CHAPTER 44: BECOMING THE CAPTAIN

"Dissolve? Hah! Even if you dissolve the squad, you must still work for the Crimson Gang!" Harold pressured.

However, facing a Void Warrior at a high saturation rate, Nash remained undeterred.

Reading Harold’s micro-expressions, he knew things weren’t so simple.

The Crimson Phoenix Squad wasn’t just any team but an elite squad that dominated the rankings.

Although Camilla had left, he was still the top-ranked member on the list.

If he were carelessly transferred, it could spiral into a conflict of interest.

The Crimson Gang wasn’t monolithic. Each squad had its own interests, securing their positions.

However, if someone like him, a highly ranked person with high potential, were to be transferred, it would cause ripples in still waters.

With the silence permeating the room, Harold waited for Nash to speak.

However, besides staring down, not a word left his mouth.

"This boy was too stubborn!" Harold thought, looking at Nash in irritation.

Not moving an inch, Nash waited for Harold’s decision.

Would he be assigned as the new Captain, dissolved and forced to leave, or transferred to another group?

"From now on, you are the Captain of the Crimson Phoenix Squad. Any questions?!" Harold finally declared through gritted teeth.

Weighing his options, Harold decided to toss Nash aside.

A squad without a Void Warrior in the lead would be destroyed sooner or later.

It was better for them to perish than to disrupt the balance of the Crimson Gang.

"No."

"Then leave. There’s nothing else for you to do here."

---

Walking back to their squad room, Nash browsed through the Earth Horizon Alliance’s item catalog.

"Found it."

[Void Eye Training Method: A physical-type Void manual that enhances eyesight at a 60% saturation rate. Suitable for Scouts, Snipers, Detectives, Treasure Hunters, etc.

Price: 500 Contribution Points]

"That’s expensive..."

The basic Void Breathing Method that Camilla had given him in the past was only worth 10 contribution points.

Looking at their squad’s 41 contribution points, Nash could only sigh wryly.

"Time to complete some missions..."

Fortunately, it had only been a few days since the Earth Horizon Alliance rebellion started, meaning there were still plenty of Arleanian targets.

Upon returning to the squad room, he found Hector, Amber, and Emily already geared up.

"How is it, Captain Nash?"

"No problem. From now on, I’m officially the Captain of the Crimson Phoenix Squad."

"That’s great!"

"How about we celebrate?"

"No time to waste. We need to finish some missions."

Most of the profitable missions were running out fast.

If they didn’t move soon, they’d be stuck with unprofitable and troublesome tasks.

"Yes, Captain!"

---

A few hours later, in an unknown suburban area.

"Captain, the targets are locked!" Amber reported, her eyes fixed on the monitor.

Besides being a mechanic, Amber was also a great hacker.

Controlling all the surveillance cameras in the area, she easily found their targets.

"Then start cleaning up. I’ll handle the Void Warrior."

"Got it, Captain!"

Locking onto their targets, Nash commanded his body into position.

Using the runic module systems to control his body autonomously, Nash freed his hands to engrave a new runic program to the [Training Module System]—the Crimson Eye Astral Art.

Although he wasn’t qualified to practice it yet, preparing in advance was still possible.

[Target Locked!]

[Ready to Fire?]

Getting into a sniping position, Nash received a quick notification from the [Combat Module System].

"No. Switch to manual firing."

Though the [Combat Module] had an auto-aiming function, it wasn’t always accurate.

Targeting a Void Warrior, Nash had to ensure a guaranteed kill.

Seeing the chaos below, Nash quickly took aim.

"Estimate the firing percentage."

[Target Lock: 97%]

"Too low. Open the [Overclocking Module System] and the [Overloading Module System] at five times the amplitude."

As the screen projected by the [Sensing Module System] slowed down, it became easier for Nash to lock onto his target.

[Target Lock: 100%]

Bang!

Like the sound of death itself, the clueless Arleanian Void Warrior who had been rushing to help his subordinate was shot in the head.

"Sniper!"

"Hide inside!"

Unfortunately, without a Void Warrior to protect them, Hector, Amber, and Emily tore through the enemies like Ashuras, slaughtering everything in sight.

Minutes later, the battle ended, wiping out everyone.

"Good job. Now it’s time to clean up."

As if rehearsed countless times before, they swiftly began looting the area, taking everything of value.

---

Back at Crimson Headquarters, Nash and his squad submitted their mission report.

"The Arlean Claw Thug Organization... Completed?"

"How many points do we get?"

"It’s 780 Earth Horizon Contribution Points."

"It’s enough!"

Satisfied with their earnings, they returned to their room, counting their additional harvest.

"Only 29 Void Crystals and a bunch of miscellaneous D-grade weapons," Amber muttered in disappointment.

"This is already a lot. What we attacked was just a small squad," Emily said, not thinking it was low.

"Anyway, what should we do with the contribution points, Captain?"

"I want to buy a Void Training Manual and exchange the rest for Void Crystals," Nash replied solemnly.

"What’s your plan, Captain?"

Seeing Nash’s serious expression, they instinctively tensed.

"Our strength is too weak. If we want to survive, one of us must become an official Void Warrior."

Hearing this, they immediately understood.

Using all their contribution points to create a Void Warrior...

Among them, there was only one choice, Nash.

He had already managed to kill a Void Warrior with just a 9% saturation rate.

If he advanced, he would become a monster incarnate.

As for the rest of them, advancing into Void Warriors wouldn’t make much difference.

Pooling their resources together, there was no question—Nash was the only one worthy of taking the first step.

"We trust you, Captain. No matter what you plan, we’ll follow you until death!"

"Captain Nash, our lives are in your hands!"

"We will always have your back..."

Hearing their declaration, Nash couldn’t help but feel moved.

"Don’t worry. I won’t let you down."

---

After resting for a few hours, Nash exchanged their points for the Void Eye Training Method and set off on another mission.

Controlling his body autonomously, he focused on engraving the Void Eye Training Method into his [Training Module System].

Although his teammates noticed his stiffness, seeing him take down another Void Warrior without missing a shot, they simply assumed it was due to fatigue.

As they completed mission after mission, time steadily passed...