Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 1243 - 603:

Without a single word of inquiry, he already understood and produced a paper file from the black folder held under his arm, presenting it with both hands.

The middle-aged man accepted the file, his gaze scanning across the documents.

[Candidate Number: 263]

[Name: Fang Cheng]

[Address: Old Factory Street, Jiangbei District, East City...]

He closed the file, turned it over, and placed it on the coffee table beside him, where it landed with a soft thud.

"Director Qin."

The middle-aged man's voice was deep, carrying the weight of someone accustomed to command.

"Does this candidate's family background appear problematic?"

The young man addressed as Director Qin lowered his head even further, a sheen of fine sweat appearing on his forehead.

He swallowed and reported quickly:

"Yes. His father, Fang Shijie, was directly implicated in the notorious 'Guangwu Gate shooting incident' seventeen years ago and was once suspected by the police to be the serial killer known as 'Midnight Red Demon.' However, during the operation, Fang Shijie set himself ablaze with gasoline, completely severing the case's leads."

Director Qin paused before cautiously explaining:

"Subsequently, the Intelligence Department's Monitoring Division conducted a five-year surveillance of the suspect's surviving orphan."

"It was ultimately confirmed that he is merely an ordinary individual, displaying no tendencies towards antisocial behavior or unusual abilities, and was therefore removed from the 'Fireproof's' priority watch list long ago."

"Furthermore, during this current political review phase, we dispatched personnel to discreetly investigate his former school, the boxing gym where he held a part-time job, and his neighbors."

"Everyone speaks highly of his hardworking and dedicated nature, and no character flaws were discovered."

Director Qin meticulously listed all the strong evidence gathered, clearly holding a positive view of the candidate's potential.

"Hmph."

The middle-aged man emitted a cold snort, returning his attention to the screen before him.

"If your assessment concludes he is an ordinary person, then how do you account for his actions when facing those anomalies in the Black Rain World, Director Qin?"

This cold snort struck Director Qin's heart like a heavy blow.

The back of his shirt became instantly soaked with cold sweat. He dared not offer a rebuttal, quickly bowing his head to signal his submission.

"It is my oversight! I will inform the chief examiner immediately and withdraw him from the selection process!"

"Wait..."

The middle-aged man raised his hand, halting Director Qin's intended action.

His gaze landed on the upper right corner of the file, fixed on the young, handsome, and sharply defined photograph.

"Since when did our Special Search Team become merely a government department concerned only with lineage rather than capability?"

The man leaned back in his chair, speaking with a calm yet resonant conviction.

"I have stated repeatedly in meetings: recruitment must prioritize capability, followed by integrity."

"Confronting monsters without faltering, daring to step forward and rescue companions in peril, and being able to deliver a decisive blow in dire circumstances already demonstrate his resolve and inner fortitude."

"While family background and past experiences are indeed factors in political review, they should absolutely not be the sole basis for disqualification."

"As long as his intentions are righteous and he possesses the courage to point his blade at those monsters, why can't the Special Search Team make an exception, recruit him, and offer him an opportunity to prove his worth?"

Director Qin remained still, releasing a deep sigh of relief, his tense shoulders finally relaxing.

In truth, according to the stringent political review standards of the Special Search Team, candidates like Fang Cheng, whose immediate family had significant problematic associations, should have been outright disqualified during the initial data screening. However, a certain respected former leader, who had recently retired, personally contacted him a few days prior, requesting a favor. Unable to refuse this personal plea, he had utilized his authority to push Fang Cheng's application onto the re-examination list, despite his reservations. Of course, his actions weren't entirely driven by undue influence. The underlying mechanics of the 'Black Rain World' are quite peculiar. It is not, as proclaimed, a mere virtual environment, but a genuinely existing Otherworld. All intruders whose consciousness is projected there suffer severe dimensional rejection phenomena. This world not only forcibly erases the intruder's memories of their real world but also completely suppresses their latent inner Strength, reducing them to ordinary individuals within the so-called 'Illusion Realm.' This mechanism serves as a specially designed ultimate tool by the Special Search Team to combat hostile infiltrators and differentiate between allies and enemies.Amidst overwhelming terror that strips away strength and self-awareness, even an S-Class Spiritual mutant struggles to maintain composure, often exposing their inherent selfishness and cruelty. This young man, however, possessing a seemingly ordinary body, bravely confronted monsters with his fists, willingly sacrificed himself to protect others, and ultimately succeeded in the assessment. Such actions undeniably demonstrate his pure character, meeting the stringent requirements for recruitment into the Special Search Team. "What is the current situation?" The middle-aged man's resonant voice broke Director Qin's reverie. Director Qin promptly accessed the tablet in his hand, reviewing the displayed information. "According to real-time data compiled from every examination site, a total of four candidates have endured for over twenty minutes within the Black Rain World. Among these individuals, one candidate from the ninth examination hall has reached twenty-four minutes and fifty seconds, remarkably close to the system's designated collapse threshold of twenty-five minutes." Within this unique interview process, the Special Search Team's assessment criteria diverge sharply from traditional examinations. The "Illusion Realm Test" neither rewards speed in completion nor early withdrawal. Instead, its purpose is to measure the resilience of candidates against the phenomena of dimensional rejection and their capacity to withstand unknown fears for the greatest duration.