Chapter 62: The Test
"All G.I. Joe tests are based on individual combat skills," Scarlett explained as she led the way.
"The tests mainly consist of marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and vehicle operation, and also include demonstrations of teamwork and emergency response scenarios." The two took an elevator to a virtual shooting range.
Scarlett handed Mason a simulated rifle, identical in appearance and weight to a real weapon. Once ready, Mason, carrying an electronic testing device, entered the range.
In Mason's previous life, he was just an ordinary person who had never handled a gun. However, thanks to his experiences in the Captain America world, he became basically familiar with firearms operation.
Furthermore, the Super Soldier Serum comprehensively enhanced Mason's physical attributes in terms of heightened perception and agility.
This allowed him to transform from an ordinary person with mediocre marksmanship into a marksman who rarely missed a shot.
While he still had some way to go compared to those truly elite shooters who were exceptionally gifted and had undergone rigorous training, he was perfectly capable in normal operations.
To be honest, Mason's current marksmanship was entirely due to his superior physical abilities. Fortunately, his recent frenzy of participation in various operations had further honed his firearms skills.
Mason wore special protective gear, not for defense, but as a feedback mechanism against electronic enemies.
He was conducting raids and hostage rescues in a completely simulated space, with enemies and hostages automatically generated by the system.
The enemies weren't firing bullets, but rather electronic signals. When these signals struck Mason's armor, they activated, releasing a powerful electric current capable of stunning a person.
Once a test subject was struck by this current, it meant they had been hit, and the test automatically ended.
"Are you ready? Your mission is to rescue hostages and eliminate the hostiles in this building. Be careful to distinguish between hostages and hostiles. If you hit a hostage, your armor will also activate, the operation will terminate, and the mission will fail."
"You have three attempts—the best result will count toward your test score," Scarlett repeatedly reminded him.
After adjusting the test terminal, Heavy Duty said, "Kid, I can't wait to see you get your ass handed to you." Without waiting for Mason's response, he pressed the start button.
"Mason, watch out!"
Mason had been listening intently to Scarlett's explanation, never expecting Heavy Duty to suddenly start the test. A flash of light appeared before his eyes, and the previously empty test room was now filled with numerous 3D projections.
Without thinking, he raised his gun and fired.
Rat-a-tat!
A burst of fire shot from the muzzle, taking down the nearest hostile. Just as the first enemy was eliminated, a hostile holding a hostage appeared in the distance.
Mason didn't panic. His enhanced mental and sensory abilities allowed him to quickly regain his composure. He adjusted his aim and fired several more rounds.
He was astonished to find that the entire test space was filled with countless projection systems, and the beams of light from these systems formed realistic holographic figures. Even more ingeniously, these figures moved with the projection units and even performed other actions.
They were practically indistinguishable from real people.
"Heavy Duty, what are you doing? Do you know that what you're doing violates the fairness of the test?!" Scarlett questioned, frowning.
Heavy Duty crossed his arms and replied nonchalantly, "In real combat, the enemy won't wait for you to be ready before attacking."
At that moment, Mason rushed forward at lightning speed, taking down four hostiles in just five or six seconds. He
eliminated an opponent per second on average, his expression cold, his movements terrifyingly stable. His marksmanship wasn't particularly refined, and he couldn't consistently get headshots—it generally took three rounds to take down an opponent.
Unlike the distinct personal styles of the sharpshooters Scarlett knew, Mason's marksmanship was extremely concise, mechanical, and repetitive, even somewhat monotonous, but incredibly efficient.
This allowed him to maintain a terrifying accuracy rate even while moving at high speed.
"One hundred percent accuracy! So far, he hasn't missed a single shot! How is he doing that?!" Scarlett exclaimed in astonishment.
You see, she herself is a sharpshooter, capable of delivering shots that are nothing short of miraculous when highly focused. While she can maintain a high level of consistency for a certain period, this consistency is relative and still subject to fluctuations.
But Mason is different—he's as stable as a flatline, his focus as solid as steel, seemingly tireless.
"We've hit the jackpot this time! As long as the other components aren't too bad, he'll definitely pass the test!"
"Looks like we're welcoming a new team member!" In just a few seconds, Scarlett had assessed Mason's abilities and said excitedly.
Heavy Duty, however, showed little enthusiasm. "Scarlett, you've seen this guy's previous records. His performance in the French counter-terrorism unit wasn't even half of what it is now, right?"
"Don't you find that suspicious?" A hint of concern appeared in Heavy Duty's eyes.
"What's there to be suspicious about? I think you've had a similar experience, right? After a period of intense training, your performance suddenly improves dramatically."
"Mason is probably experiencing that!"
Heavy Duty didn't say anything, but quietly flipped a switch on the control panel.
Mason rushed forward at lightning speed. In fact, his marksmanship wasn't as terrifying as it looked—he had simply found the trick to it.
Because it was a simulated environment, everyone here, whether hostiles or hostages, was formed by 3D projections.
With his powerful perception, Mason could often detect the movement of the 3D projection systems on the walls and ceiling before the figures even appeared.
With this mental preparation, his reaction speed became much faster, which is why he displayed a terrifying marksmanship that even Scarlett, a professional sharpshooter, found astounding.
For ordinary people, facing a potential enemy in an unfamiliar environment already consumes most of their attention—how could they notice the details of the mechanical devices?
Only an enhanced person like Mason could calmly handle this situation.
Mason climbed onto a low platform. He had already sensed two devices moving toward his location, but when he shot an enemy and turned around, he found that there wasn't just one enemy behind him,
but four!
The projection device on the ceiling behind him hadn't moved, yet it had been activated simultaneously, projecting four enemies!
"Heavy Duty, what are you doing!" Scarlett had clearly also noticed the anomaly and demanded sharply.
Heavy Duty's face was grim as he stared intently at Mason in the center of the room.
[Reader Support Milestones]
500 Power Stones → +2 Chapters
10 Reviews → +1 Chapter
Enjoyed the read? Leave a review.
20+ advanced chapters on P2treon DarkFoxx