Chapter 56: Testing
The morning sun crested over the compound, spilling orange light over the corrugated roofs of the warehouses and the clustered modular housing. Richard’s breath was steady and controlled as he rounded the last bend of his 3-kilometer sprint. His legs pumped like pistons, muscles burning slightly, but nothing he couldn’t handle. Constitution 100 had its perks.
He came to a stop, chest rising and falling in a measured rhythm. Sweat barely dotted his skin. Around him, workers loitered with cups of steaming coffee and cigarettes, some leaning against parked trucks, others sitting on crates. All eyes were on him.
They had watched Richard complete 100 push-ups, 100 pull-ups, 100 curl-ups, and a 3-kilometer sprint without a single break — and with barely a bead of sweat to show for it.
Whispers floated around him."That guy’s a machine.""No way he didn’t juice up.""Who the hell does that without even breathing heavy?"
Richard ignored them, grabbing a water bottle from a nearby crate and taking a long, slow drink. The cold liquid washed down his throat, refreshing. Just another day.
"Oi, Rich!"
A large hand clapped down on his shoulder. Richard turned to see Jonathan, a man in his early 30s with a barrel chest, a thick beard, and a grin as wide as the Lanao Lake. He was a truck driver under Estello’s employ — one of the more personable workers. Too personable, if Richard was being honest.
"Man, you’re a beast!" Jonathan laughed, stepping into Richard’s personal space like he owned it. Jonathan’s breath smelled of coffee and instant noodles. "You did all that without breaking a sweat. What’s your secret?"
Richard forced a tight-lipped smile. "Just been doing it every day for five years."Lie. It had barely been a year since the system awakened.
Jonathan’s eyes widened. "Five years? Damn. No wonder. I was about to say you might be juicing or something. Ha! But I guess you’re just built different."
Richard just nodded, taking another swig of water. Jonathan was the type who couldn’t take a hint even if you hit him with it.