CHAPTER 206: CHAPTER 205: SOLDIER

Chapter 205: Soldier

Who among them have not risen to become a soldier? Probably none. In this world, becoming a soldier seems to be the ’mandatory’ goal that any person have to go. Even for the younger generation, the parents would spread early knowledge for the younger ones to know about this world.

Ever since humans immerse in the new planet, they always adhere to the principle that it’s better to be ready than being sorry later and thus, the new generation would often go train to be a soldier directly. Even for those who have low mental attributes or physical strength, the main goal that they want is to enter the military.

It’s not because they are forced to but this world is full of danger due to zergs. There had been planets who had been destroyed due to the rampant zergs wars and thus killing countless people. For that fact, people would subconsciously develop themselves to be strong and be ready to fight all the time. And the best way to have that skill is to enter the military for training.

However, it is also noted that this kind of mindset soon ceased after a long peace period of time. After achieving such a life, some people begin to develop their interest back to other things such as becoming another profession. This passed after many years until now.

But even though many new generations now refer to a new profession, they still have admiration for soldiers who fought their lives for everyone’s peace.

Thus, the conversation between Qin An’s team is very harmonious.

"My life was saved by a soldier one time." Liang Jin told them with a smile. "When I was younger, our home planet was besieged by zergs. I almost died in their hands and luckily got saved by a soldier. At that time, I really wanted to become a soldier too. However," Liang Jin sighs in shame. "It’s a pity that my mental power and physical strength is not enough. I also didn’t have the courage to go out in a battle so I couldn’t do anything."

"Same as mine," Xing Ren seconded. "My family works in a research laboratory. There were times when they needed to go out in order to find accurate information and when I was young, I would always follow them. We were once besieged too and luckily, He Yan’s father and his team came and saved our life." Xing Ren turned his head and looked at He Yan with an apologetic smile. "This is actually the eason why I was very enthusiastic about Yanyan in the first place. I really want to thank your family for saving us."

"It’s okay!" He Yan waves his hand with a smile. "We are now friends!"

"Xing Ren smiled. "Thank you, Yanyan."

Shen Lou looked at others and after they also shared their story, they turned their attention towards Qin An.

"Anan, what about you?" He Yan asked curiously. To be honest, it was not just him but everyone in the competition is actually curious about his personal life. There was no time that the young man shared any bit of his life with them , that’s why they are very curious.

Well probably not with Shen Lou’s case. He knew the latter’s real identity as a grim reaper and he understands that the young man probably doesn’t have any experience like them.

Although he was somehow wrong this time.

While it’s true that Qin An doesn’t have any experience like them, he had been a guide with soldiers who died from war. He always treated it like an ordinary day and wasn’t too interested in knowing their story. However, in this matter, Qin An suddenly remembered a memory from a long time ago.

)

It was still in ancient times and wars were very frequent for territorial battles in the past. There had been many casualties in this bloody battle and thus he was one of those who guided them. One of them was an old General. That old man looks old yet he still chose to fight with the enemies and saw him battling against everyone until his last breath.

Even when the old man saw him and knew that he was about to take him, that old man didn’t even squint and just nod casually as if he already expected such a result. What peculiarity that happened was that he didn’t know what was going on with him but at that time, he asked the old man.

"You have been a soldier ever since you were very young and now that you’re old, shouldn’t you take a rest? Why are you so anxious to die?"

The old man laughed a bit. "Young man, being a soldier is not just about being young. I can still move and fight so why would I rest?"

Qin An frowns under his wide-rimmed hat. "But you’re old."

The old man raised his brow lightly and motioned to the numerous corpses around them. "Can’t you see this? I did it!" The old man looked very proud of his achievement.

"But you are also like them now." Qin An plainly said and they looked down at the corpse of the old General who was full of wounds and blood all over with a long spear on his chest that caused his death.

"What’s the matter of being dead? As long as I fulfilled my duty as a soldier, my life was enough to die."

This made the lone grim reaper confused. "Why waste your life? You humans have only one life and are very fragile yet you are so eager to face death all the time. Aren’t you afraid?"

The old General sighs. "Of course, I am afraid too. However, as I said, a soldier’s duty is to protect the country with all his life. If you commit yourself as a soldier, your life will never be yours again even if you become an old man like me."

"Were you forced to be like this?"

"Of course not! This was my dream ever since I was young. My family was saved by them so it’s also my turn to continue what they did for me."

"Then if they hadn’t helped you, you wouldn’t be a soldier?"

The old General looked at the grim reaper who kept on asking like a curious child speechlessly.

This was actually a rare moment and if Qin An’s colleagues could hear him, they would be too stunned to speak. The Senior grim reaper is actually quite talkative?! Anyway, he himself also didn’t know why he had many questions but as he listened to the old man’s answer, he was getting more and more confused.

Why waste that pitiful one life for the sake of others just because you were saved by one in the past? Or maybe if you think you owe them, then why not just help that certain soldier and finish off your ’debt?’

Even after now, Qin An still felt that he was far from understanding the depth of their feelings and why many people that he knew in this life still chose to be someone who can save other people.

Are humans just like this?

Listening to his teammates, a familiar figure somehow appeared in his mind.

It was He Li.

That man is also one of the people who has a great personality to be responsible as the Marshal in this federation. He Li has always been like that. He was too used to being a person that will always think about the country rather than himself, as Mrs. Hou Nian said.

Combining what everyone is saying, it seems like being a soldier is something that anyone admires to.

Because they are the people who sacrificed their life just to protect humans like them.

Why?

’Humans can be as one to protect the peace they have. It’s the one thing that they are willing to sacrifice even their life.’

He Li’s words flashed in his mind at this moment. Peace? For the people around them, for friends, family... Can soldiers sacrifice themselves to let them live a peaceful life?

Realizing that thought, Qin An suddenly remembered the first elimination when Zhao Xiaopang whispered to him when he was still unwilling to accept this job again.

Is he willing to just look at He Yan and others suffer and die due to the mental pollution that he can take care of? Was he that indifferent? Yet why did he agree?

.... because he didn’t want them to die just like that.

Isn’t it also like a soldier? Sacrificing himself as a human and becoming someone whom he got tired of in the past.

For that decision, was it all worth it?

’As long as it can bring joy and peace inside you— whatever choice it can be, that is how you live as a human and no one can dictate it to you other than yourself.’

Qin An looked at the people he met during his short period as a human.

Xing Ren and He Yan were busy talking while smiling, Han Suwen was again teasing the other teammates with his cunning tricks and Shen Lou who was very quick to accept his ability to be a taoist just because it can help many people.

As long as it brings joy and peace?

Qin An felt... that being a grim reaper again isn’t actually too heavy.

Because he will be the one soldier who will save them, even through life and death.

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