"Wow, buddy, your companion is really beautiful. Can you introduce me to her?" said the man with a large build in front of Mark.
Mark glanced at him, his expression unamused.
"And as for you, miss, you might just end up crying when face-to-face with the monster. What a waste, considering how beautiful you are. You're not suited for military service like me," said the man, flaunting his muscular arms.
The people beside him burst into laughter.
"She doesn't like you. She doesn't even notice you," said the man next to him.
"Maybe her companion is her boyfriend," another person chimed in.
"Well, I highly doubt it. She seems delicate. It would be a shame if she ended up with a weakling guy," remarked the man with a large build.
"Yeah, he actually seems gay " they laughed again.
Mark glanced at them once more, a smirk forming on his face, and reached for his bag as if preparing to discard it. But before he could, Jhohan suddenly intervened, signaling him not to engage.
"If I were you, I'd keep my mouth shut. You have no idea who you're messing with," said the soldier seated at the front of the vehicle.
"Who are they, spoiled brats? They probably can't match my wealth," boasted the man with a large build.
His companions erupted in laughter once again.
The trucks came to a halt near the aircraft base. "Everyone, gather your belongings," a soldier in the front seat instructed.
The volunteers exited the trucks and assembled in front of a large concrete building that appeared to be connected to the research and development facility. As Mark admired the size of the structure, he suddenly felt someone bump into him from behind.
"Oops, sorry about that. Didn't mean to," apologized the man who stood at a towering 6 feet, indicating that he had been in the truck with him. Laughter erupted from his companions, adding to the embarrassment of the situation.
Mark felt a surge of anger and the desire for revenge, but Jhohan intervened once again, restraining him. "Let it go this time," she whispered.
"All volunteers, form straight lines! I want four straight lines! Move! Faster!" a commanding soldier shouted.
Everyone hurriedly formed lines as instructed.
"Once you enter this building," a soldier pointed towards the single door, "you will not be allowed to leave unless it's an emergency or you have permission. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir," the volunteers responded in unison.
"I said, do you understand!" the soldier repeated, unsatisfied with their initial response.
"Yes, sir!" they replied with greater conviction.
"That's what I like to hear," the soldier affirmed, pleased with their response.
After the soldier who gave them a command entered the door, everyone murmured about the single door in front of them as they entered. There was an unfamiliar device near the door.
"Put your left hand in," said the female soldier.
As Mark put his left hand in, a satisfying sound and light came from inside the device, as if it was scanning his hand. Then he felt the device put something on his hand.
"What is it? A watch?" he said after he removed his hand from the device.
"But why does it have '10000' on it? What does it indicate?" he said to himself as he walked down a narrow concrete hallway.
"Spectre, what do you think about it?" he asked.
"I don't have any idea either," Jhohan replied.
As they walked towards the end of the hallway, a bright light greeted them, revealing a spacious area. Above them hung a large flatscreen.
As they all entered the area, the automatic door in the hallway closed, causing them to be surprised by the sound.
Everyone murmured and questioned the device on their wrists, trying to understand its purpose.
Within minutes, a soldier appeared on the large screen, appearing to be a military official.
"Hi, I'm General Maverick. To all brave volunteers, I welcome you to our training base. I know you have many questions about the devices installed on your wrists. Let me assure you, they cannot be removed no matter what you try."
Everyone checked their devices, attempting to remove them.
"But don't worry, they will not harm you. These devices were intentionally created for your training. If you see the number '10000' on the device, it represents your training points. These points can be automatically transferred to others and will increase or decrease based on your success or failure in completing tasks. Maintaining a high point total will increase your chances of being recommended for promotion to higher ranks. Conversely, if your points are low, you may become subordinate to others."
"Why do we need this? it's still useless."
"Is it useful for killing those monsters?"
"What's the use of this if we're already facing monsters?"
"We came here to fight and protect our families, right?"
"We're not here to play around."
The room echoed with clamor.
"Hey, spoiled brats," came a voice from behind Mark and Jhohan.
Mark and Jhohan turned around to face the source of the voice.
"If I have the opportunity to take your points, I will crush you and make you my servant. Consider yourselves warned, spoiled brats," he added, while his friends teased and laughed.
Jhohan stepped forward, approaching the man closely. One of his friends remarked, "I think she's starting to like you now."
"Well, let her try to kiss me," the man said with a boastful gesture.
Jhohan responded, "What's your problem, big man with a small brain?"
"Whoa," his friends reacted.
"Did you just call me a small brain?" the man asked.
"Yes, well, not only do you have a small brain, but you're also deaf, aren't you?" Jhohan asked in a serious tone.
The man's anger was evident on his face, and he raised his hand as if to slap her.
But a soldier intervened and said, "Hey, big man, if you touch her, I'll make sure you face severe consequences."
"Just consider yourself lucky today, lady," the man said, backing off.
"Excuse me, Jhohan and Mark, Captain Bron is calling for you," the soldier said.
"And you," he pointed his finger at the man and his friend, "you're lucky I arrived early, or else you would have left this room with broken bones."
"Spoiled brats! You're lucky to have connections up above," the man said as Mark and Jhohan followed the soldier.
"Oh, poor guy, he has no idea who he's dealing with," the soldier remarked as they left the training area.
As they entered the room, someone at the door removed the devices from their wrists.
"Take a seat," Captain Bron said, gesturing to the couch.
"Wow, you have feet now. You seem taller than before," Mark commented.
"Haha, yeah. I suggested they add some size to make me taller," Captain Bron replied.
"Can I see?" Mark asked.
"Of course," Captain Bron said, pulling up his pants to reveal the artificial legs.
"Wow," Mark moved closer to get a better look. "It's really cool. How much does something like this cost? Can you move them?"
Mark touched the artificial legs as Captain Bron laughed.
Jhohan watched them and thought to herself, "He's introverted, but he also has a playful side to him."
"That's enough, Mark. We're not here to play," Jhohan interjected.
"Alright, I called you here because I wanted to ask about what you saw in the Underground Facilities of Midlight Tower. What happened to you down there?" Captain Bron began speaking as they settled on the couch.
"We were deceived, Captain," Jhohan said.
"What do you mean?" Captain Bron inquired.
"I'm not sure what else I saw beneath the city. There were many areas in that place that I haven't explored, probably just around 10% of what I've visited," Jhohan explained.
"Are you saying there are more facilities underground than we initially thought?" Captain Bron asked.
"Yes, it's possible that the Councils of Shadows Organization has planned to create a new city beneath the existing one," Jhohan said.
"That's what I expected," Captain Bron replied before standing up and moving to look at the monitors.
"Anyway, you don't need to join the training today. I need you to come with me tonight to uncover some truths about Maharlika City."
"Why not tomorrow morning?" Mark asked. "It would be safer to go while the monsters are sleeping."
"It's useless, Mark. The weather station has declared that a storm is coming to the country," Captain Bron explained.
"What about the next day or the week after when the storm has passed?" Mark suggested.
"We need to act immediately. The COS Organization is planning to attack Mharsia City since they have gained control over the monsters," Captain Bron revealed..
"How? Are you saying they have successfully installed chipset devices in the monsters' brains?" Jhohan asked.
"You're right, Jhohan. But how did you know that? Oh, I forgot, you're the daughter of Jhannyn Cruze. But I trust you. I know you won't allow the COS organization to take over another city and harm innocent people again" Captain Bron said.
"Now the command group has created a new organization to fight against the COS Organization. They call it GONE, which stands for Great Obsidian of New Era," Bron said.
"That's why the command group has called for volunteers to join the Great armies," he continued.
"The President has declared that the Government will support the Obsidian Base. Additionally, he mentioned that the government has called for volunteers from New Gratias City, Mharsia City, Zinio City, and Athens City. They will also provide advanced technological devices and equipment," Bron explained.
"And I think they are headed this way. They will be here later this afternoon, so be ready. We will engage in a dangerous plan tonight," he added.
"Don't worry, you don't need to hide your secrets from me. I've already discovered them," Captain Bron stated.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Captain," Mark asked.
"I know you're infected with Cephaloneuroplasm Microorganisms. Next time, you should know how to hide the red dots on your neck," Captain Bron said with a smile.
"How is that possible?" Jhohan said as she looked at Mark's neck.
"You have dots on your neck, Spectre," Mark said as he also looked at her neck.
"Haha, you didn't even notice that. But don't worry, guys, I'll keep my mouth shut," Captain Bron said.
"That's why I invited you two to this dangerous plan."
"A a a, if you want to ask how I know about those dots, I'll tell you later," Captain Bron said.
"Anyway, after we return to the training area, how is it possible for you to control those parasites inside your body?" Captain Bron asked.
"I'll explain that to you later," Jhohan said.
"Okay, fine. We are even now," Captain Bron said.