389: Chapter 387: Please, This is the Satan Mercenary Corps!
389: Chapter 387: Please, This is the Satan Mercenary Corps!
One must admit, geniuses truly do exist.
Some exhibit such strength and dominance in a particular field that you cannot deny the importance of natural talent.
The vast majority of people cannot become Jordan though they play basketball all their lives, nor can they become a sniper despite practicing shooting their whole lives, nor can they become a gunner like Tommy through a lifetime of mortaring.
A sniper’s accurate shot isn’t as simple as pulling the trigger.
Before firing, they must consider factors like the trajectory of the bullet, as well as changes in air density due to variations in windspeed, temperature, humidity, and altitude, among other factors that could affect the bullet’s path.
Only after accounting for all these factors and completing a complex calculation can they take a shot.
Modern technology has produced many quick-to-learn snipers, with the help of devices like rangefinders and wind gauges, and even computers that calculate the bullet’s trajectory for them, allowing the sniper to simply pull the trigger.
However, a truly good sniper can take all factors into account and successfully shoot a target in a split second after spotting it.
Gunners are the same, as they also need to finish complex calculations to make accurate shots.
What Tommy accomplished might seem simple, but the difficulties hidden behind it are unimaginably vast.
Besides needing a wealth of experience, Tommy must be a genius.
Tommy had already shown that he could fight alongside the Satan Mercenary Corps under any circumstances, and Gao Yang had decided that even if Tommy couldn’t shoot a gun at all, he must still retain Tommy.
Under the astonished gazes of those around, Tommy calmly, as if he weren’t the focus of attention, said to Gao Yang, “Sir, we can move on to the next test.”
Gao Yang nodded and spoke solemnly to Tommy, “We’ve seen what you can do with a mortar.
Now let’s see how you handle a gun.”
Two targets were placed at distances of one hundred meters and two hundred meters from the ship, the ordinary human-shaped targets, each with a buoy at the bottom to keep them afloat on the sea.
The targets bobbed and sank with the waves, increasing the difficulty of the shooting.
Cui Bo handed Tommy an M4 assault rifle, and Tommy, after taking the weapon, fired two sets of bullets, first in a standing position and then prone.
Compared to the mortar, Tommy’s shooting proficiency with a gun was mediocre at best.
In a standing position, he achieved a hit rate of seventy percent at one hundred meters and thirty percent at two hundred meters.
In a prone position, he scored one hundred percent at one hundred meters and sixty percent at two hundred meters.
For modern infantry using small-caliber assault rifles, the emphasis during shooting is on the hit rate during short bursts rather than the accuracy of individual bullets; thus, the exact score isn’t the primary concern.
This is a transformation driven by changes in weaponry.
Of course, that’s for the average infantryman.
For elite soldiers, like those in special forces, accuracy with single shots is certainly still vital.
Considering the targets were on the sea and taking into account Tommy’s performance level, he had reached the standard of an excellent regular soldier.
Even without mortars, joining the Satan Mercenary Corps would give him a certain level of combat capability and at least he would not hinder the group’s performance.
Besides the automatic rifle, Tommy also demonstrated his shooting skills with other firearms.
He could indeed use machine guns and sniper rifles as well, but he was just competent, not exceptional.
He could still be effective, but when compared to his almost magical mortaring skills, Tommy’s shooting proficiency with guns could only be described as poor.
In any case, Tommy was definitely someone who could be called a jack-of-all-trades.
After watching Tommy demonstrate each gun one by one, Gao Yang said to Glolov and the others, “You’ve all seen Tommy’s capabilities.
If no one objects, I think we can discuss his compensation now.”
Glolov immediately responded, “Do you even have to ask?
Do you think any of us Satan are foolish enough to reject a genius gunner joining the team?”
Cui Bo grinned lecherously and said in Chinese, “Brother Yang, this guy is a gem; we can’t pass him up.
Now we have our own genius gunner.
Just think about how thrilling it will be next time we encounter the Angel Mercenary Group, we’ll give them a harsh bombardment and blow them away.”
Of course, no one would refuse a genius gunner joining them.
After a formal enquiry, Gao Yang immediately smiled at Tommy and said, “As you can see, all the members of the Satan Mercenary Corps are here.
If you’d like to join the Satan Mercenary Corps, then we can talk about your compensation now.”
Tommy said in a deep voice, “I’ve heard of you, and I’ve heard of all of you.
You’re all very formidable, and I’m honored to join you.”
Gao Yang smiled slightly and said, “Very good, now it seems we only need to finish the last step.
So, let’s talk about your salary.
How much do you hope to earn?”
Tommy hesitated, a rarity for him, before speaking solemnly, “Ten thousand US dollars, monthly salary.
It doesn’t have to be paid by the month, but during my days with Satan Mercenary Corps, the average monthly earnings must reach ten thousand US dollars.
I know my request is high considering the current rates, but I’m sorry, for certain reasons, this is my bottom line and I will not compromise.
However, I don’t ask for any benefits beyond the salary; I simply seek a stable income.”
Gao Yang shrugged and replied, “I have no intentions of bargaining with you.
A base salary of ten thousand US dollars is not a problem at all.
In addition, even without you asking, you will receive a bonus after every mission.
The bonus amount will depend on your performance.
Once you become an official member of Satan Mercenary Corps, like us, you’ll share in the loot and mission bonuses you deserve.
Of course, if you continue to request a monthly salary, your share of the loot and bonuses will be a little less.”
Uriyangko sighed and said, “Tommy, Zaykhov introduced you to me, and I introduced you to Satan Mercenary Corps.
Whether it’s for Zaykhov’s sake or because I am your referrer, I must remind you, the loot and bonuses from Satan Mercenary Corps are much, much more than you imagine.
So, end your probation quickly and strive to become an official member of Satan Mercenary Corps.”
For a rare moment, a hint of excitement flickered across Tommy’s usually calm face before he spoke with hesitation, “But, ten thousand dollars as a base salary is already quite high…
considering the market rates…”
Uriyangko responded with disdain, “High?
Please, don’t compare Satan’s rates with those military contractors and the ragtag mercenary groups.
You’re elite—don’t sell yourself short like cannon fodder.
Keep in mind this is Satan Mercenary Corps we’re talking about.
Yes, the risk at Satan’s is higher than elsewhere, but here, you can become a millionaire in just one year.”
Tommy chuckled and asked, “Become a millionaire in a year?
Really?
That sounds tempting.”
Seeing Tommy’s skeptical expression, Uriyangko sighed and said, “Tommy, if I may be frank, your horizons are too narrow.
Is becoming a millionaire in a year really that remarkable?
Hey, old friend, tell Tommy how much you’re worth now.”
Glolov shrugged and replied, “Zero, but that’s because I just spent six million US dollars.”
Physical Yang patted Tommy on the shoulder and sneered, “You heard him.
A year ago, he was a free mercenary making three to five hundred bucks per job, but now?
He just blew six million like it was nothing.
Take my advice and stick with Ram, that lucky and generous guy; you might become a millionaire after a single battle, and I’m not joking.”
Bruce nodded and said to Tommy, “Buddy, I haven’t been with Satan for long.
I joined Satan when I was about to declare bankruptcy, and now, I have a million in savings and a continuous, steady income to boot.
So, he’s definitely not joking.”
Frey said with a smile, “Join Satan, and you’ll find money is so easy to make.
Plus, for a mercenary, there aren’t many leaders as generous as Ram.
You’ll understand in time.”
Finally, Tommy’s expression changed.
He said earnestly, “Then, how do I officially join Satan?”
Gao Yang gestured with his hand and replied, “Satan is where it is today because all of us have fought hard for it.
We don’t care about money, so we can offer you a generous salary, much more than other mercenary groups.
However, we care about things much more important than money.
Whether you can officially join Satan will depend on many factors.
I won’t tell you specifically which factors, but the only thing I can tell you is that when we all feel you are qualified to officially join, you will become a member.”
Tommy nodded and said, “Understood.
I will work hard and I won’t disappoint you.”
Gao Yang smiled, extended his hand to Tommy, and said, “Welcome to Satan Mercenary Corps.”
After shaking hands with Gao Yang, Tommy was considered a member of Satan Mercenary Corps, of course, just as a member, not yet an official one.
After several people took turns shaking Tommy’s hand and welcoming him, Gao Yang clapped his hands and announced, “Alright, before we start discussing whether we should go to Colombia, Tommy, I have one last question for you.
What is your nickname?”
Tommy replied with a touch of distress, “My friends all call me Tommy.
As for nicknames, I’ve had several.
Some called me Accountant, some called me the man who never laughs, others called me Executioner, and some called me the free-kick specialist, even though I don’t play football.
Some nicknamed me Water Gun Fish even though I have no clue what kind of fish that is, and others called me Thief Seagull.
Okay, I’ve had too many nicknames; people just call me whatever, so I don’t really have a proper nickname.” (To be continued.
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