0008 heads toward the Vietnamese Sea.

Completely unaware that he had just brushed past the gates of hell, Hou Rui tried to steady his ragged breathing as he picked up the empty magazine and casually reloaded it with bullets. He quickly checked the remaining rounds, then, following the instructions broadcast, began heading toward the north beach with the other trainees.

On the way, Jerry, the black trainee, appeared again and struck up a conversation as they walked. “Hou, how did you do today?”

“The same as always. Most shots missed the target. Less than ten hit the vital zones.”

“You know, Ding had his gun aimed at you just now. That alarm saved your hide.”

“One day, I’ll kill him myself.” Hou Rui spoke fiercely, sucking in air to steady his nerves after the scare.

“Let’s drop it. Do you know why they called us all together?” After a few steps, Hou Rui suddenly asked.

“The training’s nearly done. It’s probably about the team combat.”

“Team combat?” Hou Rui slowed, surprised. “Is it just an exercise? We do those every day. Why the full assembly and special announcement?”

“No, this time it’s real slaughter.” Jerry shouldered his weapon. “After every training cycle, trainees are split into two random groups for live-fire combat. The winners leave the island. The losers all die.”

Hou Rui was silent for a moment, then asked, puzzled, “If they want us to kill each other, why bother training us at all?”

“Only the strongest warriors are valuable to the organization.” Jerry flexed his muscular arm for emphasis.

On the beach, the remaining nineteen trainees had already gathered. Martin and the armed guards stood scattered around as usual, looking relaxed and indifferent.

“Everyone, after more than two months of training, you’re starting to resemble warriors. Tonight, we’re hosting a grand game.” Martin leapt lightly, adding a stylish dance step to his words.

But the trainees, hearing Martin’s casual use of the word “game” yet again, shuddered—some visibly—and Hou Rui felt a prickling pain in his left palm. As the mood among the trainees stirred, the armed guards grew tense.

“The rules are simple. In a moment, you’ll be split into two groups by odd and even numbers. Combat begins across the island, ending at sunrise. The group that eliminates the other wins, and the prize is leaving this cursed place.” Martin seemed oblivious to their unease, explaining in his usual carefree manner.

“Alright, now—” Just as Martin shouted and raised his hands in a triumphant gesture, a guard hurried over and pressed a tablet to his chest.

Martin swiped the screen quickly, his expression souring. After half a minute, he reluctantly announced, “I don’t know if you’re lucky or I’m unlucky, but tonight’s game is cancelled. However—something bigger and more interesting awaits you!”

Suddenly, Martin grew wildly excited, spinning and leaping into the group of trainees. He hugged one person, slapped another, and finally exaggeratedly planted a kiss on Dis’s cheek. After his excitement waned, he roared, “Drop your weapons, board the boat, get off my island, and go to the new game arena!”

Following Martin’s orders, Hou Rui and the others left their weapons and boarded a medium yacht that cut into the dark sea.

About twenty minutes later, a few lights appeared in the vast blackness. As the yacht neared, Hou Rui saw it was a battered ocean-going fishing vessel.

Once aboard, the trainees were herded into a cabin—not for an explanation, but as white smoke was blown in through the door. One after another, trainees collapsed. Just before losing consciousness, Hou Rui glimpsed several figures in chemical masks opening the door.

He had no idea how much time had passed when he finally regained awareness, bolting upright and seeing the numb faces of the others around him.

Before Hou Rui could speak, Jerry pointed to the back of his own neck. Hou Rui reached up and found a small wound at the base of his neck, already stitched closed.

With a squeal, the iron door of the cabin opened, and a wrinkled Asian man in his forties slipped inside. He scanned the numb, angry trainees, then spoke in stiff English, “Three days ago, pirates attacked a yacht in international waters. Two Americans were killed, two kidnapped. Tracking revealed the pirates’ base to be in the South Vietnam sea. Your target for this mission is them.”

No one spoke, so the Asian continued, “In thirty-six hours, this vessel will dock in Hanoi. You’ll land there. Disguises, weapons, intelligence—you’ll have to acquire everything yourselves. The ultimate goal is to eliminate the pirates. The reward is one hundred thousand dollars each. If you rescue all hostages, it rises to one hundred fifty thousand. Understood?”

Still, silence. The Asian’s gaze swept the group, pausing on Hou Rui. “Japanese? Singaporean? Korean? Vietnamese?”

“Not Vietnamese,” Hou Rui replied coolly.

“A pity. But your face will make things easier in Vietnam. You’ll lead one group.” The man glanced at Ding Ye. “You lead group two. Teams can divide as you wish.” He turned to leave, but Hou Rui called out, “Aren’t you afraid we’ll just run?”

The man paused, then burst into laughter so intense he had to steady himself against the doorframe. “Run? Run where? You’ve had biochips implanted in your necks—satellites track you directly. If you’re not afraid of the neurotoxin in the chip, go ahead and run. And one thing I forgot to mention: if you fail to complete the mission in two months, you’re considered failures, and you’ll all be eliminated!”

After his laughter faded, his tone turned icy, crushing Hou Rui’s faint hope.

“Damn it!” Hou Rui cursed.

“If you have time for useless thoughts, better spend it figuring out how to succeed.” With that, the old man left.

For the next day and a half, only Hou Rui and Ding Ye were allowed out of the cabin, using the ship’s computer to gather whatever information they could. Although the two were at odds, the shared mission forced a temporary truce. They scoured the internet, newspapers, even books for any useful clues.

Thirty-six hours passed quickly. The kidnapping had occurred too recently and in open seas, so even the media had little to report. Naturally, Hou Rui and Ding Ye found nothing useful.

With a rip, Hou Rui angrily tore an outdated newspaper in half. Ding Ye looked up from his screen. “No luck?”

“Stop talking nonsense!” Hou Rui snapped. “We don’t know the target. Don’t know who to rescue. Enemy numbers, equipment, location—everything unknown! How are we supposed to carry out this mission?”

“For a loser like you, it’s obviously impossible,” Ding Ye said, clearly pleased to provoke Hou Rui.

“I—” Already angry, Hou Rui jumped up, nearly launching himself at Ding Ye, but managed to restrain himself. He knew he couldn’t best Ding Ye in a fight.

Ding Ye, seeing his provocation fail, dropped his smile and stared at Hou Rui with crazed eyes. “This mission is basically an extension of the group combat. If you fail, you’ll die. If you succeed, training ends, and then I get to kill you.”

“Braggart!” Hou Rui retorted, leaving the cabin.

Night fell, and the fishing vessel finally entered port. When Hou Rui and the trainees saw the land and its lights, they felt no joy, knowing the hardest part of the mission would begin.

Over the two months on the island, the trainees had come to know each other. Hou Rui’s skills were not outstanding among the nineteen, so only five were willing to join his group. Hou Rui led his small team quietly into the sea.

Half an hour later, they emerged, riding the tide to a shallow beach on the southern side of the port.

After a minute of silent observation, Hou Rui gestured forward, and the rest, who had been hiding in the water, climbed onto the sand and slipped into the coastal woods. After twenty minutes of swift movement, they finally saw the lights of the residential area, and Hou Rui decided to halt.

“We’re illegal entrants now, which means we must avoid official attention. Otherwise, forget the mission—even normal activity is impossible.” Hou Rui wasted no words, pointing out the immediate problem.

“Faced with total ignorance, where do we start?” Seeing everyone focused on him, Hou Rui decided to solicit opinions to clarify his thinking and plan their actions.

“We need money, weapons, intelligence, and a place to stay.” Jerry, who always stuck to Hou Rui, counted on his fingers.

“Let’s start with money. Once we have it, the rest will be easier.” Hou Rui quickly decided. “Scatter and look for opportunities in the residential area up ahead. Remember—don’t hurt anyone, don’t attract attention. Meet before sunrise under that signal tower.” He pointed to a communications tower in the distance.

Everyone dispersed, but a red-haired woman with a baby face remained, quietly crouching and gazing at Hou Rui.