Special Forces: From the very beginning, I can upgrade the entry

Chapter Ten: The Battalion Commander’s Expectations—The Best Recruit in the Southeastern Military Region

The damp morning air carried the rhythmic thud of boots against the track as the recruits ran in tight formation, their movements sharp, their breathing steady. A month ago, this same group had been a chaotic mass of fresh conscripts, but now, they moved as one, hardened by discipline and relentless training. Among them, Lin Yi ran with unwavering focus, his strides controlled, his breathing perfectly measured.

Standing at the edge of the field, Battalion Commander Miao Yidao watched the scene unfold, his sharp eyes scanning the recruits before settling on Lin Yi’s tall, upright figure. Without turning his gaze, he asked, “How is he doing?”

Zheng Sanpao, standing beside him in his neatly pressed fatigues, didn’t need clarification. There was only one recruit in the entire battalion who warranted such a question.

“He’s already reached the standard of a seasoned soldier,” Zheng Sanpao replied with certainty. “His endurance is unmatched, and from the first day of training, he’s been leading the pack. After a month of intense drills, he’s only grown stronger. The current training programme is too basic for him.”

Miao Yidao smirked slightly but didn’t shift his gaze. Lin Yi was different—too different. A university prodigy, an orphan who had carved his own path, and now a soldier whose ability surpassed even the most promising recruits. His transformation had been swift and absolute.

But the army was not a place for individual privilege. “Because he’s exceptional,” Miao Yidao said evenly, “he will follow the same rules as everyone else. The military is built on fairness. If we single him out now, what message does that send to the others?”

Zheng Sanpao hesitated. There was something unspoken in his commander’s tone. “Sir, you…” He trailed off, then glanced back at Lin Yi, who was effortlessly maintaining the pace, his expression unreadable.

“If he keeps this up,” Miao Yidao continued, “then the title of ‘Outstanding Recruit’ will be his.”

Zheng Sanpao stiffened.

In the army, honours were not given lightly. A soldier could earn First-Class, Second-Class, or Third-Class Merit, and above those were Official Commendations. But among the ranks of new recruits, there was one title that stood apart—‘Outstanding Recruit’.

It was more than just an award. It was a gateway. Soldiers who earned it were prioritised for promotions, leadership roles, and officer training. To be recognised as the best among all new soldiers meant skipping ahead of their peers, their careers set on a fast track.

But Miao Yidao wasn’t just talking about the battalion-level award.

He meant something far greater.

‘Outstanding Recruit of the Southeastern Military Region’.

Every year, China enlisted nearly 500,000 new soldiers, split between the spring and winter drafts. The Southeastern Military Region alone recruited 40,000 men in the winter cycle. Only one among them could be named the best.

Zheng Sanpao exhaled slowly, the weight of it sinking in. If Lin Yi won this honour, he wouldn’t just skip a rank—he would leap past three. Instead of starting as a Private, he would be directly promoted to Corporal (E-4), a rank that typically took soldiers six to eight years to achieve.

If he continued at this pace, reaching Sergeant (E-6) would be inevitable, and from there, he’d be eligible for officer training.

“Is that even possible?” Zheng Sanpao muttered.

“There’s no reason it shouldn’t be,” Miao Yidao replied, his lips curling into a knowing smile. “This kid has ambition. Even without being told, I suspect he already knows what’s at stake.”

He turned back toward the field, watching as the recruits neared the final lap. Among them, Lin Yi stood out like a beacon—one that couldn’t be dimmed, no matter how much he tried to blend in.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

As February arrived, bringing with it the final month of basic training, the recruits had already been shaped into soldiers. They had conquered drill formations, endurance tests, tactical exercises, chemical warfare drills, medical training, and rapid deployment drills. Now, they were moving into the final, decisive phase: marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and explosives training.

On a bright, crisp morning, the long-awaited live-fire exercise began. Lying prone on the firing range, the recruits clutched their QBZ-95 assault rifles, their eyes fixed on the distant targets. Each was accompanied by a supervising officer, who ensured they followed standard firing procedures. The crack of gunfire echoed across the training ground as the first shots were fired. Many recruits, eager but inexperienced, unloaded their rounds too quickly, sacrificing accuracy for speed.

Among them, Zhuang Yan stood out—not because he was extraordinary, but because he followed textbook precision. Each shot was measured, his breathing controlled, his finger steady on the trigger.

Lin Yi, however, remained still.

He knew today was important. It was the first time the officers would assess their shooting proficiency, and the results would greatly influence their future assignments.

“System, upgrade.”

As soon as the thought formed, a familiar chime rang in his mind.

[Rookie Marksman (White) → Upgrading…]

In the next instant, his vision sharpened. His hands, steady before, now felt like extensions of the weapon itself. He could sense the weight, the recoil, the trajectory—as if he had fired thousands of rounds before.

A golden light flashed across his consciousness.

[Upgrade Complete: Hundred Paces Piercer (Gold)]

Lin Yi’s breath hitched. He had expected a modest increase in skill—perhaps an improvement to Purple-Tier, but this? This was on another level entirely.

The phrase ‘Hundred Paces Piercer’ originated from ancient Chinese history—a reference to archers so skilled that they could hit a willow leaf from a hundred paces away. Now, that talent was his. No matter the weapon, no matter the distance—he would never miss. Taking a slow breath, he aligned his sights. The fixed target at 100 metres away seemed almost too easy. His finger tightened on the trigger, and in a fraction of a second—@@novelbin@@

Bang! Bang!! Bang!!!

Each shot was fired in quick succession, each bullet striking dead centre.

The supervising officer beside him visibly stiffened, unable to mask his astonishment.

A few metres away, Zheng Sanpao, watching through his binoculars, lowered them slightly, his brow furrowed. He had expected some decent performances today, but this?

Shooting wasn’t the same as running or fighting. It wasn’t just about physical prowess—it required training, refinement, and an almost unnatural level of control.

New recruits rarely excelled at marksmanship. In fact, the army’s best sharpshooters were usually former civilian competitors, transferred in from sports teams. So it was a mystery where Lin Yi had learned to shoot like this.

For a moment, the veteran sergeant could only stare. The rest of the recruits had no idea yet, but in that instant, Lin Yi had just set himself apart once again. And this time, there was no way to ignore it.