Chapter 8: Becoming a Trainee in the Organization
Adam glanced at his system status, his eyes scanning the updated information:
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Name: Adam Bak
Level: 5
Health: 800/800
Mana Points: 80/500
Experience: 0/500
Attributes
Strength: 13
Agility: 14
Intelligence: 15
Endurance: 11
Luck: 3
Unassigned Stat Points: 12
Skills
Kinetic Enigma (Legendary)
Mana Eyes (Unique)
Learning (default)
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He quickly hid the window, deciding to review it later in the privacy of his room.
Adam turned his attention to Ryker, who stood observing the aftermath of the match without interference. Ryker's expression was unreadable, but his voice carried a hint of approval. "You have proven yourself worthy, boy. You are now a trainee in the Umbrella Collective, an organization that operates in the shadows of the kingdom. We protect this nation from internal and external threats, ensuring the balance of power remains intact."
Adam's curiosity piqued, Ryker continued, "The Umbrella Collective is a clandestine organization, unknown to the general public. Our existence is a closely guarded secret, and our members are handpicked for their exceptional skills. As an assassin trainee, you will undergo rigorous training to hone your abilities and become a valuable asset to the collective."
Adam nodded and asked, "Now what?"
Ryker gestured for Adam to follow him. "Come, follow me."
As they walked, Adam marveled at the sprawling structure of the base. The corridor stretched out before them, branching into various sections, each leading to different areas. Adam spotted signs indicating the locations of the training facilities, armory, infirmary, and living quarters. Ryker led him through the winding corridors, passing by secure checkpoints manned by heavily armed guards.
They arrived at a large intersection, where several corridors converged. The area was bustling with activity, as personnel in various attire – from formal wear to combat gear – hurried about their duties. Ryker navigated through the crowd, stopping in front of a door marked "Training Sector 3." A figure emerged from the doorway, a middle-aged woman with piercing green eyes and raven-black hair.
The woman's calm tone belied an air of authority. "So, this kid made it through the trial?"
Ryker nodded. "Helena,Make him the best asset to the collective."
Ryker turned to Adam, his expression stern. "Helena is your new trainer and superior. If you want to survive, follow every command she gives you without question."
Helena's gaze swept Adam from head to toe, her eyes lingering on his still-bruised face. "Welcome, kid. I'll ensure you become a formidable assassin. But first, let's get one thing clear: in the Umbrella Collective, loyalty is paramount. Betrayal will not be tolerated."
Adam swallowed, sensing the weight of his new commitment. "I understand."
Helena's expression softened slightly. "Good. Let's begin your training. We have much work to do."
Adam nodded to Ryker, thinking, "Now what is she going to do with me?" As Ryker departed, Helena gestured for Adam to follow her. They walked to a new room, and Adam's eyes widened as he took in the scene.
The room was spacious, with six beds arranged along the walls, each with a small dresser and a closet. The room was dimly lit, with only a few flickering candles illuminating the space. The walls were adorned with eerie paintings, depicting scenes of darkness and shadows. A single window, barred and grilled, allowed a sliver of moonlight to enter.
As they entered, Adam noticed the other children, ranging from 16 to 18 years old. They seemed hardened, their eyes gleaming with a mixture of curiosity and hostility. There was Kaide, the 18-year-old who seemed to be the eldest, with a menacing scar above his left eyebrow. His piercing blue eyes seemed to bore into Adam's soul. Next to Kaide stood Eli, a blonde girl with an air of quiet confidence, her gaze steady and unnerving. Arin, a lean boy with messy brown hair, eyed Adam with interest. The other three children – two boys and one girl – watched Adam with varying degrees of curiosity.
Helena's voice cut through the tension. "From today, this is your place to stay. You will follow the rules and routines of the Umbrella Collective." With that, she turned and left, leaving Adam amidst his new roommates.
Adam thought, "What should I do now?" as Kaide's voice boomed through the room. "Look, we have got something new to play with. Why don't we all play with him to pass our time?" Kaide's eyes sparkled with malice, and Adam sensed trouble brewing.
Adam didn't want to draw attention, so he began thinking of ways to avoid confrontation. He noticed the six children in the room, all older than him. Four boys and two girls, each with their unique aura of danger. Adam calmly walked to his bed, ignoring Kaide's provocative statement.
Kaide approached Adam, his voice dripping with arrogance. "My name is Kaide, and I'm going to become a top officer here." Eli intervened, her voice firm but gentle. "That's enough, Kaide. Don't forget we have to stay together. If you want to show your power, show it in the field today."
Arin walked towards Adam, his eyes locked on Kaide before shifting to Adam. "Hi, my name is Arin, and she's Eli." He gestured toward the blonde girl, who watched Adam with an unreadable expression.
Arin knew the dark truth about this place. All the children here were either kidnapped or sold by their parents. Adam's young age and innocence made Arin's heart ache. He realized Adam wouldn't last long if he didn't adapt.
Adam looked up at Arin, his voice flat. "It doesn't matter to me whether you're all here or not."
Arin's expression softened, sensing the depth of Adam's emotional scars. He decided to keep a close eye on Adam, knowing the harsh realities of their world. Little did Adam know, his journey as an assassin trainee had just begun, and his roommates would become his allies – or enemies – in the shadows.
Before anyone could respond to Adam's indifference, a ringing sound echoed across the room. Arin swiftly said, "Come on, Master is calling us." Kaide turned to Adam, his tone laced with warning, "Hey, new boy, come with us, or else it won't be good for you."
Adam fell in line behind the others, following them to another training arena. A middle-aged man, Zara, awaited their arrival. His piercing gaze swept the group before settling on Adam. "So, another trainee has joined you today...This is a good thing, but it doesn't mean your training will be easy now."
Zara led them through a gate, which transported them to a vast, intricate labyrinth. The maze stretched out in every direction, with towering walls and twisting corridors. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decay.
"This is the Shadow Maze," Zara explained, "a training ground for our assassins. The maze shifts and adapts, ensuring no two paths are ever the same. You'll need to rely on your wits and instincts to survive."
As Zara spoke, the walls of the maze seemed to shift, creating new pathways and sealing off others. The sound of scurrying creatures echoed through the corridors, and Adam's senses went on high alert.
Zara gestured, and from the shadows emerged a group of men clad in black attire. Their faces were obscured by hoods, and their eyes gleamed with an unnerving intensity.
"These are our training instructors," Zara said. "They will ensure you're prepared for the challenges ahead."
The instructors approached the group, carrying bulky armor sets. Adam recognized the armor as enchanted, designed to amplify the wearer's strength and agility.
[The host equipped with Magic Armor]
[Host weight increase: 25kg]
Adam felt the weight of the armor settle onto his shoulders, the added 25kg making every movement laborious. He wondered if he could even run with this weight.
Zara's voice cut through Adam's concerns. "You have 4 hours. Either find the exit gate within these hours, or survive until the time runs out. Be warned: traps are everywhere, and they're not just deadly poison."
With that, Zara vanished, leaving Adam and the others to navigate the treacherous labyrinth.
Suddenly, a ringing sound echoed in Adam's mind, his system offering another opportunity.
Adam's thoughts racing, he assessed his surroundings and his new armor. He knew he had to rely on his instincts and his system to survive in this maze.
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Mission Briefing:-
Mission Name: Endure and Survival
Mission Objective: Survive in the Umbrella Collective's deadly maze, navigating poison traps and deadly beasts.
Mission Description: This is a step-wise mission, testing your endurance and survival skills. The maze will adapt to your progress, introducing new challenges and increasing difficulty.
Mission Tasks:
1. Survive 4 hours (Task 1)
2. Survive 8 hours (Task 2)
...
3. Survive 120 hours (Task 30)
Rewards:
Task 1: 10 Exp
Task 2: 20 Exp
...
Task 30: 300 Exp
Penalty: Death
Current Task: Task 1 - Survive 4 hours
Time Remaining: 4 hours
Host Status:
Name: Adam Bek
Level: 5
Health: 800/800
Mana: 500/500
Weight: 55kg (including 25kg magic armor)
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Adam assessed his situation, weighing his options. He knew the maze was designed to push him to his limits, but he was determined to survive.
"Let's move," Kaide whispered, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "We need to find shelter and figure out the maze's layout."
Eli nodded, her gaze locked on Adam. "We should work together. We don't know what's lurking in the shadows."
Arin fell in step beside Adam. "I've heard rumors of poisonous gas pockets and trapdoors. We need to be cautious."
Adam nodded, his mind racing. He knew his system would provide updates on his progress and any changes in the maze.
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System Update:
[Time Remaining: 3 hours 59 minutes]
[Host Health: 800/800]
[Mana: 500/500]
[Task Progress: 0%]
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Adam ventured into the unknown, ready to face the deadly maze and its secrets.
What would Adam do next?