Just as Wang Yu was overwhelmed with grief and indignation, feeling his life had become so bleak that he couldn't see any color.
“Ding—Detecting host’s strong will to survive, meeting binding conditions.”
“Mercenary System is binding…”
“10%… 50%… 100%!”
“Binding successful! Hello, host Wang Yu, this system will wholeheartedly serve you and help you reach the pinnacle of life!”
A cold, emotionless mechanical voice exploded in Wang Yu's mind without warning.
Wang Yu was stunned.
What the heck?
A system?
Me?
He pinched his thigh hard, hiss… that really hurt!
It wasn't an illusion!
Not only was he reborn, but he also came with a system?
Is this the legendary treatment for a protagonist?
Wang Yu was so excited he almost jumped up on the spot.
Suppressing his wildly beating heart, he silently thought, “System?”
“Host, I am here.”
The mechanical voice sounded again.
“Detecting host’s first activation, now issuing a Newbie Tasks.”
“Newbie Mission: Become a true mercenary.”
“Mission Description: All roads lead to Rome, and some are born in Rome.”
“Host, you don’t even have the qualifications to go to Rome. Instead of competing to the death domestically, why not change tracks and go to a war-torn land, using your life and blood to write your own legend!”
“Mission Reward: Overall Attributes +20, Learn and Grow Stronger BUFF (Permanent), Firearms Mastery (Beginner).”
“Mission Failure: System unbinds, host will be obliterated.”
System, are you sure you’re not mistaken?
You want me, a weakling who can’t even tie a chicken, to be a mercenary?
Are you sure you’re not asking me to be cannon fodder?
And that failure penalty… obliteration?!
Do you have to play so big?!
Immediately, a light blue virtual panel appeared before his eyes.
“Name: Wang Yu”
“Strength: 5 (Powerless to tie a chicken)”
“Agility: 6 (Flat ground Wrestling Master)”
“Stamina: 4 (Struggling at the passing line of the 800-meter physical test)”
“Intelligence: 8 (Congratulations, Host, this is your only attribute close to an average person’s level)”
“Charm: 3 (An extra among extras, the kind you throw into a crowd and can’t find)”
“Luck: 1 (The Chief himself, advised to stay away from any lottery-type activities)”
“Skills: None”
“Overall Evaluation: A fighter jet among weaklings, a challenger to the lower limit of human physical fitness.”
Looking at that humiliating evaluation, Wang Yu’s face turned green.
However, he also noticed the mission rewards.
Overall Attributes +20!
As long as he completed the mission, he could instantly transform from a weakling into someone with all attributes above 25!
And that “Learn and Grow Stronger” BUFF, wasn’t that like having a learning god possess him?
Not to mention “Firearms Mastery,” which sounded incredibly awesome!
With such a huge temptation before him, Wang Yu's heart began to stir again.
The risk was great, but the reward was equally immense!
Obliteration is obliteration, he had already died once in his previous life, so no loss!
His eyes instantly became resolute.
Thinking of this, Wang Yu no longer hesitated.
He took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and walked into the living room.
“Dad, Mom, I’ve thought it through.”
He paused, meeting his parents' puzzled gazes, and said word by word:
“I’m going to study abroad.”
“I’m going to… South Sudan.”
The living room was silent.
“Son, are you… are you not running a fever?” Zhou Hui reached out, wanting to feel Wang Yu’s forehead.
“I’m not sick.” Wang Yu dodged his mother’s hand, his expression unusually serious, “I’m very clear-headed.”
“I’ve thought about it. My terrible major here in Yan Country won’t get me a good job. Instead of living off you two and making you angry, I might as well go out and make something of myself.”
“South Sudan might be a bit chaotic and poor, but the tuition is cheap! I can also learn a foreign language, and when I come back, I’ll at least be a returnee. It sounds better, doesn’t it?”
His words were well-reasoned, clear, and completely unlike his usual decadent and lazy self.
“Are you really sure? That place isn’t a good destination.”
“I’m sure.” Wang Yu nodded, his tone firm, “It’s better than being a good-for-nothing at home.”
“Good!” “That’s ambition! You’re truly my son, Wang Jianguo! Go ahead, don’t worry about the money!”
Zhou Hui looked at her son’s determined eyes, her eyes reddening, feeling both heartache and relief.
“My son, you’ve finally grown up… but that place is too tough, I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle it…”
“Mom, it’s okay.”
“Men, they always have to go out and suffer a bit.”
First, he would use studying abroad as a cover to fool his parents.
Once he got the money, he would secretly change his flight ticket.
A week later.
Wang Yu stood in the international departure hall of the airport, carrying a huge hiking backpack.
The bag was prepared by Zhou Hui, filled with various things she thought he might need abroad.
“Son, when you get there, study hard, be careful, and if you run out of money, tell us at home, don’t let yourself suffer.” Zhou Hui held his hand, tearfully instructing him.
“I know, Mom.” Wang Yu felt a little sore inside, forced a smile, and hugged her, “I’m leaving.”
“Go, go, remember to call home often.” Wang Jianguo patted his shoulder, his eyes also a bit red.
Wang Yu nodded heavily, turned, and resolutely walked towards the security checkpoint… The moment the cabin door opened, a blast of hot air mixed with a strong smell of dust hit him, making Wang Yu frown.
Looking around, there were no tall buildings.
On the streets, dark-skinned, lean locals were visible everywhere.
What startled him even more was that many people had pistols tucked into their waistbands, and some soldiers standing guard on the streets even carried gleaming AK47s.
The air was filled with a sense of tension and chaos.
There was no language school here at all.
This was a battlefield.
Wang Yu took a deep breath, suppressed his unease, and walked out of the airport.
As soon as he stepped out, a shifty-eyed man approached him.
The man had typical inverted triangular eyes, dark skin, but features characteristic of a Yan Country person.
He grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, and spoke in broken Yan Country language, asking with a smile:
“Brother? Just arrived?”
“Looking for a place to stay? I’m telling you, I know this place very well. I’ll take you there, guaranteed safe and cheap!”
Wang Yu glanced at him.
He knew that out of ten overly enthusiastic people in a foreign land, nine were scammers, and one was planning to harvest your organs.
He couldn't be bothered to deal with him, waved his hand, and walked around him.
He stopped a passing local and asked in his broken English, mixed with gestures: “Excuse me, where is… mercenary… mission point?”
The local man paused, looked him up and down with an expression like he was seeing a monster, then pointed to a dilapidated neighborhood in the distance.
Wang Yu thanked him and walked straight in that direction, carrying his huge hiking backpack.
The shifty-eyed man behind him froze, his smile gone.
That direction… usually only three types of people went there.
Desperate stateless refugees, local residents who couldn't survive, and… pure lunatics with water in their brains.
That place was the mission dispatch point for all mercenary groups and underground forces, and also the most chaotic and dangerous place in the entire city.
The death rate was terrifyingly high.
What was this clean-cut young man, who looked like a student, doing going there?
He couldn't understand why a Yan Country kid who looked like he was there for tourism or studying abroad would willingly dive into that hell.