Before long, a crowd of spectators has gathered around the elevated platforms, as six divisions agreed to go for a spar.
Soon, the first pair had been decided.
On one platform stood a woman and a man who stood facing each other as they prepared to battle.
The woman was around 160 centimeters in height with short golden hair that stopped at her neck with a neat but slender build and sharp feline eyes.
On the opposite end stood a man with jet-black hair and blue eyes, wearing a calm smile as if already analyzing her.
This man was naturally Jack Crawluster.
"Division 3 and Division 12. This is our first matchup!"
A man in the center raised his voice, causing the already excited crowd to erupt in cheers.
This man was the same person who asked Division 12 to come out and a member of the Division 3 like Mira.
"It's a battle of rookies. Mira, our fierce rookie from Division 3—many of you saw her during the recruitment trials!"
Mira smiled as James introduced her. The gym immediately responded with loud cheers for her. It was clear who they were rooting for.
"And on the other side, we have Jack, the mysterious rookie recommended by the Executive Branch! He skipped the trials entirely and joined directly as a new employee of Division 12!"
Jack smiled too, but no matter how wide he grinned, all he received were boos, making him just close his lips.
Jack on the other hand was also smiling, but no matter how wide he would probably ripped his mouth, only boos followed.
'It stings… Not only am I fighting a popular chick, that damn announcer deliberately emphasized my background.' Jack sneered internally.
The moment they heard he was "recommended," the crowd's attitude shifted. Glares came from everywhere. Being a newcomer, Jack had already learned that the Human Resources Department or Division 10's recruitment trials were sacred—and recommendations were frowned upon.
Jack glanced at his own division members and felt a headache forming. 'Why the hell am I even here? And why am I the first one fighting?'
A few minutes earlier—
Since Division 12 had rookies as well—Jack, Lucy, and even David who'd only just joined—it was decided they must also participate.
"But why are we first? This is unfair!" Jack said politely but under protest.
Yet the moment he spoke, cold stares landed on him. Then the face of James smiling at him appeared in his vision.
"Come now, junior! We just finished training. We're exhausted. You'll be fine going first—we believe in you. Even Mira said she'll take you on," James said with a too-sweet smile.
Anyone could tell he clearly enjoyed picking on people.
'Peer pressure is really crazy…' Jack thought as whistles and chants rang out. It didn't help that he was also going against a girl.
Of course, he wanted to avoid this whole thing, but everyone here had higher levels than him. Even James was on the mid 30s despite being only 28 and was actually one of the strongest so far.
"We should go, older brother, older sister!" David said excitedly. "I can't believe we get to join!"
Jack stared at him, dead-eyed.
"I'm fine with it," Lucy added calmly.
Sweat rolled down Jack's back.
In Lucy's mind, Jack was secretly some overpowered monster pretending to be a newbie and the grandson of one of the strongest in the company.
"Actually," James said cheerfully, "I saw your profile and you're the oldest among the three rookies of your division, junior. You should take the lead!"
And just like that, he was sacrificed first.
Now here he was, standing on the stage across from Mira.
There were also one rookie from each division apparently, and there were three of them from Division 12.
Each division apparently had one rookie participating, but Division 12 had three. What was originally meant to be friendly sparring evolved into a full-blown rookie-welcoming event.
But after learning Jack got in through recommendation, it might as well have been Jack vs. Everyone. Even the guys who were friendly earlier now watched him like he was about to be dissected.
"I'm ready!" Mira announced, now lifting an iron iron baton and resting it casually across her shoulder like a sword while her eyes fixed on Jack with sharp intent.
The crowd smiled warmly at her and then looked at Jack with a blank almost stone-like expression.
"I'm ready too," Jack said to the biased referee, as he was checking a training pistol in his right hand.
"We'll begin a rookie-only sparring match. Think of this as your welcoming party," James explained. "We'll observe and comment afterward. Any lethal attacks are not accepted and will be dealt with accordingly. Manager, is this acceptable?"
Manager K, watching from the side, nodded, signaling the start.
Jack finished checking his pistol—ten training bullets loaded. 'I've changed a lot lately. I came here precisely to test myself. Fine… let's do this.'
Indeed, Jack had changed.
[Name: Jack Crawluster]
[Age: 24.]
[Race: Human]
[Level: 3.]
[430/800 exp]
[Attributes:]
[HP: 30]
[MP: --- ]
[Strength: 14]
[Speed: 11]
[Stamina: 9]
And he had another reason for not being too worried.
After checking Mira's stats, he realized his chances were… surprisingly good.
[Name: Mira Jin.]
[Age: 22]
[Level: 15]
[Race: 21 % Felari (Awakened)]
[Exp: 110/1900]
[Attributes: ]
[HP: 40/40]
[MP: --- ]
[Strength: 5/19]
[Speed: 8/25]
[Stamina: 3/20]
[Notes: exhausted]
'Aside from me, she's the lowest-level rookie here. Why did she even agree to fight while exhausted? She's going to lose like this…'
Jack thought as a large annoying smile formed in his face.
[Activating Level 2 Basic Fighting Skill...]
[Level 2 Basic fighting skill activated.]
x---x
Hello, this is the author! I'll be locking the chapters after this one starting the last week of November. I truly appreciate everyone's support. Please consider using your power stones, golden tickets, and leaving your thoughts in the comments. It means a lot to me. Thank you!