I will be a war hero -4-

Then another member of the Committee continued, saying, "We have received a report that you defeated Vasyl in a competition for the title of the offensive role, which is why Vasyl was excluded from the position of the leader. But what about the other candidates? What will happen if the fourth candidate wins against you and demands your title?"

Yuriy responded firmly, "I have a question: Is it possible to postpone the decision?" Yuriy paused momentarily. "Can my appointment as the leader of the squad wait until after I face the fourth candidate?

One of the Committee members answered, "Impossible, impossible. Before the fourth candidate faces the squad, he must ensure that he will join a legitimate squad, and the legitimate squads under the army require having a leader."

Yuriy asked again, "Let's assume that I will pass on my leadership title temporarily to one of the squad members, for example, my comrade Vladyslav, being confident that he will return it to me later. Would that be acceptable?"

One of the Committee members answered, "Unfortunately, no. If the fourth candidate were to notice the reality that you are the strongest member in the squad at the moment, yet you're not leading it, he might suspect that the whole situation was a conspiracy. Will you make an issue of his joining your squad?"

Yuriy asked, "Is there something that makes you hold onto this player more than any other? There are thousands of professional players around the world. Are you selecting us based on certain criteria?"

The answer to Yuriy's question came: "Indeed, Yuriy. For instance, your other team mates, who appear to be quite humble, are trained soldiers on one hand, but on the other hand, they possess qualities that might eventually make them competitors to you in the squad, despite being unaware of their capabilities. How so? Take Vladyslav, for example, a novice strategic planner. His remarkable ability to envision strategies and then apply them in reality has been noticed. Sometimes, when some leaders make mistakes in their plans, he manages to correct them. This might seem a bit strange, and we agree. How can a novice compete with veteran professional leaders in terms of strategic intelligence? The reason behind this lies in the fact that Vladyslav is a professional player of a strategy game called 'Company of Legends.' He was among the best players in it. Hence, he has memorized hundreds of military strategies relied upon by top commanders to the extent that he might outsmart them. Additionally, he excels in controlling multiple characters simultaneously. Strategy games involve quick control over soldiers scattered across the map, which could make Vladyslav a candidate who can handle more than one receiver. Isn't that intimidating?"

Yuriy listened to words he had never anticipated, as Vladyslav's appearance was modest and his demeanor kind. He could never have imagined that he was sitting in the same room with a gaming genius capable of matching or even surpassing him in intelligence and experience in video games.

The committee member continued, "As for Vasyl, he participated in a previous war to reclaim neighboring territory. He possesses an exceptional 'timing sense' that's quite rare. He's showcased strategic intelligence. For example, he signals the enemy from afar to draw them in. While the enemy is aware of diversion tactics and approaches him with caution, he further lures them to nearby locations using visual cues. When their attention wanes in his area, Vasyl capitalizes on this lapse and eliminates them. He managed this tactic twenty times in one war, with the enemy none the wiser." Yuriy's eyes widened as if he suddenly realized he had been in close proximity to someone incredibly dangerous without knowing it. He exclaimed, "Impossible! Are you saying Vasyl killed twenty people beforehand?"

The committee member continued, "Being strategically intelligent isn't enough to operate the new machinery. What's required is quick inference, efficient planning, grounded intelligence combined with expansive imagination, and adaptability. These traits aren't common in regular soldiers or typical online gamers. Your team mates, for instance, exhibit both imaginative and realistic intelligence and are highly adaptable. Now, imagine if we trained them on the new machinery?"

Yuriy asked, "What do you see in me then? I'm not a seasoned soldier like Vasyl or Vladyslav." A committee member replied, "You don't need to be. Your combination of practical and imaginative intelligence is evident. Your status as a chess grandmaster reveals your intuitive speed and decision-making prowess. Your dedication to caring for your late mother without assistance showcases your practical awareness. And your proficiency in gaming, evident from your battle against Vasyl, indicates your ability to anticipate future events as if you were inside a video game. These factors validate our decision to invite you."

Yuriy expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you for choosing me." Thoughts of his father filled his mind. His father's insistence on experiencing the real world had grounded Yuriy, preventing him from becoming a recluse. This connection to reality, instilled by his father, now enabled him to master the receiver, manipulating it as though it were a character from a game. "However," he continued, "why am I the leader and not Vladyslav? Shouldn't his seniority dictate that role?"

Their response was clear: "It's not just about seniority. Mastery over the receiver and understanding its limitations are crucial. Someone lacking this knowledge might act without fully grasping the implications. Your proficiency with the receiver made you the optimal choice for leadership."

A committee member interjected, "Yuriy, we'd like to understand your decision to challenge the fourth candidate. Even though you hold leadership and can make decisions, it's essential for us to grasp your intentions moving forward."

Yuriy nodded, "Understood. One primary reason for challenging the fourth candidate is to quell his overconfidence. I aim to ensure that we aren't constantly answering to his whims. With my official position as squad leader, it's imperative that I emerge victorious. A defeat would not only undermine my leadership but might also result in him taking my place and asserting dominance over the team. In my gaming days, I've come across many players like him. Driven by arrogance, they assume leadership solely based on their skill level, often belittling and scapegoating teammates at the first sign of a mistake. I believe in reshaping such attitudes. Additionally, I've chosen to retain the role of the offensive player. This means confronting anyone vying for that position, including him. Regardless of his ability to control multiple receivers, I intend to triumph and integrate him into our team constructively."

The rhythmic thud of wooden hammers echoed in succession, culminating in a declaration from a committee member, "It's decided, Yuriy Kozlov. We'll orchestrate your face-off with the fourth candidate as you've stipulated."

With unwavering resolve, Yuriy responded, "I'll be prepared. Until then, grant me the liberty to spar with 'teddy'. It'll be instrumental in ensuring my victory against the candidate."

Their affirmation was concise: "Granted." But as the weighty obscurity began to ebb from the grand hall, a voice pierced the stillness. "Ah, Yuriy, the asset you'll become once you vanquish this nation's foe! There will be nothing left for us to dread," a committee member proclaimed. The profoundness of the statement jolted Yuriy, causing him to jerk his head up. But he was met with emptiness; the committee had vanished. Disturbed, he murmured, "Who... Who are they truly?" Anastasia rose, signaling that the conference had concluded, and Yuriy, still grappling with his thoughts, mirrored her actions.