"There you are, Sam."
Sam could be seen relaxing on a chair too small for his massive frame. The man's face was recently shaved, his bald head shining from the ceiling lights. He had a red book in his hand titled:
"So, what did you want me down here for?" I asked politely. Sam just grunted and motioned for me to follow beside him. We walked by the library, multiple meeting rooms that are full as officials were interviewing new superhumans, and the pool, which is ginormous by the way as it's one hundred and sixty feet long. As I was looking around The Recruit Center, Sam came to a stop in front of a room. To the left was a sign that read:
Training Room
"The training room? Why are we here?"
This room is where all sorts of training equipment are stored at. It's to aid superhumans who want to grow stronger. It even has battle arenas for 1v1s, 2v2s, and 5v5 fights. Each area had its own sections and was protected by an invisible barrier to limit as much shock as it can from fights. It's the most popular place in The Recruitment Center.
The automatic doors to the training room opened, and the first thing I saw was an assortment of people doing their own thing everywhere. A pair were in a boxing ring smiling at each other as they throw hard punches that sounded like gunshots. On the far side of the boxing ring was a group of superhumans practicing swordsmanship. They were being taught by a stern man who seemed to be pushing his fifties. I even spotted a pudgy man deadlifting a two-ton bar. His face was as red as a ripe tomato. As we walked by them, everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at us, whispering.
"Look, it's The Six Hunters…"
"What are they doing here?"
"I-Isn't that Sam? Ranked tenth in the entire world?"
Even though Sam could hear them clearly, he ignored them and carried on with whatever business he had with me, though I have a sneaking suspicion of what it may be. We were approaching a gray-tiled platform at the far end of the training facility. There was a rack leaning on a nearby wall carrying an assortment of weapons ranging from swords to bows to shields. Sam grabbed a longsword coupled with a rectangular shield from the rack and assumed a defensive stance on the platform.
"You want to have a spar with me?" I said while inspecting an ax. Sam nodded his head in agreement.
I don't know why Sam would want to spar with me. He could've called on Sophie or Darion for this. They're more skilled in combat than I am.
I'll indulge him, I guess.
A crowd was forming around us, their faces filled with eagerness.
"Ready when you are!" I yelled as I stand in front of Sam. After giving him the okay, he went on to smack his sword against his shield. A blue aura was infused within his sword and shield. I knew what that aura around him was. It's a mastery that increases the durability and destructive power of one's armaments called [Armament Enhancement]. If I remember correctly, the last time he used [Armament Enhancement], it was around level four.
"If that's how you want to play it, I won't hold back. [Body Strengthening]." Confirming that I was indeed buffed, I charged at Sam. He held his shield up as I swung the ax with all my strength. The force of my strike against his shield was enough for the spectators to be pushed back a few feet away. Even then…
"What?!" I shouted with surprise. There wasn't a single crack on Sam's shield, not even a dent. It was spotless as if it was never hit in the first place.
Sam lifted his shield up and down like he was telling me to keep it up. That was when I pieced it all together on why he called me here.
"Oh, did you call me here to test out your mastery?"
"Mmm."
"Alright then." I nodded. I shouldn't disappoint him if he's relying on me. Sam signaled to me that he was ready once more, and I gave him the thumbs up. I spread my legs far apart and swung my ax back as far as I could and whispered a single phrase.
[Axe Swing]
My arms moved automatically to the space where I laid my eyes, the seemingly impenetrable fortress of a shield that just laughs at anyone who dares to mark it. The ax contacted the shield, and this time it was even more powerful than the last as I combined [Axe Swing] and [Body Strengthening].
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"Woah!"
The aftershock caused the whole building to rumble as the ground and walls shook like it was hit by an earthquake. The barrier that was erected around us was broken as training equipment was strewn about. The quakes ceased as time passed. I retracted my ax from the shield to assess the damage.
…I was only able to scratch it this time.
There was a single mark on the shield, albeit it was extremely small, the same size as a finger.
"Man, your mastery is something else, Sam. It must be at a high level."
Sam set his shield down and smiled at my praise.
"Then again, it is to be expected from a tanker like yourself. Even though you are the shield of the team, I cannot help but feel a bit brokenhearted that I wasn't able to do much against you. That's just how wide the gap is between an A-Rank and B-Rank."
I won't lose sleep over this little spar. Every member of The Six Hunters needs to be in tip-top shape so we can carry on with our duties. Now then…
"Alright, the special show is over. You can go back to your own activities now." I shooed away the mob that was getting up from being blown away. That was when a notification appeared on the watch I was wearing.
Is it a mission?
After the whole fiasco a week ago, special watches were made for everyone on The Six Hunters. It's a device that keeps us up to date with events that are happening around us and periodically gives us missions to do. Not only that but it also cannot be hacked and is very resistant to blunt force and is water-resistant. You can also make phone calls and text people on it too!
Grand Hill Avenue? That's seventeen minutes north of here by car. It'll be quicker if I run…
"Hey, Sam. I got something urgent to do near Grand Hill Ave. I'll see you later!" I shouted to the man. I waved Sam goodbye as I ran out of The Recruitment Center.
****
"There they are…"
I was standing on top of a fast-food restaurant down the street from the bank. The place was in lockdown as law enforcement built a barricade around the bank. A crowd of people stood by with their phones out, recording the scene. From afar, I could see a group of five people wearing dark clothing and a ski masks. They were holding a long black object in their hands. Are those guns?
They got hostages… was I too late?
Now would be a good time to have an archer-type superhuman here. If I were to call for one now, it would take them a while for them to arrive, and I don't know how long those masked bastards would stay put. They must have some sort of escape route planned…
"Let's solve that problem later." I muttered. I hopped off of the roof and strolled on through the swarm of civilians, apologizing as I shoved my way toward the officers.
"Who are you? Stand ba-"
His face changed from agitation to shock once he realized who I was.
"I-I mean come on through, sir." He stuttered as he backed away.
"Thank you. Make sure none of them escape. Got it?"
"Yes sir!" The officer replied, saluting like a recruit on their first day in boot camp. I stared at the large building in front of me, thinking about what to do.
How should I enter the building? Going through the front wouldn't be good. Most of them were near the entrance anyways. Making my way inside from above won't cut it either.
"The back it is then…"
Since there are windows on each side of the building, I'll have to leap up to the roof and go toward the backdoor. It'll need to be discreet though.
"And I got the perfect idea…"
****
"Hey boss, wasn't that Joel Parker at the front!?" One of my underlings barked, his voice quivering with fear. His role was to watch the hostages lined up, heads down.
"…It most definitely was number five. He got here way too fast. We need to quicken the pace. How's it going back there, number four?"
"…Give me a few more seconds and the vault will be busted open." The stern man replied. He had a small tool that resembled a blowtorch. It uses mana as a fuel source. The damn thing costs nearly a fortune.
"Number two keep an eye out on the front. Number three, go guard the back entrance."
"Yes, boss!" Both shouted. Number two and three ran toward their respective posts, guns locked and loaded. I blew out a small puff of smoke from my cigarette and dropped it on the ground, stomping on it in front of the fearful prisoners.
"Try anything funny and ill blow your goddamn brains out. Got it?"
"…!"
At my threat, one of the kids present fell into an uncontrollable sob.
"Fucking kids…"
Boom!
Everyone jumped at the sudden noise of heavy metal being dropped onto the floors.
"Finished!" Number four hollered. Walking on over to him, the vault was indeed opened, and it was as reported from the intel we received. Right in the middle of the room filled with square, metal cubes containing money and possessions stood a safe. It wasn't just your regular safe, it was a treasure trove of resources from a special Dungeon expedition; Torqinite.
"Pack it up. I'll go contact the evac crew." I ordered.
Number four nodded at my command and pulled out a dimensional pouch gifted to us from our backer.
RIING!
Oh? They called me just in.
I grabbed the phone in my pocket and put it near my ear. A honeyed voice was heard through it.
"Yes. Send evac asap. Joel Parker is here."
The person on the other line was silent at the news. As the seconds ticked by, the more annoyed I got.
"Are you sending eva-"
My voice trailed as an uncomfortable feeling washed over me. It was quiet… way too quiet. The men up front should be sending me updates every few minutes.
"I'll repeat it again. Send evac asap. I'm busy."
I hung up the phone and threw it against the wall, crushing it entirely into pieces. Number four was about to ask me why'd I do that, but I motioned for him to shut up. He understood quickly what was happening and had his gun strapped, awaiting further orders. Mouthing the words move out, we exited the vault carefully.