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"Bad luck, didn't encounter many prey. My score isn't more than ten points, probably last place."
"That's good enough. I only hunted one leopard, just one point."
"Sigh!"
As they approached the shore, the recruits began to gather, most looking disheveled, their uniforms covered in mud and dew, even torn, and many carrying injuries. They formed small groups of two or three, recounting their experiences in the practical combat. Those with good scores naturally walked by with smiles and puffed-out chests, while those with poor scores could only lower their heads in dejection, enviously watching the arrogant "top students," muttering under their breath afterward, "What are they so proud of?"
"Must be over a hundred points, right?" Slinging a fearsome long spear over his shoulder, Law casually walked out of the forest.
"Isn't that Law?"
"He seems very relaxed, with no signs of battle. Does he know he got zero points, so he just didn't fight?"
"Possibly. How pathetic."
The underperforming recruits, seeing Law, felt their spirits lift, and with a sense of superiority, they sympathized with him.
Compared to Law, Drake, who also emerged from the forest, looked far more battered. He had endured many battles, fighting against powerful ancient beasts like dinosaurs and Imperial Crocodiles, leaving him with significant injuries.
"Such a terrifying murderous aura. He must have killed many fierce beasts. He's definitely first among our rookie recruits. I wonder if he can compare to the senior recruits?"
The new recruits instinctively steered clear of Drake. The killing intent radiating from him at that moment was truly frightening.
"Hmph." Drake bared his teeth and glared at Law with hatred, wishing he could drink his blood and eat his flesh. But then, remembering his zero score, he couldn't help but feel like spitting blood again: "I swear I'll never let this go."
...
"Quick, quick, treat the wounded!"
Injuries were inevitable in practical combat, and the medical unit had long been on standby. Lightly wounded recruits could still walk out and receive treatment, but some severely wounded ones had to be carried out for care. The exhausted recruits, fresh from numerous battles, returned to the grassy shore and sat down on the spot, too tired even to speak. A large area in the middle of the grass was cordoned off, now serving as a makeshift aid station to treat the injured.
Zephyr watched the constant stream of wounded being escorted back, his face grim. "A bunch of useless individuals. So many people injured in such a simple combat exercise. If we ever go to war with pirates, won't everyone die?"
"Quick, quick, move aside!"
Law, who had just returned to the grassy area, heard an anxious voice behind him. A group of Marines rushed out of the forest, passing by Law. He noticed that several Marines were carrying a severely wounded recruit, and a small, crying, helpless girl followed behind the group – it was the girl named Ain. Tears streamed down her face, her cute little features filled only with fear and guilt.
"Doctor! Where's the trauma doctor? Hurry! Someone here has a gunshot wound!" The Marines placed the severely wounded recruit on the grass, shouting anxiously.
"Gunshot wound?"
Everyone's attention was drawn. The practical combat was against fierce beasts; how could there be a gunshot wound?
"What happened?" Zephyr's tiger eyes widened in anger.
Law noticed that at this moment, Ain, who was passing by, lowered her head even further, tears streaming down her face. He could faintly hear her soft, guilty murmur: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
"Everyone, spread out! First, cut open the injured person's shirt. Scalpel!" The chief physician quickly arrived, stopping the bleeding while assessing the injury.
The chief physician's face grew increasingly grim.
"Is he alright?" Zephyr stepped forward, asking with concern.
"The bullet entered the chest, very close to the heart. Our equipment here simply can't handle such surgery. A slight mistake would damage the heart and aorta, leaving no chance for recovery. He must be immediately escorted back." The chief physician's face was grim. "But even with a warship escort, it would take at least four hours. We don't have enough time."
Zephyr's face was extremely dark. "Really...?"
The chief physician shook his head heavily. "With injuries like this, even at headquarters, there's only a twenty to thirty percent chance of saving him."
Zephyr clenched his fists, knuckles cracking.
"Wuwu," hearing such a diagnosis, Ain had buried her head in her legs, sobbing softly.
"Hmph." Zephyr looked at the unconscious, severely wounded recruit, silently closing his eyes. While casualties were unavoidable, and recruits had to undergo practical combat, it was still a difficult moment each time. Especially this time, it was a gunshot wound, the most unexpected outcome.
After a moment of silence, Zephyr's fury erupted. He would never tolerate such an unforgivable, low-level mistake: "Who was it?! Who dared to shoot a comrade?! Do you still have any respect for this old man?! Who was it?! Step forward and face me!"
His angry roar echoed in the air. All the recruits lowered their heads, and even the instructors and officers dared not face the enraged Zephyr.
"No idea who did it, but they're definitely done for." All the recruits kept their heads down, simply offering a silent prayer for the unfortunate soul.
"Wuwu." Ain's sobs seemed to grow louder, though only Law, beside her, could hear.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I didn't know you were hiding behind the Giant Bear. I was shooting at the Giant Bear, I'm sorry, I didn't know... wuwu." Ain sobbed softly, slowly raising her tear-streaked little face. Guilt, and resolve.
"Who! Step forward and face me!"
Ain bit her silver teeth, clenching her small fists. As a young girl, facing such a situation required immense courage. Even though her little face was filled with terror, her body slowly rose.
"It's not impossible to save him. It's not your fault. There's no need to feel so guilty." A pair of hands rested on Ain's shoulders, and a figure swept past her, walking forward.