Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Commanders Less-Than-Heroic Side
At that moment, Rapi interrupted, stepping smoothly between them.
"Commander, if there's nothing else, it would be best to submit the battle report first."
Rapi subtly moved to block Anis.
"Let's get it submitted, then," Mo Chen nodded.
He'd originally planned to head to the darknet to sell some items for quick cash. But if he could receive proper payment from the report, he might as well skip the hassle.
The mission report would be assessed to determine rewards—an important reference for issuing compensation.
"Let's get this report written," Rapi said with a nod.
Mo Chen frowned, already dreading it. Writing a mission report felt even more challenging than those 800-word essays back in school.
Rapi seemed to pick up on his reluctance. "I can write it. Commander, you'll just need to review and confirm the accuracy."
He let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks a lot."
They found a nearby café to work in. The report had a complex format with many fields to complete, and Mo Chen was grateful not to be the one filling it out.
"You seem pretty experienced," he noted as Rapi typed swiftly.
"It's become routine."
"Routine?"
"Yeah."
"It's not like those high-and-mighty commanders are ever going to lower themselves to do this stuff," Anis muttered through a mouthful of ice cream. "They don't even set foot on the battlefield."
Her tone was dripping with sarcasm—so much so that even someone deaf could've picked it up.
"Done." Rapi announced just as the conversation picked up.
The report was concise and to the point, without a single unnecessary word.
The only thing that made Mo Chen uncomfortable was how overly flattering it was toward him. The report made it seem like all the credit was solely his.
"Isn't this a bit too much?" He scratched his head, feeling slightly embarrassed. He wasn't one to take credit for everything.
"It's only the truth," Rapi replied, handing him a USB drive with the report. "All the results of our operations are due to your excellent leadership. I'm just stating facts."
"Still, there's no need to write it that way," Mo Chen said, a little uneasy.
Rapi looked at him with a knowing expression. "If it isn't written this way, it won't pass."
Won't pass?
Mo Chen paused, puzzled. Great, they even had red tape here.
The place to submit the report was the Central Government Office—a government department.
When they arrived, Mo Chen was momentarily stunned, wondering if he'd ended up in the wrong place.
Before him stood a grand, luxurious building, dozens of floors high and extremely lavish. The front even had a massive plaza the size of a football field.
It was more extravagant than even Royal's Avenue, where the aristocrats lived.
"Talk about corruption," Mo Chen muttered to himself.
"This is it," Rapi said, stopping. "If you need anything, just call me."
"You're not coming in?"
Mo Chen looked back at Rapi, who stood behind him.
Rapi shook her head. "Nikkes are forbidden to enter the Central Government Office unless there's an urgent reason."
Anis casually tossed her ice cream stick into a nearby trash can. "That place belongs to the bigwigs. We're just lowly Nikkes, so it's normal for us to be kept out. Besides, if we go in, we might catch the bigwigs in some compromising situations."
Compromising situations?
Mo Chen recalled Anis's words as he walked into the Central Government Office.
The lobby inside was spacious and lively, though mostly noisy.
The source of the noise was a group of uniformed soldiers arguing loudly, seemingly in the middle of a dispute.
The staff at the counter appeared used to the commotion, maintaining a businesslike smile as they continued their work.
From a short distance away, Mo Chen could clearly overhear the raised voices.
"Why so little? This is outrageous!"
"Yeah, we're out there risking our lives fighting those freaks for humanity!"
"Facing that kind of danger, and you're telling me this is all we get? There's gotta be some mistake!"
"There is no error in your payment," the clerk replied calmly.
"Don't you get it? It's way too low! That mission was brutal, and this is all we get for it?"
"As per policy, the amount for a transport mission is indeed this sum."
"But it wasn't just transport! We were ambushed, two Nikkes died! And even I…"
"Commander, mishaps during a mission are directly related to the commander's own abilities. Moreover, you did not participate in the ground operation, correct?"
"Damn it! That's bullshit! Who says I didn't go up there? You desk fuckers haven't even seen the ground yourself…"
The commander, visibly flustered, turned red with anger. But the clerk remained unfazed.
"Next commander, what service do you require?"
The indifferent tone sent the commander storming out in frustration, while others in the room didn't seem surprised.
"Next commander."
Mo Chen's turn had come. He stepped up and sat down.
The clerk looked at him. "How may I help you today?"
"I'm here to submit a mission report."
"Certainly, please wait a moment." The clerk accepted the report, focused on the screen, and began typing.
After a moment, she looked up, surprise evident in her eyes.
"Are you… the commander who defeated Codename Black Smith?"
Although she spoke softly, it drew attention from everyone in the lobby. Even those previously arguing went quiet, turning their heads.
"He's the one? He actually took down a Tyrant-level Raptures with just three ordinary Nikkes?"
"No way… is that even possible?"
"He doesn't look particularly remarkable."
"There was news about this recently. The government even issued an announcement."
"They're actually planning to implement new policies because of him—requiring commanders to accompany Nikkes to the surface on missions."
"Damn, it's his fault."
"What a bastard."
The clerk finished processing and handed Mo Chen his receipt with a respectful demeanor, a stark contrast from how she'd treated the other commanders.
"This is your statement. If you have any issues, please feel free to reach out. And please continue to fight for humanity."
Leaving the government office, Mo Chen noticed several commanders lingering outside, some squatting by the entrance, others leaning against the wall with dejected faces.
"Commander."
Rapi approached him.
"All set?"
"Yeah."
"And… what's with them?" Mo Chen gestured toward the dispirited group, curious about their situation.
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