Chapter 992
Chapter 992: Has Anyone Dropped Out? (3)_1
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"Got everything?" Austin Shepherd raised his voice and asked.
Everyone replied with powerful conviction.
Nodding, Austin Shepherd asked again, "I’ll ask one more time, is there anyone who wants to back out?"
The response was unanimous.
"Shortly, the helicopter will take you to the starting point, where you’ll parachute down. You may act together, that is, if you really do encounter each other in the jungle. In these seven days, you’ll need to traverse the jungle, swamp, cliffs, and raging rivers..."
"Let me add, it’s currently the rainy season, and the jungle is brimming with rainwater. Of course, if you’re unlucky, you may also encounter mudslides."
Austin Shepherd spoke methodically, and after a while, he continued, "Besides the dangers of the terrain, you might encounter various wild animals and dangerous plants. In that jungle, there are ferocious black bears. To survive there, you must use all the knowledge you’ve learned, or you could die at any moment."
"Also, this wilderness survival training will have no maps. You must rely on all methods to recognize directions: the trees, the sunshine, your watches, elevation, and even your intuition and luck!"
Having finished, Austin Shepherd looked stern and swept his gaze over everyone, asking loudly, "Understood?!"
"Understood!"
Over a hundred people shouted back loudly.
With full momentum.
Yet, each of them had a taut expression on their face.
Just as Austin Shepherd had repeatedly asked if they wanted to withdraw.
Because the risks were many.
The dangers of the jungle, they had yet to deeply understand, but even the knowledge learned from books was enough to instill fear in their hearts.
There, if you accidentally die, you might not even be found.
No one will supervise you.
No one will assist you.
No one will guide you.
You’re on your own.
All communication devices will be unusable, cries for help will go unanswered, and the only emergency flare you have might fail to pierce through the thick canopy of trees.
By then, you’ll really be screwed.
"Reporting!" someone in the crowd shouted loudly.
"Speak!" Austin Shepherd looked at him.
"What should we do if the signal flare can’t get through?!" the man asked with a worried face.
"Then you’ll have to figure it out on your own."
Austin Shepherd seemed rather helpless.
What can you do if the signal flare is useless?
Only rely on yourselves.
"What if we get sacrificed..." the man said with a tone of reluctance.
"That’s not called sacrifice!" Austin Shepherd cut him off directly, his expression severe, "You’re not dying for the people, that can’t be considered a sacrifice! You would just be dead, an accidental death, but rest assured, the country will provide a certain amount of financial compensation to console your families."
As soon as he finished speaking.
The atmosphere became even more tense and serious.
"Reporting!"
"Reporting!"
"Reporting!"
"Speak!" Austin Shepherd frowned with impatience.
"I want to withdraw!"
"I want to withdraw too!"
"Me as well!"
One by one, their tone revealing determination.
They had the willingness to sacrifice for their country.
To give their lives during training?
That was a joke!
They couldn’t do it!
They didn’t have the courage! Nor the fortitude!
They still had parents, some had spouses and children, and even bright futures ahead of them. They could not just perish in the wild, where there might not even be someone to retrieve their bodies.
After everyone had their say, Austin Shepherd finally spoke loudly, "All those who want to withdraw, step forward!"
Quickly, amid the heavy atmosphere, six people silently stepped forward.
And, those still in line did not look at them.
They understood.
So, they remained respectful.
Fearing death was natural, and no one would blame them for it.
"Anyone else?"
Austin Shepherd called out again.
After the first group, two more people hesitantly stepped forward, their eyes filled with apology as they looked up at Austin Shepherd.
— End of Chapter 992 —