BONUS CHAPTER
ENJOY!
Everyone sat in a corner of the grassy plateau within the simulation. Of course, they were still physically in the pods; their real bodies remained connected to the system as the energy crystals they'd been provided worked to accelerate their ascension.
Leon stood in front of them, a portable holo-projector board lighting up beside him with detailed diagrams of various squad formations.
"Alright, captains," Leon began, his voice commanding their full attention, "for your first lesson as leaders, we're going to cover squad dynamics. Specifically, the optimal squad composition you should aim for when selecting your teammates. Pay close attention, this structure is designed to give your team the best chance of survival and success, especially when you're fighting enemies above your rank."
The holo-projector flashed, showing an animated diagram of four icons representing each role: Runner, Bruiser, Spear, and Controller.
"First," Leon said, pointing to the icon labeled Runner, "The Runner. This individual is your team's eyes and ears. They're fast, agile, and always on the move. Their job is to track your surroundings, spot ambushes, and relay critical intel to the rest of the squad. And when things go south, they're the ones who get out and call for reinforcements. Runners are often overlooked, but make no mistake, they can mean the difference between a successful mission and a massacre."
Talon nodded, his mind already turning over the kind of person he'd need for this role. Someone quick-thinking, fast, and resourceful.
Leon's pointer moved to the Bruiser icon. "Next, the Bruiser. The bruiser is the backbone of your team. They take the hits, hold the line, and keep the enemies focused on them. A good bruiser is durable, relentless, and doesn't back down, no matter how much punishment they take. Their role is to buy time and create openings for the damage dealers to strike."
Some people were already whispering that it sounded like their kind of role. Talon figured Jason would fit this role, but only if his power was actually in line with it.
'I really should find out just what their powers are,' Talon vowed to himself.
The animation shifted, zooming in on the Spear icon. "The Spear, the short-range specialist is your team's close-quarters fighter. They back up the bruiser, ensuring they don't get overwhelmed, and stay in the thick of the fight. These fighters thrive in chaotic, fast-paced combat, delivering devastating blows at close range while maintaining just enough awareness to avoid overextending."
Talon couldn't help but feel a flicker of recognition at the description. That sounded like him.
"Finally," Leon continued, gesturing to the Controller icon, "your long ranged specialist. Their job is to stay on the outskirts of battle, picking off enemies with precision. A good Controller supports the team by taking out high-value targets, providing cover, and eliminating threats before they get too close. They often work closely with the Runner to stay mobile and maintain optimal positioning, whilst keeping enemies at bay from the rest of their squad and helping out where needed."
The diagram zoomed out, showing all four roles working together in sync, arrows highlighting how their movements and responsibilities overlapped.
"This structure is proven to maximize your team's efficiency and survivability. It's not just about brute strength or flashy powers. A well-coordinated squad can take down opponents far above their own individual power."
Talon leaned forward, absorbing every word. It was clear now how much strategy went into being a super squad. It wasn't just about who had the strongest power, it was about how those powers worked together.
Leon stepped back, crossing his arms as he surveyed the group. "For the captains, it's your job to identify the best candidates for each role. Look for individuals whose skills and personalities complement the squad. And remember: a team that functions as one is always more effective than a group of individuals acting alone."
The projector shut off, and Leon's gaze swept over the captains. "Any questions?"
No hands were raised.
Leon gave a final nod. "Alright then, dismissed. Get back to the obstacle course."
As the people dispersed, Talon lingered for a moment, his mind racing with possibilities. He had Jason and Kieran locked in. But he really should ask exactly what role they could take.
Later, in their quarters, Talon decided it was time to figure out how Jason and Kieran fit into the equation.
"So," he began, leaning back on his bed, "what exactly are your powers? You know mine already, just a stat multiplier, but I really should have asked you two sooner."
Jason grinned. "Finally! I thought you'd never ask." He stood up, mimicking a fighter stance. "Kinetic absorption. Hit me, and I can store the energy to use it later. Let it all out in one big hit or spread it out, my choice."
Kieran leaned forward, his expression thoughtful. "That's… actually pretty useful."
Jason smirked. "Pretty useful? Try awesome."
Talon chuckled. "Alright, what about you, Kieran?"
Kieran hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "Soul weapons or something. Every time I ascend a rank, I get a new weapon tied to my soul. Right now, it's a sniper rifle." He paused, glancing at the others. "Honestly, I thought it'd be a sword or something, but this is… kind of cool."
Talon nodded, filing the information away. "Okay, so Jason's our bruiser, and Kieran's our Controller. Guess I could be our Spear. Now we just need a Runner."
The first week ended quickly after that, with everyone ascending to early soldier rank.
It was a significant milestone, as reaching this stage meant they could finally start practicing their powers in earnest. The energy crystals had done their job, pushing their bodies to adapt quickly.
As Talon lay in bed at the end of the week, his mind buzzed with possibilities. The tournament was on the horizon, and he still needed to find someone to fill the scout role in his squad.
The second week of their training was coming up, they would all start training their powers, and meet mentors if they had them.
He was pretty excited, he knew he had one and was itching to find out who exactly it would be.