Section 466 Adverse Reactions
Staring at the advertisement on the holographic screen, Ye Zhong was lost in thought.
He still remembered when he had first escaped from the garbage planet, back when he had just started learning about mecha. At that time, long-range mecha were the mainstream across the Five Major Star Domains, with very few people using close-combat mecha. So, encountering a recruitment ad for close-combat mecha now was unexpected.
He quickly snapped out of his reverie and decided to give it a try.
Asking for directions had historically yielded very few successful cases for Ye Zhong. However, with Shang's pointers, Ye Zhong found everything proceeding unusually smoothly. A polite tone and attitude, a softened voice, relaxed muscles throughout his body, and so on. The person asked for directions readily pointed out the location, and even enthusiastically offered to lead the way.
Having accomplished this, Shang said proudly, "Ye Zi, this is the power of social interaction. Often, it's far more useful than brute force."
Ye Zhong remained silent. Shang was right. Compared to grabbing someone by the neck to ask for directions, the current method was much more convenient and effective.
Ye Zhong's training became even more earnest, which directly led to him being almost exhausted and ready to fall asleep by the time he reached the recruitment location.
It was so mentally draining! For all the disguises, Shang had one requirement: naturalness. What wasn't a major problem for ordinary people was the biggest problem for Ye Zhong! He was accustomed to precision and calculation. He could control his breathing with an error margin of less than 0.01 seconds per breath, yet he couldn't achieve what Shang called 'natural' – a natural heartbeat, natural breathing, natural gait, natural muscle state, natural posture, natural gaze...
These training movements had negligible physical amplitude but were extremely taxing mentally! And Ye Zhong was giving it his all, so adverse reactions soon appeared.
Bran Am looked at the listless young man before him and immediately frowned.
Someone like this actually came to apply for a close-combat instructor position? He sneered inwardly. There has never been anyone causing trouble at the Research Group's recruitments before. This guy has quite the nerve. The recent situation was extremely pressing, and close-combat pilots were among the most scarce professions. The battles on the front lines were raging fiercely, yet under these circumstances, they had received orders from above to immediately recruit a batch of close-combat pilots.
Almost instantly, Bran Am categorized Ye Zhong as a troublemaking, hooligan youth. So young? Aside from those few renowned geniuses, I've never heard of anyone capable of being an instructor at this age. As for this one in front of me... frail body, sloppy standing posture, lifeless eyes, dull expression. If someone like this can be an instructor, then I might as well be a Legion Commander.
Bran Am's voice was very stern: "We are currently recruiting close-combat instructors here. Unrelated personnel, please leave."
The young man before him remained unmoved, showing no intention of leaving, still wearing that same lethargic expression.
Ye Zhong felt utterly exhausted! This kind of fatigue was different from the physical tiredness he was used to; it was mental weariness. He一度 thought that another version of himself was torturing him. No wonder Shang said that physical pain was nothing compared to mental suffering, which could make one wish for death. Shang had even cited a series of examples, like interrogation, where finding a breakthrough in the opponent's spirit and psychology made it easier to get what you wanted.
It's really true! Ye Zhong now felt a faint ache inside his head, his whole body felt weak and devoid of strength, and his condition was worsening.
There were only six people in the hall.
Even in his poor state, Ye Zhong still immediately assessed his surroundings. He heard what the recruitment personnel at the front said, but it never occurred to him that it was directed at himself. Ye Zhong found his attention becoming increasingly scattered.
Unrelated personnel? I'm here for the recruitment, so of course I'm not unrelated. Immediately, Ye Zhong filtered Bran Am's words out.
"Are you here for the recruitment?"
The recruitment personnel's tone, laced with hostility, puzzled Ye Zhong. He wasn't angry – though, to be honest, he didn't even have the energy for anger right now.
"Yes," Ye Zhong uttered a single word weakly, then fell silent. This training really demands high mental focus... even my head hurts slightly. My deteriorating mental state is seriously affecting my thinking.
Seeing the young man not even glance at him, Bran Am's face turned livid. Without further ado, he handed Ye Zhong a card numbered 231.
"This is your number. You just need to go inside for the practical combat test. If you pass, you will be recruited," Bran Am said coldly.
"Oh," the young man responded, took the card from his hand, turned, and walked inside.
Entering the practical combat area and seeing the long queue ahead, Ye Zhong simply found a corner, closed his eyes, and rested. He was too tired and desperately needed to sleep. Shang hadn't anticipated that the training plan he devised would consume so much energy and was currently busy revising it.
Going off to sleep right before the assessment was about to begin – the sheer audacity of this act incensed every recruitment staff member who witnessed Ye Zhong's behavior. Since when has the Research Group's recruitment been treated with such contempt?
In the Grey Valley, large and small forces were countless, but only the Research Group was the true master. They controlled almost all advanced technology. If the Research Group hadn't stepped forward this time, the alliance currently fighting the Red-Tailed Beasts couldn't have been formed. Historically, every Research Group recruitment gathered great talent; no matter how famous or arrogant, no one dared challenge the Research Group's authority.
If any member of the Research Group's security corps had been present, they were sure this guy would have been thrown out. Those who could enter the Research Group were all outstanding individuals, each with extremely high standards. Over the years, the Research Group's dominance in the Grey Valley had made them increasingly arrogant.
Many within the Research Group had opposed this recruitment, but due to the urgent situation on the front lines, they had to lower their standards and recruit a large number of close-combat experts. Close-combat personnel were so scarce that even finding people to serve as instructors was difficult. They urgently needed to recruit a batch of coaches to start training new pilots for future battles.
The theory of a protracted war existed both within the Research Group and the alliance, and it was now gaining more traction. It was precisely based on this consideration that the Research Group decided to immediately organize close-combat training. The Grey Valley wasn't short on people, but like elsewhere, long-range pilots held an absolute advantage. Fortunately, even ordinary people here generally had a solid foundation. With proper training for a suitable period, they could continuously replenish combat power for the future. However, close-combat mecha on the front lines were treasured by every faction like precious jewels; trying to抽调 personnel from them to act as instructors was basically out of the question.
Hence, this recruitment.
They had already made up their minds. Although they couldn't throw him out, they had other means to teach this insolent fellow who didn't know his place a good lesson.
Ye Zhong had no idea he had inadvertently offended these recruitment staff.
But even if he knew, he definitely wouldn't be bothered by it right now. His condition was very poor. Having never practiced in this area before, the training intensity was clearly excessive for him, directly triggering a series of side effects.
Ye Zhong郁闷地 discovered that he now found it extremely difficult to concentrate no matter what. It felt like bugs were drilling into his head. Even though he had closed his eyes, he couldn't manage to enter a resting state. Being mentally exhausted yet unable to rest was truly torturous.
If someone attacked him at this moment, Ye Zhong had zero confidence in his ability to dodge.
I never thought this disguise training would have such troublesome side effects, Ye Zhong inwardly苦笑. Luckily Shang is here, otherwise I'd have no ability to resist at all right now.
With his unfocused gaze and stiff facial muscles, Ye Zhong looked like a千年干尸. Everyone passing by him cast looks of contempt and disdain.
"Number 231! Number 231! Please proceed immediately to the practical combat assessment area for your assessment!" a recruitment staff member shouted loudly.
Shang reminded him, "Ye Zi, it's your turn."
"Oh," Ye Zhong responded weakly. He stood up unsteadily.
The staff member shouted again, "Where is Number 231?"
"Here," a voice full of exhaustion sounded from the corner.
Swish! All eyes in the vicinity turned towards the source of the sound. A lazy, exhausted-looking youth was half-leaning against the wall, weakly raising his right hand.
"Fantastic, Ye Zi, fantastic!" Shang's voice was full of excitement. "Your current aura could definitely win you the title of 'Most Melancholic Youth of the Year'!"
Most Melancholic Youth? What the hell is that? Ye Zhong didn't even have the energy for internal苦笑. He only felt his mind was a complete blank; the people and things he saw seemed somewhat unreal. The aftereffects of mental overexertion were indeed severe!
No matter where or when, Ye Zhong's killing aura was usually hard to conceal, but now he had unintentionally achieved the most perfect disguise.
Shang's excitement didn't wane: "Ye Zi, your disguise is perfect now! Tsk tsk, I never expected your comprehension to be this high. Aura disguise is one of the highest-level techniques in disguise! Hey, Ye Zi, if a beautiful woman saw you now, she would definitely throw herself at you without hesitation..."
Ye Zhong had already decided against responding to Shang. Even the simple act of opening his eyes felt laborious now.
The scorching gazes from all around converged on him –鄙视, disdain, curiosity...
"What are you dawdling for? Hurry up!" The staff member calling the numbers looked even more displeased.
Figures moved around him blurrily. Ye Zhong felt like he was in an unreal dream, his steps soft as if walking on clouds. With every step, he felt he might collapse at any moment.
In the eyes of others, this melancholic, somewhat tired youth had unsteady steps, was listless, and could barely keep his eyes open. The other recruitment candidates present all secretly shook their heads. Someone like this coming for the recruitment is a joke! Combat skills were essential for close-combat pilots, so their steps were always powerful and their gazes steady. This guy here was clearly a fake – neither impressive to look at nor capable.
The recruitment staff's faces grew even darker. In their view, someone like this applying for their recruitment was an insult!
The short fifty meters from the corner to the practical combat area felt incredibly long to Ye Zhong.
Huff... Finally made it. Ye Zhong never thought he would one day be in such a miserable state that a mere fifty meters would require so much effort. In fact, Ye Zhong's thinking was currently sluggish. If his mind were normal, he would have given up on the recruitment by now.
His mind a blank, Ye Zhong stood woodenly in the practical combat area.