"This is truly an incredible piece of software," Vice Admiral Lin said excitedly, pointing at the screen, "Ten thousand years ago, starting from the Stone Age, scattered military formations are taking shape. We will witness the rise of the first human army. With this system, Hua Country's army will become an invincible force."
Professor Dongfang could not contain his excitement either. As a scholar serving the military, he had always been pursuing a method that could train armies without resorting to the brutality of actual wars. Now, he saw a glimmer of hope. He, along with all Experimenters and trackers, would gradually witness the development of human military civilization.
From the Cold Weapons Age with its knives and swords to the Hot Weapons Age with guns and ammunition, the virtual reenactment of real battlefields. "Major, do you now understand the meaning of Brigadier General's words? Those five hundred Experimenters are truly lucky."
"Let's continue. I want those wolf cubs in the Armed Department to know that, once we have 'Military Road,' civilians will be on the same starting line as military officers. In the virtual system, we can strengthen our will and physique. Damn the Gulf War, the World Wars," Vice Admiral Lin couldn't help but share a laugh with Professor Dongfang.
Major Lin Yi gazed at the screen, watching those heading towards the primitive tribe. A surge of passion swelled in his chest. He understood the intentions of his father and the professor. From the founding of Hua Country, to the subsequent coups, to the split between the two forces in the military region. The ultimate reason was the mutual disdain between the civil and military factions. As long as 'Military Road' continued smoothly, the disadvantage of civilians in terms of physical and combat capabilities compared to military officers would be further reversed.
Lin Yi, now a Major, dismissed the plan to halt the game's progress and immediately ordered the tracking Lieutenants back to their posts, saying solemnly, "Continue to closely monitor the movements on the scanner. Notify me immediately of any changes." Having not closed his eyes for forty-eight hours, Lin Yi decided to take a short rest.
"It's time to take a break," Xia You told herself, "Considering the seventy-two hours in darkness, I have not rested for over a hundred hours. My body can't handle that."
After being informed by the female voice about her current situation, Xia You quickly accepted the fact.
In her four years in Hua Country, she had devoted all her time to her studies and practicing marathons. The remaining time was spent in Xia Yun's restaurant, with no time for games.
The sun had already risen, and the numbers on her shadow were becoming increasingly clear. Not wanting to stay in the bloodstains, Xia You took a few steps forward. After just about ten meters, the number indicating Physical Strength dropped to 34.
Then came the "system female voice," which had been gone for several hours, "Number 0, you want to die, right? Stop immediately, rest in place, this is an order. Once your Physical Strength drops below 30, you'll be in a 'Reduced Ability' state. In that state, all your ability values will drop by fifty percent, and if you encounter enemy attacks, there's only one way out: death."
"You've finally spoken up again. Explain to me, what are these numbers for?" Xia You stopped after hearing this and sat down. The number finally stopped fluctuating.
"I've seen many fools, but not as foolish as you. Living in the network era, I actually met a game virgin like you," said the female voice, berating her without mercy.
"..." Xia You did not respond, only watching her shadow, as if the numbers there were mocking her ignorance.
"It's all the system's BUG's fault," cursed the female voice, "Touch shadow with the right hand to read Character Attributes, touch body with the left hand to understand Equipment Attributes."
"..." Xia You touched the shadow with her right hand, and immediately, more information appeared in her mind.
Name: Number 0, Maximum Physical Strength (100), Current Physical Strength 34. Maximum spiritual power (100), Current spiritual power 100. Anger value 0. Military rank: Private.
Xia You then touched her face and found that her facial contours had changed.
"Number 0, to help you better integrate into Prehistoric Society, your identity is set as a sixth-generation immigrant soldier from the Prehistoric Government Army." As with other players, when officially entering the game scenario, the system had already fabricated Xia You's identity and made adjustments to her appearance.
Xia You's skin tone darkened by two shades, making her look more like a Chinese living near the equator, and her eyes became smaller, the corners lifted, giving her a more spirited look. As for height, there was little change, maintaining around 1.6 meters. The age was set a bit younger than actual, pegging her identity as an eighteen or nineteen-year-old immigrant rookie. The clothes on her body were no longer what she wore before entering the system but had been changed to a jungle green, blank rank Private Uniform.
"When Physical Strength reaches 0, death. When spiritual power reaches 0, unconsciousness. Equipment Attributes displays your basic military provisions. Basic Equipment includes: one military backpack, permanently bound. One march manual that records your Military Merit Points and tasks, permanently bound. Additionally, every time you enter a new battlefield, the system will automatically provide an updated map. In all maps, blue areas are safe zones, red areas are combat zones, and black areas are to be explored," the Space Demigod explained dryly.
Although Xia You had only interacted with the "Space Demigod" briefly, she could tell she was quick-tempered, but she wasn't sure whether she was a real person or a system-developed personality.
"You call me Number 0, how should I call you? I can't always call you... Sub-God, can I?" Xia You said, noting that although she was impatient, her explanations were fairly clear.
It had been a long time since anyone had asked "her" for her name, "Little Eight, you can call me Little Eight," the voice said, with a hint of wistfulness.
Xia You stayed silent, having only recently met "Little Eight," she was still unsure of her temperament. Best to speak less and err less.
Xia You placed her left hand on herself again, and the Equipment Attributes description popped up. Weapon: None. Private Uniform, thin-bottomed military boots, military backpack. Inside was a map and a task manual. On the task manual, Number of tasks completed: 0, Military Merit Points: 10. The tree leech that she had inadvertently pulled from the tree and killed earned her 10 Military Merit Points.
"Prehistoric map, current location, Dinosaur Forest?" Xia You flipped through the map of Prehistoric Society.
Above her head, a shadow flashed by. Xia You looked up, and a creature passed overhead in the sky... clearly not a plane and certainly not a bird.
Sharp talons, rough gray skin, "Bird... dragon, Pterosaur!" Xia You watched, dumbstruck. This was Prehistoric Society? It seemed she had fallen into an extraordinary space.