The Pacific Ocean.
On the endless sea, several steel warships plowed through the waves, heading towards an American military base.
Jeno stood at the very bow of the ship's deck, silently gazing at the deep blue ocean.
His powerful X-ray vision allowed him to easily see the scenery kilometers beneath the sea's surface.
Among them were sharks circling the warship, waiting for scraps to be tossed overboard.
Urgh!
Logan leaned against the railing, vomiting.
"What's wrong with you? You get seasick too?"
Victor stood beside Logan, grinning widely. Seeing his little brother embarrass himself was a delight.
"Fuck you!"
Logan flipped Victor the bird.
Victor shook his head. "Look at the Boss. He hasn't even budged."
At that moment, Jeno stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the sea. Hearing their conversation, he gave a faint smile at Victor's attempt to suck up.
"Alright, we're almost there."
Jeno rose slightly on his toes, his gaze landing on an island a kilometer away. He could see American soldiers busy preparing, a group pushing boats into the sea, seemingly planning an assault.
The warship soon docked near the island. Jeno led Logan and Victor ashore.
"Let's go. We need to find Major William."
The three quickly located the major's command post.
Jeno pushed aside the tent flap and entered.
The command tent was hazy with smoke.
A group of officers sat on the ground around a map. The bald-headed Major William sat at the head, puffing on a cigarette.
"This time, we should be able to take the island!"
The officers were discussing battle plans. Seeing Jeno suddenly barge in, many were taken aback.
"Hey, Lieutenant! This isn't where you belong!"
William glanced at Jeno, then at the tent entrance, signaling for him to get out.
"Major William, I'm here from the Strategic Scientific Reserve, sent by Colonel Phillips for support."
Jeno handed a document to William.
"'The Boys'?" William frowned. "A squad formed by... superhumans?"
"Are you mocking me?"
William glared at Jeno, his face dark with anger and disbelief. "You and your three misfits think you can support me?"
The officers in the tent laughed along with William.
The looks directed at Jeno were filled with mockery.
Three guys dare call themselves support?
William felt he was losing his mind. He'd requested reinforcements from the Pentagon multiple times, and this was what they sent? Three clowns?
To face the heavily fortified Japanese garrison on Peleliu?
They'd be turned into Swiss cheese by bullets.
William's tone was harsh, his glare venomous. "Get out of my camp right now! I need brave, fearless soldiers, not your bullshit 'superhumans'!"
Two officers stood up and shoved Jeno. But it felt like they were trying to move a mountain.
Their faces reddened as they tried to push Jeno out, but he didn't budge an inch.
Jeno gave a slight shrug. The two officers stumbled backward, drawing jeers from their peers.
"Haha, Sam! You two getting old? Can't even move a kid!"
Ignoring the taunts from the small fry, Jeno stared expressionlessly at William. "I, however, believe my squad is far stronger than your grunts, Major."
His words were a spark in a powder keg.
"Shut your mouth, you bastard!"
William drew his sidearm, aiming it at Jeno's head.
"How dare you insult the men who gave their lives for America!"
But before William could finish,
Whoosh!
Jeno was instantly standing right in front of the major.
William was shocked. This guy is fast!
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Get away from the Major!"
Several officers nervously gripped their own sidearms.
The two men locked eyes. William felt like he was being stared down by some terrifying beast. His hand holding the pistol trembled.
It was an instinctual fear, carved into his genes—fear of an unbeatable predator.
Jeno smiled at William. "Apologies. I'm not targeting anyone here specifically."
"I'm merely stating a fact. Everyone here is just trash who can only hold meetings but can't provide real solutions."
As he spoke, Jeno gently reached out with his right hand and grasped the pistol's barrel.
With just a slight squeeze, the metal barrel deformed like putty, twisting into a crumpled mass of steel in Jeno's grip.
Not just William, but every officer struggled to believe their eyes. This guy crushed a gun barrel with his bare hand?!
"If you don't want more men to die, I suggest you seriously consider letting me join the fight."
After saying this, Jeno released the ruined pistol, smiling at the stunned William and the others. "Also, I hate having guns pointed at me. If there's a next time..."
"Heh."
Jeno gave William a meaningful look, then turned and left the tent.
After Jeno left, William let out a long breath, collapsing into his chair in relief.
Then, a wave of shame and anger washed over him. That damn lieutenant had just threatened him!
Especially that look he gave before leaving.
William had seen that look on the battlefield before. It was the look of someone contemplating murder.
"A threat! A blatant threat!"
The more William thought about it, the angrier he became. He, a major, had been threatened by a mere lieutenant, right in front of all his subordinates! How dare he?!
Taking a deep breath, William forced himself to calm down, his eyes darkening. Just wait, Jeno Wilson. This isn't over.
[New Task: Lead the soldiers to victory in capturing Peleliu Island and earn the adoration of all the troops.]
[Reward: Super Speed Doubled.]
Elsewhere, as Jeno stepped out of the tent, he heard the system's notification. He paused briefly, standing still to contemplate his plan.
Logan and Victor immediately surrounded him.
"Boss, what do we do now?"
Victor licked his lips, eager to start killing.
"What do we do?"
Jeno narrowed his eyes; his plan was formed. He looked at Victor and said, "We wait."
"William doesn't want us in the fight. He thinks we're clowns from a circus. Understand?"
The hot-headed Victor couldn't take it. He extended his sharp claws. "I'll go kill that bastard right now!"
With that, Victor started towards William's tent.
"Stop." Jeno's voice was calm.
Those light words seemed to carry the weight of mountains, pinning Sabretooth Victor in place.
"Kill, kill, kill. That's all you think about."
Jeno sighed, walking over to Victor and patting his shoulder. "The military isn't just about fighting. It's about... navigating relationships."
With that, Jeno clasped his hands behind his back and gazed out to sea. In the distance, countless American soldiers were attempting to land on the island under a hail of gunfire.
However, the dense Japanese defensive fire created a deadly zone. Many Americans were riddled with bullets before even reaching the shore.
Even the seawater near the island was tinged red with blood, attracting sharks whose fins circled the area.
Jeno smiled slightly. It seemed the Americans' defeat was only a matter of time.
All he had to do was wait. Wait until William's assault was completely shattered by the Japanese. After another failure, it would be his time to step in.