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

Chapter Six: The Recruits Transform—Becoming One Unit

Tap. Tap.

The sound of polished leather boots echoed from the far end of the corridor, growing louder as it approached Squad One’s barracks.

“On your feet!”

A sharp-eyed recruit spotted Zheng Sanpao approaching in full dress uniform and shouted the command.

“Whoosh!”

In perfect synchrony, the recruits snapped upright. Even Zhuang Yan, usually defiant, jumped out of bed at the sight of the cold-faced Demon Sergeant.

But Zheng Sanpao’s gaze first landed on Lin Yi. His expression softened slightly, eyes filled with subtle admiration. From outside the barracks window, he had overheard Lin Yi’s earlier words and those words had struck a deep chord. He had once been one of them—just another uncertain recruit finding his way. Back then, his squad had no one like Lin Yi—no one to clear the fog of doubt and solidify their resolve. Today, Squad One was lucky. Because they had Lin Yi as their example.

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However, as Zheng Sanpao’s gaze swept across the room, it landed on the messy, unmade bed. Instantly, his expression darkened.

“What is this?”

His voice was cold—devoid of any trace of warmth.

“Sergeant!”

Zhuang Yan spoke up, his voice not as confident as usual.

“It’s mine. I was lying there.”

“You were lying there?”

Zheng Sanpao’s brows furrowed.

“And who gave you permission?”

“Do you not know the military regulations?”

“A bed is meant for sleeping, isn’t it?”

Zhuang Yan muttered, resentment creeping into his voice.

“Did I say you could sleep now?”

Zheng Sanpao’s tone sharpened.

“I was tired. I just wanted to rest for a bit.”

“You were tired?

“And what about them? Do you think they’re not tired?”

Zheng Sanpao’s sharp gaze swept across the rest of the squad.

“All of you—assemble at the barracks entrance. Another five-kilometre run.”

“Sergeant, we’re about to eat…”

Chen Xiwa’s face filled with despair as he whispered.

“Only you think about food.”

Zheng Sanpao’s expression remained ice-cold.

“Today, you’ll learn something.”

“Meals in the army are earned, not given.”

“Assemble. Now!”

Without a single glance at Zhuang Yan, Lin Yi strode out of the barracks. The other recruits followed suit, marching in formation behind him. For the first time, their movements showed discipline. A sense of collective obedience.

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Outside the barracks, the recruits stood lined up in the bitter cold, shivering with exhaustion and hunger. Zheng Sanpao approached Chen Xiwa.

“Private Chen Xiwa.”

“Here!”

Chen Xiwa’s back straightened, his voice loud and clear.

“What is the military?”

Zheng Sanpao’s question caught him off guard.

Chen Xiwa hesitated, then shook his head, clueless.

“You, over there.”

Zheng Sanpao pointed at another recruit.

“Here!”

“What is the military?”

“Sergeant, I… I don’t know.”

Finally, Zheng Sanpao’s gaze landed on Lin Yi.

“Lin Yi.”

“Here!”

Lin Yi stepped forward, his voice unwavering.

“The military is a disciplined force, forged from steel.”

“Well said.”

Zheng Sanpao’s gaze swept across the recruits.

“Look at you all. Do you think you could defeat an invading force?”

“All you do is eat.”

“Some of you even dare to grumble.”

“Since you’re not tired yet—five kilometres, cross-country. Move out!”

“Sergeant!”

Zhuang Yan shouted.

Zheng Sanpao sighed, clearly irritated.

“Step forward.”

Zhuang Yan marched out of formation, his voice firm.

“This was my mistake.”

“I will take the punishment alone.”

Zheng Sanpao’s eyes narrowed.

“I’ve said this before.”

“One person makes a mistake—everyone pays the price.”

“Then let me take their punishment.”

Zhuang Yan stood tall.

“There are nine of us. Five kilometres each. That’s forty-five kilometres total.

“I will run all of it.”

Zheng Sanpao’s jaw tightened.

His finger jabbed against Zhuang Yan’s chest.

“Is this your idea of heroism?”@@novelbin@@

“This is not about you alone.”

“This is a unit.”

“A collective.”

“Sergeant, please.”

Zhuang Yan’s voice didn’t waver.

“Let me bear it. I don’t want to burden my brothers.”

“Sergeant!”

Lin Yi’s voice rang out from the ranks.

“May we begin our run?”

Zheng Sanpao smirked slightly.

“Go.”

“Yes, Sergeant!”

Without a second thought, Lin Yi led the charge, jogging onto the track. One by one, the recruits followed, leaving Zhuang Yan standing alone. In the fading daylight, their figures stretched long against the track.

“Do you understand why they’re doing this?”

Zheng Sanpao’s voice softened, but only slightly.

“Because they are your comrades.”

“And by taking their punishment, you dishonour them as soldiers.”

“Now, you have a choice.”

“Stand here like a fool.”

“Or run with them.”

Zhuang Yan clenched his jaw, his gaze locked onto the figures running in the sunset.

Finally, he exhaled sharply—and took off after them.

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“Brothers!”

“Let’s sing!”

Lin Yi’s voice echoed across the track.

“I’ll start!”

“Our army marches toward the sun…”

“Ready, sing!”

“Our army marches toward the sun,

Our feet tread upon our motherland’s soil,

We carry our nation’s hopes on our backs,

We are an invincible force…!”

Their voices soared, harmonising with the crimson hues of the sunset.

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For the first time, Zhuang Yan felt something different inside him, something deeper than frustration, something stronger than pride. If there was one thing worth remembering about military life, it wasn’t the hardships; it was the brotherhood, the shared struggles, the unyielding bond between comrades.

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From afar, Zheng Sanpao watched the recruits running beneath the setting sun. A rare smirk curled at his lips. He had already made a decision. In most recruit training programs, it took at least a month before a Vice Squad Leader was selected. Only outstanding recruits were chosen. But in the Wolf Fang Battalion, history was about to be made.

For the first time ever, a recruit would be promoted after just five days. And that recruit was—

Lin Yi.