[COD] Newbie's Rise to Power

But instead of leaving as usual, everyone stepped forward and shook hands with Keegan.

It's a farewell to him, and also a way of thanking him for his guidance during this time.

You were the last to walk over. You were all wearing masks, which covered your mouths and noses, obscuring most of your expressions. You just stared at each other silently with your empty eyes.

You step forward and extend your hand to him.

"Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to seeing you again."

You take the initiative to say goodbye to him.

Keegan's gloved hand clasps yours.

"We'll meet again, kid..."

He called out the last name in a very soft voice, which was then blown away by the cold wind in the next second.

When your clasped hands parted, his fingers curled slightly, brushing against your palm—a silent expression of his lingering affection for you...

ch.227: Golden Snake Entangled

The day after Keegan left, snowflakes began to fall, as if officially announcing the arrival of winter.

Everyone at the base started 'dressing up', setting up the stage for the performance, arranging seats and dining areas, hanging ribbons and lights, and preparing food for the evening.

You hold the ladder and let Koenig hang the lights on a fir tree. Teammates are also decorating the other trees nearby, preparing to turn them into giant Christmas trees.

Nikoto, who was good with his hands, quietly wove several deer-shaped ornaments out of branches and wire in a corner. Then his teammates took them and put them in various corners of the base.

Wang Zhiqiang, because it was Christmas Eve, insisted on improving your meals and rolled up his sleeves to go to the base's kitchen.

Ghost and Soap drove back to base, bringing back a bunch of items to buy.

Despite the cold weather, everyone's breath exhaled white mist with a sense of joy.

As darkness fell, you glanced toward the base entrance countless times.

Kruger...he hasn't come back yet.

You turn on your phone, and the last message the other person replied to was four hours ago, saying they were already on their way back and expected to make it in time for dinner.

Feeling uneasy, you send the message again.

[Kruger, aren't you here yet?]

But after waiting for more than ten minutes, you still haven't received a reply from him.

Keegan did send you a message, telling you that he has rejoined the squad and is about to go eat.

Your already melancholy mood is further amplified by the news of your departure.

But you didn't want to spread this negative emotion during this happy holiday, so you edited a blessing and sent it to Keegan, along with a cheerful emoji.

I put my phone away, picked up the excess discarded materials from the ground, and put them into a bag.

Then, you take the bag and throw it into the base's garbage collection point.

However, on the way back, as I turned a corner, I heard a familiar voice.

"Got you."

You paused, turned your head to look at the source of the sound, and sure enough, you saw Kruger, whom you hadn't seen for a long time.

He was still wearing his combat uniform, leaning lazily against the wall. A green net covered his entire head, so you couldn't see his expression, but you could feel his intense gaze fixed on you.

Seeing that you were just looking at him without saying anything, Kruger took the initiative to move closer to you, his arms crossed in a very casual manner.

"You were so excited to see me that you couldn't speak?"

You frowned and let out a cold snort:

"I have nothing to say to people who come back but don't reply to messages."

The fact that he's here now proves he was almost at the base a dozen minutes ago, yet he hasn't replied to your messages...

Kruger leaned closer to you and made a teasing remark with a hidden meaning:

"Oh~ you care so much? Are you worried about me, sweetheart?"

This time, however, you didn't avoid his words, but instead spoke frankly and directly:

"That's right, but you don't seem to need it."

Kruger immediately grabbed your hand and, unusually, softened his tone to coax you.

"Yes, I appreciate your attention and concern, my little squirrel."

You glare at him: "So, you deliberately didn't reply to my messages?"

Kruger shook his head: "No, I just fell asleep in the car. You know, I just finished a mission and rushed back here without taking a break in between."

Only after he said that did your complexion finally improve.

At least he came back safely.

Seeing your expression soften, Kruger immediately took out a small black box from his waist bag and handed it to you.

"A Christmas present for you, little squirrel."

You exclaimed in surprise, "Aren't we exchanging gifts tomorrow?"

Kruger scoffed, "I don't want it to be placed with certain people's gifts, so I'm giving it to you ahead of time!"

You reached out and took the square box from his hand, saying, "But I didn't bring a return gift with me."

Kruger waved his hand dismissively, saying, "Give it to me tomorrow, it's fine too."

Suddenly, he changed his tune: "But... I would be even happier if I could exchange the gift for your kiss."

You offer a polite smile: "No."

After a few seconds of silence, Kruger urged you to open the gift box.

You hesitate: "Unwrap the gift in front of you? That seems a bit impolite..."

Kruger: "I don't mind. I want to see your satisfied smile. I'm sure you'll like this gift."

You slightly raised your eyebrows, so confident?

This immediately piqued your curiosity, making you want to see what gift he chose.

Raise your other hand and gently open the black gift box you are holding.

Familiar, golden, yet novel...

A round gold bracelet appears before your eyes.

It was the gold bracelet you gave Kruger as 'reward' when you first met him, in order to get him to take you out of the forest!

However, the bracelet has been changed. In addition to its original simple shape, there is now a golden snake that is wrapped around it, and the eyes of the snake's head are inlaid with green gemstones.

You look up at him with a puzzled expression, silently asking for an answer.

Kruger patiently explained, "It was too plain in its original form. I thought about changing it directly, but you said it was a coming-of-age gift from your parents, so I had to find a craftsman to add an extra decoration."

After hearing what he said, you carefully examined the bracelet and found that the golden snake was only wrapped around the bracelet and had not damaged or stuck to the bracelet body.

but...

You became even more curious: "It's exquisite, but why choose a snake?"

Shouldn't most people choose flowers or cute animals as gifts?

Kruger raised his hand, took out a gold bracelet from the gift box with one hand, and took your hand with the other to put it on your wrist.

"Although many views about snakes are negative, they are also a symbol of healing and regeneration. I hope that you can survive time and time again on the dangerous battlefield."

In many myths, snakes, though associated with evil, are also linked to healing and vitality. Therefore, the World Health Organization and medical institutions in many countries have adopted the snake as their logo, making it a universal symbol in international medicine.

Kruger gave you this golden snake perhaps in the hope that you will be resilient and live a healthy life.

As darkness fell completely, a commotion arose in the distance, and the colorful lights that had been arranged were lit up at the same time, resembling a hazy galaxy.

And Kruger finally slipped the bracelet onto your wrist.

The dim light shone into his eyes, imbuing them with a touch of tenderness.

Merry Christmas Eve, yn.

He spoke softly, offering you his blessings.

You smiled and responded to his blessing: "Merry Christmas Eve, Kruger."

Kruger suddenly asks you, "Do you know what people do on Christmas Eve in our country?"

ch.228: His Hymn

Curious, you ask him, "The others at the base say they have meals together, and some even pray. Is there something special about you guys?"

Kruger said softly, “It’s not that special, it’s just that we sing carols together with our families on Christmas Eve.”

You're a little curious: "What kind of hymn?"

Kruger gave a long, soft "hmm," then raised his hand and lifted his mesh mask, revealing his face, which was covered by an elastic face mask, and his naturally sharp eyes.

Slowly, his clear voice, imbued with a unique sensuality, began to ring out...

Stille nacht heilige nacht

(A quiet night, a sacred night)

Alles schlaft einsam wacht

(All things slumber in silence)

Nur das traute hochheilige paar

(Only a holy companion protects you)

Holder knabe im lockigen haar

(The child has soft, flowing hair)

Schlaf in himmlischer ruh