The news about First Lieutenant Igor Vali's return had spread throughout the base.
Those who had participated in chasing him were rather silent regarding the matter. It would be a shame for them if their comrades knew that they tried to capture such a prominent figure.
The main source of the news was the two soldiers who had visited the Lieutenant's room. Leaving their adoration for the Lieutenant aside, the soldiers were tasked to assist him for the duration of his stay in the camp.
If the Commander was made aware that they left Vali to his own devices while heavily injured, they would be punished.
Hence, with the help of their fellow soldiers, they were trying to locate where Igor Vali had gone to.
As obvious as it was, they made the situation ever more arduous for Aectaeon.
[[ Return Countdown: 13 D; 09 H; 09 M; 26 S ]]
Still suffering from his languid body, Aectaeon allowed himself to sit for a while. Of course, in a place where no one could bother him.
Drawing short but heavy breaths, Aectaeon looked as if he had just run a marathon. It wasn't far from the truth, yet he felt like he had done more than that. He leaned his head on the wall and closed his eyes. Albeit simple, it's the only way he could rest in that kind of situation.
'If I continue to push myself, I will really pass out.' Aectaeon then patted his chest, 'Just a few more seconds. Just a few more seconds then I go back on the mission.'
Aectaeon sighed, a groan accompanying it.
"Ongoing"
{{ Displaying Missions In Order of Issuance Time }}
Thereafter, three sets of red panels appeared in front of Aectaeon. In the leftmost panel was the first mission given out of the three.
{{ Mission }}
{{ Absenteeism in the Upcoming Meeting }}
{{ Reward }}
{{ A: None }}
{{ Penalty }}
{{ A: Inventory Wipe Out }}
{{ Mission }}
{{ Find Out the Identity of 2 Unnamed Soldiers Before the Time Limit Ends }}
{{ Time Limit: 00 D ; 01 H ; 08 M ; 23 S }}
{{ Mission Objectives }}
{{ A: Locate Clue Arrows Within the Base }}
{{ B: Locate 2 Name Parchments Within the Base }}
{{ C: Write Soldier #1's Name on the White Parchment }}
{{ D: Write Soldier #2's Name on the Black Parchment }}
{{ E: Burn the Parchments in a Forest Fire }}
{{ Rewards }}
{{ A: Game Title Letter Revelation x 3 }}
{{ B: Commander's Pardon }}
{{ Penalties }}
{{ A: 06 D ; 00 H ; 00 M ; 00 S will be deducted from player's 'Return Countdown' in the next world }}
{{ B: Immediate Return to the Obelisk }}
{{ Mini Mission }}
{{ Gather Items within the time limit }}
{{ Time Limit: 00 D; 02 H; 46 M; 23 S }}
{{ A: F1 Grenade x 8 }}
{{ B: M84 Stun Grenade x 1 }}
{{ C: Beretta M9 x 1 }}
{{ D: SIG Sauer P320 x 1 }}
{{ Reward }}
{{ A: None }}
{{ Penalty }}
{{ A: Automatic 'Failed' Status of the Mission 'Absenteeism in the Upcoming Meeting' }}
The Time Limit for the two missions was also displayed under his Return Countdown. That being so, he always felt as if time was running after him.
'A bit over an hour left before the guessing opportunity starts. I'll check just to be sure.'
Aectaeon fixed his sitting position so his entire back was leaning on the wall. He then heaved a sigh first prior to speaking.
"Forte Tempus"
Right after, a blue rectangular panel appeared in between the 'Return Countdown' and the 'Time Limit' for the first mission.
[[ Guessing Opportunity Countdown: 00 D; 01 H; 09 M; 11 S ]]
Aectaeon created a mental list of the tasks he had to fulfil. He had a lot to take into account, so it was beginning to overwhelm him.
He was only a university student several hours ago. And now, he had to confront a myriad of circumstances that were beyond his understanding. Furthermore, he was sent to an unfamiliar world through transmigration.
The concept of traveling to different worlds was simply a product of the human imagination -- Aectaeon believed in that notion. However, he had no choice but to accept that it was real. Well, he was forced to accept things as they were from the moment he arrived at the Obelisk.
It's not like he was given the opportunity to fully process his situation.
With the quietude that came with his idleness, it just dawned on Aectaeon that he was now a world away from his home. Unbeknownst to him, a teardrop ran down his cheek, landing on his hand that was clutching his chest.
His shoulders began to tremble, and so did his lips and the glints on his eyes. A void was starting to grow in his heart, a soundless cry trying to escape its hold.
Aectaeon closed his eyes, pushing out the tears that crowded in the rims. He took a deep breath and yielded to his emotions for as long as his guilt could allow.
The sun was blazing, the air musty.
The ground was scalding, only a slight colder under the shades.
The distant noises of the soldiers and armored vehicles were tiresome to one's ears, more so if they're ceaseless.
Aectaeon paid no heed to any of those. He was focused on himself at that very moment. That's the sole consolation he could give to mental and physical health after all the sufferings he made them go through.
Soon enough, he was able to find his calm.
He used the sleeves of his uniform to wipe his face. He then checked the rest of his uniform, sighing when he spotted several large bloodstains. For sure, the other soldiers would notice how dirty his uniform was and call him out for it.
'Do I even have the time to worry about this?' Aectaeon asked himself while trying to take a stand.
It took him nearly a minute just to be on his feet. Nonetheless, he was thankful that he still had some energy left despite the pain currently rattling his spirit.
Aectaeon dusted off the backside of his uniform, sighing every second as he did so. Once he was done, he looked at the time panels crowding his vision.
[[ Return Countdown: 13 D; 08 H; 56 M; 13 S ]]
[[ Guessing Opportunity Countdown: 00 D; 00 H; 56 M; 13 S ]]
{{ Time Limit: 00 D; 00 H; 55 M; 13 S }}
{{ Time Limit: 00 D; 02 H; 33 M; 13 S }}
The man fixed his cap and buttoned up his uniform. After one final sigh, he spoke, "Finding all the clues is my first priority. The others can wait."