Chapter 46
Chapter 46: Conversation 024, Murderous Intent (2)
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Jocelyn Carrington was always the fastest. She quickly packed all her gear, before instinctively rushing towards the door. However, upon seeing Flossie Wright leisurely standing at the doorway, she abruptly stopped dead--an expression of disbelief on her face as she stared at the woman who was even faster than her.
"Flossie, where are you?"
In the dark, Janice Wood who was hastily arranging her belongings thought of Flossie Wright who was usually the slowest, and subconsciously called out toward Flossie’s bed.
Flossie Wright cast a glance at Jocelyn Carrington, who was staring at her unblinkingly, then answered Janice Wood. "Turn right, five steps."
So it was really her...
Upon hearing Flossie Wright’s voice, the little doubt that Jocelyn Carrington had immediately cleared. She was always competitive and felt unusually frustrated. Clenching her teeth, she still managed to sprint out of the door as quickly as ever.
Meanwhile, Janice Wood, who was still half-asleep, was slightly surprised upon hearing Flossie’s response. She turned to her right and walked five steps as instructed. The moment she stood in front of Flossie, all her drowsiness instantly vanished due to her astonishment.
Janice Wood paused for a moment at the door before regaining her composure. Trying to conceal her surprise, she asked Flossie, "How did you..."
"Almost five minutes now."
Flossie Wright cut Janice Wood off midway, then immediately turned around and walked outside.
Observing Flossie Wright’s calm departure, Janice Wood opened her mouth to speak but ended up swallowing her words ’that was fast’. Instead, she hurriedly followed Flossie’s steps.
The parade ground was in complete chaos within just a few minutes.
Several new recruits had rushed out so hurriedly that they hadn’t even done up their shoelaces properly. As soon as they emerged, some tripped and fell. Hats, canteens, and waistbands were carelessly strapped on their bodies. With a surge of people pouring out from the two dormitory buildings, the initially empty parade ground instantly became a chaotic mess.
The time for dusk emergency assembly was five minutes. Flossie Wright and Janice Wood barely made it in time. While this wasn’t an extraordinary achievement, it satisfied Abram Phillips and Drake Easton.
There were fewer female soldiers, but they took longer to assemble than the male soldiers, lagging a few minutes behind. Abram Phillips, their instructor, was visibly displeased. Meanwhile, male soldiers who had been nursing a sense of grievance due to the combat competition seemed pleased, as if they had regained their advantage. Their previously drowsy demeanor dissipated completely.
"It seems everyone has been living a leisurely life recently. Even a simple emergency assembly took half an hour."
Rowdy Brightwill, as the coach for both male and female soldiers, naturally had the right to speak. He made this comment casually as he strolled between the facing rows of soldiers.
Upon hearing his words, the murmuring crowd fell silent immediately. In a matter of seconds, not a single sound could be heard throughout the parade ground.
Rowdy Brightwill paused in the middle, all smiles. He raised an eyebrow at everyone and asked, "How about we have a warm-up?"
The field was silent. No one dared to answer his question.
Suddenly, Rowdy Brightwill’s expression turned cold, his voice booming, "Tell me loudly, do you want it?!"
A roar which seemed to pierce the sky erupted from the crowd on both sides.
"Alright," Rowdy Brightwill nodded satisfactorily, sweeping a glance over the men and women. "You’ve all been quite competitive recently. Since that’s the case, let’s take this opportunity to have a proper competition."
After pausing for a moment, he asked again, "Do you all agree?"
Such was the response from every single person, a roar that emerged from their throats.
Rowdy Brightwill observed the reactions of the male and female soldiers. It wasn’t just about winning or losing; it was also a matter of pride. In this place full of vitality, no one wanted to surrender or lose face. Everyone was ready to give it their all, their faces filled with determination.
His gaze lingered on a particular person for a moment. Seeing the nonchalant expression on Flossie Wright’s face, he couldn’t help but smile.
"Alright, it will be an armed cross-country run of ten kilometers," Rowdy Brightwill announced slowly. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he calmly added, "We won’t compare who is the fastest, only who is the slowest."
At that moment, Flossie Wright, who was standing amongst the crowd, felt an overwhelming hostility directed at her from all sides.
— End of Chapter 46 —