Chapter 102: The Squad Selection Begins
James stood in the center of the enormous hangar on the third underground level, holding the microphone as hundreds of hunters stood before him.
The voices of the candidates still echoed through the walls, but little by little, they began to die down.
James smiled.
"As we announced during yesterday’s conference, it is finally time to begin the first trial."
A huge monitor behind him lit up.
The words appeared in large letters:
FIRST TRIAL — THE TRIAL OF STRENGTH
The murmurs immediately returned.
"The Trial of Strength?"
"Are they going to make us fight each other?"
"Is it going to be a tournament?"
"Are they going to make us fight one-on-one?"
James remained silent for a few seconds, allowing the speculation to grow.
Finally, he raised a hand.
"Before you start imagining all sorts of things..."
The voices quieted down.
"This trial is something completely new for the Squad Selection."
James walked a few steps across the stage.
"In previous Selections, candidates were sent into different dungeons alongside our camera-equipped drones. The sub-captains would then review the recordings and select the hunters who caught their attention the most."
Several candidates nodded.
Liam remained attentive.
He already knew some of this information thanks to his previous conversations with James, but hearing it explained in front of everyone made it seem even more important.
"However, this year, we decided to change things."
James reached inside his white coat and pulled out a small remote.
It had several buttons, and James pressed the red one.
CLANK.
A loud metallic noise echoed from beneath the stage, and a hatch opened beside him.
The candidates took a slight step back when they heard the mechanism.
From inside the floor, a huge metal case began to rise.
The object slowly ascended until it reached James’s height.
The instructor placed one hand on it.
"Thanks to the advances we’ve made over the past few years..."
James opened the case.
Inside were several small devices that looked like sensors.
"In addition to the simulator you can see in the center of this hangar, we developed these."
James picked one up.
"They are sensors similar to the ones we use to determine a hunter’s rank."
Several people began moving closer to get a better look.
"But these have a different function."
James raised the sensor.
"Instead of simply telling us how powerful a hunter is, these devices will analyze their characteristics and determine what type of hunter they are."
Liam frowned slightly.
James smiled.
"And based on that information..."
He paused dramatically.
"...the simulator will generate an enemy suitable for each of you."
Silence immediately filled the hangar.
"An enemy suitable for us?"
"What does he mean by that?"
"Generate?"
James answered almost immediately.
"The simulator isn’t only capable of recreating a biome or a landscape."
He pointed toward the enormous machine in the center of the hangar.
"It can also generate monsters and creatures."
The murmurs grew louder.
"Monsters..."
"Really?"
James nodded.
"Monsters from dungeons."
Some candidates began looking at each other nervously.
"Of course, they won’t be real creatures. They will be recreations generated using the data collected by our squads."
James smiled.
"But I can assure you that they will be extremely realistic."
Liam felt a shiver run down his spine.
’That sounds a lot more dangerous than I expected.’
Chuck, who was standing a few meters away, leaned slightly toward him.
"This first trial should be a piece of cake."
Liam looked at him.
"Are you sure?"
Chuck smiled.
"Of course."
Then he turned his attention back to the stage.
James continued.
"Your task will be simple."
He raised one of the sensors.
"You will put on these devices."
Then he pointed toward the enormous simulator.
"You will enter the corresponding rooms."
James paused briefly.
"And you will face the enemy the system determines to be suitable for you."
Some candidates swallowed nervously.
Others smiled with excitement.
For some, the prospect was terrifying.
For others, it was exactly the challenge they had been waiting for.
James lowered the sensor.
"The five sub-captains are currently in an observation room."
Liam looked toward one of the side walls.
There were several dark, tinted windows there.
’So they’re in there.’
James continued speaking.
"From there, they will be able to observe the performance of every one of you."
Liam immediately thought of the five sub-captains.
Amber.
Don Rouch.
Wayne.
The young Timothy.
And Jane, Captain Armstrong’s daughter.
The only one of the five he had yet to meet personally.
James smiled.
"By the way..."
The instructor looked toward the crowd.
"This is the largest Squad Selection in the history of the guild in terms of the number of candidates."
The crowd began reacting.
James spread his arms.
"Two hundred and seventy hunters!"
The hangar erupted in applause.
Some raised their arms while others shouted.
James waited for the noise to die down.
"Many of you probably won’t be chosen. Some of you may not even be considered for a position within the Ace of Spades."
Several candidates lowered their heads slightly.
"But that doesn’t mean you’ve failed."
James smiled.
"Simply showing up here proves that you have the courage necessary to try to reach something greater."
The applause returned.
"Even those of you who already belong to other guilds and decided to participate today have my respect."
James clenched one hand.
"If you aren’t chosen this time, keep training."
His voice echoed throughout the hangar.
"Come back next year!"
The crowd shouted.
"And I hope to see even more candidates next year!"
The applause became deafening.
Liam looked around.
Two hundred and seventy hunters.
All with different stories, different awakenings, and different reasons.
But they were all looking for the same thing.
An opportunity.
Lydia gently took his hand.
Liam lowered his gaze.
She was looking at him with a small smile.
"You’re very quiet, sweetheart."
Liam looked back toward the tinted windows.
"I was thinking."
"About what?"
"The sub-captains."
Lydia moved a little closer.
"Are you nervous?"
"Not exactly."
Liam took a deep breath.
"I guess I was trying to imagine what they’re thinking while they watch us."
Lydia smiled.
Then she leaned over and gave him a small kiss on the cheek.
"You should enjoy this more."
Liam looked at her.
"Huh?"
"We worked really hard to get here."
Lydia squeezed his hand.
"So enjoy the moment."
Liam smiled.
"You’re right."
He scratched his head slightly.
"Sorry. I think I was spacing out."
Lydia giggled.
"Seems like it."
Liam looked back toward the stage.
James was still speaking.
"Now..."
The crowd fell silent once again.
"It’s time to begin."
James raised the remote.
"I need you to form ten lines."
The candidates began moving.
"Each line will be assigned to one of the ten areas of the first trial."
Liam looked toward the center of the hangar.
James pressed another button.
WHOOOOOM.
The ground began to vibrate, and several structures started emerging.
Translucent walls rose from the floor, forming ten large separated areas.
At the same time, ten enormous metal cases emerged from different hatches.
There was one in each area.
Liam watched everything carefully.
’So this is where it begins.’
James pointed toward the ten areas.
"When you enter, you will receive the corresponding instructions."
The walls finished rising.
All ten areas were completely prepared.
"Remember..."
James smiled.
"The trial isn’t simply about defeating a monster."
Liam slightly raised his eyebrows.
"What our sub-captains will be watching is the way each of you approaches the challenge."
James’s smile grew wider.
"So give it everything you’ve got."
The enormous monitor changed again.
FIRST TRIAL
THE TRIAL OF STRENGTH
James raised his arm.
"Candidates!"
Everyone began moving forward.
"Let the first trial begin!"
The hunters shouted.
Liam took Lydia’s hand, and the two of them walked toward one of the lines.
Liam could feel his heart pounding.
It wasn’t fear.
It was excitement.
After everything they had gone through to get there, they finally had the chance to show what they were capable of.
And this time...
There wasn’t an unknown dungeon waiting for them.
There were no unpredictable monsters.
It had been created specifically for them.
Liam smiled.
’Let’s see what enemy they consider suitable for us.’