Chapter 416 The Bombardment
Paxton knocked on Branden’s study door, bearing the latest message from Alton. After receiving Branden’s permission, he gently pushed open the door.
“Mr. Duncan, on the Alton side, the transaction time for that shipment has been confirmed. With Francis and the others away, maybe I should handle this trip.”
They were the four finest members of the Duncans. Each was highly capable and trained from a young age by the family head.
They had taken on nearly all the projects the head had accepted but had yet to excel in them as the head did.
This trade deal in Alton was worth tens of billions of dollars and was supposed to be managed by Francis in Alton. But the head had surprisingly sent Francis to Scorpion Island. Not only Francis, but the other two were also on Scorpion Island.
With such a substantial project, Paxton couldn’t entrust it to others, so he volunteered. Branden leisurely finished signing the last document. Then he looked up at Paxton.
“Arrange a flight to Alton for tomorrow afternoon.”
Paxton was taken aback. “Mr. Duncan, are you planning to go yourself?”
Branden rested his elbow on the desk, and his deep eyes glinted with a hint of coldness as he gazed at Paxton.
“Is there a problem?”
That cold look sent a shiver down Paxton’s spine. He shivered and quickly replied, “No, Mr. Duncan. Your presence is naturally the safest option. I’ll arrange it right away.”
As Paxton exited the study, he couldn’t help but feel a lingering unease. Branden arranged the deal personally. It was not because Branden didn’t trust Paxton.
There were other reasons for his trip to Alton. It might be partly due to manpower issues, but the more significant reason was Catherine.
Catherine was in Alton right then, and Branden had a chance to meet her. Paxton finally understood the saying, ” Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
Catherine and Branden hadn’t been parted for long, but Branden was deeply bewitched. What would become of him in the future?
Paxton was deeply troubled.
On Scorpion Island, the third round of special training had officially begun. To secure their chance of staying until the end, these trainees had already started secretly forming groups. More people meant more strength and ample resources.
Carlo had no doubts about partnering with Cory. He didn’t trust the others. The duo quietly infiltrated the forest. Carlo’s strategy mirrored many others’ strategies. He chose to stick to the outskirts.
As per the current rules, surviving until noon the following day would be considered a successful mission. Carlo spread out a map and selected a concealed location.
“Cory, what do you think of this spot?”
Cory looked at Carlo’s choice. It had a strategic advantage for both offense and defense.
But it seemed too safe.
He had a feeling this training was not as simple as it appeared. Then he pointed to a different spot on the map. ” I’d like to go here.”
Carlo furrowed his brow at Cory’s choice.
“Cory, aren’t you making it unnecessarily difficult for yourself? This place is riskier and deeper within the jungle. Aren’t you worried about not making it until noon the next day?”
“The riskier, the safer,” Cory replied. Carlo hesitated, but he ultimately agreed.
“Alright. I’ll go with your suggestion!”
Even though Carlo thought he had chosen a good spot, he had more faith in Cory.
Over the years, Cory’s judgment had seldom faltered. Cory was the most like the head among the four of them. He was silent, composed, and decisive.
Besides unwavering loyalty to Branden, Carlo only had these few close friends. After agreeing, they familiarized themselves with the route and set off. Catherine sat in front of the monitoring screen and observed every trainee through the cameras.
When she saw the spot chosen by Cory’s team, a slight smile tugged at her lips. Indeed, they were people from Branden’s camp. They displayed a hint of cleverness.
Seeing that most trainees were well- prepared, Catherine took out her walkie -talkie and informed Jon. She said, ” Spice things up for them.”
Hearing Catherine’s instructions, Jon became excited. He knew there was no way they would let these trainees off so easily.
“I’ll arrange it.”
Without warning, poisonous smoke ignited around the perimeter of the jungle. It spread rapidly. After noticing that, many trainees near the jungle’s edge began to sprint.
Carlo noticed the scene and quickly informed Cory with excitement on his face.
“Cory, you’re amazing. We’ve struck gold this time!”
The two of them were positioned in the jungle’s center, and the poisonous smoke wouldn’t penetrate as quickly. It gave them ample time to prepare.
Cory glanced at Carlo and signaled for him to stay cautious. “Don’t celebrate too soon. The real challenge may still be ahead.”
Catherine, who was watching from the monitor, couldn’t hear their conversation. But she was good at lip-reading. It was easy for her to know what they were talking about.
Back during her training, she had learned lip-reading from a team member from Middle Estria. She was highly talented and mastered it in just seven days. She could pick up most languages, provided they weren’t too obscure.
Cory indeed showed some intelligence.
He knew that the real challenge was yet to come.
The real challenge was just around the corner. She relayed another order into the microphone and said to Jon, “No stopping until daybreak!”
Jon couldn’t help but feel uneasy as he watched bomb after bomb raining down on the jungle.
His heart ached.
It wasn’t because he cared for the trainees but rather for the money. Each bomb cost millions. Without a second thought, Anon had used them at such a rate. It depleted the island’s ammunition and wasted a significant amount of money.
However, the higher-ups had instructed him that they must adhere to all of Anon’s commands for these three weeks, regardless of the cost.
He had to do it even if he had to part with the money.
The once silent jungle transformed into a hell on Earth. It was filled with cries of agony.
Another bomb dropped, which was dangerously close to Carlo.
Carlo reacted swiftly and dived away just in time.
Thanks to his quick reflexes and agile movements, he narrowly escaped, becoming another victim of this human -made disaster.
With a deafening explosion, the bomb went off not far from him.
It showered Carlo in sand and debris. When he looked up, his face was covered with dirt. He was unable to contain his frustration as he complained to Cory.
“Damn it. This instructor is insane! First, the poison gas, and now this bombardment. He’s giving us no chance at all. Are they not planning to let us leave Scorpion Island alive?”
While Carlo ranted, Cory remained remarkably calm. “Complaining won’t help. Let’s focus on getting through until dawn.”
This was not the most challenging part of the training. It was just getting dark. The most difficult phase should be the last two hours before the end of the competition.
At that point, everyone’s energy should be nearly depleted. It could be catastrophic if the instructor added more challenges at that time.
To survive until the end, they had to prepare accordingly.
Catherine watched the group of trainees desperately fleeing on the monitor. They were increasingly disheveled, one worse than the other. She sneered and turned to take a break.
The trainees’ suffering was their problem, and it was better for her to get a good night’s rest. She would check the situation when she woke up the next day.
