ALL NOVEL Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Dutch Oven
Rapi hesitated.
"Commander, perhaps it's best if you don't know."
"Why?" Mo Chen was even more curious now.
Rapi looked like she wanted to speak but held back. "This concerns certain…private matters about commanders."
Private matters? Mo Chen perked up.
"Private? Now I definitely need to know!"
After a moment of silence, Rapi finally explained.
"Commanders are regarded as one of humanity's main forces against the Raptures, bearers of humanity's hope and future…at least, that's the official story."
He nodded. He'd heard this much before.
"But in reality," Rapi continued, sighing, "there's a vast gap between the ideal and the truth."
"A gap?"
"Yes." Rapi began to explain further, confirming Mo Chen's suspicions.
Despite their prestigious-sounding title, commanders are hardly treated with respect by Ark. Just like the Nikkes, commanders are often overlooked.
The so-called "proper training" they receive is barely a year long—far too short to fully understand ground operations, the Raptures, or Nikkes, let alone develop effective tactics.
The focus of the training is mainly psychological, brainwashing commanders into fighting "for the sake of humanity" and instilling them with courage. But in terms of actual skills? They're more disorganized than a ragtag militia.
Mo Chen was stunned.
Is this for real?
As for their combat prowess, it's like a "fart under the covers"—you can smell it, but you can't contain it.
Lacking proper knowledge, most commanders are sent to the battlefield, leading Nikkes without any sense of strategy. Their effect on the battlefield? If not disastrous, then at the very least negligible.
Put it this way: pull someone out of a random training program from a distant region in Africa, and they'd seem like a well-trained force here.
This elite education model naturally results in a sky-high casualty rate for commanders—over 70% on their first mission alone. It's one of the main reasons many commanders avoid active duty.
The other? The pay is dismal.
Commanders don't receive a regular income; they're paid per mission. More work, more pay. Less work, less pay. No work, no food.
"Oh, by the way, do you get paid?" Mo Chen asked, suddenly curious.
If commanders were so destitute, then surely the Nikkes must have it even worse?
"We do." Rapi nodded. "Our compensation is different from commanders'. We receive monthly pay, as we're the frontline fighters against the Raptures and the primary force to reclaim the surface."
"Yep! We get a massive paycheck—almost impossible to spend it all," Anis chimed in sarcastically. "Those big shots in the Central Government are so generous. They give us just enough to buy ten cans of soda daily. I'm always struggling to figure out how to spend it all."
Mo Chen: "…"
It was clear Anis was being sarcastic.
Ten cans of soda? If he estimated based on typical prices, that'd be around 30 credits a day…
Mo Chen was speechless.
Even loan sharks in the real world would seem charitable in comparison. The Ark was utterly heartless!
"What about mission payments? Do you get a share of those?"
"Of course not," Anis replied with a hint of bitterness. "We're just tools, remember? Tools don't get a paycheck. Do you pay your tools?"
Fair point.
Mo Chen nodded slightly.
"Besides, commanders are already dirt-poor. Taking a share would feel like stealing scraps from a stray dog."
Mo Chen: "…"
Was that a roundabout insult?
Realizing what she'd said, Anis quickly backtracked with a playful smile. "Oh, I didn't mean you, Commander."
Mo Chen: "…"
You shouldn't have said anything at all.
"Oh, right, I haven't asked yet." Anis leaned in close, her tone conspiratorial. "Commander, how much did you make on this mission?"
"You didn't get a share, did you?" Mo Chen raised an eyebrow.
"Nope, not a cent. But I'm just curious!" Anis responded like an eager child. "Come on, let me see. It won't cost you anything."
Mo Chen opened his personal account.
The scene before him stunned him.
A string of zeros.
"One hundred million!"
Beside him, Anis exclaimed in shock.
"Hey, this must be fake! That's way too much!"
Mo Chen was also a bit taken aback. Even if he wasn't very familiar with mission payouts, he knew this amount was unusually high.
Rapi explained, "This is the reward for defeating a Tyrant-class Rapture. Each bounty level differs exponentially. It's been many years since Ark managed to take down a Tyrant-class Rapture. This much money is actually reasonable."
"I'm so jealous..."
Anis's gaze was fixed intently on that string of digits, her eyes practically shining with longing.
"Want me to share a bit?" Mo Chen asked.
Anis immediately refused.
"What do you take me for? I won't take someone else's handouts. I've got pride and self-respect!"
"Really?"
"Really!"
"Not like you'd actually give it to me anyway."
Anis huffed and turned away, though her glances kept drifting back over.
So envious!
Mo Chen handed over money to Rapi for supplies, ammo, and equipment, asking her and Anis to handle the shopping. He then headed to another location: the Royal Avenue he'd visited before.
He thought about buying them a little gift, just as a token of appreciation.
He entered a jewelry store.
The store was packed with all sorts of items—rings, necklaces, posters, large stuffed toys, and advanced tech gear, filling the displays with dazzling options.
A sales associate warmly approached him right away.
"Is there anything in particular you're looking for?"
Mo Chen gave a nod.
"I'll just browse for now."
"Of course. Let me know if you need anything."
Unlike the usual sales associates who bombard you with suggestions, this one just stood nearby, respectfully quiet.
Quite professional.
It's no wonder it's a luxury shop, Mo Chen thought approvingly.
He liked some peace while shopping and found it irritating when someone hovered close, chattering away.
Now, what to buy?
As he scanned the counter, he spotted a necklace tucked away in a corner.
A T.T. Star collectible.
Mo Chen suddenly recalled that in the original story, Anis was quite fond of this item, going as far as saving up her allowance to buy it and even wearing it in her bond episode.
He waved over the sales associate and pointed at the necklace.
"I'll take this one."
The associate looked surprised. "You'd like to buy this?"
"Yes, why? Is there an issue?" Mo Chen asked, puzzled.
"No, not at all. If that's your choice, I'll have it wrapped for you."
"Alright."
"Will that be by card or cash?"