As the group entered the training sector, it was packed with people in training gears, the air filled with grunts, metallic clanks, and bursts of superhuman movements.
The trio began stretching first in the stretching area.
Now that he was also inside, Jack scanned the massive space again and translucent screens appeared in front of him showing the profile of all the equipment and people in the area.
What caught his attention the most were the few people who sparred on elevated platforms. That was the biggest attraction if anything.
There were also those sprinted relay-style with weighted vests, swapping out runners with practiced rhythm, while doing shuttle runs.
There were also a cluster of those swung training swords at moving holographic dummies.
And in one corner, several massive, vein-covered giants deadlifted weights heavy enough to bend steel.
A quick appraisal made Jack blink.
'Most of them are like David… I expected it.'
Beyond them, agile recruits were weaving through obstacles while firing pistols, assisted by advanced holographics and combat robots.
Jack let out a bitter smile.
'I wanted to try this place since the moment I saw it. Good thing I came with a group. If not… I'd be completely isolated. Everyone's training in groups and they're all so scary.'
"Older brother, older sister—follow me. I'll introduce you to the manager," David said enthusiastically.
David then led them toward the biggest, scariest-looking people in the room—the weight lifters who resembled modern giants.
"Manager K, good morning!"
"Morning," a deep voice answered.
A titan of a man—around six-foot-five, broad as a doorframe—turned from instructing several giant Vernathi who were casually lifting nearly a ton each.
Following David, Jack greeted politely.
"Good morning, Manager K."
"Good morning, sir." Lucy also said.
"New guys?" the manager then asked glancing at them for a few seconds. "What division?"
"Division 12, sir. Both of us," Jack said, while David beamed.
Hearing their division, Manager K's eyes swept over Jack and Lucy one more time and with a longer look before giving instructions to the other giants who were lifting almost one ton of barbells.
"I see. So that lazy captain managed to get new members. Good luck." He returned to them and spoke calmly, but the aura around him was razor-sharp.
Jack kept smiling politely.
'Another monster like Captain Colminer…'
[Name: K Esterlion]
[Age: ???]
[Level: ???]
[Race: ???]
[Kill Count: ???]
[Notes: Extremely dangerous.]
'Yeah. Definitely not someone to mess with.'
David then opened his mouth and spoke excitedly.
"Our division's doing great recently thanks to the captain. We are going to be alright. Under his instructions, we even cleaned the office this year!"
'That was the first time this year?' Jack almost dropped his jaw. He did not know whether to find that impressive or not.
'I thought it was bad, but not that bad. My room is also as dirty but that's an office!'
But it somehow did the trick.
Manager K raised a brow, finding it truly impressive for some reason.
"That is news…" he said as if he couldn't believe it.
Jack nearly choked seeing his expression but just stayed silent with his smile.
David continued proudly, "We also completed five Rank F cases and two Rank D cases this week!"
It was impressive. For a bottom-tier division with barely any manpower, completing seven missions in a week was unheard of.
Hearing David, Manager K was surprised again. He couldn't help but look at David longer than usual and hummed thoughtfully.
"That is good news again... How'd you get so lucky?"
David puffed out his chest.
"It's all thanks to older brother and sister! They're heaven-sent recruits."
Jack scratched his head awkwardly.
Manager K then gazed at Jack and Lucy. His gaze lingered on Lucy more.
'I see. I don't know much about this young man but her level is impressive for her age.' He thought, while taking note of their faces.
"If the captain heard you," Hearing David, Jack then whispered to David, "he wouldn't be happy."
Hearing him, David just laughed innocently.
It was at this moment.
'!!!'
Movement from afar caught their attention.
A large group walked out of another training zone—sweaty, exhausted, and radiating pressure. People in the area turned their heads immediately.
"Division 3, Division 5, Division 7… damn, that's a lineup," one of the Vernathi muttered.
"What were they doing?"
"Time relay at 5 g gravity."
A wave of murmurs followed.
At least a dozen members coming out of the training chambers—some early Level 20s—made their way toward the combat area.
Soon after, another two divisions emerged.
"Division 6 and Division 11! They trained at 6 g!"
Suddenly, everyone then noticed that the large groups went into the elevated platforms.
"They had been doing that gravity running training recently. The seniors seem to be training their new recruits and is making them go against each other in sparring afterwards." Someone explained.
"That's some nice training, but also brutal." Some commented.
"Nice. Division 3, Division 5 and Division 7. You guys are setting a great example!" One shouted, as the ten people from Division 6 and 11 also climbed to the elevated platforms.
Like the others, most of the seniors in the group also looked like they were enjoying everything while some presumably newbies seemed to be dying from exhaustion.
The atmosphere turned electric. Even Jack felt it.
The standard gravity on Earth's surface is 1g. Training under 5–6 g was more than enough to kill an ordinary human!
Even awakeners walking under that gravity level was torture. But they have to train under that gravity level. Thinking about it was already exhausting. Anyone in the gym could tell.
But then, after that, they still have to prepare for sparring. For the exhausted rookies of the elite divisions … it was terrifying.
Jack spotted familiar faces—Ken Havel, Lyle Dross, and Mira Jin—looking like they had barely escaped death.
'I didn't like some of their attitudes in that auditorium… but now I feel kind of sorry for them.'
Jack stared at them pityingly, remembering the three who accepted the employee access card at the same time as him and Lucy.
The golden-haired tomboy who looked ready to eat him alive the first time they met could now barely lift her head. Jack felt a pang of sympathy.
But suddenly, that very same girl's eyes twitched.
'Why are they here?!' she thought finding Jack's face of pity annoying.
Jack blinked.
'Did she notice me? And why is she glaring at us?!'
The tomboyish blonde then stood up and whispered something to someone from her division. Another relay of whispers spread toward the other elite divisions.
'…What are they talking about?'
Jack suddenly felt his stomach drop as she gave him the most evil smirk she could muster.
Then someone stepped forward and shouted toward the crowd:
"We heard division 12 is here with two rookies! Why don't you join us for a little spar?!"
x---x
If you're enjoying the story, feel free to drop some Power Stones, Golden Tickets, or even a review. It really helps the book gain more exposure, and I'd appreciate it a lot!