Chapter 415

Chapter 415: Defective Product

Everyone watched as Lin Mo’s fist seemed to become unclear, like a blurry shadow that struck the punching power test machine with lightning speed.

Immediately after, it was as if a train had crashed into it. The test machine stubbornly broke free from its bolts, spinning backwards, accompanied by the loud sounds of tearing metal and deformation. Various parts flew in every direction as a huge dent formed at the center of the impact plate.

A series of terrifying crashes and rolls filled the air, sending countless parts splattering everywhere.

It was as horrifying as a comet hitting the Earth.

The battered test machine slammed into the wall with a loud bang before collapsing to the ground, squeaking for a moment as it released black smoke and flickering sparks.

That distance of over twenty meters was the machine’s final performance of its life.

As the saying goes, “A pot won’t break from being too close to the edge of the well; even a general can meet his demise on the battlefield.”

Who would have thought that this old saying perfectly described the machine’s life?

Fortunately, there were no people standing behind the test machine. The entire testing area spanned two floors. Though the equipment was numerous, the space was quite spacious.

Everyone’s eyes widened in shock, and even Meng Yinan, who was cheering for Lin Mo, tightly shut her mouth in fear, unable to control her expression of terror.

Despite the pleasant temperature in the testing area, a shiver swept over everyone like an infectious disease.

“Who brought an RPG in here?”

Suddenly, someone shouted, mistakenly believing a prankster had brought a rocket bomb to shoot the punching power test machine.

“It’s not an RPG; it’s a fist!”

Someone else quickly countered loudly.

On the now completely ruined test machine, clear fist marks and a massive dent that almost penetrated the entire machine revealed the terrifying truth to everyone.

Hiss!

The delayed collective gasp caused the surrounding air pressure to shift ever so slightly.

"This thing must be defective! Such poor quality!"

No one dared to blame Lin Mo for this.

Damn it, if this human monster got angry and retaliated against them, it would be like asking for trouble!

“No, no, no! Not a quality issue!” The staff member trembled as if he had contracted a fit, stuttering in confusion, his mind filled with thoughts of fleeing the scene.

“This is impossible! This can’t be real!”

“Did I just imagine it? What just happened?”

Wei Yuni, the group leader of Team F and some other quick responders, gazed at the wreckage left behind, as if the shadow of that test machine still lingered in their minds.

The staff had already stated that the machine could withstand an impact force of 5000 kilograms, which was five tons.

Yet now, it clearly bore at least five tons of impact force, possibly even ten tons. No wonder someone shouted about using an RPG to strike the machine; given this devastation, it looked as if it had been mercilessly beaten.

“The guys from Night are simply a monster-studded camp.” Major General Sun, usually calm and collected, now looked utterly dumbfounded like everyone else. After a moment, he took out his radio to call the logistics warehouse.

“Hello, logistics? Director Liu? Yes, it’s me, Sun Huabin. Hmm, please send a brand new punching power test machine, the backup one.”

“The one currently in use! Yes, it broke due to poor quality. Call the manufacturer and have them come pick it up. This is a shoddy product! Tell them to deliver a new one within a week, or else we won’t accept their supplies anymore. Rest assured, we won’t have trouble finding suppliers. Our unit? Just mentioning we supply the Aerospace Department is enough; they’ll be fighting to get in line just to secure the deal.”

Taxpayers would not bear the costs of this accident. Major General Sun skillfully shifted the blame for the incident, and the poor supplier would be left in tears upon seeing the state of the test machine that could withstand a five-ton impact.

Which child from which company used a steel fist as a cannonball to cause such destruction?

Woe is me!

"This can’t be real, this cannot be!"

Wang Xuejun looked at Lin Mo with complete disbelief. The strength he displayed was beyond human, resembling a monstrous being disguised in human skin. For the first time, he felt no desire to challenge Lin Mo; rather, fear took its place.

Why fear? Wang Xuejun couldn’t wrap his mind around it.

Though he could not see the numbers on the punching power test machine, he knew he was not on the same level as Lin Mo, nor even from the same species.

“Ugh! I went too far!”

Lin Mo reluctantly withdrew his fist, twisted his neck, and the familiar popping sounds echoed through his body, scaring everyone around him to step back two paces.

This might cost a lot!

Lin Mo scanned the people around him with a guilty look, a wave of unease washing over him. He hoped this wouldn’t cost as much as the 12 billion yuan simulator; otherwise, he would have to sell himself to cover the expenses. He thought he could just use Gold Coins to make a replacement.

"What are the numbers?"

Lin Mo pulled his neck in, noticing the staff member recording the results trembling against a pillar as if he had seen a ghost, his legs nearly dancing with fear.

“Come here, help me check the reading; there might be some numbers recorded on it,” Lin Mo beckoned the staff member towards the now-defunct test machine.

“Y-yes!” The staff member nodded hurriedly, utterly terrified, realizing that number one wasn’t joking; the amusing part was that he mistakenly thought Lin Mo was holding back. Now, he feared his salary would be slashed.

Neither Lin Mo nor the staff member realized that Major General Sun smoothly shifted the costs of replacing the expensive test machine.

“First, first!”

Gazing at the shattered display screen, the staff member shuddered, trying to placate Lin Mo.

“First?”

“First!”

The staff member confidently confirmed, adding, “An unprecedented first!”

His gaze swept over the other candidates, daring anyone to disagree, as if to say, “I’m afraid of number one, but I won’t be scared of you.”

Alright, it’s easy to see the King of Hell, but hard to deal with minor demons.

Even Wang Xuejun had to relent at that moment, thinking it best to avoid confrontation.

In the afternoon physical fitness test, Lin Mo was absent. Other than Meng Yinan and members from Team E, most felt a bit of schadenfreude.

Just the punching power alone would be enough for others, even if they performed poorly in other areas.

“Knocked out a buffalo with one punch in Thailand? You really have that experience?”

Major General Sun sat in his office with the newly acquired investigation materials, which were considered highly classified.

While others were exhausting themselves with explosive power tests or endurance tests, Lin Mo was savoring a concentrated energy bar.

This was a secret stash given to him by the nutritionist, but now he had every reason to enjoy it openly; today, he might even stock up on ammunition.

“Mm!”

Lin Mo nodded, completely focused on the treat. The energy bar was compact and quickly replenished his strength, far more practical than the standard military ration packs provided for Night Special Forces.

Why hadn’t he gotten this before? He could save so much time on meals now.

“Let’s talk, you can eat the energy bars later. The training center has plenty—take as many as you want!”

The young man across from Major General Sun had a greedy look as he devoured the food, making Major General Sun shake his head internally. The high-energy food prepared for astronauts was unexpectedly being put to use so quickly.

But this is not a snack!

Transporting supplies to spacecraft is prohibitively expensive, costing at least 110 yuan per gram to reach outer space. Once astronauts launch, they also need food, water, and air supplies.

To save weight and volume and carry more equipment, every ounce of food for astronauts is carefully configured. High nutritional value with a compact size has become the standard requirement, just like the energy bar Lin Mo held.

With a segmented shape and labeled calorie content, each piece provided the energy equivalent of an entire meal for an average person, approximately 1,000 calories.

Lin Mo swallowed it down; although it didn’t taste great and wasn’t hard food, taking a bite would usually require drinking at least 100 milliliters of water for digestion. But for Lin Mo, with his exceptional digestive abilities, he could skip that step and digest this special space food easily.

The exhilarating sensation of his physical fitness being quickly replenished swept over him. It felt like a warm comfort spreading through him, different from Battle Energy, as if he were soaking in a hot spring, with every cell singing in harmony.

“Really?”

Lin Mo set down the squeezable food, pleasantly surprised. Even if he didn’t get selected as an astronaut, he would definitely need to stock up on these.

Hmm, securing one or two tons is essential.

From Major General Sun’s tone, it seemed today’s eliminations wouldn’t include him; otherwise, he wouldn’t be talking so much. Lin Mo felt relieved that missing the rest of the physical tests wasn’t a big worry.

“Alright, next week the other candidates will undergo some physical training and testing, and you will need to cooperate with the doctors and physiologists at the training center for a detailed examination. Please cooperate.”

Lin Mo’s physical fitness was nearly miraculous. Besides the natural explosive power and special techniques, Major General Sun was certain that the candidate labeled as number one harbored secrets beyond this, some yet to be revealed.