"So, when are you recruiting?" Kanna was starting to believe that the rumours were only rumours, but he wanted to confirm it nonetheless.
Gagan tried thinking of an answer to give him, but since the process was too complex, his mind fused. He looked around and saw abs. "Everybody abs." Gagan said without thinking. For the people nearby, intently listening to the conversation, it was easy to understand, or well misunderstand.
And that's when the bell rang, it was time for socialisation.
During the last generation's time, technology had advanced so much, that normal schools and offices had stopped being in use.
Students would have their lessons at home with the Teaching AI Uriel, who would teach everything at the student's own paces.
But this had made a generation of children who were socially awkward, whose anxiety levels were at an all time high while in society and who were definitely less than mannered with their parents and elders.
Hence, it was an almost unanimous decision in many countries that the 'old ways' needed to be brought back, with an addition of a socialisation time, where everyone would have to talk with at least one person other than themselves, specifically adding and emphasizing the last part.
Sure, it was difficult in the past, when it had just started, but in the long term, it provided good enough results.
In the case of Gagan's Apex Body Gym, it had been more than success. The puffed bodies and their excitement during the socialization time, made them look like a bunch of guys on steroids to a normal person.
And the excitement was doubled or possibly tripled, as the news spread like a wildfire that when everybody would have abs, they will be recruited into the Gangsta bro's guild. Within 10 minutes, two lists were readied by Verdon, Kim and the others, the first list for the guys with at least 6 pack abs (self decided), and the other for those below that.
"Gagan bro, 81 people here have 6 pack abs, there are only 19 people who fall short of it. Please get ready to recruit us into your guild." Verdon told him, promptly going near the entrance and projecting the result on the big screen near the entrance.
Kanna, Tomato Shirogane and the others either didn't have too muscular bodies, or were kinda fat. They felt embarrassed and self-conscious when the second list with their names in big letters was displayed.
The 27 people who had stated that they weren't even playing or that they weren't in the Etom Empire, were conveniently ignored.
The nineteen of them were scared of what would happen to them now, and they were right to do so. Afterall, the others were smiling way too amiably.
Especially Kanna, he was regretting his decision to ask Gagan about the Guild recruitment. He understood the meaning of the old saying 'Curiosity killed the cat.' This time, a lean, short, brown cat.
"Let us help you with your body."
"We'll get you looking totally manly in no time, dude."
"You came here to get fit, right? Let's get you into shape." and more such stuff was being said by the harbingers of hell to the petty humans.
After which another flashy message in big letters was displayed on the large screen, "Anyone who quits during the next two months will be dressed up like a girl and be made to walk through the gym like this." After which a full set of cosplay clothes was displayed, both male and female.
Everyone was too embarrassed thinking about themselves in such clothes, or teasing someone, to think about which one of them was into cosplay.
Gagan decided to head out of the gym early that day. He did not know what to do. He wanted to talk with someone, but Himu was working and he didn't want to disturb him, no matter how many times he would say that he isn't bothered by him, and Swara was probably still playing, so he decided to visit Grandfather Carl.
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Author's Note: Lol, 6 pack abs people grinning evilly. Time to let the lazy ones know what hell looks like.
Also, sorry for the late chapter.
Please forgive your cute author kun. ^_^