Chapter 869: Chapter 867: Changing Identities
Didak glanced at the members of the Danger Removal Team, not paying much attention, and waved to lead the demolition team away.
He had just taken a step when suddenly a gasp sounded from behind.
“It’s still on fire!” It seemed like someone from the Danger Removal Team exclaimed.
Immediately followed by a roar, everyone hadn’t had time to react when the ground shook. Amidst the brief screams, a Fire Bomb, which had inexplicably delayed its explosion, unleashed its full force.
In just a tenth of a second, it blew several nearby members of the Danger Removal Team into the air, falling to the ground with their fate unknown. The closest person was utterly shattered by the Iron Armor, instantly killed, their whole body resembling a pricked blood bag, unable to stop the blood from flowing out.
Didak and his group turned around, witnessing the tragic scene, even though they were mentally prepared, they were still left with their mouths agape.
“Damn!” Someone cursed out loud.
“Really miserable.” More people felt a deep sympathy.
Only the burly Ulus remained expressionless, not looking at the scene but at the sky.
A piece of debris flung high into the air during the explosion.
According to the numerous defenses at the scene, and the distances drawn between the inside and outside, this stone shouldn’t have harmed anyone.
But the stone continued to fly higher, following a near-impossible arc, swiftly falling, approaching Ulus. With a “bang,” it hit Ulus’ head, blood spurting out.
Ulus’ body shook and fell straight to the ground.
“Ah!”
A companion saw it and exclaimed in shock.
Temporary team leader Didak turned his head, looking at Ulus, took about a second to react to what had happened, and his face turned pale—not out of fear, but anger.
“Damn, only three days until qualification, how could such an accident happen suddenly! And it happened twice in a row, damn it!”
“Di… Captain Didak, what should we do?” Someone from the twenty-fourth demolition team spoke up.
“What can we do.” Didak spoke irritably, pointing to Ulus lying on the ground, and the few demolition team members in the distance, “Carry all of them back to the camp, let the doctor have a look, treat the ones who can be treated, bury the ones who can’t.”
“Uh, yes.” The member of the twenty-fourth demolition team nodded in agreement. Tumanto, sporting a small braid, swung his braid and carried the injured Ulus down the mountain, while the others swiftly followed carrying members of the Danger Removal Team.
…
Afternoon.
In one of the rooms at the camp, Ulus slowly opened his eyes on the bed, sat up painfully, and looked around.
Beside him, Tumanto was sleeping on his side, seeming to hear the movement, opened his eyes, and also sat up.
“You’re awake!” Tumanto spoke up, relieved, “Glad you’re awake.”
“What happened to me?” Ulus asked, his expression looking a bit puzzled.
“Don’t mention it.” Tumanto shook his head with a dour expression and explained, “In the morning, we were doing demolition work. A Fire Bomb, being of poor quality, exploded too slowly, catching the Danger Removal Team off guard and killing one on the spot, you were also hit on the head by a piece of flying debris and passed out. But fortunately, you just fainted, seeing you awake now, there shouldn’t be too much of a problem. If you ask me, if you had a long-life braid like me, you wouldn’t be dealing with this kind of bad luck.”
“Uh…” Ulus looked at Tumanto’s swaying braid in front of his chest, unsure of how to respond.
Then Tumanto asked concernedly, “By the way, how do you feel? I almost forgot, Steward Didak instructed me: once you wake up, find out what happened and report to him.”
“As for me…” Ulus looked at Tumanto, just about to respond, but suddenly held his head, “My head hurts, it’s spinning, I… I…”
Saying this, Ulus fell back onto the bed.
Tumanto froze for a moment, then panicked, yanked on his braid hard to forcibly calm himself, muttering “it’s okay,” quickly ran out to call for help.
…
Two hours later.
In a room at the camp, a table was set.
On one side of the table sat Ulus, clutching his head, looking very much in pain.
On the other side sat Didak, scrutinizing Ulus.
After a long while, Didak spoke, “So, you really feel a lot of pain?”
“Yes.” Ulus nodded with clenched teeth, seeming to endure severe pain, “Sometimes it’s mild, not much sensation, sometimes severe, hurts to the point of wanting to die.”
“This…” Didak took a breath, spoke slowly, “In that case, it seems you can’t continue with the demolition work. After all, if you suddenly get a headache at the critical moment of igniting the Fire Bomb, no one can save you.”
“Then what should I do, Captain Didak?” Ulus asked.
“Tap tap tap!”
Didak instinctively knocked on the table, thought for a while, and looked at Ulus, “Here’s what I can offer you: According to protocol, the first option is to give you a large sum of money, you leave the mining site. Whatever happens afterward is unrelated to the mine.”
“What’s the second option then?”
“Well, the second option…” Didak pondered, “that is, to give you a small sum as compensation for your injury, and arrange a relatively easy job at the mine’s factory. Consider these choices carefully and see which one suits you.
From a personal standpoint, I recommend you choose the second one. Because, among those who chose the first, I’ve seen several who used up a large sum within a week at the gambling house, ending up on the street. Comparatively, the second option at least ensures some stability in your future life.”
“This…” Ulus lowered his head, seemingly contemplating hard.
After a moment of silence, he looked up at Didak, speaking seriously, “Captain Didak, I’ll follow your advice, choose the second one.”
“Good.” Didak nodded, not particularly surprised, slowly stood up, “It appears you’re very wise. Alright, then just wait a moment, I’ll have someone handle the paperwork for you.”
Finished speaking, Didak walked out.
Ulus waited quietly in the room, and after more than twenty minutes, footsteps were heard outside.
With a creak, a young man pushed the door open and entered.
The man who entered was quite young, with blond hair, freckles on his face, and bright eyes.
After entering, he assessed Ulus, without any unnecessary words, he asked, “Is it you, preparing to take a more relaxed job at the factory?”
“Yes, it’s me. May I ask who you are, sir?”
“I’m not a ‘sir,’ I’m the captain who will be supervising you later. Just call me Hua Wen. All right, follow me.”
“Okay.”
Ulus stood up and followed Hua Wen outside.
…