Spy-x-War Showdown
Chapter 1021 - 1026: Loss at the Eastern Corner

Chapter 1021: Chapter 1026: Loss at the Eastern Corner

Yang Yi came to the shooting range, and after habitually firing a few hundred rounds, he leisurely strolled over to Ben’s side.

"Hi, Ben."

"Hello, buddy."

Yang Yi said with a relaxed expression, "I would like to invite you to join my team. Has anyone talked to you about this?"

Ben nodded and said, "Yes, someone spoke to me yesterday. They said someone was interested in me, that I could be sent on field assignments. The news was a bit abrupt; I need to think it over. I was supposed to respond today, actually. I knew it was you the moment they mentioned it."

Yang Yi smiled and said, "Yes, I hope you can join my team. What do you think?"

Ben seemed hesitant, exhaling before he said, "I’m undecided, but I don’t really want to go."

Yang Yi was taken aback and said, "You said you’ve been here a long time and are weary of it."

Ben nodded and said, "Yeah, I’ve been here a long time and indeed am weary of it, but what else can I do if I leave here? I’m clear about one thing—I’m not cut out to be an agent. My shooting skills are decent, but that’s at the range. Buddy, I can’t even hunt properly."

Yang Yi was surprised, "What?"

Ben, with a look of dejection, said, "Yes, I’m not even a competent Hunter when it comes to hunting. Being skilled with a gun doesn’t mean everything. I’m just familiar with this place, familiar with everything about this shooting range. There’s no wind, no sunlight, no distractions. My mind is relaxed when I shoot, that’s why I’m accurate. But if you ask me to go on field assignments, buddy, I can’t."

It is valuable to have self-awareness, and Ben was someone who knew himself well, but Yang Yi truly didn’t know that Ben would be out of his element away from the range.

Looking at the astonished Yang Yi, Ben shook his head and spoke softly, "Buddy, I appreciate that you think highly of me, but I’ve decided not to leave this place. Guarding the shooting range might be boring, but it’s stable. I can’t adapt outside of this environment. I... well, I’m not someone who seeks adventure. I know what I can and can’t do. Being a field agent would only get me killed and drag others down. So, thank you for your invite, but I’ll have to decline."

Being skilled with a gun really doesn’t equate to being good in combat. Putting an Olympic shooting champion on a battlefield doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll outperform a veteran soldier. And the likes of Gong Yang, who could be unstoppable with a gun, might not be able to win a championship at a shooting competition—Yang Yi was certainly aware of that.

Indeed, Yang Yi was looking for someone with exceptional shooting skills to have by his side; even if not particularly useful, their presence could be reassuring.

It’s just a pity; Ben was not the person Yang Yi needed.

Not everyone pursues a life of thrills. A calm and stable life is the most typical choice for the vast majority of people in the world.

With a soft sigh, Yang Yi patted Ben’s shoulder, then he said in a low voice, "You’ve made a wise decision."

Ben let out a sigh of relief, "Yeah, I was tempted, but now that I’ve told you my decision, I feel relieved. Seems I’m really not suited for adventure, sorry."

Yang Yi smiled and said, "Not everyone can realize what they want; there’s nothing to apologize for. Well, I won’t disturb you any longer, goodbye."

Ben nodded at Yang Yi, smiling, "Come back to practice your shooting anytime, goodbye."

Yang Yi left the shooting range. He hadn’t expected Ben to refuse his invitation, so he hadn’t prepared a gift for him.

Back in his car, Yang Yi contemplated for a moment, then suddenly took out his phone and called Reggie.

"Hello."

"Reggie, do you want to be a field agent? If you do, I’ll take care of everything else."

Reggie couldn’t quite believe his own ears; he was stunned for a moment before saying, "I want to!"

"Good, wait for the good news."

Yang Yi ended the call, thinking that it would be proper to give Hegelhaus a heads-up, since he was about to poach his assistant. But after some thought, he felt a bit embarrassed to do so and decided instead to directly call Aaron.

"Sir, sorry to bother you, but I need your help with something. Here’s the deal, we don’t need Ben from the shooting range anymore; he’s not cut out for field work. But there’s someone from the training camp called Reggie, he’s Mr. Hegelhaus’s assistant."

Aaron responded indifferently, "Understood."

After the call, Yang Yi knew the matter was as good as settled.

He wanted Ben, but Ben wasn’t forthcoming; he hadn’t set his sights on Reggie, but now Reggie was about to become his subordinate—it was like missing the target on one side but harvesting on another.

Why Reggie? Because Reggie was a capable assistant. Even if he couldn’t fly a plane, he could still serve as an assistant just like now. And Yang Yi currently didn’t have a single reliable person under him—just Ferguson, who might not wholeheartedly trust him.

Why did Yang Yi need Ferguson? For no other reason than that since Aaron had reassigned him, Ferguson must be someone Aaron trusted.

Not knowing whom Aaron trusted, and since Aaron hadn’t actively assigned anyone to Yang Yi, Yang Yi had no choice but to choose Ferguson.

Moreover, since Ferguson was specifically brought back to deal with Yang Yi, Yang Yi certainly didn’t mind throwing a spanner in the works.

Now that Yang Yi had picked up some bad habits, he enjoyed the sight of people being annoyed at him but unable to do anything about it. Besides, no matter how senior Ferguson was, upon arrival, he still had to obediently follow Yang Yi’s orders. The feeling was splendid.

As for Aaron, he indeed was a man for great undertakings, a perfect boss, who not only placed complete trust in his people but also met all of Yang Yi’s needs to the fullest. Regardless of whether this was actually the case, at the very least, he made his stance clear. If Yang Yi wasn’t approaching Aaron with any particular agenda, he would have to serve Aaron with undying loyalty.

Yang Yi’s phone rang, and he answered the call. Then he heard Ferguson, in a cold and emotionless voice, say, "This is Ferguson. I have collected the necessary equipment and I am now reporting to you as ordered."

Ferguson didn’t sound too friendly, but there was nothing to pick on either. Yang Yi responded with warmth, "Where are you? I’ll come and pick you up, and then we can meet at my place. Before we officially start the mission, we need to have a talk."

"I’m at the headquarters."

Yang Yi glanced at his watch, "I’ll be at headquarters’ parking lot in twenty minutes. Wait for me there."

Ferguson replied in the same emotionless tone, "Yes, sir."

Sir, it felt nice to be called sir.

Yang Yi smiled and turned on the car stereo, laughing as he stepped on the gas and raced off.

The parking lot was quickly in sight; Yang Yi spotted Ferguson from afar at the entrance of the parking lot. He stopped his car beside Ferguson, took off his sunglasses, and loudly greeted, "Hello, buddy."

Ferguson’s face was still expressionless, but after looking at Yang Yi, he finally couldn’t help but say, "You’re coming to work in a Ferrari?"

Yang Yi shrugged, "Any problem with that?"

Ferguson exhaled, "No problem, just that I don’t think your car can fit all our equipment."