System Activated: Soldier's Returned

Chapter 8: Emergency

But amidst the turmoil of their debate, gunshots were suddenly heard erupting in the air. The students immediately who listened to this screamed frantically. Instantly, Bruce could hear screams everywhere.

Outside the room, Bruce, Zara, Martha and Bradford immediately stepped back to hide and protect themselves. The reflex movements of their bodies, especially Zara and Bradford, were terrific. They moved with the agility of soldiers on the battlefield.

The teachers exchanged glances as if giving code signals and signals. On the other hand, Bruce was also practising what he had learnt. Although his reflexes were not as good as Zara's or Bradford's, he still put out all his energy.

But for some reason, after that, Bruce seemed to daydream; he appeared to be stuck in a trance. The sound of gunfire and the screams of people made him remember his condition that night.

Bruce felt weak, as if he was helpless. The condition where he was stabbed several times replayed in his head. Bruce started to break out in cold sweat and looked panicked, but he still tried to control himself.

Bradford, still there, shouted, "Bruce, hey, focus. Concentrate! It is not the time to daydream. Hurry up and save yourself and your friends. You guys should be able to get out of this area safely."

Zara, who realised there was something strange about Bruce, also said, "Bruce, are you okay?"

The woman's soft voice made Bruce realise the condition he was in. He responded, "Yes, sir, miss, I'm fine."

Bradford spoke again, "I will signal you to move; you will follow my guidance. Be ready to move, and I have a gun in my pocket, and I can protect you all."

The man added, "But remember, Bruce, our conversation is not over. We still have something to discuss regarding your behaviour."

Bruce could only nod in response. As he turned his head towards the teachers, someone seemed to have disappeared first. Martha, who had been busy blaming Bruce, had vanished from her position.

Bruce, who realised this was suddenly confused. Because how could an older woman like her disappear so quickly? Martha seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye.

But amidst the questions that rained on Bruce's mind, Bradford began to give the code for Bruce to move and move from his position immediately. Zara didn't forget to cheer for Bruce as she realised that the man seemed to be faltering.

"Bruce, do as Mr Sebastian says," Zara reminded him.

Bruce immediately crawled from his position; he moved swiftly like a soldier on a rescue mission. Gunshots were heard again, but Bruce still didn't know where they came from. The last thing Bruce saw was Bradford throwing his gun into the air.

On the other hand, the students in Bruce's class, who had been gossiping happily when Zara and Bradford called Bruce, now panicked. Some people even screamed hysterically. They had no idea what was going on.

"Damn, why are there gunshots in the school?"

"Shit, I still don't want to die."

As the class's prima donna, Donna said, "You guys calm down. If you panic like this, there will be many casualties. We're at Officer Military School; there are many officers around here. So there's no need to overreact."

Another student responded, "How can you say that so easily? Our school is probably under attack; all of our lives are at stake."

Bruce, who made it back into the classroom, saw the commotion. He couldn't understand how could a military school get attacked. The people who planned to attack them were fools.

But what dumbfounded Bruce even more was seeing his classmates acting cranky; some even looked whiny. The sight made Bruce's head wonder again. Why did the students in his class enter the Officer Military School if they were afraid of death? Weren't they all supposed to be groomed as officers?

Amidst the inner turmoil, Bruce's system reacted. A notification sound echoed in Bruce's ears.

System: "Help Donna to mediate the ongoing conflict. The user has been given a mission to become a leader. Bring and lead people to the safe zone. It's time for users to show themselves!"

Getting a mission from the system made Bruce realise his position even more. He was someone they had underestimated all along. Bruce's broken relationship with Valerie also worsened his image. The students were already gossiping about him.

The eyes of the students in his class had just been opened when Bruce showed his intelligence. So the mission he received this time will restore his reputation. Bruce was getting increasingly ambitious to make his classmates depend on him.

"You guys shouldn't behave like this. Don't you reflect on your behaviour? We're all future officers, and we shouldn't be afraid or weak," Bruce joined the conversation among his friends.

"You can't treat us all the same. Your life is good because your parents no longer rule you. It's different for my friends and me. I entered this school because of their encouragement, not my desire."

"Yes, Bruce, you don't know because you don't have a mum anymore!"

When Bruce heard his friends bring his mum back downstairs in a condescending conversation, it made Bruce clench his fists. He wanted to punch the person who just offended him.

"That's it, you guys; this is not the time to argue. We all need to work together to get out of this building," Donna responded.

Unfortunately, Donna's idea seemed to be opposed by her friends. They felt that it was ridiculous. Getting out of the hideout was as good as dead, especially when they all had no idea how chaotic the conditions outside were.

"Staying here is also tantamount to death," Bruce said.

"Do you think the attackers are not prepared when a military school like this can be attacked? How long are you going to stay here and be cowards? Sooner or later, they will come to this place," Bruce continued.

GLEK!

They all seemed to swallow their saliva. Bruce's words were actual. The attackers must have ammunition ready if their school is suddenly attacked. Plus, they kept hearing gunshots that never stopped.

"So what should we do?" Some of the students had just realised the situation they were in.

"You all follow my directions. Mr Sebastian has also given the mandate for me to guide you all to the safe zone," Bruce responded with a dashing aura.

The students began to split up, most mesmerised by Bruce's demeanour. They then switched sides and stood near him. Donna seemed amazed by Bruce, but the girl tried to ignore him.

Only a few students remained there. Bruce and Donna had tried to persuade them but to no avail. Finally, they focused on saving the students who wanted to join. They needed help to force the other students to stay. After all, they are future officers; they know that waiting is equivalent to taking a suicide mission.

In the middle of Bruce and his friends strategising their rescue, their classroom window suddenly opened. Bruce was immediately alerted by the system. But since the culprit looked like a professional, they were slow to move.

They threw several foreign objects into the room. Then smoke suddenly came out of the thing.

"Shit, there's a bomb in here," one of them shouted, instantly making the class rowdy again.