translator: xiin
editors: apricot & juurensha
Crosson Base. Wu Jin ran beneath the scorching sun.
On the lawn, the stage manager was still explaining the details for the variety show next week to a group of trainees.
“The sponsor is Snow Leopard Online Entertainment. Before tonight, everyone should go see Instructor Ying for a live broadcast room number and upload a profile picture for the variety show as a guest performer. If you don’t know how to fix up your photo, go find the camera team. Remember to wash your hair before taking the photo…”
Within the crowd, Thin Fire was surprised when he saw Wu Jin still running around wildly, “Didn’t the program doctor tell Little Witch to rest quietly? How come he’s running around? And Wen Lin’s following him.”
Ming Yao pondered, “Is it some secret that White Moonlight hasn’t shared with us? Exercising to nourish the body!”
Shooting range.
The staff was laughing as they scanned Wu Jin’s identity chip and registered the two of them, “Who are you asking about? Contestant Wei and Contestant Zoe? Oh, they’re in there, dueling with guns! You young people are sure full of vigor! Sure enough, when the female contestants come, our Crosson Show is full of energy…”
Wu Jin was out of breath, panting as he made a sound of acknowledgement, scurrying towards the viewing area. In his field of vision, the light was dim and vague; the underground shooting room with a depth of 100 meters was blocked out by the protective glass.
There was nobody in the stands, but there was the flash of a figure in the shooting range––
Without waiting for Wen Lin to react, Wu Jin stuck himself up against the toughened protective glass and started to pounce around, trying to catch his captain’s attention and protect the big boss, “Captain captain captain captain…”
Inside the shooting range, Zoe’s expression was cold.
The White Moonlight captain gestured coolly for Wen Lin to peel Wu Jin away.
This patch of Little Witch on the glass was too worrying!! It had only been a few months, and he’d already been tricked away by Contestant Wei––
However, Zoe thought, looking coldly at Wei Shi.
Matters between men should be resolved in a manly way.
At this time, the targets hadn’t yet appeared. There was a long table behind both Zoe and Wei Shi, and hundreds of dark gun parts were scattered on the surface.
The countdown began at 40 seconds.
The timer board flashed red, and a small line of text appeared at the bottom: Mauser, Kar98K.
The two men who’d originally been standing still suddenly turned around, picking through the metal parts with hands that moved as fast as lightning.
Wu Jin’s eyes grew round. The love for antique firearms in the 31st century was similar to the love for cold steel weapons in the 21st century. Originally, he’d thought that a gun duel was similar to fencing––but unexpectedly, it began with assembling guns.
Inside the shooting range, the two men’s movements were as smooth as water. Within 12 seconds, Zoe’s gun chamber had just taken shape while the big boss had begun to assemble the hammer. At 20 seconds, Zoe held the heat guard with one hand while the big boss held the butt of his gun. At 26 seconds, the big boss installed the eyepiece and calibrated the gun while Zoe was still adjusting the magazine––
40 seconds.
The bunkers and targets appeared at the same time!
“Gun duel. 1v1 solo fight. The condition for winning is to take down 100 targets or to shoot the other party in the head.” Wen Lin explained.
On the court, Zoe and Wei Shi shot at the same time!
In survival shows, the most artistic position was undoubtedly that of the sniper. They had to be calm and rational. Snipers could have the best of the team’s resources, and they even had the right to wait for hours behind the safety of a bunker––they had to be careful with their shots, and one shot might determine if they won or lost.
The ‘targets’ glowed slightly. They were about the size of a coin, with blurred edges against the dark background. They floated in the air and looked like a cluster of stars at first glance. Zoe slid back into the bunker, opened up the scope, and locked precisely on a target’s trajectory. His wrist was still as he held the butt of the gun firmly, the muzzle moving a few millimeters––
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Qjlalcu ab rclqf.” Qe Alc rjlv.
Ibf qfgobgwfv atf wbra rajcvjgv wlmgb-bqfgjalbcr obg j rclqfg, mjimeijalcu atf ajgufa’r agjpfmabgs jcv kjlalcu obg atf ajgufa qbrlalbc ab mblcmlvf klat tlr mfcafg bo ugjnlas.Ycf rtba bcf xlii.
There was a “Bang”. The hammer of the K98k sounded out clearly, the sound of two guns ringing out one after the other! It was Wei Shi who’d first gotten a point, and Zoe had hit his own target to catch up after.
Qe Alc gjc jibcu atf qgbafmalnf uijrr jcv rjk atf ylu ybrr lc atf vlw ilutalcu––
“Instant snipe?” Wen Lin’s mouth dropped open in amazement.
Wei Shi practically hadn’t aimed at all, yet he’d hit the dynamic target accurately with a single shot. It was almost impossible from a common sense perspective, but there was no fault to be found in the details. From raising his gun to firing, he’d only had 0.3 seconds to look through the 4x sniper scope.
There was only one explanation.
“This!” Wen Lin lost his composure for once, “What kind of monster is this? Raising his hand and aiming at a 90% level of accuracy with his naked eye, then scanning the scope for just half a second to refine his aim? He calibrated the gun in less than 10 seconds. How did he do it? Even Wei Yan…”
Wu Jin was in a trance. Not to mention instant snipe, even if he stood there for over 10 seconds, he still wouldn’t be able to hit a thing. Wu Jin’s own dynamic target accuracy was only at an average of 7 rings. What’s more the dynamic targets in the room now were only the size of a coin, which was to say that any shots outside the 10 rings was equal to 0 rings.
The scores jumped. Wei Shi 24 points, Zoe 17.
The red sign changed: Browning M2, heavy machine gun.
The two of them dropped the big sniper gun at the same time and assembled the second gun. Wei Shi was still a little faster in this round, but Zoe was only 2 seconds behind. Then, he picked up the gun to aim it at the target––the muzzle shifted to the left, sweeping towards Wei Shi!
There were two conditions for victory: A headshot, or the first to reach 100 shots on the targets.
Wei Shi’s advantage was too big with his ability to instant snipe. It had only been the first round, yet Zoe was already 7 shots behind. Zoe frowned and didn’t hesitate to make the only other possible choice––eliminate him from the match.
The sound of heavy machine gun fire rang out. The gun that had been in use for hundreds of years wasn’t inferior at all when it came to firing and suppression. In order to be first, Zoe jumped out from behind the bunker––
He raised the gun, opened the scope, and sniped.
To be able to lift up such a heavy machine gun within a second, Zoe’s muscle burst ability was already placed amongst that of the best snipers. Using the heavy machine gun to snipe, preview, and suppress; all of a sniper’s dazzling skills were displayed exquisitely at this moment.
Wen Lin paused for a long time, then laughed quietly, “He’s made significant progress.”
The two machine guns sounded at the same time!
The bunkers collapsed like toppling mountains, and dust flew up into the air. The deafening sound of machine gun fire shook the sky and caused the ground to tremble as empty bullet shells flew out like silver chips.
––Until the digital judge beeped.
Zoe grunted as the protective helmet popped open.
The White Moonlight sniper suddenly fell behind the bunker, struggling for a long time to get up.
Wei Shi used the machine gun to shoot Zoe in the head.
Gun duel won.
Outside the shooting range, Wu Jin rushed to the door, knocking on it, but was unable to open it up. He continued to splay out against the glass, begging, jumping back and forth, and knocking on the door, practically turning into a virtual shadow.
Inside the shooting range.
Zoe sat up indifferently. With these gun skills, there was no need to mention the trainees, even Blood Pigeon, the sniper of the White Moonlight team, or the R-Code captain, Shao Yu, during his peak period, were on the same level as he was.
On the other side, Wei Shi crossed his arms over his chest, his aura deadly from the earlier gun fight. This person had probably participated in more than just competitions––Zoe had a sniper’s instinct, and it told him that this man was more dangerous than anyone else he’d ever met.
Zoe: “Why are you taking part in the competition.”
Wei Shi looked down from above. The aura around him was heavy, and the air cold, but he didn’t show any hostility, “Debut position.”
Zoe quipped, “Do you even need a debut?”
Wei Shi was expressionless, “Forming a team.”
Zoe paused. A normal person, an individual trainee, wanted to form a battle team. Anyone who had watched survival shows before would think that Wei Shi was crazy.
However, he really did have the strength to do so.
Zoe was silent for a long time before enunciating carefully, “How did Little Witch provoke you?”
Wei Shi spoke calmly, “I’m preparing to register with him.”
“……” Zoe quivered. Register for what? Register… a marriage license?!
They’d only known each other for a few months. When did they start dating?! Little Witch was only 9 years old, no wait, 19. Did he have any property certificates on the blue planet? Had they informed their parents? Had they told Caesar and Secretary Qu?!
Zoe’s chest was suddenly filled with anger, with the thoughts that originally filled his brain such as ‘scum man’, ‘wild man playing around with Little Witch’, ‘toying with the innocent Little Witch’, and so on, all seemingly to have been in vain. Wei Shi’s expression was too serious. Zoe could be considered to have some experience in relationships, and he had more brains than Caesar. He could believe that Wei Shi was being frank.
Zoe’s voice was muted, “You’re f*cking… you’re serious?!”
Wei Shi nodded. His eyes were outlined distinctly in shadow, his pupils pitch black and cold, his tone brooking no argument, “I’m serious.”
Outside the shooting range, Wu Jin continued to knock at the door, and Wen Lin looked on in enjoyment, all the way until a quarrel broke out in the shooting range. Zoe seemed to be speaking very quickly, and his expression was fierce. The bulletproof glass separated them from the two people’s conversation, and Wu Jin ran to the air vent in a panic to stop the fight––
Zoe: “You chased after him, and Little Witch tried to take the blame?”
Wei Shi: “Yes.”
Zoe: “That time for the Lovers Card instance, you were the one who sniped me away to squeeze into the instance and form a CP with Little Witch?!”
Wei Shi: “Mm.”
Zoe: “The Cretaceous period instance, Little Witch rode on the Pterosaur on his own to go find you?!”
Wei Shi: “Yes.”
Zoe finally calmed down and then became indignant. Little Witch was a little fool who’d sent himself into the fire––falling in love behind his parents’ back. Wouldn’t his next step be to elope and run off?!
However, all of the historical crimes that had accumulated all came to nothing. Wei Shi was actually serious.
As the captain for White Moonlight, he should act as Wu Jin’s family and protect him, driving away emotional swindlers for him, but he shouldn’t hinder Wu Jin from loving freely.
Zoe fell silent for a long time, then finally said, “You’re the one who taught him to shoot.”
Wei Shi nodded.
Every sniper had subtle operating habits and their own style, no different to fingerprints or handwriting, that had its own personal flavor. Wu Jin hadn’t yet formed his own preferences with a gun, and his prejudgement and shooting should have been taught by Zoe and Blood Pigeon. However, starting from the second elimination match, Zoe had felt that Wu Jin’s style was unlike anyone else’s.
Until just now, when Wei Shi had started shooting right in front of his face.
Zoe was very clear about Wu Jin’s talent. For Wu Jin to be able to form a ‘style’ in 5 months, Wei Shi must have calibrated Wu Jin’s shooting posture at least a thousand times.
In order to leave his own mark on Wu Jin’s tactical habits.
There was a long silence in the shooting room.
Zoe spoke in a cold and hard tone, “We’ll stop here today. Open the door and let Little Witch in.”
Wei Shi nodded, then turned and stretched his hand out to Zoe.
Zoe froze and was on the fence for a long time. Finally, he decided to show respect. The White Moonlight who’d just been ‘shot in the head’ got up with Wei Shi’s assistance.
On the other side of the door, Wen Lin sighed emotionally, “It’s done. Let your captain mull over it for a few days. Right now, he just can’t get over it.”
Wu Jin: “Eh––”
The protective lock on the shooting range was unlocked.
Wu Jin quickly bounced up, his expression firm as he tried to confess sincerely, “I was the one who didn’t report it…”
Zoe patted Wu Jin on the shoulder, “Enough. Go in and practice your shooting. We’ll review the game in the evening.”
Wu Jin paused, let out a long sigh of relief, and then nodded happily.
After Zoe left.
Wei Shi raised his eyebrows, “I said it before.”
“I’ll deal with it.”
Outside the Crosson shooting range. Zoe stepped out of the shower without a word. Half a beat later, he started indignantly, “It’s impossible for them to get a certificate now! Little Witch’s visa––” Zoe was relieved, “With his visa, it’s quite a bit of trouble to register for marriage.”
Wen Lin: “Weren’t you shot in the head with one hit? You’re still not giving in?”
Zoe was disgruntled, “It’s not that I’m weak, it’s that the opponent who is too strong. According to my observations, this man is very capable.” Zoe analyzed it calmly, “Who does he think he is, the King of Crosson? I can’t let him pass the test so easily…”
Wen Lin: “Then what? Give him a few examination questions? Are you marrying off a princess?”
Zoe: “……”
A few seconds later.
Zoe mused, “This makes sense. Say, how many questions did the prince have to fill in when he proposed marriage?”
Wen Lin was surprised, “Are you taking it seriously? Have you been with Caesar for too long and gradually become affected?!”
Zoe: “… I didn’t, I’m not, I’m just asking.”
Crosson shooting range.
While the big boss was washing up, Wu Jin thought about the instant sniping for a while, and when the man came back out, he suddenly thought of something, “You went to the R-Code base…”
Just then, both their terminals lit up at the same time.
A notice from the Crosson Show.
A meeting at the studio half an hour later.
The results of the voting from the previous competition were out, and they would also distribute the script for the variety show.
Juurensha: Zoe begrudgingly giving in while still scheming hahaha.
xiin: daily dose of Wei Shi badass-ness~
and, and, AND! Juurensha wrote an awesome fanfic for the Zoe x Wen Lin ship~ it was written a few weeks ago but i feel like time-line wise, it slots in perfectly here. go read it go read it go read it go read it!!!!
https://archiveofourown.org/works/25089757
Aaaaa a fanfiction for our side couplee😍 thank you for the chapterr💜
A-ha even Zoe agrees that held Wu jin’s parent 😂😂
He’s not held **
Stupid auto correct
Relatable bruh.
Zoe : /now stooped to Caesar’s level lmaoo He got speechless for a moment loool
Zie trying to said Big Boss is a scum man but he was actually serious so he has to find another way loll
And Little Witch plastering on the door so cute<333
Now even sniping style can be romantic too…Wow
Thank you for the chapter~
Lmaoo Zoe is like a protective chicken mama~
Thank you for the chapter!!!~♡
I love Zoe being like I’m gonna create test questions for him to answer LOL
Also, that fanfiction of the side couple 😍
I have learned 3 things this chapter:
Wu Jin placed 11th with wonky eyesight. He’s been nerfed by that emotional lock and still got nearly into the top 10.
Wei Shi wants to compete alongside Wu Jin. Since Wu Jin is learning his version of sniping, once he finally masters it he will be a headache for anyone to deal with.
Despite appearing from the past randomly, Wu Jin has found himself a family who cares about him <3 awwwwwww (I wonder how long it’ll be until he reveals his origins…)
10.10 beautiful chapter thank you also I hope Wu Jin engraves Wei Shi’s name on his sword
+1
YAH! WHO’S HATING ON ZOE? Huh?! Lets go out in the parking lot and duke it out! 😡
+1!
I love Zoe. This dude has been caring for Wu Jin ever since he came into the team and is a big reason as to why Wu Jin is so happy and has such a good team behind him.
He doesn’t know Wei Shi at all, and WS is so suspicious I totally understand Zoe needing to watch over Wu Jin until he’s sure Wei Shu makes him happy. After all, to him Wu Jin looked super freaked out when the whole CP thing started so of course he’s not going to immediately believe that Wei Shi has good intentions. I do think he should have to talked to Wu Jin first, before the shoot out, but I can forgive that. After all like he said himself, loving people can make you a bit silly.
Me, I do dislike him… reminds me of my parents who tried to force me to a choice… Brings back my trauma.
Zoe’s like the overprotective father who’s daughter just came home from college with the announcement she’s engaged and Wen Lin is the conciliating mother who secretly knew about their relationship the whole time and is even helping plan the wedding. (￣y▽,￣)╭
As usual Little Witch and his adorable antics 😍 I like that in Momma Zoe’s mind Little witch is only 9 years old~ and he even keeps correcting himself in his thoughts 😆😆
Thanks for the chapter
Wei Shi accidentally became daddy Wei, I’m ashamed that I was triggered like this, but also. Zoe is so lovely, I’m so thankful for him and his love for Little Witch
That fanfic was good. But I always had the roles reversed in my head. 🤔
ZOOOOEEEEE MAMABEAR!!💞
Captain Zoe is VERY unwilling to let their little princess marry. Lol
Thanks for translating!!!
I really like Zoe’s character and I think his actions give him a lot of depth. However, he also annoys the heck out of me with how he’s handled this falling in love issue. If I he were someone I knew, I’d probably have to have a talk to him about his overprotectiveness (and lack of respect for Wei Shi’s decisions) and set some boundaries.
Arrrghhh! still find Zoe irritating… because it just does not make sense… For Ceasar, who tends to act on emotions, overreacting would have been logical but not for Zoe… it feels like author destroyed Zoe’s character just for some theatrics and sitcom style effect… oh well, just my biased thoughts… i still totally love this novel ❤
Zoe really thinking like a parent lol
<Little Witch was only 9 years old, no wait, 19. >
Zoe’s care for Lil Witch is touching but at the same time unnecessary. He’s actually not in any position to interfere with lil Witch’s life and love even if he claim to be the parent (well he’s not). Giving advice is fine but directly interfering is already a red flag. You won’t like it either if your friends overstep your boundary, which he is doing.
Glad Wei Shi managed to convince Zoe of his sincerity. Thanks for the chapter!
Zoe and Wen Lin are like little Witch’s mom and dad and their reactions are exactly same as when I first told my parents about my boyfriend 🤦🏻♀️
I can’t wit Zoe keep saying Lil Witch is 9 y.o. I mean, yeah. His curl is so deceptive 🤣🤣🤣. Wait till Zoe learn, Wei Shi isn’t King of Crosson yet, but he certainly is King of Floating City 😆.