
Clicking on the notification brought up a window, revealing a photo of a gaunt-faced man.
As Feng Qi scrolled through the information, a smile spread across his face.
Group Leader of the Giant Python Battle Group, recipient of the Human Outstanding Contribution Medal, formerly high-tier silver rank, seven years of frontline command experience.
He hadn't expected to recruit such a high-caliber commander so early in the planning stages of the Virtual Coaching Corps.
The records indicated that Xiao Yu was physically disabled in the real world.
But Feng Qi saw this as no obstacle at all.
What mattered was Xiao Yu's capabilities.
Within Dawn, his skills and consciousness could be imparted to trainees and novice warriors through practical combat simulations in the training room.
These invaluable combat techniques were a priceless asset for both Dawn and the development of Star City's combat capabilities.
After reviewing Xiao Yu's detailed profile, Feng Qi pulled out his phone.
In the dimly lit room, cigarette butts littered the floor.
Xiao Yu, his eyes bloodshot, chain-smoked relentlessly, his gaze occasionally drifting to the phone on the table.
After years of despondency, Dawn had rekindled a spark of hope within him.
He couldn't bear to miss this opportunity.
The recruitment notice's line, "A youthful face will carry your convictions on this journey," struck him with devastating force.
He took a deep drag, the ember racing down the cigarette.
With trembling hands, he exhaled a cloud of white smoke, his emotions fluctuating wildly.
Just then, the phone rang.
He snatched it up with lightning speed and pressed the answer button.
"Hello, this is Li from the Star City Veterans' Rehabilitation Center, staff member A011. Our records show you haven't had a physical check-up in five months. Would you like us to send someone to your home for a check-up and other monitoring services?
"Also, your prosthetic limb hasn't been maintained in quite some time. Would you like us to send someone to assist with maintenance and repairs?"
"No," Xiao Yu said flatly.
"Rest assured, all our services are completely free of charge, with no hidden fees. As a recipient of the Humanity's Distinguished Service Medal, you're also entitled to additional benefits..."
Xiao Yu abruptly hung up the phone before the staff member on the other end could finish speaking.
He was indeed disabled.
He knew these support services were provided by Star City to help veterans adjust to civilian life after retirement.
But he deeply resented being treated differently.
Just then, the phone rang again.
Will this never end?!
Seething with frustration, Xiao Yu answered with a roar:
"What is it?!"
Feng Qi, on the other end, froze at the outburst.
No wonder he's a retired frontline warrior—his phone manner is truly imposing, starting with a roar!
After a brief moment of surprise, Feng Qi continued:
"May I speak with veteran Xiao Yu?"
"This is him!"
"I'm the recruitment manager for the Virtual Coaching Corps. Would you be available to discuss your application to join?"
Xiao Yu, who had been about to hang up, stiffened at the mention of the Virtual Coaching Corps. He quickly tossed aside his cigarette, pressed the phone to his ear, and eagerly replied:
"Yes, absolutely! I'm available to talk about anything!"
Feng Qi: ???
Why did his qi momentum suddenly vanish?
(End of the Chapter)
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