Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Spy Skills
**Chapter 3: Spy Skills**
The Japanese spy found himself caught off guard as Zhou Lin's fist connected with his head, rendering him unconscious.
Upon impact, the blow swiftly incapacitated him.
"Is this all you've got?" thought the Japanese soldier as he fell.
Without hesitation, Zhou Lin drew his dagger and swiftly ended the enemy's life by severing his throat.
At the moment of the Japanese spy's demise, a notification chimed.
"Host, you have eliminated a Japanese spy and earned a system reward."
"The reward is one of the deceased's technical skills."
"Options include: Basic disguise skill, Basic stealth skill, and Basic surveillance skill."
"Please select one for your reward."
"Choose!"
In his previous life, Zhou Lin had avidly watched numerous spy-themed shows, gaining a profound understanding of espionage techniques.
The Military Statistics Bureau served as a prominent espionage unit, requiring proficient spy skills for operatives.
While most individuals spent years honing these skills, the abilities acquired through eliminating other spies were instantly mastered.
This realization filled Zhou Lin with satisfaction.
Of the three skills offered, surveillance was Zhou Lin's preferred choice, given its paramount importance in espionage.
As for stealth and disguise—skills in lock-picking and subterfuge—Zhou Lin deemed them unnecessary. Amidst the chaos of the Shanghai battlefield, few remained alive who could recognize him, rendering disguises redundant.
"System, I choose the surveillance skill," Zhou Lin declared.
Instantly, his mind was inundated with newfound knowledge.
The Japanese spy had undergone six months of training at a Tokyo spy school, expanding his surveillance expertise.
Zhou Lin absorbed these skills entirely, no longer a novice in the field.
Following the acquisition of his reward, Zhou Lin began scouring the surroundings, indulging in his preferred pastime—looting the deceased.
In this frontline area, many soldiers from both factions lay fallen, their bodies left unattended, presenting ample opportunity for Zhou Lin's gains.
This time, he amassed 5,500 francs, 1,100 yen, and numerous gold jewelry pieces, among other valuables.
The Japanese spy with the severed throat carried an additional 4,000 francs and 170 yen.
At present, francs held considerable value—exchanging at a rate of 1 USD for 1.5 francs, and 1 yen for 0.7 francs.
This was no trifling sum.
The individual bearing such wealth likely ventured into the Chinese-controlled area on a mission.
But why carry such a significant amount?
In that moment, a text materialized in Zhou Lin's mind.
"Spend 100 grams of gold to replay the memories of the deceased individual from the day preceding their demise."
Zhou Lin's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Accessing the memories of the deceased from the day prior to their demise offered insights into the rationale behind carrying such wealth.
Zhou Lin retrieved the gold jewelry recently acquired. "This should exceed 100 grams."
"System, I wish to review the memories of the Japanese spy from the day before his demise."
Zhou Lin noticed over ten pieces of gold jewelry vanish from his grasp.
"Collecting 100 grams of gold, replay commencing."
At that instant, a sequence of events unfolded before Zhou Lin's eyes.
The deceased Japanese spy sat in a room in Tokyo.
After a two-hour wait, a Japanese colonel entered.
The deceased rose, saluting the colonel respectfully.
The colonel addressed the deceased, "Sato-kun, the situation on the front lines is dire. We require your intelligence support."
"Sato" stood firm, pledging allegiance to the empire.
The colonel, ushering Sato to a seat, elaborated, "Recently, for the Shanghai battlefield, we dispatched over a hundred imperial agents to the Chinese-controlled area for sabotage and intelligence gathering. Despite their invaluable contributions, casualties have been severe. Out of over a hundred operatives, only seven remain in contact."
Sato's heart sank—out of a hundred, only seven survived. The odds were grim.
Undeterred, the colonel appointed Sato as the leader of Espionage Team 5, tasked with three operatives under his command, all previously embedded in Shanghai. Their awakening, necessitated by the war, awaited his directive.
"Sato-kun, your past achievements in Qingdao have not gone unnoticed. Hence, we entrust this mission to you."
Sato inquired, "What are my directives?"
"You shall proceed to the Chinese military-controlled area in Shanghai, awaken and lead your team as instructed, and furnish intelligence reports to headquarters."
"Understood."
The colonel presented a list bearing three names—no addresses or identities, solely code names, contact methods, and covert signals.
Sato diligently memorized every detail over the course of an hour.
Upon completion, the colonel incinerated the document, reducing it to ash.
Subsequently, he provided Sato with a sum of 1,000 francs for operational expenses, allocating the remainder to each operative.
"Three hours hence, our artillery will provide cover for your departure. Meanwhile, indulge in a farewell feast."
An hour later, Sato received seven plates of Japanese cuisine, abstaining from alcohol in anticipation of a celebration upon his return.
True to the colonel's word, the Japanese artillery commenced bombardment after the designated interval.
Sato, clad in the attire of a fallen Chinese soldier, navigated the tumultuous night, ultimately losing his bearings amidst the labyrinthine streets of Shanghai.
Five hours elapsed before dawn unveiled the path forward.
Encountering Zhou Lin, Sato met his demise, falling victim to Zhou Lin's blade.
Having witnessed these revelations, Zhou Lin comprehended the purpose behind Sato's considerable wealth.
Moreover, this newfound wealth alleviated Zhou Lin's concerns for the future.
Previously apprehensive about financial matters, Zhou Lin resolved to allocate 5,000 yuan from his parents to the families of fallen comrades, with plans for personal visits once the conflict concluded.
With his financial worries assuaged, Zhou Lin embraced a newfound sense of security.
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