I summoned the Fourth Scourge in Warhammer

Chapter 24 [Those Who Go to Their Deaths]

As soon as Ruan Wenbo spoke, Commissar Walter's weathered eyes sharpened like a hawk's. He gave the other man a deep look, and the air seemed to freeze for a moment before he finally nodded slowly.

“If you’re really determined to fight, then I won’t stop you—after all, you just created a miracle.”

Walter's voice remained deep, but there seemed to be a hint of barely perceptible expectation in it. He continued, "According to the rules of the Peditian Astral Legion, each company will have an official title. Have you thought about yours?"

As soon as Walter finished speaking, a clear system notification popped up on Ruan Wenbo's retina.

[Promotion: Temporary Company Commander of the 13th Company → Company Commander of the 13th Company]

Upon seeing this notification, Ruan Wenbo was initially delighted, but this joy was fleeting, and he quickly calmed down.

From "temporary" to "official," it sounded like a fantastic opportunity, but on this planet Peditian, forgotten by the Empire, there was no difference between the two. He knew very well that Commissar Walter was now the highest-ranking military officer in this controlled area; he could promote him to company commander with a single word, and just as easily demote him to a common soldier. Peditian was completely cut off from the distant Imperial Military Affairs Department, and with the war in such a disarray, promotions and demotions were entirely at Commissar Walter's discretion.

Once he understood this, he shifted his gaze away from that empty title and refocused on reality.

As for the company title Walter mentioned, Nguyen Van Bo did not give an immediate answer, but cautiously said, "Political Commissar, I still need to discuss this with my brothers."

He dared not make a one-man show in such a crucial place. Commissar Walter's appointment only gave him a title, but what truly supported his position as company commander was the nearly one hundred lawless players under his command.

If this title displeases them, at the very least, it will affect morale and lead to insubordination during battles; at worst, if someone dislikes him and secretly launches a "friendly fire" attack on him on the battlefield, he will have nowhere to turn for help.

After all, there's no place in this game to disable friendly fire. Once he respawns, no one will help Nguyen Van Bo protect his achievements and position.

Ruan Wenbo returned to the players' temporary rest area with this "hot potato" appointment in hand. He cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.

“Brothers, the political commissar has given us a new order.” He paused, then continued, “The political commissar has officially recognized our company’s organizational structure, and in accordance with the tradition of the Peditian Astral Army, we need to give our company a name.”

This news was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples.

"Holy crap! Naming a name? It's just like creating a guild!"

"Wow, that's cool! Now it's more immersive!"

A small number of relatively "mature" players immediately expressed their concerns: "Don't make the names too chuunibyou (adolescent delusions of grandeur), like 'Dragon Overlord' or 'Godslayer,' it's embarrassing to even say them out loud." They preferred to use plain and unremarkable code names, such as "13th Attack Company" or "Iron Hammer Company," in a simple and unpretentious style.

However, their faint voices were quickly drowned out by the ecstatic players. These troublemakers were thoroughly excited and began brainstorming.

In a short time, all sorts of bizarre titles were proposed.

One joke suggested, "How about calling it the 'Fourth Calamity Company'?"

"How about calling it 'Canned Loyalty'?"

"I propose a 'College Entrance Examination Question Setting' team!"

The meaning is unclear: "'One punch, one kid' company!"

"The 'Slackers' Company!"

There were also those who were just there to cause trouble: "'What's for lunch today? Company!" Amidst the chaotic discussion, some players still managed to come up with a proper title.

“I think we should call them ‘The Undead,’” one player said seriously. “This title best suits our identity; we are unkillable.”

The proposal received support from some people, but others thought it wasn't cool enough.

"Undead is too straightforward, it lacks sophistication," another player countered. "And it sounds like an undead. I suggest calling it 'The One Who Goes to Die'."

The moment this term was uttered, the clamor of discussion subsided somewhat. Unlike the blatant flaunting of one's superpowers like the "undying," it carried a tragic and resolute air of knowingly venturing into danger. Every charge, every death, was a voluntary journey towards death.

This title, both dark and cool, perfectly captures the aesthetic of most players.

Finally, under the chairmanship of Nguyen Van Bo, a small-scale democratic vote began. After a fierce campaigning and debate, the title "The Ones Who Go to Die" narrowly defeated "The Undying" and became their final choice.

Ruan Wenbo informed Commissar Walter of the results. Upon hearing the name, Walter's eyes flickered slightly, but he offered no comment, simply nodding.

"In that case, get some rest today. I've already had all the stockpiled grenades delivered; let's prepare for tomorrow's operation."

As soon as the words were spoken, a new system notification popped up on the retinas of all players simultaneously.

[System notification: Your company has been officially renamed '13th Company - The Fallen'.]

[System notification: You have received a new mission – 'Beat the Enemy: Chemical Refinery'.]

Mission Objective: Capture Chemical Refinery No. 9.

Inside the battleground, the players, instead of feeling the tension before the great battle, were filled with groans and lamentations as they looked at the new mission.

"Sigh, why isn't the fight starting tomorrow? My greatsword is itching for a fight! Can't we start today?"

"Today's not going well either, my stats have dropped drastically... Is there any guy who can stab me in the back and revive me at full health?"

"You should have said so earlier! I'd do it!" one player said enthusiastically, raising his entrenching tool.

"Damn it! Let me take off this bulletproof armor before I start!"

"So what do we do next? Just wait all night?" A player sat on an ammo box, looking bored.

Just then, a player's attention was drawn to the person next to him. The person was sitting upright, his hands moving rapidly in the air, seemingly controlling the game panel and writing something. Curious, the player leaned closer and asked, "Dude, what are you doing?"

Without looking up, the other person said, "Doesn't this game have a three-times speed-up for thinking? Anyway, I have nothing to do right now. I'm a designer in real life, so I can finish the client's proposal. After I'm done, I'll post it on the game forum, set it to be visible only to myself, and then copy and paste it after I log off to submit it."

The players around who heard this were all shocked.

"genius!"

"You have to work even in a game? You idiot..."

(End of this chapter)