Cosmic Demon

Chapter 302 Arriving at Ironthorn Fortress, I will stand firm on the front lines!

"Lieutenant Qin, this is a 'nutritional supplement' extracted from the kin of the polluted Kuroshio."

Upon learning that Qin Shi was preparing to go to the Ironthorn Fortress City, Zhao Tie rushed over to see him off.

Soldiers at the outpost cleaned up the battlefield, and a large number of their relatives were collected as samples.

Many of these valuable "body parts" are transformed through rituals into highly energized nutritional supplements.

Zhao Tie didn't hold back at all and took out all of it, intending to "sponsor" it to Lieutenant Qin, since he couldn't let him do it for free.

"You're too kind, Captain Zhao."

Qin Shi smiled but did not accept everything. He possessed a [super stomach], which allowed him to consume any amount of resources.

However, conditions at the Anvil Outpost were harsh, and these nutritional supplements were enough for amateur soldiers to operate for several months.

"No need. My airship has strategic reserves distributed by the Western Front Command."

Qin Shi politely declined, and instead raised his hand in a salute to Zhao Tie:
"May the Eastern Xia endure forever! Thank you, Captain, for your dedication and hard work."

Zhao Tie returned the gift in kind:

"May the Eastern Xia endure forever, and may civilization reign supreme!"

The Kirov airship's engines were warming up. Zhou Yuanchen, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth, stood side by side with Qin Shi at the outpost's main gate.

"Are you really planning to go to Ironthorn Fortress?"

Qin Shi nodded:

"As a standard-bearer on the western front, I must do my part."

Zhou Yuanchen was helpless:
"Do we really need to be so formal with each other?"

Qin Shi shrugged and said frankly:

"Okay, I admit I got itchy fingers. The path I'm on requires constant fighting and constant evolution."

So, since there's a rare 'arena' where I can really have some fun, I can't miss this opportunity.

In the words of the Governor, "A sword should be honed on a whetstone."

A hint of envy flashed in Zhou Yuanchen's eyes:
"With great power comes great responsibility. The western front is now in your hands. However, the maze is complex inside, and the command headquarters cannot even send reinforcements."

Lieutenant Qin, you absolutely mustn't mess this up. Many people in Central City, including myself, hope to see him leave Hengzhou and climb to the top of the world.

Qin Shi's eyes were calm as he nodded and said:
"Old Zhou, take care too. A mid-stage sixth dan isn't enough for the front lines; you need to go further."

He straightened his peaked cap and turned to walk toward the Kirov airship, which had finished its warm-up.

At the same time, G-73 also completed the construction and activation of the purification system.

She channeled her mental energy to connect with Tai Jun, the active consciousness of Hengzhou Rising Star, becoming a part of his "vast system".

"Purification agreement signed. Deploy force field, establish node..."

Centered on G-73, the massive suspended instrumentation components hummed as they unfolded, their energy circuits lighting up one by one.

A soft, milky-white light suddenly rose up into the air.

It then spread out into an inverted bowl-shaped force field, slowly enveloping the area.

The moment the force field touched the ground, a loud "sizzling" sound rang out!

The pollution is removed instantly, just like oil stains wiped away by strong detergent; the layer of gray haze covering the surrounding space disappears in an instant.

The soldiers removed their filter masks, breathing deeply, and a hint of relaxation finally appeared on their tense faces.

They no longer had to endure the incoherent murmurs that occasionally rang in their ears, nor the terrifying feeling of their souls being dragged down.

"very nice."

As Qin Shi stepped into the Kirov airship, his gaze followed the roar of the engines, the ascent in altitude, past the Anvil Outpost, and into the distance.

Vast and boundless darkness stretched out, where scorched earth churned with thick, filthy grime.

Mechanical soldiers can purify a corner, but they cannot solve the root cause.

Humanity's ultimate enemy is not its kin, but the star gods.

"Boss, let's go."

Long Qiuyuan finds it difficult to accept Qin Shi's decision to go to the Ironthorn Fortress City and actively participate in the Breaking Army operation.

This is clearly not a task that a professional-level fourth dan can handle.

It should be noted that the records state that a major at the late stage of the third rank of full-time rank was completely out of contact after his capture.

They were basically considered "sacrifices".

No matter how fierce the boss is, he can't compare to a proper professional level three master.

"Let's go."

Qin Shi stood at the cabin door and saw Zhou Yuanchen standing in the same spot, his figure appearing somewhat small in the billowing smoke and dust, yet exceptionally upright.

The battlefield is a great crucible, equally tempering everyone.

"Ah Qiu, do you have any cigarettes?"

Qin Shi suddenly asked.

"Uh, let me check the military supply list."

Long Qiuyuan was taken aback. His boss had always been abstaining from smoking and drinking and was extremely self-disciplined.

Therefore, she never selected such items when exchanging military supplies.

"boss!"

Ye Xiaotang took out a box of synthetic cigarettes from the "warehouse" at the back of the airship.

Qin Shi took it. This thing was a special supply for the front lines, and it was said to be able to slightly boost morale.

He tried to pull out a cigarette, and Long Qiuyuan, like a thoughtful secretary serving the boss, helped him light it.

"Cough cough... I really don't know why Lao Liang and Lao Zhang can't quit."

Qin Shi took a deep breath, and immediately felt a burning sensation.

"Old Liang must be very pleased to see how successful I am."

Amidst the swirling smoke, the young lieutenant's sharp eyes gazed into the vast emptiness.

The indelible mark of Typhon's Blood River within him began to flicker faintly as they drew closer to Ironthorn Walled City.

……

……

Two days later, when the Kirov airship's fuel level dropped to the critical point, Qin Shi and his group finally arrived at the Ironthorn Barrier City.

The young lieutenant looked down, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

To be precise, this fortified city doesn't resemble a human settlement; it's more like a colossal steel beast embedded in a crack in a scorched mountain.

The massive mountain was brutally cut and hollowed out, then covered with layers upon layers of incredibly thick alloy armor plates.

The towering buildings pierced the leaden sky, their rotating detection arrays flashing red light like crimson single eyes.

"Verify identity."

As the Kirov airship approached the Ironthorn Wall city's strike range, Long Qiuyuan immediately received the communication.

"Name, unit number, rank, mission code..."

"During the Qin Dynasty, the Western Front Independent Operational Order of Battle, Specialist Level Four, Operation Breakthrough BMGTxxxxx"

Long Qiuyuan transferred the authorization and permission from the Western Front Command to the tower in Ironthorn Fortress City.

"Identity code confirmed, mission code confirmed. Landing on Delta-7 platform is permitted."

The current airspace pollution index is level 7, with moderate crosswind disturbance. Please maintain stable flight and follow the guide beam.

"Lieutenant Qin, welcome to the front lines of the western front."

At the entrance to the fortress, the heavy alloy gate slowly rose, emitting a deep, muffled sound like hydraulic transmission.

The moment the words fell, a beam of light, like the finger of a god, shot out precisely from a certain position deep within the fortress dome, instantly locking onto and enveloping the Kirov airship.

The airship shuddered slightly, and guided by the beam of light, it began to glide smoothly along a pre-set safe trajectory into the depths of the fortified city.

With a hiss—accompanied by a loud blast of air and the creaking of the hydraulic system, the massive landing gear made steady contact with the platform surface.

The heavy hull dipped slightly, then was supported by a complex cushioning system.

The engine noise quickly subsided, turning into a low, humming idle. The main hatch on the side of the hull slowly opened inwards, propelled by hydraulic rods, revealing a deep interior space and a figure in a crisp military uniform standing at the edge of the hatch.

"This fortified city must be the most magnificent frontline position I have ever seen."

Qin Shi stepped out of the cabin, his boots making a crisp echo as they landed on the cold alloy platform.

He smelled the mixture of engine oil and disinfectant, and his gaze rose slightly. In the spacious interior, a true steel giant stood tall.

That was divine intervention.

They don't look like they're ready to go; they're more like wounded soldiers who have just retreated from a fierce battle and are undergoing emergency treatment.

The massive, heavy machine was covered with fresh scratches and dents, and even terrifying gaps caused by high-temperature erosion.

The coolant, like dark red blood, dripped from the broken pipes and pooled on the oil-stained floor.

The muscular mechanical arm hung limply at its side, and dried blood and scorch marks of unidentified tissue remained on the huge chainsaw sword or particle cannon barrel.

The technical soldiers, clad in heavy engineering exoskeletons, were like tiny beetles clinging to the giants, busily working around these battered and bruised machines.

Sparks from the electric welding flashed intermittently, accompanied by the ear-piercing sounds of metal cutting and welding.

"Divine strategist..."

Qin Shi was somewhat restless.

He misses the experience of piloting the super machine.

That feeling of being enveloped in warmth, and the joy of body and mind merging together.

It's still memorable to this day.

"The boss's expression when he saw Shenji was like that of a pervert seeing a beautiful woman."

Ye Xiaotang secretly spoke to Long Qiuyuan and Ran Bin through telepathy.

"I'll deduct your salary."

Qin Shi turned around, his mind encompassing Ye Xiaotang, as if she held a higher priority.

"I know I was wrong!"

Ye Xiaotang stuck out her tongue, as if she had been startled.

The boss's intuition is too sharp; he can detect even the slightest disturbance.

"Lieutenant Qin! Welcome to Ironthorn Fortress!"

A logistics officer who had been waiting by the platform quickly stepped forward to greet them.

He was wearing a slightly worn junior officer's uniform, his face showing the meticulousness typical of frontline civilian personnel, and he held a data tablet in his hand.

"I am Li Hang, the liaison officer from the Logistics Department. I am here to connect you with them."

Li Hang's gaze swept over the Kirov airship, lingered for a moment on Long Qiuyuan and the other two, and finally returned to Qin Shi.

"Your temporary accommodation has been arranged in the officers' quarters of D-7, room number 742. This is your access card."

He handed Qin Shi a thin metal card.

"In addition, this is your standard military supplies allocation list as a junior officer participant in 'Operation Breaking the Army,' along with the receipt."

Li Hang handed over a data board, on which the items and quantities were clearly listed.

"These are roughly the items; please take a look."

Qin Shi glanced at it.

A seven-day supply of standard combat rations (high-energy type), three boxes of drinking water purification tablets, ten vials of standard energy supplements (Type IV), and one basic medical kit...

Everything is quite standard.

Compared to the high-level nutrients such as "Marrow of Lava" and "Heavy Core Series" enjoyed at the Western Front Command, this seemed exceptionally "simple" and even "shabby".

"The collection point is the C-3 logistics warehouse. Please present your ID card and this voucher to collect your item."

By the way, those accompanying you are only receiving the most basic survival supplies and are not included in the rations.

Li Hang carefully chose his words, worried that he might offend this renowned war hero.

It was not a deliberate targeting or neglect.

Ironthorn Fortress, as the front line on the western front, gathers a large amount of military supplies, but the consumption is also enormous.

In particular, the command recently recruited many military experts, each of whom is a gluttonous creature, consuming most of the high-level resources, which has caused a shortage of supplies in the fortified city.

Li Hang added:
"Lieutenant Qin, Ironthorn Fortress City currently has more than forty full-time junior officers and fifteen field-grade officers, putting immense pressure on logistics."

The allocation of supplies to all non-school-level participants will follow this standard, with priority given to ensuring the supply to the school-level combat capabilities of the core task force. Thank you for your understanding.

"understand."

Qin Shi calmly accepted the data panel and access card, his tone completely unwavering.

"Provide according to the standard rations."

Resources at the front lines are limited, and allocation according to rank is an ironclad rule.

Qin Shi didn't care about these external supplies. With the [Super Stomach], ordinary energy substances could be efficiently converted.

Furthermore, he can purchase high-level resources through other channels.

As for protection and medical care?
The regenerative power of an extraordinary body is itself the strongest guarantee.

Li Hang seemed relieved, having clearly seen many officers who were dissatisfied with the disparity in their treatment.

"Okay. Your identity information has been entered into the internal system of the Fortified City. You can use your identity card to enter the corresponding area."

The briefing will be held in Room 7, Area A, in three hours. Please be sure to attend on time. Also…

He paused, then lowered his voice, "Ironthorn Fortress is currently teeming with experts, so please... be extra careful in your actions."

The final reminder carried a subtle hint of caution.

Clearly, the rank of lieutenant here is indeed at the "lowest level".

"understood."

Qin Shi handed the access card and data tablet to Long Qiuyuan behind him.

"A Qiu, go arrange accommodations and collect supplies."

He then turned to Li Hang and asked:

Where is the C-3 logistics warehouse located?

“Go straight along this main road, turn left into the C area passage, and the third large gate is it. The sign is very clear.”

Li Hang pointed to a wide alloy passage.

"Thanks."

Qin Shi nodded in acknowledgment, said no more, and strode toward the direction Li Hang had indicated.

Long Qiuyuan and the other two immediately split up. Ye Xiaotang took the access card to the dormitory area, while Long Qiuyuan and Ran Bin took the supply vouchers to the warehouse.

The passageway remained noisy as squads of fully armed soldiers ran past, their heavy footsteps echoing on the metal floor.

People in different department uniforms were hurrying around.

A huge holographic screen scrolled battle reports overhead, and the smell of disinfectant in the air seemed even stronger.

Qin Shi walked at a leisurely pace, his tall figure and crisp military uniform making him stand out somewhat among the various combat uniforms around him, some heavy and others sharp.

Some passing field-grade officers, with deep and serious expressions, glanced at the junior officer ranks on the shoulders of the officers, mostly with indifferent or condescending scrutiny, before looking away.

The gazes cast by a few lieutenants were far more complex, containing both curiosity and inquiry.

"It seems that on the front lines, strength and rank are the only keys to success."

Qin Shi pondered to himself that his status as a first-class combat hero and recipient of the first-class Great Star Sea Medal was not so useful in Ironthorn Barrier City.

To those truly high-level combat forces, a fourth-rank officer is probably just a number in the vast denominator of this "Operation Breaking the Army".

(End of this chapter)