Chapter 428 Second Place
For a moment, Talia was at a loss,
This colonel standing before her was none other than the legendary Ernest, one of the top four hand to hand combat experts in the entire military.
Erne
famous for having reached the final championship match in the military's unarmed combar comp... on. He had only lost due to a minor mistake, taking second place instead. His skills were among the best in the army, and he was one of Talia's heroes, There was no way she could call Ernest "garbage
After a brief hesitation, Talia forced an awkward smile. Colonel Rudwick, I was just joking with Mark and the others. I've always admired you-I'd never dare call you garbage. "Your skills are one of a kind in the entire military...
Ernest's face darkened as he pointed at Mark and the others. "Is this a game to you? You just knocked these four down to the ground-was that supposed to be a joke? "Instructor Rudwick, we were just sparring..."Talia fumbled for words, unsure what to say.
Ernest strode over to Mark, Zephyr, and the others, his voice ice-cold, "You fools. I've trained you to be diligent and disciplined, but instead, you get careless, thinking that just because you're in the War Wolf Special Forces, you're unbeatable! "Get out there and look around-there are experts everywhere! With skills like yours, it wouldn't be surprising if War Wolf got disbanded.
"Losing War Wolf's designation would be the least of your worries. If this is how you perform on a mission, you'd end up as casualties! "Now get up! Salute Colonel Cross immediately!"
Mark, Zephyr, and the others scrambled to their feet and stood at attention, giving Talia a crisp salute.
Talia returned the salute and then turned to introduce Ernest, "Instructor Rudwick, this is Major General Ramsey, newly appointed by the Special Operations Military Region Command Headquarters as the chief instructor of War Wolf Special Forces." At her words, every soldier in the arena instantly stood and saluted in respect to the major general. Mark and the others also straightened and saluted.
But Ernest raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't I hear anything about this? Besides, the position of chief instructor for War Wolf Special Forces isn't something just anyone can fill.
"If someone's just using average skills and connections to pull some strings for a title, the soldiers of War Wolf won't respect them!
"As far as I'm concerned, in War Wolf, there's only one chief instructor, and that's Major General Cage. He'll always be our instructor."
Chapter 428 Second Place
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"So, you're saying you're not on board with this?" Robin lifted an eyebrow, locking eyes with Ernest.
Ernest looked Robin over, eyeing his youthful face with a sneer. "Mark and the others were right. I bet you're just here to pad your resume and grab some accolades before War Wolf gets disbanded, so you can head back and get promoted." Robin's voice turned cold, "Quite bold of you. Is that the way a subordinate speaks to a superior? Stand at attention!"
Ernest straightened his posture, though his face was full of disdain. "Sure, you can throw your rank and position around to make me bow, but in War Wolf, what we respect is strength."
Robin let out a short, mocking laugh. "I reviewed the records submitted to me by Military Region. Seems like you once took second place in the entire army-is that enough for you to call yourself an expert?"
Ernest replied proudly, "Winning second place in the military's combat competition is certainly an honor and proof of my skill! As far as I know, you have no such experience."
Robin chuckled. "A hand-to-hand combat coach who only got second place? And you think that's worth being so arrogant about?"
The training field fell silent, almost suffocatingly so.
Robin's cold voice broke the stillness, "Do you know what a second-place finish means on the battlefield?"
Hearing his words, a spark lit up in Talia's eyes, filling her with an intense determination.
In the quiet that followed, she answered firmly, "Sir, on the battlefield, second place means death!"
Ernest's body tensed, a shudder running through him.noveldrama
His eyes blazed with fury. "If that's how you see it, then do you dare face me in a match?
"I'll show you whether my second place means death or victory!"
"No problem." Robin raised an eyebrow. "But someone who only got second place isn't worth my time.
"Colonel Cross!"
"Yes, Sir!" Talia snapped to attention.
"I order you to take on this arrogant second-place finisher!"
"Yes, Sir!" Talia replied immediately.
Ernest was taken aback. "What? You want me to fight her?"
"What's wrong?" Robin's voice was cold. "She's a colonel, and so are you. I could hear the disdain in your tone-who gave you the right to look down on her?
"Didn't you just say that in War Wolf, only strength matters?
"Then show me exactly where your pride comes from!
Chapter 428 Second Place
"Otherwise, stop acting like you're something special. Second place is still just a loss.
"Major Cross, go and defeat him!"
"Me? You want me to defeat him?" Talia was momentarily stunned.
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After all, Ernest was the runner-up in the military's combat competition, a genuine top-tier warrior. "What's the matter?" Robin's voice deepened. "Do you get to choose your opponent on the battlefield? "Remember, no matter how big a name or how high a rank they have, on the battlefield, they're just your enemy.
"When you face an enemy, there's only one possible outcome-there can only be one winner!
"If you can't defeat him, you're as good as dead!"
"Yes, Sir!" Talia turned and saluted Ernest. "Colonel Rudwick, I challenge you. Do you dare to accept it?"
In that moment, Talia felt confidence and passion erupting within her like never before.
For the first time, she felt invincible.
Ernest, however, found himself caught in a difficult position.
If he refused Talia's challenge, it would be humiliating. But if he, the second-best fighter in the entire military, engaged in a bare-handed fight against a newly appointed War Wolf female colonel-even if he won, it would be disgraceful. "Colonel Rudwick, are you afraid?"
Ernest flared up. "Who says I'm afraid?"