Dual Worlds: I Have a Doomsday World

"This thing is worth ten Special Merits. Headquarters has wanted to create them for a long time, but no one ever had the chance to accumulate enough merit. According to the Academy of Sciences, they tried before at the third-class merit stage. If they awarded it without sufficient actual merit, it would instead cause negative effects."

"Your merit is definitely sufficient. In fact, I think you’ve earned more than enough for two of them. As for its specific effects, it’ll take some time before we can see any results."

Worried that Lin Qi would think Headquarters was just placating him, Wang Qiang launched into a long explanation.

Fortunately, Lin Qi had no such thoughts. The fact that it was a Tier Three Extraordinary Item was telling enough. It definitely wasn’t something Headquarters had just thrown together casually.

As for its effect?

Lin Qi was in no hurry to find out.

Just like the previous buffs, all he had to do was remain calm.

If the effect was good, it wouldn’t take long for him to figure it out.

If it wasn’t, then there was no point in dwelling on it.

Two thoughts currently occupied Lin Qi’s mind.

’I finally have enough Tier Three Extraordinary Items!’

’I don’t need to go out of my way to find Extraordinary Items before I reach Tier Four.’

As for the second thought...

"To be honest, I’m a little curious how Headquarters manages to create these things."

This was what Lin Qi was truly focused on!

The Dragon Country Command Headquarters in the Doomsday World was a little too outrageously powerful.

It was one thing to be able to rapidly cultivate Tier Three Extraordinaries, but to be able to artificially create Tier Three Extraordinary Items!

A Wizard Professional would kill for that kind of ability.

Hearing Lin Qi’s question, Ding Yang and Wang Qiang, who were standing to the side, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Ding Yang said, "Major Wang Qiang should know a bit about this."

Without a moment’s hesitation, Ding Yang threw Wang Qiang under the bus.

As one of the leaders of the rescue teams in the Modu Region, he was completely in the dark about matters concerning the top decision-makers at Headquarters.

But Wang Qiang was different. He came from the inner circle; his family had been "red"—dazzlingly so—for generations. That was why Wang Qiang had the opportunity to become an "experimental subject" for Headquarters and one of the first Warriors to receive a Special Merit.

Of course, it wasn’t just his pristine background; Wang Qiang’s own hard work was also essential.

Hearing what Ding Yang said, Wang Qiang didn’t hesitate either.

Lin Qi had already proven his character through his actions. His willingness to risk his life to save Ding Yang showed that he was unquestionably a good person—and a good person with a strong sense of justice.

"This might violate some confidentiality regulations, but Lin Qi isn’t an outsider. I can tell you what I know."

Wang Qiang could be a bit rigid on a normal day, but his mind seemed much more agile at the moment.

"From what I understand, two days before the apocalypse broke out, the Academy of Sciences arranged several operations. Multiple teams were dispatched to remote areas, including Luo Po and Shennong Land. Some teams even went to the Polar Regions. We found some special things—or as we call them now... Extraordinary Items."

"But at the time, the Academy of Sciences didn’t know the apocalypse would happen so suddenly, so they didn’t have time to implement nationwide preventative measures."

"It wasn’t until less than half an hour before the apocalypse that the Academy of Sciences suddenly issued a warning."

"Then the apocalypse hit. Headquarters used the last open window of communication to contact the various regions and establish the rescue team system."

Wang Qiang swallowed before continuing his story.

"What I’m saying might not seem to have much to do with the post-apocalyptic Military Merit System, but as far as I know, the establishment of the system is deeply connected to those Extraordinary Items. In fact, you could say the system is practically a direct application of them."

After finishing, Wang Qiang extended a direct invitation to Lin Qi. "Lin Qi, if you want to understand all this on a deeper level, you should go straight to Headquarters. With your Abilities and contributions, you would undoubtedly receive the full support of the Academy of Sciences."

Lin Qi fell silent for a moment after hearing Wang Qiang’s words.

’Go to Headquarters?’

Lin Qi was actually hesitant.

’If everything Ding Yang and Wang Qiang told me is true, then going to Headquarters would absolutely be more trouble than it’s worth.’

And yet, the Dragon Country Command Headquarters in the Doomsday World was excessively mysterious.

Even if you transplanted the research department from a top Intercontinental Giant Corporation from the Cyber World, they probably couldn’t do better than the research coming out of Headquarters.

At the very least, Lin Qi was certain of one thing: if the Cyber World had a way to easily mass-produce Tier Three Extraordinary Items, the plight of the Wizard Professionals would be nothing like it was today.

With that in mind, Lin Qi was highly suspicious of the level of power Headquarters actually wielded.

"I’ll think about it."

Lin Qi politely declined Wang Qiang’s invitation.

Lin Qi stuck to his original plan.

’I absolutely cannot rush off to Headquarters before I reach Tier Four!’

’Lie low and grow stronger!’

’In the Doomsday World, I just need to focus on short-term gains. The Extraordinary Items I have now are enough!’

’Go to Headquarters?’

’That’s a long-term goal, not something to worry about now!’

Hearing Lin Qi’s refusal, Wang Qiang felt it was a shame.

If Lin Qi’s Abilities could be put to better use at Headquarters, it would be the best thing for the Dragon Country’s current situation.

But Ding Yang had instructed them to respect all of Lin Qi’s choices.

They couldn’t afford to alienate him.

Ding Yang glanced at Wang Qiang, then said to Lin Qi, "Well, I’ve delivered the Dragon Country Medal. I hope it will be of use to you, Lin Qi."

Lin Qi looked up. Hearing Ding Yang’s words, he guessed that the director was preparing to leave.

Lin Qi closed the box in front of him, fastened the clasps, and stood up to face Ding Yang. "Thank you for making the trip, Director Ding."

Ding Yang stood up as well and waved a hand. "Don’t mention it, Lin Qi. It was my duty."

"There’s still a lot to do back at Hongshan Camp, so I’ll be taking my leave."

As Ding Yang walked to the door of the meeting room, Lin Qi gave Wang Ziru a meaningful look.

Wang Ziru immediately stood up, picked up the box for Lin Qi, and then joined him to see Ding Yang out.

After stepping out of the meeting room, Ding Yang suddenly paused. "Oh, right. Silly me, I forgot to mention something."

"Headquarters mentioned that since this is the first time the Dragon Country Medal has been issued since the apocalypse, if you figure out how it works, you must let me know. I have to report back to them."

Delivering the item was a good gesture.

But this request sounded a little like they were using Lin Qi as a test subject.

Ding Yang was a shrewd operator, though. By "forgetting" this detail until now, he made the negative implications seem much less important.

Wang Ziru, who was carrying the box, shot Ding Yang a deep look.

’Damn, I don’t have my notebook on me,’ he thought. ’I should be taking notes right now.’

Lin Qi just nodded and said, "Of course. And if this thing ends up driving me crazy, I’ll have to ask Director Ding to have Headquarters take back this ’divine power’ of theirs."

Lin Qi was making a small joke.

Judging from past experience, Headquarters wouldn’t stoop to antagonizing him like this. After all, they still needed his help to send three more Extraordinary Items to the heavens.

Lin Qi wasn’t too worried about the item’s effects.

Ding Yang smiled in response. "Of course, it won’t come to that."

Joking, Lin Qi and Wang Ziru escorted Ding Yang to the entrance of the Club Activity Building.

They watched as Ding Yang got into a camouflage-painted vehicle from Hongshan Camp. Only then did Lin Qi turn and get into the elevator with Wang Ziru.

Inside the elevator, Wang Ziru held the box, not forgetting to use the opportunity to report to Lin Qi.

"Boss, regarding the camp’s operations, I have some new ideas. I think we need to improve..."

Wang Ziru was brimming with passion for his work, showing no sign that he had just been on the receiving end of Lin Qi’s "Impatient Knife."