Chapter 58: 57 Only I Can Pressure Others, Not the Other Way Around

The next few days passed without incident, and Qi Ming’s Star Grant points reached 4.

Hui Mei noticed that over these days, Zhu Xingtuan’s expression toward Qi Ming was somewhat unnatural.

Qi Ming remained as usual, keeping watch on Sedic Technology’s situation.

When he heard that Masaki Keigo had been caught off guard and was now flustered, his face darkening as the investigation team arrived, he was greatly satisfied.

That afternoon, new developments occurred.

An abnormal tremor struck a quarry on the outskirts of Tokyo, and the Victory Team was requested to respond.

Zhu Xingtuan cleared his throat: “Kishida, and Qi Ming—you two go. Any problem?”

He looked at Qi Ming, seeking his opinion.

Qi Ming’s expression was calm: “I’m fine.”

Kishida nodded in agreement.

On the way to the hangar together, Kishida glanced around and, seeing no one nearby, whispered: “Keep your cool later—fighting in the cockpit isn’t a joke.”

He feared that, if things went wrong, Qi Ming might literally send him flying through the air.

Qi Ming: “Am I really that bad a person?”

Kishida nodded instinctively, then quickly shook his head.

…………………………

The yellow Hien-1 flew through the stratosphere; seated in the rear, Qi Ming listened to the sharp shriek of wings tearing through the air, his eyes fixed on Kishida’s hands manipulating the control stick.

“Could he really learn just by watching?” The thought flashed through Kishida’s mind.

In the past, he would have said it was impossible.

But after witnessing Qi Ming’s many abilities, he was beginning to doubt.

So he cleared his throat and began explaining: “This is the control stick—it adjusts the control surfaces on the wings and tail…”

As he spoke, Zhu Xingtuan’s voice came over the intercom:

“Plan changed—the quarry has produced a kaiju!”

“Prepare for attack. Nishijo and the others are en route in Hien-2.”

Well, no need for reconnaissance—the kaiju had already burst from underground.

Kishida immediately pushed the throttle to full speed; upon arrival, the figure waving a whip before him was instantly recognized by Qi Ming.

It was Gudun! He would never mistake this laborer-class kaiju.

Kishida: “This is Kishida. Hien-1 has arrived on scene. What’s the status of civilian evacuation?”

Hui Mei at base: “All personnel have been evacuated.”

Kishida: “Good!”

He prepared to show off his skill to Qi Ming, the “flight novice,” and demonstrate his superior technique.

“Shhh! Shhh! Shhh!”

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

Hien-1 continuously fired green spike missiles, striking Gudun’s body with bursts of sparks and violent shaking.

It could not fly and had almost no anti-air capability, leaving it defenseless against the assault.

After enduring one-sided bombardment for a while, Gudun realized it could not stay—preparing to dig back underground and flee.

“This is a remote quarry with no nearby buildings, and everyone’s been evacuated—perfect chance to use the powerful Anti-Kaiju Missile to eliminate it in one strike,” Kishida was now fired up.

Meanwhile, Qi Ming scanned the battlefield surroundings.

“Gudun appearing at the quarry, Kishida in one plane—there’s still one missing factor… here it comes!”

Qi Ming tugged Kishida’s sleeve: “Kishida, urgent situation—you must know: a girl with a bug net is running toward Gudun.”

Kishida froze: “What nonsense! Everyone’s been evacuated!”

In the original Jack series, Shogo Goto was in the plane with Kishida; Kishida ordered him to fire the missile, but Shogo, due to Jack’s super-vision, spotted the girl and refused to fire.

He was then harshly reprimanded.

“Are you still asleep? Didn’t you say no one was around?” “Don’t think you can get away with such a pretty excuse.” “Punish Goto for his mistake.”

In the end, Shogo was confined to quarters for three days.

Now, it was Qi Ming’s turn to face this situation.

Try to pressure me? Sorry—only others get to raise their glasses to me.

Qi Ming didn’t hesitate—he forcefully shoved a pre-prepared telescope against Kishida’s face: “See it now?”

“It’s real!” Kishida’s face darkened instantly.

He spoke into the comms: “Commander, emergency— a child wearing a yellow cap has entered the combat zone. Both Kishida and Qi Ming have confirmed it. Now…”

Qi Ming took over: “Now fire the missile and eliminate the kaiju.”

After speaking, he was about to push the control rod to launch the missile at the already locked target, Gudun.

Kishida nearly lost his wits and frantically stopped him: “Qi Ming, what are you doing!”

Qi Ming: “Of course eliminating the kaiju.”

Kishida: “Firing the Anti-Kaiju Missile at this range will kill that girl!”

Qi Ming: “But if we don’t kill Gudun here, what if it escapes and reappears in downtown Tokyo?”

“Now, firing the missile kills one girl. If it runs rampant in the city, how many will die?”

Kishida froze, his grip on the control stick trembling as if holding an impossible dilemma.

“Then… why did you stop me just now?” Kishida’s voice was dry.

Qi Ming remained calm: “Because once you’re aware, we’re both accomplices—we share the guilt and responsibility.”

In short—“Kishida did it too.”

Kishida couldn’t bring himself to act, helplessly watching Gudun vanish back underground.

Others in the Victory Team had heard the argument over comms; even Yamana was stunned into silence by Qi Ming’s ruthlessness.

Finally, Zhu Xingtuan’s voice came: “Return to base…”

On the way back, Kishida looked at Qi Ming with terror, convinced the man was a “demon practitioner.”

Too sinister!

Back at base, the command room fell utterly silent; everyone stared at Qi Ming with awe.

Zhu Xingtuan opened his mouth, then closed it. If this had happened earlier, he would have scolded Qi Ming for disregarding life and berated him severely.

But he’d had a tense standoff with Qi Ming a few days ago—he was now considering how to mend their relationship, so he couldn’t openly criticize him.

He cleared his throat and signaled Nishijo Nagi to speak.

Nishijo Nagi nodded, stepping before Kishida with a grim expression: “What are you hesitating for? Why didn’t you follow Qi Ming’s advice and fire the missile? Your mission is to destroy the kaiju!”

Zhu Xingtuan: “?”

He’d intended for Nishijo Nagi to rebuke Qi Ming, to warn him against going so far next time.

But to Nishijo Nagi, who believed “destroying the kaiju comes first,” Qi Ming’s actions were entirely correct!

Kaiju destruction always meant death—so what? Letting it escape now and cause worse damage later?

Right then, she launched into a fierce reprimand of Kishida, who bowed his head, face pale and flushed.

Qi Ming, seeing it was enough, stepped in to defuse the tension:

“Actually, thinking back, perhaps I was too pessimistic—always assuming the worst.”

“After all, our fundamental purpose in fighting kaiju is to protect humanity and preserve peace.”

“If we could find and eliminate the kaiju before it reappears, then Kishida’s approach would have been right.”

At these words, Kishida couldn’t help but glance at Qi Ming with gratitude.

See—he even has to thank me.

(End of Chapter)