Chapter10: Team 6

After several days of training, Alex had made a bit of progress. For instance, he was no longer the last one to finish running; now he was second to last.

However, the biggest change was that he no longer cared about the sarcastic comments and whispers behind his back. He had learned to let it go.

"I’m still the rich kid, so what?" he thought to himself.

When people mocked him, he just pretended he didn’t hear it. He was used to it now, and if others envied his background, that was their problem.

But there were always those who didn’t just mock him with words—they wanted to push him around...

One afternoon, after the recruits had completed their running drills around the entire Rockhill Valley and returned to camp, Alex was thrilled that he wasn’t the last one. But when he turned around, he noticed that the boy in last place, Nick, was pale and looked like he might collapse at any moment.

Nick, apart from Alex, was the most bullied by the new recruits. He was small and scrawny, and some of the bigger bullies liked to pick on him. Even Alex, knowing the situation, usually kept his distance from him.

"Don’t turn around, Alex! You don’t want to be last again, just ignore him!" Alex kept telling himself, because he had worked hard to avoid being the laughingstock of always coming last.

But the boy’s exhaustion was evident, and just when it seemed like he would collapse, someone caught him—it was Alex.

Alex couldn’t bring himself to just ignore Nick, so he turned around and asked, "You alright?"

Nick, with his face still pale, weakly looked up and said, "It’s fine… you don’t have to help me..."

Even though Nick said that, his whole body went limp, unable to stand up. Without hesitation, Alex threw Nick over his shoulder and carried him back to the camp.

Nick weakly said to Alex, "You might get picked on for this... just put me down..."

Alex smiled at him and said, "I’m not afraid of that! I’m used to all their sarcastic comments, it doesn’t bother me!"

Nick, confused, asked Alex, "...Why are you helping me?"

Alex thought for a moment and, pretending not to care, answered, "Maybe because you remind me of the 'last place' me from a few days ago... you’re lucky!"

Nick gave a weak but appreciative smile, even though he was still exhausted.

When Alex carried Nick back into the camp, some people clapped, impressed by his change, but there were still many who looked down on him, like Claude and Willy. They both had disdain for Alex, seeing him as nothing more than a spoiled noble brat, and they also looked down on weaklings like Nick. They were just waiting for the right moment to make trouble.

As Alex carried Nick back to camp, being the last one to arrive, Claude and Willy saw the opportunity they were waiting for.

When Alex arrived at the camp, Willy deliberately tripped him, causing both Alex and Nick to fall hard to the ground.

"Hahaha, idiot!"

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Claude and Willy laughed loudly at the sight and prepared to walk away. But as soon as Alex got up, he rushed over and blocked their path.

"What's your problem with me?"

Alex glared at the two of them, but Willy, who was much taller, stepped forward and taunted Alex.

"What's so great about being a noble's son? We just don't like you... your training results are terrible, why don’t you just go back and be a pampered rich kid?"

Alex smiled faintly at this and, without a second thought about the size difference, clenched his fists, ready to throw down.

"What’s the matter? Want to fight, rich kid?"

Willy taunted him, but suddenly, a voice interrupted.

"Enough! All new recruits, gather up!"

It was Instructor Chad, who had seen and stopped their conflict. Claude and Willy could only leave in frustration.

Alex didn’t want to stick around, so he turned and helped Nick up. But as he did, Chad walked over and, seeing Alex supporting Nick, said:

"People have different abilities, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from being a good person... You surprised me, rich kid!"

Chad smiled and turned away, leaving Alex momentarily confused, unsure if that was a compliment.

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When all the new recruits of the resistance army had gathered in the center of the camp, Instructor Chad surveyed everyone before speaking seriously:

"According to reports from the ground... a few days ago, the rescue team we sent out encountered another group searching for the same person’s 'nest.' They couldn’t take any action and had to hide, but the person they are searching for is extremely important to us humans. After careful consideration... we’ve decided to send a new team of recruits to continue the search mission. So, I’ll ask now... who volunteers?"

This news left the recruits in a flurry of discussion. No one dared step forward. They had only joined the resistance a few days ago, their training wasn’t complete, and they weren’t even familiar with using their weapons yet. Going to the surface now would be a suicide mission if they encountered the mechanical army.

"I won’t force anyone," Chad continued. "I can’t guarantee everyone will make it back alive, but this mission is crucial."

Chad made it clear that the mission was dangerous, which only made the recruits more hesitant to volunteer.

In the midst of all the murmuring, one person raised his hand first.

"I’ll go!"

Everyone turned to look in the direction of the voice, and to their surprise, it was Alex.

Alex stepped forward, walking out of the crowd, even as he heard whispers:

"Is this for real? The rich kid isn’t afraid of dying? Has he lost his mind?"

Alex didn’t care at all, because what was in his mind was Anna Raine.

"Anna is in danger... how can I just stand by and do nothing?"

That’s what Alex told himself as he walked up to Chad. Chad looked surprised and asked:

"Are you sure you want to go?"

Alex answered with certainty:

"Yes! I’m going!"

Though surprised, Chad couldn’t help but feel some respect. Suddenly, someone else, not a new recruit, stepped forward.

"I want to go too!"

It was Max, who had never been able to join the resistance officially. Max set aside the maintenance work on his equipment and walked up to Chad, saying:

"Although I’ve never been able to officially join the resistance... I’ve been here for a long time, and I’m very familiar with all the weapons. I want to go on a mission with my friends."

Alex and Max exchanged a glance, and it was as if their friendship didn’t need any words to express it.

Chad was impressed by Max’s willingness to join, but there were still 8 more spots needed, and no one had stepped forward yet.

Suddenly, a weak voice shouted:

"I’ll go!"

It was Nick, who had seemed so weak just moments before. Apparently, he had been inspired by Alex and courageously stepped forward. His bravery seemed to spread, as a few other new recruits—those who had often been bullied and ostracized—also stepped forward.

"We’ll go!"

The group of them stood in front of Chad. Even though they were the ones with the worst training results in the resistance, to Chad, they were all heroes.

"Alright! You are Team 6!"

With Chad’s announcement, the team was finally complete. Though led by Alex, this was nearly a team of underdogs, but the future of humanity now rested in their hands.