Leveling Up With My Pet



The two of them burst into triumphant laughter, their joy resonating like an infectious melody. With their coffee cups in hand, they sat back, engaged in a casual conversation that filled the room with a relaxed and blissful atmosphere. Oblivious to the impending catastrophe, they remained unaware that the warship they had dispatched had met its untimely demise at the unforgiving depths of the sea.

As time passed, a sense of urgency disrupted their pleasant interlude. The phone on the desk clamoured impatiently, its insistent ring slicing through the serene ambience. Myron, his smile undeterred, placed his coffee cup down and remarked confidently, [ " There must be good news awaiting us. Most likely, one of the vessels belonging to the Global Shipping Group has been successfully detained. " ]

Eagerly, he grabbed the phone, anticipation etched on his face. But as he absorbed the words flowing through the receiver, a shock wave crashed over him, morphing his expression from hope to disbelief. His voice reverberated through the room, laced with disbelief and anger, [ " How is this possible? We deployed an advanced missile frigate against nothing more than an ordinary tanker! " ]

The weight of the call's contents seemed to press upon him, forcing his once-vibrant demeanour to sag in defeat. His transformation was striking, a stark contrast to his previous countenance. Sensing something amiss, Gal's heart sank, and he cautiously approached Myron, his words laced with concern, [ " What's happened? Has something gone wrong? " ]

Myron's face, drained of colour, managed to muster a feeble response, his voice carrying the weight of despair [ " Our warship has sunk, and out of over a hundred sailors, only twenty-seven have been rescued. " ]

[ " What?! " ]

  Gal exclaimed in disbelief. 

Meanwhile, Hu Shijun eagerly burst into the room at the Global Shipping Group, brimming with excitement. He had likely received the report from the " Shixiong " captain and delightedly greeted Liu Yong, [ " Brother Yong, I bring you splendid news! " ]

[ " Just as you predicted, the YD forces dispatched a warship to seize our oil tanker, 'Shixiong.' However, fate had a different plan. Their warship, to their astonishment, sank—sank to the bottom of the sea, " ] he proclaimed, his joy radiating from every pore.

Aware of the unfolding events long before, Liu Yong had watched the entire spectacle through a live broadcast. Nonetheless, he met Hu Shijun's report with genuine satisfaction, his laughter mingling with the sheer delight of the situation. [ " Excellent! Their warship's demise shall remind them they dare not trifle with our vessels. " ]

Hu Shijun chimed in, his enthusiasm brimming, [ " Let us hope they devise another ill-fated scheme, only to see another one of their warships meet a similar fate. Oh, the amusement it would bring! " ]

The value of a modern warship was astronomical. A missile frigate of over 3,000 tons carried a price tag ranging from 300 to 500 million US dollars.

If equipped with advanced technology, the cost far surpassed those figures. YD was reeling from an unfavourable outcome this time—no prisoners were taken. Yet, they had lost a valuable guided missile frigate.

In the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, Bawang, having rested and replenished his strength, caught up with the "Shixiong" and "Shiyue," providing discreet escort for two to three hundred nautical miles. With a sense of assurance, he withdrew once they had distanced themselves adequately from the shores of YD.

"Shining" and "Jinyao," sailing side by side, embarked on separate journeys. One set a course for the Middle East, while the other ventured towards the Gulf of Aden, eventually reaching Europe via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

Ever vigilant, Bawang served as an unseen guardian for the two ships and explored the surrounding waters, ranging far and wide. The first day proved uneventful, but a change swept through the air on the second day.

Bawang stumbled upon two YD warship formations, accompanied by a sizable submarine lurking beneath the ocean's surface, hurtling toward the "Shixiong" and "Shiyue" with alarming speed.

[ " Master, there's something of interest, " ] Bawang relayed the urgent message to Liu Yong. Reacting swiftly, Liu Yong engaged his third-party vision, allowing him to peer into the unfolding drama. He beheld Bawang's concealed presence and the two imposing warships on the surface. His vision delved deeper, revealing the substantial submarine prowling over 100 meters beneath the waves, its sheer tonnage and power source a mystery yet to be unravelled.

[ "This is XX,"] Liu Yong murmured, acknowledging the exorbitant expenses incurred by YD once again. Two warships—a 5,000-ton guided missile destroyer and a 3,000-ton guided missile frigate—stood before him, with the frigate towing a sonar array. Their adversaries proved shrewd, deducing the presence of an underwater threat and employing the sonar technology to its fullest potential.

Liu Yong issued a command. His tone was resolute [ " Overlord, exercise caution this time. Do not let them detect your presence. Maintain a safe distance and shadow them discreetly. " ]

Liu Yong's curiosity was piqued, and he yearned to unravel the mystery behind this grand confrontation. Evidently, their actions were primarily directed at the "Shining" and "Jinyao." Thus, Bawang silently trailed behind, patiently awaiting the unfolding of events. With time, the situation unravelled, revealing their true intentions.

The distance between the opposing forces gradually closed until the crew aboard the "Shining" and "Jinyao" caught sight of the two menacing YD warships on the horizon.

["Look, two warships are approaching us,"] one crew member exclaimed, concern etched on their face.

["They're moving so swiftly. I can sense an ominous air surrounding them. I fear their intentions may not be benevolent, " ] another crew member added, their unease palpable. ["Indeed, it appears they are indeed heading directly for us."]

The crew members aboard the two ships tensed, their gazes transfixed on the two warships steadily encroaching upon them. Unbeknownst to all, an unseen danger lurked beneath the waves—the vigilant sailors within the submarine monitored every movement, confident in their ability to identify any submerged threats.

Could they spot the Overlord?

Overconfident in their abilities, they pondered their next move. Unbeknownst to them, Overlord remained concealed less than 100 meters away, its presence an enigma.

["Master, shall we engage the submarine first?"] Bawang inquired, offering Liu Yong a direct view through his third-party vision.

Liu Yong studied the unfolding scene, his gaze unwavering. ["Wait a little longer. Let them issue their ultimatum before we act."]

Meanwhile, the submarine, ignorant of the impending danger, pressed forward. At the same time, the two warships on the surface launched a flanking maneuver, closing in on the two vessels belonging to the Global Shipping Group.

The distance narrowed until the crew members aboard the "Shining" and "Jinyao" could discern the YD sailors aboard the approaching warships.

True to form, they bellowed their familiar demand in Mandarin, albeit with halting fluency. ["Attention, Attention! Please halt your ship immediately and prepare to undergo a boarding inspection."]

Disdain filled Liu Yong's thoughts as he listened to their predictable request. [ "Overlord, now's the time. Strike their submarine. " ]

[ " Understood, " ] 

Overlord replied gleefully, positioning its colossal spear, measuring 50 meters in length and weighing 80 tons, before forcefully thrusting it into the submarine's hull.

-Boom!

A resounding boom echoed from beneath the water's surface as the giant spear successfully pierced the submarine's interior, reaching a depth of at least five meters.

Upon withdrawal, it left behind a gaping hole, permitting the relentless deluge of seawater. Overlord pressed on, striking the submarine repeatedly, puncturing it with seven or eight additional gaping holes, halting only when instructed by Liu Yong.

Each breach expedited the submarine's descent into the watery abyss. One hole alone could cripple the vessel, while seven or eight ensured its swift demise.

With their task complete, it was time to move on to the next objective. Bawang, gripping the mighty spear, swiftly descended to the depths beneath the 5,000-ton guided missile destroyer. With a decisive thrust, the giant spear pierced the vessel's hull.