Love, Gun, Cupid

"I forgot exactly how much food the brothers cooked, but the boss's expression as he watched them leave was probably similar to what he had just seen," Lin Jiade said to Jianlan.

While eating, Lin Jiade realized he wasn't alone; there were other people around him who shared his offensive philosophy. Jianlan was initially surprised to see them, but then her expression softened.

"What's wrong?" Lin Jiade asked in a low voice.

"Their happiness seems so simple, but have they ever considered their body image?"

"Compared to happiness, body shape is nothing. There are so many troubles in the world, and people don't have many good solutions besides eating, drinking, and having fun, so there are more and more happy fat people in the world... The above is the opinion of a friend who played football with me at the last dinner party."

Lin Jiade wasn't fat, but he was definitely not thin either. After eating, he was in a great mood, and even his somewhat hazy high school memories came flooding back.

At seven o'clock, he arrived at the martial arts classroom on time. Mu Mian was talking to three people he didn't recognize. Mu Mian didn't rush to let him in, but instead led him outside and whispered, "This mission is to go to the Mirror Realm to find a mistaken secret."

"The Secret of Mistakes?"

“You don’t need to know what that is, but for this, we need to enter the Mirror Realm. I am the one carrying out this mission, and you are the helper I temporarily found.”

“There has to be a reason. Let’s rehearse our lines beforehand to avoid any slip-ups.” He whispered, “Senior, what did you see in me that made you recruit me into your team?”

"First, in the Magic Registry, your registered name 'Lin Huang' has two assists in your data column, which shows that you are not a clueless newbie, but have seen blood and are capable of fighting;

Secondly, you are very reliable and would never betray the team. Character is also crucial when forming a team.

Third, you have excellent insight. Although your body can't keep up, I can tell that you can predict every move I make. This is an amazing talent.

Fourth, you have great luck; there are some mystical matters, like needing your help when opening boxes.

I saw the notification in the author group today and realized that there are some parts of this book that need to be revised, so there will be no extra chapter today. I'll focus on revising the text first.

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Flying Bird V

Lin Jiade was both amused and exasperated. Of the four points summarized by Mu Mian, he could only barely accept the second one.

Regarding the two assists in the first point, he still doesn't understand why the person working overtime inexplicably deactivated their avatar and died when the situation was overwhelmingly favorable.

Similarly, the tuna almost killed him, but Jasmine risked her own safety to stab him in the back, thus ending the fight.

Both of his assists were passive and lacked substance, while his excellent insight into the third point was entirely due to Gladiolus.

With the Lich Lady's blessing, he is the unstoppable Lin Huang, reigning supreme on the field; without Gladiolus, he is Lin De Lou Fu.

As for luck, such an ethereal thing, Lin Jiade himself doesn't believe in it. A teenage football player doesn't dream of being a chosen one.

Mu Mian made Lin Jiade feel a little guilty. He looked at Mu Mian pitifully and helplessly. Mu Mian took his fear as cowardice and whispered, "My three teammates are also hired mercenaries. If you keep your mouth shut, no one will ask about your background."

Kapok pushed Lin Jiade through the door, and under the scrutinizing gazes of three men, the young man deeply felt the pressure of being a mere novice. His only consolation was that they hadn't noticed Jianlan.

He forced himself to say, "Hello."

Upon entering, he realized that two of Kapok's three teammates were not human and were tall. Accustomed to looking down at people, he felt even more intimidated when forced to look up.

The rhinestone archer and the minotaur priest greeted each other politely and introduced themselves. They used different methods to observe Lin Jiade and almost simultaneously judged his strength, thus assuming he was the one who had cut in line.

For magic researchers within the Empire, promotion depends on three factors: connections, ability, and seniority. Connections depend on being born into a good family and cultivating relationships, ability depends on being born into a good family and working hard, and seniority is something that everyone has to do.

Some people work diligently, completing tasks and voluntarily working overtime to accumulate experience and advance in their careers. Others, however, take shortcuts, forcibly taking on tasks assigned to others and then exaggerating their own role in the task afterward, thus quickly accumulating experience and advancing in their careers.

Clearly, Lin Jiade was considered to be that kind of person. Otherwise, how could a magic researcher with a strength of about the apprentice level participate in the tasks of these intermediate magic researchers?

Sword Orchid whispered in his ear, "The Soul Flame tells me that those two people, after observing you, came to a conclusion that was not friendly."

Lin Jiade sighed inwardly. He wasn't a cut-in person, and only the contemptible identity of a cut-in person could explain how a newbie like him managed to get involved in missions with the veterans.

Only the boyish-looking human main tank extended his hand to Lin Jiade in a friendly manner. The Star Flying Fish smiled in a friendly way, and Lin Jiade smiled back. Just as he was about to shake hands, Kapok intervened between the two.

"That's enough of the pleasantries," said Kapok. "Open the lead boxes that have been distributed to you, and we'll head to the Mirror Realm."

The four people opened the lead box, revealing a blue bead inside. It was a fragment of Gladiolus's soul, exactly the same as the one that Teacher Yang had once possessed.

Both Lin Jiade and Jianlan were attracted, but now was not the time, so Lin Jiade pretended to take out his replica Colt M1873, pretending that he had stored Jianlan's soul fragments (actually the soul core) in the gun.

The rhinestone sprite glanced at it curiously and clicked its tongue in amazement: "A celestial weapon."

“It’s just a toy gun,” Lin Jiade replied.

Du Juan told Lin Jiade this, and Lin Jiade relayed it truthfully. However, in the common sense of magic researchers, celestial weapons themselves symbolize sacred meaning and are proof of the faith of the divine protector and the gods who bestowed their protection.

Therefore, to today's audience, Lin Jiade's words have a Versailles literary flavor.

The first thing Lin Jiade did in the squad was to receive his new cell phone and watch, then set them up, and finally collect his gear as a swift scout:

Military observation equipment disguised as civilian equipment, IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) devices, protective gear for vital organs and joints, helmet, breathing mask, water purification device, multi-purpose entrenching tool, and enough bullets to injure his wrist.

“It’s a pity you don’t have the authority to use more advanced gunpowder spells,” Mu Mian’s voice said with some regret. “Otherwise, I would recommend an assault rifle that can fire grenades.”

Lin Jiade stared speechlessly at the drone parts carried by the interstellar flying fish, the rocket launcher and first aid kit on Arcturus's back, the anti-personnel mines and grenades in Yuki's backpack, and then at Kapok's submachine gun...

That's enough, this isn't magic at all!

With the help of the kapok tree, Lin Jiade, unaccustomed to the process, put on his gear and adjusted the equipment. The protective gear made his jacket bulge, and as he put on the breathing mask that covered his entire front, the world became quieter than ever before.

The breathing mask also comes with a communication device, which is quite magical. Even in another world, it supports communication between the team within a 350-meter range.

The team's preparations were completed in fifteen minutes, followed by a long wait. When all five watches simultaneously pointed to 8 o'clock, a huge vortex appeared on the classroom window.

Lin Jiade's collector's edition offers the choice between birds and worms, and this time, he still chooses to be a bird.

Starfish, wielding a riot shield, was the first to step into the vortex, followed by Kapok and Yuki, then Lin Jiade, with Arcturus bringing up the rear.

They arrived at a desolate wasteland. There were no mirrors, no living beings, nothing at all. Yuki took out a metal rod and stuck it into the soil. Energy fluctuations spread out. Lin Jiade took out his phone and found a new mark on the tactical app.

"Looks like we're out of luck. We landed in a region that the Empire has already explored. It's only a 4% chance... But it might not be a bad thing," Yuki muttered.

4% may not sound like much, but considering the vast area of ​​the planet's surface, there are still quite a few unexplored areas in the Mirror Realm for a five-person team.

That's why Yuki and her mercenaries felt it wasn't a bad thing, as exploring unknown maps could earn the team extra points.

At that moment, Jianlan looked at the hill not far away. At almost the same time, Xingjianfei took a few steps forward and shouted, "Parallel with me, crouch down!"

Starfish spread his palms forward, and a transparent wall rose up, reliably blocking arrows, fireballs, javelins, bullets, spell beams, and RPGs. The other squad members nimbly crouched down at his level.

"They dare to launch a sneak attack with this kind of firepower?"

Yuki pulled out a fragmentation grenade and handed it to Arcturus. Arcturus threw it toward the opposite slope where the enemy light infantry might be hiding. Yuki drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and fired just as the grenade was about to hit the enemy. The arrow struck the grenade, and magic enveloped it, giving the grenade greater power and kill radius.

Chapter 40 Asuka VI

With a single strike, the enemy on the reverse slope fell silent. But the enemy light infantry were not the only ones; some were hiding behind rocks further away, where Arcturus and her rocket launcher were eager to strike.

However, everyone was stunned when they saw a retro-style 12-pound field gun being towed over to a hill not far away.

"Did they rob a history museum?" Starfish quipped.

"Ah, it's a cultural relic. We don't have to pay for it if we damage it, right?" Arcturus asked.

Yuki drew her bow, aimed at the hill, then helplessly lowered it, saying, "At this distance, even with magic, I can't snipe the gunner."

"Let's go around and take out that position."

Lin Jiade and his team faced two opposing forces. One group was positioned not far in front, using firepower to pin the squad down nearby, while the other group deployed artillery on the high ground.

Although it looks a bit like a museum exhibit, the rising magical light tells Lin Jiade that this thing is definitely not to be underestimated.

Under Mumian's instructions, the team split into two. The elf archer, the boy-faced main tank, and the tauren priest stayed behind to continue taking hits and were tasked with drawing enemy light infantry fire, while Mumian led Lin Jiade to flank and take out the enemy's artillery positions.

Kapok's plan was to take Lin Jiade to a safe place and hide him, and then deal with the enemy herself.

But out of sight of the bodysuit-clad monster, Jianlan observed the battlefield and whispered to Lin Jiade. Lin Jiade turned to the rhinestone fairy and said, "Miss Yuki, after the captain and I rush out, remember to cast a protective spell from the wind element magic system on us."

"Even if you don't say it, I will still do it."

"What I mean is, I'll charge with the captain, so please give us each an arrow."

Lin Jiade had a serious expression and a resolute look in his eyes. Even though the rhinestone fairy had some prejudice against him, she had to admit that he looked like someone special.

“I understand,” she said. “Leave your back to me, and I guarantee you’ll get shot in the back. I have a lot of experience shooting my teammates.”

What insights do you have?

Before Lin Jiade could even complain, the Minotaur Kitamura Arcturus let out a long howl, hoisted her rocket launcher totem pole onto her shoulder, and fired a gunpowder spell. A fireball flew out, and after two seconds, it began to split, the fragments falling to the ground and creating a large cloud of smoke on the battlefield.

"Now!"

Kapok leaped up, leaving the protection of the interstellar flying fish's position wall and meandering forward. Lin Jiade followed closely behind. Wearing protective gear and carrying a backpack, he felt even lighter, only then realizing that these items had also been enchanted.

The surrounding area was shrouded in white smoke, but Gladiolus's vision still allowed him to pinpoint the location of the survivors. He relayed the information to Mian, who then led him to break through the weak points, the sound of submachine gun fire interspersed with the clatter of revolvers.

They took down three enemies in a row. Lin Jiade then racked up three assists.

Gladiolus's soul fragments have a natural attraction to other soul fragments. She simply watches as the soul fragments held by defeated enemies detach from their original owners and merge into her body, allowing her to take a tiny step toward a complete soul.

Unfortunately, the soul fragments held by these three people were so small, totaling less than a third of what Teacher Yang had once possessed. Lin Jiade couldn't help but sigh, Teacher Yang was a man whose life was a mixture of good fortune and misfortune.

“It’s safe here, stay here,” said Kapok. “Come find me after I’ve dealt with the enemies on the hill above.”

“No! If I do nothing, your authority as captain will be questioned,” Lin Jiade said. “Captain, let me give you a push!”

Gladiolus said the enemies on the hill weren't strong, and Lin Jiade trusted the Lich Lady's judgment, especially with Azalea as his backup. Therefore, he was willing to follow Kapok in the charge. But in Kapok's eyes, it was Lin Jiade displaying courage and reckless passion.

“Let me help you with this once!” Lin Jiade repeated.

"...Okay, take good care of yourself."

There was not much time to waste on the battlefield. Mian made up her mind and leaped from her cover. Yuki kept her promise and shot the bodysuit-clad monster in the back. Wind elemental magic enveloped Mian's body, enhancing her physical abilities in every way.

A surge of heroic spirit welled up in Lin Jiade's heart, and he leaped out of cover. The next second, an arrow struck his knee, and he immediately collapsed to the ground.

A curse word was already stuck in Lin Jiade's throat, but the energy beam flying overhead told him that the rhinestone spirit had helped him out.

He scrambled to his feet and continued his charge, the wind elemental magic enhancing his speed.

Kapok slashed left and right in front, and the dazzling attacks fell like sliced ​​fruit before her. Lin Jiade, on the other hand, guarded against attacks from the flanks, drew his pistol, and used his Faith Shooting Technique to fire shot after shot.

The accuracy of a pistol at 50 meters is obvious to anyone who knows, let alone an amateur who has not received systematic shooting training. But the enemy did not know this and was briefly attracted by Lin Jiade's hip-fire, which was a tribute to the cowboys in the West. Yuki took this opportunity to take down several more enemies.

Just as she was about to climb up, a spell struck Kapok. Kapok's weapon fell from her hand, but the bodysuit-clad monster immediately pulled out a submachine gun and opened fire.

Lin Jiade caught the weapon from the cotton tree and hurriedly climbed to the top of the mountain. The next second, he saw a 12-pound field gun aimed at him, its muzzle flashing with magical light.

“Swearing on the field!” he said.

Jianlan quickly gave instructions, and Lin Jiade took out a talisman and shouted, "Sever in two, Ruyi Divine Sword!" The longsword materialized, its blade glowing, and the added magic shattered the ground beneath his feet, causing him to fall.

In the moment of his fall, he mustered all his strength to throw the Kapok weapon toward its master, and then cast a vine spell, which caused the branches to wrap around his arm.

Using this, he hung himself on a protruding rock on the hillside. He landed hard and was in pain all over, but when he saw the pillar of flames shooting out above his head, he felt a sense of relief at surviving the ordeal and looked at Jianlan with gratitude.

"It's so good to have you," he said.