Chapter 25 - Battle Begins

Zhang Jin was pulled by a young girl outside the Battle Field Simulation, where all members of the Orphan Mission had gathered. Zhang Jin felt confused as the LCD screen lit up. People filled the semi-circle seats in the stadium, waiting for the battle to commence. A figure he recognized appeared on the large screen.

His eyes widened upon seeing Lian Qiang on the screen. She was inside the Battle Field Simulation, preparing her gun. Alongside her, Liu Xian also emerged on the screen, positioned in a different part of the simulation. They seemed to be in separate bases, getting ready for the battle.

Both of them were wearing protective gear, including eyeglasses and ear protectors. Their expressions turned fierce as they readied their guns and secured others in holsters.

"One epic clash between the Orphan Mission's top leaders!" a member of the group announced as they settled into seats for the intense showdown.

"What's going on?" he asked, his eyes reflecting his confusion.

"Didn't you know? This is a battle between the two strongest leaders of the Orphan Mission," Ling Xue explained.

"A battle between leaders?" he repeated, still trying to grasp the situation.

They found seats at the center, ensuring a perfect view of the screen. Zhang Jin and Ling Xue both sat in front of the huge screen, awaiting the unfolding events. The girl kept holding onto his arm, prompting him to quickly remove it, which made her pout. He guessed the girl was around 16 years old. He couldn't fathom why this girl had been following him around, which had been annoying him for a while now.

The screen abruptly changed, displaying a countdown. "The battle will begin in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6..." the robotic announcer declared as the numbers appeared on the screen. "5, 4, 3, 2, 1" The crowd joined in the countdown with excitement.

As the countdown ended, a robot voice declared, "Game starts now!" The voice echoed, and excitement buzzed through the crowd. Liu Xian and Lian Qiang stood across the virtual battleground, ready for action. Their eyes met, a fierce determination in their gaze. The crowd held their breath, anticipating the showdown.

Liu Xian moved cautiously, using any available cover to shield himself from potential threats. Every so often, he would cautiously peek around corners, eyes scanning meticulously for any sign of Lian Qiang. She, on the other hand, moved fluidly, like water flowing around stones. Every step, every move seemed planned and executed with elegance. Her gun, held firm in her grip, was always at the ready.

Sounds of footsteps echoed eerily through the battleground. Lian Qiang suddenly burst into the open, her gun firing a rapid succession of shots. Liu Xian, quick on his feet, twisted and dodged, narrowly avoiding the bullets that came his way. The air was tense, filled with the sharp sounds of gunfire and the echoes of their movements.

Lian Qiang, ever a skilled woman, made brilliant use of her surroundings, hiding behind obstacles before allowing ravaging aim shots. Liu Xian, on the other hand, was not to be outdone. He showed his sharpshooting ability with each shot he took.

Liu Xian took cover behind a solid wall at one point to collect his breath. He darted quick looks around, attempting to locate Lian Qiang. She was always two steps ahead of him, and as soon as he noticed her, she made her move. She closed the distance between them in an instant. Liu Xian rushed to avoid the shower of bullets from her gun, thinking on his feet. He quickly stood up and fired back with eagerness.

The confrontation between the two was intense. The impact of their clash seemed to rock the limits of the Battle Field Simulation. At the climax, Liu Xian and Lian Qiang were standing only a few feet apart, guns aimed at each other. Bullets clashed in the air, creating a scene of sparkles and noise. Then, quickly, the clicks of empty chambers could be heard.

Their guns were both out of ammunition. This unexpected turn changed the nature of their confrontation. Because firearms were no longer an option, they turned to hand-to-hand combat. Their movements were quick, punches and kicks flying with accuracy and power. Lian Qiang, on the other hand, used her quickness and improve to deliver a decisive blow, challenging Liu Xian in close combat.

The audience, who had been waiting for Lian Qiang's victory with bated breath, erupted in clapping and cheers. Even after the game was over, the atmosphere remained electrifying. Everyone in audience was impressed by the intensity of their duel and the talent they both showed. The overwhelming message was clear: any problem can be overcome with determination, talent, and planning.

The woman's name appeared on the screen, announcing her victory. Zhang Jin couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. He offered a soft clap, his mind grappling with surprise and awe. The woman beside him appeared different – not the familiar Lian Qiang he knew. He understood she was part of a special police force, but this display was unexpected. She was revealing skills he hadn't seen before.

The crowd erupted into cheers, mirroring Zhang Jin's astonishment. A member of the Orphan Mission added, "Lian Qiang remains unbeatable. Her skills are unmatched."

Zhang Jin was stunned by this news. He thought they were the only ones helping the police. But what he just saw showed skills beyond what regular police had.

In that moment, a mix of shock and admiration washed over him. He began to comprehend the depth of Lian Qiang's abilities, realizing she was far more capable than he had imagined. The cheers of the crowd faded as he grappled with this newfound perspective.

Lian Qiang was smiling, and it showed on the screen. She and Liu Xian embraced each other warmly, exchanging congratulations. Zhang Jin turned his gaze away from the screen, feeling a twinge of annoyance for some reason. He couldn't quite explain why he was bothered by the presence of a guy who seemed to always be around her. Instead of dwelling on his irritation, he decided to push it aside and refocus his attention on the screen.

For him, witnessing the woman's battle earlier alongside the guy was exhilarating. He felt that he would view this woman in a new light due to her exceptional abilities. He recognized he had seen glimpses of it especially the moment he captured the snatcher before, but for him she's very different now.