Forty-nine rules of the end times

Chapter 365 Mission and Reputation

Three hours after the new rules were announced, all Ascendants who did not discard their Challenge invitations received the temporary title "Competitor".

This title is mandatory to wear, and its effect is to display the wearer's nickname and points above their head.

Five hours after the rules were announced, Zhang Minglu was on his way to report to Gao Liangwei in the countermeasures research room of Beixing when he unexpectedly ran into Han Qiu in the corridor.

Unlike Zhang Minglu, whose nickname points "Yunfan Canghai, 1" were displayed above his head, Han Qiu's head had no display at all.

He had to admit that he was quite puzzled by Han Qiu's decision to abstain. However, considering the final outcome of the meeting before the title was announced, he saw Han Qiu's action as a direct protest against the decision, given his younger age.

"Academician Han."

Zhang Minglu stopped in his tracks.

"I know you disagree with the final decision made by the North Star authorities, but isn't it too impulsive to protest by damaging your own mental power limit?"

Han Qiu smiled upon hearing this and readily admitted, "What you see as acting on impulse is, in my own mind, simply following the rules."

“Follow the rules?” Zhang Minglu frowned. “Being a competitor is what following the rules means.”

“I already told Dr. Zhang about the previous rule that I would play this game according to the route planned by the Firebringers. In this rule, the route planned by the Firebringers is to make the contestants fight each other, rather than passing the level without fighting under a strong protection.”

Zhang Minglu felt a surge of anger upon hearing Han Qiu's words.

"So you're just going to abstain? In your eyes, it's wrong for the North Star government to protect the public?"

"Protection is not wrong, but a flock of overprotected fledglings will only die tragically helplessly when the real storm comes..."

After Han Qiu finished speaking, he walked away. Zhang Minglu watched his figure disappear, took a deep breath, and went to Gao Liangwei's office.

When he entered, Gao Liangwei had just finished a video conference.

"Dr. Zhang, please have a seat."

“Boss, I’ve spoken with the Ascended Ones on the front lines of the Allied Forces.” Zhang Minglu sat down. “After the surprise attack launched by the Upper Rule Parasites failed, the remaining guys all broke up and hid in the deep mountains and forests.”

Although the allied forces have now fully controlled the more important cities of the Black Flag Nation, because over 80% of its territory is mountainous, finding all these parasites once they've hidden themselves won't be easy; it will take time.

Gao Liangwei said, "The Human Alliance already understands this. Previously, the need to provide food to extraterrestrial intelligent beings was high because of the requirement for high efficiency in capturing parasites on the front lines. Now that the rules have ended, we can slow down a bit and do some rotation."

Soldiers on the front lines face immense pressure every day, and even when they have the upper hand, they must be rotated regularly. This serves to relieve the pressure on veteran soldiers and allow new recruits to gain experience.

Zhang Minglu nodded: "The person in charge, after talking with the Ascendants in the Allied Forces, some of them want to stay outside to compete for the ranking in this competition, while others want to come back to rest."

Private competition among Ascended Beings is not allowed within North Star; this is an official decision and will not be changed.

However, for those who have risen through the ranks abroad, if someone tries to compete for a higher ranking, the authorities generally tacitly approve, and no action is taken after they return home.

"Those who want to come back can do so during this rotation; those who want to compete for rankings, let them compete."

“I understand, I will pass it on to them,” Zhang Minglu said. “After the top-level government made the decision, Han Qiu and others in the research lab who support limited competition seem very unhappy. Han Qiu himself even chose to protest by abstaining… Should the person in charge talk to him?”

"Han Qiu's decision to abstain was not as simple as just giving up."

After Gao Liangwei finished speaking, he pulled a document from the table.

Zhang Minglu stared intently, then exclaimed in surprise, "A resignation letter? He's leaving?"

He then realized why Han Qiu had met him earlier; it turned out that the latter had just come to submit his resignation to Gao Liangwei.

“I have already agreed,” Gao Liangwei said. “However, according to the research lab’s confidentiality regulations, there is a six-month waiting period between the approval of my resignation and my departure.”

“…What a pity.” Zhang Minglu sighed. “Although I don’t get along with him very well, I have to admit that he is very smart.”

“There’s nothing to regret. People who aren’t of one mind and are not smart enough will eventually go their separate ways. Let’s put this matter aside for now, Dr. Zhang. There’s something else I need you to do.”

"what's up?"

"I'd like to contact 'Shadow' and explore a new collaboration with him."

……

afternoon.

Because her original office was attacked, Yelena temporarily returned to her manor to work.

At this moment, Guan Tong, Shang Yuanzi, and Si Gaoqin were all in her study.

"The security guards in the administration building have all been replaced by people from the Security Bureau? This is too dangerous!" Skochin said with a serious expression after learning of the latest situation.

After Rule Fifteen ended, she, as the on-site commander, had been handling the cleanup work these past few days. She had only recently returned from the military camp and was still in her military uniform, not even having changed her clothes.

"Governor, these security personnel are all highly trained agents. After the apocalypse rules were implemented, Valery also recruited many strong individuals from the civilian population. After training, these people have become even more dangerous. Keep them by your side..."

Seeing Sgorchin's concern, Yelena looked at Guan Tong, who was standing to the side: "No matter how powerful those people are, are they still a match for the teacher?"

“They are no match for ‘Shadow’ in a head-on confrontation, but these agents receive asymmetric combat training!” Scrooge said. “For example, various methods of poisoning, and various psychic artifacts with different abilities… They are completely impossible to defend against!”

“Sgorchin has a point,” Guan Tong said. “If the other side uses asymmetric warfare, it might pose a threat. But as long as we keep them under constant surveillance, it will be fine.”

“These people have many ways to evade surveillance.”

“They can evade the cameras, but they can’t evade me. For example, right now, I know what each of them is doing, but they have no idea that they are being monitored by me.”

Si Gaoqin was stunned, never expecting Guan Tong to be able to do such a thing. It sounded unbelievable, but she knew Guan Tong couldn't possibly lie about this.

“You should feel a little more at ease now, Sgorchin,” Yelena said. “With your teacher’s protection, your time is freed up. I want you to continue leading the mobile team to maintain order at the competition site.”

Although Sisia decided to establish a closed "competition arena," this was not simply a matter of designating a place for competitors to fight to the death. A strong official force had to be present on-site to ensure immediate suppression should any competitors go astray or cause trouble.

Furthermore, as the official representative present, Skochin was also the first to know which competitors had outstanding potential. If any strong individuals from the civilian population emerged, she could recruit them for Yelena immediately, preventing them from falling into the hands of opposing forces.

Yelena had planned from the beginning to entrust this important task to Sgorchin. Just as she said, with Guan Tong by her side during this time, Sgorchin could be freed up to do the work.

"Yes, I will definitely complete the task assigned by the governor."

“…Besides that, your unit has another mission.” Yelena’s eyes were sharp. “You must be prepared at any time to attack the Security Bureau headquarters.”

Sgorchen felt a chill run down his spine: "This..."

Since the establishment of the Sisya Security Bureau, several governors have been hampered and frustrated by it. But no matter how much they hated the bureau, none of them attempted to resolve the issue by force.

Because the constitution of Sisya grants the Security Bureau the right to oversee the governor, if the governor takes action against the Security Bureau, it will undoubtedly undermine the legitimacy of the regime and is likely to provoke strong protests from the public.

"how."

Yelena's expression suddenly turned extremely serious, her gaze sweeping across Sgorchin's face like a blade. "Aren't you sure you can complete this task?"

As Sgorchen met Yelena's gaze, her heart pounded.

This was the first time she had felt that the girl she had always taken care of and protected was changing faster than she had imagined.

“No matter what orders the consul issues, I will carry them out!” Sgorchin said firmly, regaining his composure.

"But I would like to remind the governor that doing so could damage your image in the eyes of the people. And... it could provoke even more opposition!"

"I will take that into consideration, but I won't issue this order unless it's absolutely necessary. Go ahead, and wait for my message."

"Yes!"

After Sgorchin left, Yelena leaned back in her chair, looking tired, her gaze fixed on the computer screen in front of her.

"...Besides dealing with internal problems, I also need to take revenge on the parasites and the Fire-Stealers Cult as soon as possible, otherwise the people and soldiers will not be satisfied."

Guan Tong and Shang Yuanzi exchanged a glance upon hearing this.

The surprise attack at the landing site can currently be identified as an operation jointly planned by the parasite and the Fire Thief Cult.

Although the crisis was eventually resolved, hundreds of elite Sisian soldiers were killed or wounded on the spot. This is not something that can be dismissed simply by saying "the rules are over."

The other countries in the SCI region did not react as strongly because the dead were all Sisian soldiers, and the pain was not felt by them.

As the governor of Sisya, Yelena felt immense pressure if she didn't avenge the fallen soldiers as soon as possible, as she couldn't explain herself to the other soldiers and the people.

"Teacher, what do you think?"

Yelena cast a look at her, seeking her opinion.

“I think we should put the revenge on hold,” Guan Tong said. “This rule period is only one week, and your enemies inside are getting restless… It’s not a good idea to open up a new battlefield at this time.”

"That's what I thought too, but the public opinion is very strong, and everyone wants the government to immediately deploy a large number of troops."

Guan Tong thought of the drunkards she and Shang Yuanzi had seen along the way when they entered the country of Sisia. If they were representatives of the people, then there was no need to take them too seriously.

"Some public opinion may not be as powerful as it seems, and may be vigorously promoted by some ill-intentioned people. However, it depends on your own consideration of the priorities. Decision-makers have to face this kind of dilemma."

"...I understand, I will consider it and make a decision myself."

Then it's about time for me to get started.

Guan Tong thought to herself.

Although he doesn't intend to compete for rankings this time, he certainly doesn't intend to become weaker.

In order to become stronger by accumulating more mental power, he needs a way to come into contact with enough Ascended Beings.

Guan Tong thought of someone.

……

A bar with its doors tightly shut had a "Closed" sign hanging above the entrance.

Inside the bar, a group of people were drinking and chatting. A man and a woman were talking at the bar, and a young man went over to them.

"Hey, Black Star, White Star, the official location for the designated 'legal competition zone' has been released. Do you want to go?"

Black Star slapped his underling on the head: "Go to hell! We're middlemen. Have you ever seen a middleman go into the ring and fight a life-or-death match with someone?"

The underling chuckled even after being slapped: "Isn't it because you're so eloquent, Brother Black Star? Even though you're just a middleman, you seem pretty formidable when it comes to fighting!"

"Hehe." Bai Xing chuckled, holding his wine glass. "Once he gets on the stage, his words won't be of any use."

Although Black Star was displeased by what he heard, he didn't say anything.

The younger brother then turned to the woman: "Sister Bai Xing, what about you? You're the best among us!"

"Me? I'm interested in ranking rewards, but not in arena battles."

"Even if you're interested, you can't go! Who would dare step onto the arena without some skill? No matter how good the ranking rewards are, you can't risk your life. And you, kid, go check out the commissions more often, stop messing around all day!"

"Yes Yes Yes……"

Just as the underling left with an awkward smile, a smart wristband on Black Star's wrist lit up.

He immediately clicked twice, and a message appeared.

"Which major client?" Bai Xing asked.

She knew that the person Black Star could set up "information alerts" for must be a major client who had done big business with her in the past.

Black Star looked up, his expression somewhat grave: "It's the person who bought Rijeka's information before."

Bai Xing paused, and the ripples of red wine swirling in the glass stopped.

She put down her wine glass and said seriously, "You can no longer accept his commission."

"But……"

"Black Star, this is no joke. Regardless of whether he is or isn't...that person, there are far too many people watching him now."

“I understand what you mean.” Black Star scratched his curly hair. “But if we don’t take the job, and if he really is… ‘Shadow,’ can we afford to offend him if we don’t accept his commission?”

After a moment of silence, Bai Xing asked, "What was the content of his request?"

"It wasn't mentioned in the message, but they said they wanted to meet with me in person."

"...make an excuse to refuse, saying that you are too busy lately and don't have time to meet."

Black Star brought up the projected keyboard, his fingers hovered over it, but he didn't type anything for a long time.

"What are you hesitating about?"

"...Shirahoshi, I think we should meet."

"why?"

“Because we are the middlemen.” Black Star looked up at her. “Being unable to take on a case and being afraid to take it on are two different things. If a middleman who is afraid to take on a case gets out, it will only ruin the reputation and hard work we have built up over the past year.”

(End of this chapter)