Chapter 55: Reserve

On the morning of January 20th, after finishing his morning exercises, David sat in the dining room having breakfast.

His breakfast now consisted entirely of fortified larval meat. He needed as many as five servings at a time just to barely replenish his energy. He couldn’t help but reminisce about the days when he still had access to Level-One fortified meat—back then, he didn’t have to stuff himself to the point of bursting just to recover from his training.

Over the past three days, the values for strength and constitution on his attribute panel hadn’t changed, but after every session of practicing the Eighteen Forms of Body Technique, he felt his body becoming ever more clear and refined. With his remarkable spirit stat of 3.4, his senses were especially keen; he could feel his body growing stronger, though this improvement didn’t show up on the attribute panel, manifesting instead as a transformation in the very nature of his strength.

“They’re here!” As David put another bite of fortified meat into his mouth, he heard the doorbell ring. Excited, he swallowed the meat whole and dashed toward the front door.

“Myron, it’s you!” Opening the door to find not Jim, as he’d hoped, David couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment.

“David, I came to take you out for some fun—how can you greet me like that?” Myron, as familiar as ever, entered the house complaining.

“Myron, I don’t buy it. Looks to me like you’re really here waiting for Jim!” David exposed Myron’s true motive.

The two of them laughed and had just sat down when the doorbell rang again. This time, both leapt up and exchanged a glance. David, less eager than before, gestured for Myron to answer the door.

“Jim, you’re finally here!” Myron called out cheerfully as he opened the door. He quickly reached out to take the weapon case from Jim’s hands. “Let me carry that for you!”

“Myron, you’re here too!” Jim replied with a smile, handing over the weapon case.

Myron, now thoroughly engrossed with the case, didn’t answer.

“Jim, you really didn’t have to deliver this yourself,” David said as the host. Although he too was excited about the replica of the ‘Eye of Death,’ he maintained the composure of a proper host.

The smart housekeeper, Emma, brought out the freshly prepared natural juice. Jim, at David’s invitation, sat on the sofa in the living room.

“David, there’s no need to stand on ceremony with me. I prefer to be direct. I’ve also brought along five hundred rounds of ammunition for the ‘Eye of Death’ replica.” Jim set a small metal box on the table as he spoke.

David hadn’t expected Jim to bring ammunition as well. While ammo for sniper rifles could be purchased, Jim’s thoughtfulness touched him.

Among light firearms, sniper rifles were restricted weapons. Other guns could be legally owned with the proper permits, but ammunition wasn’t as strictly regulated. Whether local hunters or those from outside, everyone in Perrin City needed to stock up before venturing out. Ammunition supply was, therefore, one of Perrin City’s major businesses.

“Since you’re still a minor, and the ‘Eye of Death’ replica is a restricted weapon, I’ve arranged for you to receive City Defense Reserve status. This way, not only can you legally possess the replica, but you’ll also be able to legally own other weapons,” Jim explained as he operated his identity bracelet, pulling up an authorization file and sending it to David.

David opened the file and read it carefully. It was an official authorization from the City Defense Division of Perrin City, granting him, David Kerr, reserve combatant status. Once he confirmed it, he would become a reserve member of the city’s defense forces, with the legal right to own and use personal thermal weapons, including sniper rifles, and to purchase parts and ammunition from the military.

David hesitated. He wasn’t sure if this status would affect his upcoming high school studies, or even his university entrance exams.

“David, being a reserve combatant just means you’re on standby for the city’s defense. It won’t affect you otherwise. You’d only be called upon in the event of a major conflict, and Perrin City hasn’t seen a major battle in twenty years,” Jim explained, noticing David’s uncertainty.

“Thank you,” David said, confirming the authorization. The file was stored on his identity bracelet, and his information was updated on the SkyNet.

“David, I’d never do anything to harm you,” Jim said with a laugh.

“Jim, if you can do such things, why not think of me?” Myron grumbled, still holding the ‘Eye of Death’ replica.

“Myron, if you had David’s skills, I’d arrange it for you this instant!” Jim shot him a look.

Though Jim may have pulled a few strings, everything was done by the book and in accordance with military regulations. David’s sniping ability truly could be valuable in wartime, and the military was keen to win over a potential future armored warrior—especially a sniper. Even if he never joined them, maintaining a good relationship was important.

Though Perrin City had many armored warriors, they fell into three categories: those serving the military, who only handled external threats and stayed out of city affairs; those serving the government, who were few in number but managed the city’s civilian armored warriors; and the largest group, the freelance armored warriors, including retired military, recent graduates, and many others drawn by profit, often with complicated backgrounds.

Young talents like David were exactly whom the military sought to cultivate. Even if they didn’t join the ranks, a good relationship was essential.

“Jim, you underestimate me. When I get into Naan University and become an armored warrior, I wouldn’t even glance at an authorization like this!” Myron said proudly. But he knew well how coveted the City Defense Reserve status was—just being able to legally own various thermal weapons was enough to tempt most people.

Besides, if Perrin City ever faced a major battle, could hiding away truly keep you safe? At that point, it would be better to take up arms and fight. Young people of Rock Planet had never feared combat; their upbringing destined the elite among them to battle the Insect Swarm. Only through fighting could they raise their status.

Seeing Myron’s yearning for reserve combatant status, David realized what a privilege it was and felt reassured.

“David, are we heading to the shooting range, or shall I take you somewhere else for fun?” Myron asked once Jim and David had finished their business.

“And where would you take David for fun?” Jim scoffed at Myron, then turned to David. “Today, I’ll take you outside the city. See the real world beyond the walls!”

David’s eyes lit up. He’d seen the landscape outside Perrin City from atop the walls, but had never actually been there.

“I’m coming too! With this guy along, maybe I’ll even get to kill a few larvae myself!” Myron exclaimed, brandishing the ‘Eye of Death’ replica.

“Jim, are you sure we won’t be a burden?” David asked, eager but polite.

“No trouble at all. We’ll stay within the city defense perimeter, so there’s little danger. And it’s not just the three of us—we’ll bring a few more people,” Jim replied with a smile.

Before leaving, David strapped his sword sheath to his back, while Myron loaded the ‘Eye of Death’ replica and the ammunition case into the car.

Jim’s vehicle was a military hovercraft, while David and Myron followed in a Gladstone Model Six.

This time, they chose the South Gate. When they arrived, David saw hundreds of people gathered, all armed with various weapons—swords, spears, and thermal guns. Though none wore exoskeletal armor, many were still formidable. A row of armored hovercraft, battered and crooked, was parked nearby.

David also caught sight of the South Gate itself—a massive square door, ten meters high and ten meters wide, reinforced and studded with spikes, exuding a sense of menace even while closed.

Their vehicles didn’t approach the gate, instead parking in the nearby military lot.

David offered to help Myron carry the ‘Eye of Death’ replica, but Myron refused. It was clear Myron intended to monopolize its use.

David didn’t argue. With Myron’s lack of formal training, he would likely tire of shooting after a few rounds.

Jim led the two past the row of armored hovercraft. The waiting crowd seemed displeased at the three of them not queuing, but most recognized Jim and kept their complaints to a whisper.