The day that followed after waking up seemed to be just like any other day. However, there were a few differences in recent days, and that is the leftover food for the morning became less with each day.
Today, for example, there was nothing for us in the morning to eat at all. We had to go out towards the places where there were still insects available. However, I decided and told everyone that we were going to train.
"To maximize efficiency, we'll train first and then only eat once we have reached the point of soreness." I told the group of people who were standing upright like the soldiers I had trained them to be.
After declaring what would be done in the morning, I followed with words of instruction. "This time there is nothing left at all, so we'll have to quench our thirst." I declared and waited a few seconds for my followers to digest the situation that we were in.
Five seconds passed and I could see the faces of my followers becoming neutral again. It was time for me to give out my instructions and opinions on the dire situation that we were facing.
"We do not need to be hydrated, because as you might or might not have realized, the feeling of thirst is not a problem to us, as food can take care of that. Which is why, we train immediately and endure! I'd say we should train the hardest today because today… might be the last day we have to endure!"
Although I wasn't a hundred percent certain, I was certain that those that are keeping us captive would arrive soon. If not today, then tomorrow, and if not tomorrow, then the day after tomorrow. Perhaps they might just wait until we are close to dying from dehydration and starvation before they finally reveal themselves.
I couldn't know the exact, but I could guess the chances. I was prepared… I was well prepared ever since I discovered just how overpowered the eat-to-heal ability of my race is.
With this ability, I had the option to create an opposing force just within a few days. That's why I didn't hide my leadership and the strict regimes that I let everyone follow.
The only thing I camouflaged was that I was creating soldiers that would be able to show resistance. I camouflaged it with actions that would look like the actions of bored and insane people to the average.
Running around in circles, punching and breaking a bunch of wooden poles and furniture, and then carrying them back and forth. Climbing buildings before going back down and repeating it all again, holding a bunch of wood in one's arms while crouching back and forth, pulling the cauldron towards oneself…
It was all a bunch of tasks that would look like the actions of a possessed person to the average ignorant mind, especially of those who seemed to be from a medieval era, with their sword hanging near their waist.
But that is the beauty of working out, isn't it? To gain a peak physical body while looking all crazy in the process of doing so!
"Come on! You got five more in yah!"
It was probably almost noon already when I screamed out such loud but motivating words to Brolee who was struggling to do a total of seven pull-ups.
At the moment, the end of our training session was already nearing. We were practically starving after having not eaten for more than twelve hours in total!
Fortunately, through more than a week of continuous training that came with less food at the end of each day, all of us have learned to endure the painful sense of hunger in our stomachs. We could endure fasting, although that didn't mean we did so without struggle. That teenager who used to be my cell neighbor, for example, he almost went berserk again!
…
"Phew… That was so tiring. I hate doing it every day, but, why does it feel nice when we actually do it?" A conversation erupted between my followers as they and I were preparing to leave the area to find food.
"It's because of the leader. Doing tasks together with him, there is no better feeling."
"Hmm, I think you might be right."
As usual, now and then, there would be a follower who had to mention my existence with praise. Having heard the words of hers that were full of praise, I was about to give her and the others my thanks, but was interrupted the moment I was about to speak.
The feeling of being watched made my body feel slightly uncomfortable. My back, which was covered by no one as I was walking behind everyone, felt vulnerable. But that wasn't where the sense of being watched was telling me to be cautious. There was no one behind me. Instead…
'To my right!'
My head quickly moved towards the location of the source which made me want to be cautious. What I saw was a cloaked figure, who looked similar to those victims of the giant centipede. He wasn't too far, which is why I could see the details of his well enough. Yet, he remained still, as if not aware that I could see him standing right there in the open.
'Does he think that I can't see him because he's standing far from the light? If that's the case, he's quite the amateur for not knowing the prolonged darkness gave eyes like that of a cheap night vision, haha. Or… Perhaps he doesn't care that I can't see him. Hmm.'
The cloaked figure's weird actions could only remain a mystery, as I decided to just straight up ignore him.
As for why I decided to ignore him, that's because approaching or staring at him for a prolonged time could only bring me unwanted danger. Also, I had achieved what I needed with this little sort of interaction alone. The confirmation that me and my followers were indeed being watched.
'Can't wait to see what comes next…'