Chapter 47: Entering "Edge of Tomorrow" Once More

Demon Suppression Division...

Mental brightness: 115 points...

A world growing ever more dangerous...

Zhou Shu lay on his bed, thoughts swirling around these matters. His “Vigilance” ability had failed to trigger: whether someone was tailing him, preparing to stab him in the back with a knife, or even pointing a gun at him, his “Vigilance” never once sounded the alarm—no warning of danger at all.

Or perhaps his “Vigilance” was shrewd, knowing these weren’t true threats, maybe even mocking him in some unknown corner: “Is that all? Really? Are you the fool, or do you think I am?”

Fortunately, “Slow-Motion Field of Vision” had been verified, granting him the right to further explore the Demon Suppression Division and the true nature of this world.

After his failed test, it was already past ten in the evening. Wang Kairen had originally suggested he rest at the Demon Suppression Division, but Zhou Shu insisted on returning home.

He was driven back by a designated driver.

He’d have to return tomorrow anyway. Although it was Sunday, it was still a class day for the Division’s “trainees.”

Just as the Hunter System had said: becoming a super soldier was anything but simple.

He insisted on going home tonight to inch himself closer to that goal.

This afternoon's ordeal had been perilous in the extreme.

Moreover, the Demon Suppression Division was truly filled with formidable individuals; his 0.8-tier physical stats were simply not enough.

“Hunter, show me the latest stats panel.”

HUNTER SYSTEM

User: Zhou Shu (Recruit)

Spirit: 1.17 (max)

Strength: 0.86 (max)

Agility: 0.84 (max)

Endurance: 0.84 (max)

Constitution: 0.84 (max)

Special Abilities: Slow-Motion Field of Vision (Beginner), Vigilance (Possessed)

Weapon Proficiency: Firearms Handling (Beginner), Powered Exoskeleton Operation (Beginner)

Support Equipment: ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ Standard Powered Exoskeleton Suit (Good Condition)

Source Energy: 2.17

Yes, he’d dropped the language communication slot—utterly useless—and replaced it with his “superpowers.”

At least “Slow-Motion Field of Vision” had been proactively activated once, barely qualifying as beginner level, while “Vigilance” was another matter entirely—he could only say... he possessed it.

And now, with Source Energy reserves over 2 and a steady supply to come, he could rapidly grow stronger.

The Hunter had assessed his mental state. With 1.17 in Spirit, he could power through the “backboard demon” scenario twenty-five times in a single night.

Twenty-five times!

By tomorrow morning, he might break through the 1.0 threshold in all stats.

Not only could he shoot at a distance—with these stats, he could even face “monsters” head-on!

There was no reason to hesitate any longer. “Hunter, enter the Virtual Battlefield!”

[Very well. Initializing Virtual Battlefield...]

...

“Are you like me? Your name is ‘Uncle Zhou,’ right? I’ve been watching you for a long time—you’re different from the rest. Did you die on the beach tomorrow and come back here again?”

“Isn’t that so? Please, tell me?”

“I’m begging you, this means everything to me...”

Uncle Zhou—no, Zhou Shu—looked at a clearly distraught Tom Cruise, rather bewildered.

His plan this time was to go straight to Sergeant Rita, known as the “Valkyrie of the Battlefield,” “Verdun Angel,” and the “Full Metal Bitch.”

As a sergeant, special squad leader, and the Valkyrie herself, she wielded significant influence on base—she could arrange special training for a “deserter” and move about freely.

Zhou Shu wanted to learn combat techniques from her, including exoskeleton training, to see if he could upgrade his beginner-level exoskeleton handling.

He also wanted to meet Dr. Carter.

This was no ordinary doctor: an expert in particle physics and advanced microbiology, once Chief Analyst at Whitehall, whose obsession with Sergeant Rita—or perhaps alien research—had demoted him to the base’s mechanic.

A mechanic with questionable sanity.

From the film, Zhou Shu knew that when Carter met with the protagonists, not only did his holographic screen display exoskeleton blueprints, but also extensive alien data—a truly impressive figure.

Zhou Shu suspected his best chance to master exoskeleton technology lay with Dr. Carter.

If he couldn’t learn exoskeleton skills in the Virtual Battlefield, he’d feel his 2 points of Source Energy had been wasted.

This time, he had twenty-five tries—a luxury to experiment.

Yet, as soon as he entered, Tom Cruise cornered him.

This time, Tom Cruise was very cooperative, persuading his teammates to relax their guard so they wouldn’t watch him change clothes. Then, during assembly, he pretended to forget his belt and asked to fetch it, grabbing Zhou Shu to “supervise” him.

J Squad glanced at Zhou Shu, who decided to see what the movie’s protagonist was up to and nodded in agreement.

The others relaxed and went to assemble, only cautioning them not to take too long.

Tom Cruise: “…”

Then came the interrogation.

Tom Cruise was highly agitated: the loneliness and helplessness of being the only one who knew the truth, the excitement of finding a “potential comrade,” and—

Why does your reputation outshine mine, when we’re the same?

“Yes, I did die on the beach tomorrow,” Zhou Shu nodded. “You too?”

“Exactly! That’s right, me too!” Tom Cruise nodded excitedly. “God, I’ve finally found someone like me...”

“But why are you a deserter?”

“...”

That killed the conversation.

But it was only the beginning.

As they started running, Tom Cruise wouldn’t stop talking beside Zhou Shu, laying out his plan for tomorrow.

He said the renowned Verdun Angel would die on the beach tomorrow—they had to rescue her. She was his only hope for survival or victory.

To this, Zhou Shu replied, “Why wait for tomorrow? Let’s find her today and tell her what’s going to happen.”

“But... but who would believe us?” Tom Cruise was bewildered.

“I believe you,” Zhou Shu said casually.

“That’s because... because we’re the same.”

“And how do you know she isn’t like us? Even if she isn’t, you can persuade her. Don’t tell me your gift of gab is fake.”

Mentioning his eloquence restored Tom Cruise’s confidence—he’d once...

With his silver tongue...

Managed to...

Become a deserter.

Uh...

“Can I really do it?”

“Relax. Just play along with me.”

Without waiting for a response, Zhou Shu stuck out his leg and tripped him, sending him tumbling.

“Ah!”

He didn’t hit the ground, though—Zhou Shu caught him, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.

“What happened?” Sergeant Farrell turned and asked.

“He twisted his ankle. I’ll take him to the medic,” Zhou Shu said smoothly.

Tom Cruise hesitated, then quickly chimed in, “Yeah, yeah, ow—hurts like hell.”

Sergeant Farrell fixed him with a sharp gaze, making him nervous, then turned to Zhou Shu, his expression softening. “Fine, but keep an eye on him. Don’t let him escape.”

Zhou Shu snapped to attention, replying seriously, “Don’t worry, Sergeant Farrell. I’ll make sure of it!”

Tom Cruise: “...”

And so, Zhou Shu walked out with a stunned Tom Cruise in tow.

He remembered Zhou Shu had used this trick before, thinking only Zhou Shu could get away with it—never expecting he, the “deserter,” could as well!

Could their reputations really be that far apart?

Zhou Shu was at ease—this was standard procedure for him.

As for bringing Tom Cruise along...

If something happened, he’d need someone to take the fall.

Twenty-five tries was generous, but not to be squandered recklessly.

Obviously, a “deserter” made for an ideal scapegoat.

PS: Thanks to Nine-Tailed Fox’s Dad and Tian Lingze for the rewards. Please vote and add to your favorites~~