I Am Extraordinary Alone
Chapter 409 - 407: Way Out

Chapter 409: Chapter 407: Way Out

Leng Kai was awakened by a series of urgent ringing from his phone.

The room was pitch-black, and he looked at the laser projection on the ceiling—it was still 2 a.m.

He got up, and as he did, the desk lamp came on, illuminating the small, roughly 20-square-meter room.

He picked up his cell phone from the short cabinet on his left and saw that it was Elder Lu, whom he hadn’t contacted in years, which made him hesitant to answer the call.

"Leng Kai? Did I disturb you?" Elder Lu said.

"No, I’ve gotten used to being woken up early in the morning," Leng Kai said, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

"How have you been doing in the country this past year?" Elder Lu asked with a chuckle.

"Standing guard, watching the gate, and sometimes I have to check whether the ammo storage is damp—pretty relaxed and pretty boring," Leng Kai replied with a laugh.

He pulled out a pack of cigarettes from the cabinet, took one out, put it in his mouth, then leaned against the headboard and lit it for himself.

"I’ve heard that you’re planning to retire from the military?" Elder Lu said.

"I’ll be 29 next year, so it’s time to retire. Elder Lu, you’ve retired a long time ago, haven’t you?" Leng Kai said.

After 13 years of service, having been dispatched to foreign duties by the United Council, and earning an Exemplary Service Medal, he felt he had done his part.

As for Elder Lu, a few years back, after Venerable Xu was assassinated, there was a purge in the military, and many who had served Venerable Xu for decades were either dismissed or reassigned. Commander Lu was investigated most harshly back then, even imprisoned for two years, and was stripped of all his positions.

Afterward, he completely lost all his rights and connections, and after his release without charges, there was no place for him anymore. Disheartened, he left Yin Country.

"As for me, now I’m commanding a peacekeeping force within the United Council Army department," Commander Lu said.

By this point, Leng Kai had somewhat guessed Commander Lu’s intention for making this late-night call.

"I haven’t trained much these past two years; my skills have gotten a bit rusty. It’s been a while since I’ve held a gun," Leng Kai said with a laugh.

"You’re a soldier I trained myself, don’t be modest with me. What, got a medal and you’re satisfied? Planning to retire and start delivering food?" Elder Lu said.

Hearing "delivering food" gave Leng Kai goosebumps.

In this day and age, with trade wars ablaze, what future could he hope for as an ordinary citizen? Once he left the military system, apart from a retirement bonus of 1.2 million Civilian Coins, he would have nothing.

And although 1.2 million Civilian Coins sounded like a fortune, with severe inflation and skyrocketing prices over the years, even a pack of instant noodles cost 300 Civilian Coins.

He had considered how to live after leaving the military.

Open a small shop? He had no business experience, whether in catering or retail, and he was clueless. Moreover, renting and decorating a storefront would quickly devour the 1.2 million, and then stock replenishment would mean putting in more money from his pocket...

As for living off interest from savings, that was a pipe dream. The bank didn’t pay interest on current accounts, and for amounts around 1 million, they even charged a 100 management fee per year—meaning he’d end up losing money over a decade or two.

After much thinking, aside from being a security guard or delivering food, he could see no other options.

Become a mercenary abroad?

The Emperor at home declared PMCs illegal, as were private security companies. If he wanted to take that path, he would have to go abroad. Besides, he didn’t want to live a wanderer’s life in foreign lands.

He could draw his pistol from its holster and fire six bullets in one second.

He knew twelve different ways to break someone’s arm.

He also knew exactly where to stab with a knife to avoid bones and crush organs.

But such skills had no place in civilized society.

Seeing that he hadn’t responded for quite a while, Commander Lu slightly chuckled and said, "I’m currently putting together a task force to delve into illegal neutralizer trades and investigate Heavenly Falling Objects around the world. The team is not large, just over twenty people, but each one is the elite of the elite."

"Don’t tell me they’re all from the Superpower Special Department, I don’t like that stuff," Leng Kai said.

"I know you don’t like it. You’ve got the skills, and you turned down an invitation from the superpower troop back in the country. My team is very sensitive; we’ll be traveling around the world, so there won’t be any superpowers involved," Commander Lu said.

Hearing this, Leng Kai felt somewhat relieved.

He didn’t want his spinal cord to be filled with that black drug.

"Tell me, does the task force mainly do reconnaissance or combat missions?" Leng Kai asked.

"Similar to war observers, but with the authority to fire. How to put it... they will handle some... wet work," Commander Lu replied with a smile.

Wet work was a euphemism, the so-called black operations.

They were those unofficial and illegal operations that were not recognized by authorities, but were deemed necessary.

"No superpowers, but investigating the source of superpowers. I still remember my mission in Gambia; that was tough. If it weren’t for being... saved by a colleague, I would be a martyr by now," Leng Kai said, self-deprecatingly.

For an undercover agent, being blown cover often meant a horrible end.

Fortunately, the rescue team was quick, and thanks to his robust physique, he didn’t suffer too much.

That mission left a significant impact on Leng Kai’s psyche; after all, not everyone had experienced brutal torture—being played with and abused was never pleasant. Fear was inevitable, for humans are not machines.

"The mission is dangerous, so we need tough people. We’re recruiting elites from military forces worldwide, and I know your capability and what you’ll be facing in a year. Leng Kai, join my team," Commander Lu said.

"Um... I need to think about it," said Leng Kai, hesitating.

This was tantamount to leaving the Yin Country system and joining the United Council Army ranks, likely meaning living abroad for many years.

"A monthly salary of 120,000 Langke, 8 years of service, and after retirement, a special pension of 4.8 million Langke. Also, you’ll get a permanent social security account with a monthly living allowance of 1,200 Langke, plus free medical care for life at hospitals affiliated with the medical association," Commander Lu said.

"It’s money earned at the risk of my life, you understand. I might not live long enough to retire," Leng Kai said.

"Everyone has their mission, everyone is born with something they are meant to do. Leng Kai," Commander Lu said with gravity.

Leng Kai looked out the window where rows of grey military dormitories stretched endlessly.

"Deliver food, or fight terrorists, pick one," Commander Lu said.

The next day.

After receiving approval from his superiors, Leng Kai took his special pass, boarded the vehicle, and with his military backpack, left the military district.

He left the place where he had lived for over a decade.

Elder Lu’s words had enlightened him.

He felt he had a mission that would lead him to a rough life, but the challenge wasn’t frightening; rather, he found it appealing.

Fighting lawless fanatics was the one thing he was good at, and he was ready to do it well.

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