The Medallion
Chapter 185 The Great Courage

"Commander, I recall that you just reduced Rocky to be a breeder at the beast farm. He has no position over the sixth team once you did that. Why did you promote him to be the leader of the first team so soon? I don't think it's appropriate," one of the Deputy Commanders said in objection.

In theory, since Evan was transferred, the leader of the first team would typically be selected from among the members of the team. It was the standard protocol, and it was really unusual that Marin appointed Rocky as the leader of the first team. This decision came off as terribly was irrational.

All of the other team leaders were quite unconvinced. Evan's transfer had affected them greatly. They were wracked with fear and dared not openly communicate an outright protest to Rocky's promotion. Hearing the Deputy Commander voice their concerns, they all nodded in agreement, hoping that Marin would revoke her order.

Originally, they all had a chance to fill the position that Evan had so suddenly lost. Though because of Rocky the first team had lost three members and Evan had been transferred, the remaining four members were all outstanding spirit manipulators. The first team had always been the strongest group in the northeast military camp. Since it was now severely lacking in members, it would certainly be reorganized. Because of this, only a powerful spirit manipulator could assume the position of its leader and take on the responsibilities. What concerned everyone the most was that typically, the team leader of the first team was usually a candidate for the position of Deputy Commander. It was well known to all that if the team leader of the first team performed well, in several years he would be promoted as the Deputy Commander of a small military camp. This was the biggest dream for most spirit manipulators in the military.

"I ordered the appointment after a long time of questioning and consideration. The war is nearly at hand. You all know it's a time when persons of capability will be greatly needed. When I went to the supreme headquarters a few days ago, I was informed that the Holy Dragon Empire was about to make war on the Timber Deity Empire. All the armies are waiting for the order of His Majesty. It's just a matter of time. After the disturbance, the power of the teams here in the northeast military camp was greatly damaged. That's why I didn't transfer Deputy Commander Chen and chose to keep him in his position rather than dismiss him. Only an exceedingly powerful spirit manipulator is qualified to be the leader of the first team. Who of you can rival Rocky?" Marin explained, her sharp eyes scanning through the other team leaders.

Hearing Marin's words, everyone shifted uncomfortably. It was clear that Marin's arguments were beyond their means of protest. They witnessed that Rocky at the second grade of the Earthly Stage defeated and even managed to wound Evan, who was at the third grade of the Earthly Stage. It was indisputable that Rocky was the most capable candidate to become the leader of the first team. No one else's power was anywhere close to Rocky's.

"Rocky, if you don't have any problem with that, you can come back tomorrow. Anyway..." Marin said straightforwardly, not noticing Rocky's cold stare.

"Yes, I have a problem. I refuse to be the leader of the first team." Rocky crossed his arms as he made this startling statement.

All the people including Marin were stunned. Among the other team leaders, Rocky's words provoked glee. They all thought that Rocky was a fool who didn't see the opportunity right in front of him. They never expected that he would have turned down such a good opportunity, but who were they to complain? His declination fit in perfectly with their wishes. In this way, they would still stand a chance to be the leader o the first team.

"Why?" Marin questioned. Never could she have anticipated that her commission would be rebuffed by Rocky without hesitation. She was perplexed and a bit irate.

It seemed that Rocky was not in the mood to explain anything to them. He turned to Marin and said curtly, "Commander, I won't hinder you since you are busy." Rocky nodded and sharply turned away before the others realized what was happening. They were left astounded.

"You perverse imp," Marin muttered with furrowed brows.

When Rocky walked out of the tent, Deputy Commander Chen followed him and stopped him.

"Oh, Sir. What seems to be the matter?" Rocky asked icily.

"Rocky, I-- Evan manipulated me so I would help him cover up for Matthew... I know you won't forgive me, but I still want to extend an apology to you for my wrongdoing," Deputy Commander Chen said sincerely. The sly and cunning Evan had departed quickly and shrewdly to escape conviction. As a result, Deputy Commander Chen alone carried all the crimes and blame. He knew that if not for the impending war, he would have been booted from this place immediately.

"From your perspective, a man is expected to fight for himself, so you just did what was beneficial to you. Though I won't forgive you, it is good to hear that you have a sense of repentance," Rocky said expressionlessly.

"Why did you refuse to be the leader of the first team? It's a rare chance. With your current ability and your previous management of the sixth team, I know you will be able to accomplish great deeds. It's a pity that you're declining the opportunity," Deputy Commander Chen said hesitantly. He was still rather confused at Rocky's refusal and didn't know how to gauge this mysterious young fellow.

"I have no ambition for that," Rocky replied lightly and walked away, leaving Deputy Commander Chen behind.

"What kind of person is he? He even has such broad vision and striking courage..." Deputy Commander Chen sighed in admiration as he watched Rocky stride away.

Rocky went out of the northeast military camp and went to the lair under the Ghost Village, only to replace that the Dark Heaven Insect had laid a Dark Heaven Egg. Though it was just at the preliminary stage, its growth was much faster than he had foreseen. This misfortune might be a blessing in disguise.

Satisfied that his months-long efforts had paid off, Rocky was in a good mood. He dug two barrows of soil and took out a drop of the magical saliva to reward the Dark Heaven Insect in order to encourage it to make persistent efforts at nesting the egg. For Rocky, one Dark Heaven Insect was far from enough. Therefore, he went back to the northeast military camp to arm himself to replace more Dark Heaven Insects in the Carcass Valley.

He spent two days at two spots. Unfortunately, nothing came his way apart from some wild spirit-manipulated beasts from which he collected some treasures.

On the third day, he was still adamant about his project and refused to give up hope. He went to the last spot in the Carcass Valley where the home to the Dark Heaven Insect was most likely to be.

This particular area was located in the most dangerous region of the Carcass Valley. Due to these conditions, the wild spirit-manipulated beasts living here were far more powerful than Rocky had met before. Some of them were equivalent to the spirit manipulators beyond the Earthly Stage! With so many powerful beasts around, luring the Dark Heaven Insect in this area was hazardous.

However, Rocky had made adequate preparations to cope with any crises. He made a simple trap with the materials he obtained from the wild spirit-manipulated beasts. Along with the Centipede-snake's venom, he seemed quite confident about the capture of another Dark Heaven Insect.

After he organized the trap on his spot of choice, he didn't ask Uriah to carry the magical saliva to lure the Dark Heaven Insect out in case that it would attract several powerful wild spirit-manipulated beasts once a time. Using that old ruse, he would still be distracted. Instead, Rocky decided to use a rope to hang the bottle on a branch of a big tree. He adjusted the rope's length so that the bottle was hung about half a meter above the ground. Then he hid to the side with Uriah and Little Rubygon, waiting for the Dark Heaven Insect to come crashing through the earth.

After about half an hour, several wild beasts came, and none of them were mighty enough to escape from the trap. At their capture, Rocky killed them at his fastest speed, not wanting to keep them suffering. Suddenly, it seemed that all his patience had paid off. Rocky sensed that the ground was shaking. It seemed that something was about to come out of it.

"Is it coming?" Rocky muttered to himself as his eyes remained fixed at the spot right below the bottle with the magical saliva.00000☐☐☐☐☐