Dark Moon Era

“The first, second, and fifth camps of Safety Sector No. 17 are stationed at the north line. The Fifth Reserved Camp and the Fourth Reserved Camp are in the middle of those three.

“The normal third, fourth and sixth camps are on the south line and the Third Reserved Camp is in the center.

“As for the central line, the first elite camp and the Second Reserved Camp are behind it.

“All of the places that I mentioned consist of 80% of the military force of Safety Sector No. 17. Even though all sorts of methods and resources are used to raise the quality of the soldiers, the average mortality rate every year is still unable to go below 40%.

“The reserved camp is our hope and roots. It holds the sympathy and concern from the higher rankings of the safety sector since everyone in the reserved camps is a teenager, but the mortality rate is still unable to go below 20%.”

Instructor Thuja revealed the statistics calmly. His finger was pointing at the south line, the north line, and the central line as he provided the numbers.

When all three of the lines were combined, it would form an irregular U-shape around the whole Secondary Safety Zone. The lines were actually the edge of the thick forest.

As he revealed the brutal mortality rate, he sounded very casual and emotionless. He was already used to it since the numbers prevailed every year. Why would he feel painful or pity anymore?

Then, where exactly was the First Reserved Camp? What about the elite warrior camp? More importantly, where were the Purple Moon Warriors stationed?

Were they in the safety sector to protect those important figures?

Or was their camp hiding in one of the mentioned spots?

The numbers were not exactly exciting, leaving the young warriors dejected, but a heavier feeling soon caught up with them—the terrifying mortality rate.

They might sound like a series of numbers, but when they were wearing the uniforms and were bestowed with the title of warriors, they could not treat it as simple numbers anymore.

“It’s scary, isn’t it?” Thuja took a sip from his bottle. He then pointed at the hanging chains on the cliff and said, “But now, I’m giving you a chance. Go down from here and head to those camps that I mentioned. If you choose this path, you’ll be able to return home. Since all of you are outstanding, there’s a higher chance that you might be able to live longer.”

No one moved though. They had overcome hurdle after hurdle to reach this stage, so who was willing to simply give it all up? Would they be simply moved by some strange numbers that Instructor Thuja told them?

“No? Fine.” Thuja smiled bitterly and then pointed in the opposite direction.

The sealed-off reserved camp was behind them, and beyond that, after walking through a forest, a big pond, and a field, they would reach the other side of the cliff.

Tang Ling and the others once begged a logistic officer to bring them there because they were curious about what was behind the cliff.

To their disappointment, there was nothing new. It was just a sea of quiet forest and mountains and was nothing compared to the attractive scenery of Safety Sector No. 17 at the front.

So, what was behind the cliff?

“There is where the Purple Moon Warriors are stationed. There’s also the elite second camp and the normal seventh and eighth camps. The First Reserved Camp is under heavy protection from all those mentioned. Aside from the mortality rate of the Purple Moon Warriors, the mortality rate in the elite and normal camps is around 30%. It doesn’t sound as high, does it? Because that’s just under normal conditions. If some irregularities happen, the mortality rate will surge to 70%. As for the reserved camp, one out of two probably won’t make it out alive.

“Besides, irregularities always happen. Somehow your strength and talent aren’t as important as the unexpected. Instead, your luck is ridiculously important in such a situation.”

“Got it?” Instructor Thuja sighed and continued, “If you choose to walk to the back, it’ll be a path of no return and you’ll die if you cannot advance. Even if you somehow survive, you guys are already the backbone of the troops. You cannot step back anymore because the sector needs you.”

“If you don’t believe what I say, Yu, Orston, you guys can go home and verify my words with your family.” Thuja took a big puff from his cigarette and a swig from his bottle of liquor.

“Now, choose. I’m already breaking the rules for you,” said Thuja softly and heavily.

In fact, he would hint at this to all the New Moon Warriors that he trained every year. It was not exactly his sympathetic nature at work, but he hoped that if one day, Safety Sector No. 17 somehow fell, there were still seeds of hope wandering out there.

Nonetheless, he was never as straightforward as today, especially towards this particular group of New Moon Warriors. Maybe because he would feel extra grievous if anyone of them died.

He became a cruel man again today as he added a heavy stroke in the lives of these young teenagers.

“The wind is so strong. I’m done standing here. I’ll go ahead first.” With his calm smile, Tang Ling buttoned his coat and put his hands behind his head as he strolled towards the back of the cliff.

Despite Instructor Thuja’s kindness to them, unfortunately, the heavy stroke in Tang Ling’s life was not drawn by Thuja. Since that night, Tang Ling’s life was filled with darkness that could not be wiped away and the fire of vengeance burned strongly within him.

He must go after power. Stability had somehow became a sin since he lost his loved ones.

As for danger and death? They were not as important as the things in his mind.

Tang Ling paused after a few steps forward. He turned around and flashed a warm smile, but he was dead serious as he said, “I am me, and I have my own reasons. You guys really need to think about it.”

Their decision should not be influenced by others.

” Pft! If you are not you, are you me? I’ve finally found a way to catch up to my fifth brother, and I’m going there now.” Orston brazenly headed to the back of the cliff.

However, Yu was quicker than him and he looked asquint at Yu. “Hey, why are you ahead of me?!”

The two girls exchanged a glance after they saw the three of them walk away. They whispered in each other’s ears and tears started to fill their eyes. They did not say anything, but a sense of courage emanated from them as they, too, followed their companions’ footsteps.

“I…I…I…” Andy was looking left and right, scared witless. The mortality rate was really terrifying, but then he saw Tang Ling’s back.

Did he not decide to follow Tang Ling if he somehow failed the test and got kicked into the Second Reserved Camp? Why would he be scared when going into the First Reserved Camp, the place that he had always dreamt of?

His impulse then took over and drove him forward. He ran and shouted, “Tang Ling, wait for me!”

The last one was Amir. He was still looking down, but he was really thinking about it this time though he was even quieter than Yu and it was almost impossible for one to penetrate his thoughts.

“Are you not going?” Being able to conserve the best and the most hopeful to grow was also not a bad thing. Thuja did not look down on Amir and even decided to give him a hand. He was willing to accept any kind of punishment from the sector after this.

However, after his short question, he seemed to have stimulated Amir.

Amir suddenly gazed up at the six figures who had gone further ahead. His gaze started to drift and it somehow landed on someone. He shook his head and also decided to take the same path as the others.

Instructor Thuja frowned. He could feel that Amir was really shaken. There was a thought in the boy that made him want to leave for the other reserved camps, but why would his short question made the boy change his mind?

Did something deep in the boy’s heart spur him?