The previous room's lead, Long Zhan, responsible for entry and inventory, moved ahead and positioned himself against the wall to the left of the door, ready to stand guard.
Years of SEAL training had forged a muscle memory so ingrained that no verbal communication was needed between the two.
Clay immediately advanced, taking position on the right side of the door.
He pressed his back against the wall, staying close. His right hand deftly wound the rifle sling around his hand twice, shortening its length. This adjustment allowed the weapon to rest horizontally across his chest, stabilized by his neck for better shooting accuracy.
Clay assumed a single-handed shooting stance, aiming toward the door. His left hand lightly pressed against the door's surface.
With the standard CQB (Close Quarters Battle) single-operator room-clearing procedure, he gradually increased pressure on the door with his palm, opening it while keeping the muzzle aligned with the widening gap.
When the door was one-quarter open, a human-shaped target armed with a weapon appeared.
*Bang! Bang!*
Clay executed a precise double-tap, hitting the target's head and chest.
As the door swung open to a 90-degree angle, revealing 80% of the room, another target emerged in the lower right corner.
This time, there were two simulated targets—a deliberate setup designed to mislead trainees.
One was a man wearing a headscarf, unarmed, and the other, a woman holding an automatic rifle—a deliberate reversal of common expectations.
Even the slightest impatience, carelessness, or over-reliance on instinct could result in a fatal mistake here. Many would instinctively raise their weapon and kill the masked man.
But not Clay.
His individuality and remarkable skill set him apart. Among this Green Team of newcomers, he was second only to the T0-level Long Zhan, earning him a solid T1 ranking.
*Bang! Bang!*
Within a second of spotting the targets, Clay correctly distinguished between the civilian and the armed combatant, firing another accurate double-tap.
The female combatant target took two hits to the chest and fell, signifying a confirmed kill.
"Clear!"
Clay, having neutralized all visible threats in the room, quickly advanced inside to perform a follow-up check and ensure all threats were neutralized before calling out the tactical command. He then exited and sprinted toward the green-marked safe zone, which signified the end of the exercise.
Passing by Long Zhan without a word, Clay moved confidently toward the finish area.
"This guy... it seems he's acting up again."
Watching Clay charge toward the safe zone brimming with self-assurance, Long Zhan, still waiting for the command signal, shook his head in exasperation before striding after him.
Clay was clearly satisfied with his performance and hadn't realized he had violated CQB safety protocols.
Reaching the safe zone, he engaged his weapon's safety and held it in a standard ready position. Looking up, he locked eyes with Adam, the instructor, standing on the overhead walkway.
"Area cleared. Safe!" he shouted.
Sweat glistened on Clay's face, a mix of confidence and excitement. He was already anticipating high praise from the instructor.
Long Zhan, who had followed closely behind, also shouted, "Area cleared. Safe!"
Because of Clay's mistake during the final step, Long Zhan was slightly delayed. Under normal circumstances, the two would have arrived together.
Clay's error hadn't escaped the sharp eyes of Instructor Adam.
"Where did the 'Advance' command go after you cleared the room?"
Adam didn't raise his voice or erupt in anger. His face remained calm, his gaze fixed squarely on Clay.
In his eyes, one word was written—*Disappointment.*
As the top instructor in the Green Team training camp, Adam's abilities were beyond reproach.
No matter the situation, he remained composed and fair, earning the trainees' deep respect.
Clay's confidence crumbled instantly upon hearing Adam's question. The disappointment in Adam's gaze stung far more than any rebuke, filling Clay with an overwhelming sense of shame and regret for making such a basic mistake.
His prideful nature compelled him to say something—to at least attempt an explanation or defense.
But as he raised his head to speak, he met Adam's disappointed gaze and found himself unable to utter a single word. Instead, he lowered his head in silent defeat.
What fell wasn't just his head—it was also his once-proud confidence.
"Answer the question, Mr. Spencer."
Adam's tone remained as calm as ever.
The steadier Adam's voice, the heavier it weighed on Clay's heart. If Adam had scolded him, he might have felt better.
"Yes, I did make a mistake. I forgot I was conducting a team operation with a partner. I… I forgot about him."
Clay's reply was low and heavy, reflecting his current state of mind.
As an E4-grade corporal from the SEALs, Clay was no rookie. In another setting, he could easily lead a squad.
He fully understood every CQB command, yet he had made such a rookie mistake. It was inexcusable.
Long Zhan, observing Clay's expression throughout, didn't offer any words of comfort or defense. He simply watched silently.
Because what Adam had pointed out was true.
DEVGRU was an elite Tier 1 special operations unit, far superior to the standard SEAL Teams.
Members who remained in DEVGRU were the crème de la crème, each a shining star in their own right. Any one of them could be the protagonist of a "legendary soldier" tale.
How did so many "unbeatable warriors" coexist harmoniously here?
The answer was *team cohesion.*
In DEVGRU, there was no tolerance for lone wolves. A lone wolf wouldn't survive here. If Clay wanted to stay, he had to change.
Both Adam and Ray acknowledged Clay's potential, but like Jason, they disliked his individualistic approach.
Seeing Clay—typically quick to offer excuses—finally accept his mistake without argument, Adam's lips curled into a faint smile.
What instructors valued most was seeing their trainees grow.
"We don't just want you to admit your mistakes; we want you to change and overcome them."
Adam, a man of few words, kept it brief. Pointing to the obstacle course outside, he said, "Go complete your obstacle training. I don't want to see you come down until dinnertime."
"Yes, sir."
Clay responded, slinging his rifle and jogging out. Passing Long Zhan, he didn't speak, but his eyes were filled with apology.
On a real battlefield, Clay's actions would have abandoned Long Zhan, leaving him exposed. If Long Zhan had been delayed and killed because of the lack of an immediate withdrawal order, the responsibility would have been entirely on Clay.
Long Zhan bore no grudge. He only hoped his partner would grow quickly. Smiling, he said, "Keep it up, buddy. I believe you'll become even better."
"Was I really wrong?"
Hearing Long Zhan's encouragement, Clay couldn't help but reflect deeply for the first time since joining the Green Team. Doubt crept in, shaking his unwavering confidence.