[COD] Newbie's Rise to Power

It was already evening when I received Koenig's reply.

You've already finished showering, and your wet hair is being blown by the wind.

A message suddenly popped up on my phone.

Koenig: [yn, sorry, something unexpected happened, I'm only seeing this message now.]

You stop blow-drying your hair and start replying.

Have you returned to base yet?

You guessed he was probably on an emergency mission, so you didn't ask any more questions, just whether he came back safely.

Koenig: [We'll be there soon. Are you feeling better?]

Your heart warms; he was thinking of your health even while on a mission. What a kind person he is.

[I was just about to mention this when I heard you were the one who took me to the medical room. I wanted to thank you, but I couldn't find you.]

Koenig: [No need for special thanks, it was help between friends.]

Although it was a polite remark, you could almost picture his big blue eyes staring at you expectantly.

He expects praise, for some reason, you think.

Someone mentioned Koenig to you before.

His solitary and courageous nature, coupled with his violent and efficient methods on the battlefield, earned him the title of "war machine."

Such a large body, yet incredibly agile, and with such casual equipment, suggests that he doesn't value much protection, or rather... doesn't need it.

He was undoubtedly intelligent, and somewhat arrogant.

Who isn't afraid of death? Even the poorest person wouldn't hesitate to buy themselves protective gear, which shows that they are very confident in their abilities.

But this same person becomes a different person off the battlefield, silent and lonely, so awkward that he seems unable to fit in with anyone.

But his blue eyes were full of expectation, as if saying: Come on, come closer to me, choose me.

He silently longed for someone to enter his world.

Rather than saying Koenig craved friends, it would be more accurate to say he craved recognition—recognition of his existence and his difference.

As his friend, you naturally hope to give him the sense of recognition he needs.

And gratitude and praise are also a form of recognition, which he might need.

You arranged to meet him at the shooting range, where there are no people at night, and they've been setting up the training area recently, so some lights will be left on.

You picked up the unopened box from the bedside table, made an excuse to go to the bathroom, and secretly ran out.

You can't let them know you're close to Koenig for now, or you'll be interrogated again.

When you arrive at the firing range, Koenig is already sitting on a wooden crate, waiting.

His hand rested on the wooden box, his fingers tapping rapidly, whether from impatience or anxiety, it was hard to tell.

You whisper his name: "König!"

Then I jogged over to him.

Koenig turned around after hearing the voice, but froze when he saw you.

"What are you staring at? Don't you recognize me?"

You felt uncomfortable under his gaze. You've changed into your pajamas and your hair is down, which is definitely different from your usual style.

Koenig shook his head: "No, I just didn't expect you to see me like this."

You replied with a smile: "Because I just finished taking a shower, and then your message came in."

As you were speaking, you looked around, wanting to find a place to sit.

He seemed to have read your mind and jumped off the wooden crate.

"You can sit here."

As he spoke, he took out a piece of cloth from his waist pouch, the purpose of which was unknown, and covered the box with it.

Then he looked at you and said, "Here's a clean cloth for you to sit on, so you don't get your pajamas dirty."

You wonder, "And what about you?"

He walked a few steps away and brought over another wooden box.

"I'll sit here."

"Okay." You didn't refuse and sat down in the seat he politely offered you.

Then you begin your carefully prepared praise.

"König, thank you so much for yesterday. I heard you stayed by my side for a long time and were worried about me even when you had to go out. You are so thoughtful and a very good friend."

Koenig lowered his head: "Is this all you need to do? I only took you to the medical room; there's nothing else I can do to help."

"Hey!"

You interrupted him: "It's already amazing that you were able to take me to the medical room! The training ground is more than 300 meters away from the medical room. Luckily you're tall and strong; someone else might not have been able to carry me there in one go!"

His eyes widened as he looked at you: "You...you know I carried you there? You don't mind?"

You wonder, "Why should I mind? You're helping me."

He shook his head, then murmured, "I forgot... you're different."

You couldn't quite hear what he was saying, and you didn't bother to pay attention to what he was saying. Instead, you took out what you had been hiding behind your back.

"Look, here's your thank-you gift!"

Koenig took it blankly, and said incredulously, "For me?"

You nodded: "Let's open it and see if we like it."

Actually, it was already quite obvious on the packaging box with the cartoon pattern printed on it, but he still opened the box with anticipation in his eyes.

He took out a small, fluffy doll.

The doll is blue overall and has a pair of cute, upright rabbit ears, but it also has a row of evil shark teeth, making it look both cute and fierce.

Curious, you ask him, "So, how is it? Do you like it?"

I don't know if it's because of the different world, but this doll was produced two years earlier here. When you see it, you subconsciously think of Koenig, so you buy one.

Koenig gently stroked the small doll with his large hands, uttering words of admiration.

"Es ist wirklich...Es ist wirklich süss!"

You are confused and don't understand.

It should be German.

"what?"

Koenig turned to you and explained, "I mean, it's just so cute."

You get feedback and are happy.

"Right? It comes in many colors. I specifically chose the blue one because it looks a lot like your eyes."

Koenig, holding the doll, asks you, "Do you...like my eyes?"

You nod: "It's beautiful, and it's rare in my country."

He looked at you and said seriously:

"Your eyes are beautiful too, but you've gotten so used to them that you've overlooked their beauty."

You exclaimed, "That's normal. People always pursue rare things, ignoring the beauty of what's common. How curious..."

You tilt your head, stare intently at him, and then ask softly:

"Your eyes are so beautiful, what do you look like under the mask?"

Koenig suddenly froze and turned his head.

"It's late, let me take you home."

His reaction was as you expected; it seems he still doesn't trust you enough.

Or rather... lack of self-confidence.

"Sorry, I was just saying it as an observation, I didn't mean you had to see it. You're pretty cool doing it this way."

You quickly tried to make amends and comfort him.

He nodded: "Yes, I...I'll take you back."

Look how nervous he is, he's started stammering again.

You ask him cautiously, "Are you angry?"

He quickly shook his head: "No! I just... I just wasn't ready yet."

It's good that you nodded; you're not angry.

"Let's go, let's go back to sleep."

After dropping you off at your dorm building, Koenig parted ways with you and went upstairs.

Open the door to the room, turn on the light, and the first thing you see is a pile of plush toys on the bedside table.

He removed his equipment, then carefully placed the blue doll on the bedside table, tapping its tiny nose with his large finger.

"Luo Ning."

This is its name.

Chapter 23: Urban Warfare Exercise

[Group A, Assault Troopers]

This is your role in this exercise.

You didn't make it to the end in the last jungle battle, so you must perform better this time!

"yn, you're in Group A too."