Kaiden’s off day had passed in much the same way as the last one. He trained near the stump with Liana, and though he didn’t manage to level up, he still chalked it up as a solid practice session.

Sunday arrived, and by then, every trainee had mentally prepared themselves for another grueling PT session. The platoon was at attention, lined up in front of Farron, their expressions a mix of determination, fear, and a hint of acceptance. Farron gave them each a once-over and then, satisfied, said, “Very good. I like the look in your eyes. You all look ready for anything.”

Then came that familiar, sly grin. “On your faces!” she barked.

Collectively, the platoon’s expressions faltered. Push-ups? Kaiden’s eyes narrowed. Hadn’t she promised more running? They dropped to the ground, assuming push-up position, when he could’ve sworn he heard Farron chuckle. She never laughed, let alone chuckled—had he just imagined it?

“Down…up!” she ordered, a steady rhythm setting in as they all began push-ups in time with her commands.

Then she slowed, eyeing them, “All right, let’s try some push-up variations.”

Groans swept through the group. Some trainees shook their heads, already feeling the burn from the initial push-ups, and Kaiden realized with mild horror that he wouldn’t be able to hold out much longer. His arms hadn’t taken this kind of strain in quite a while and they started to shake.

Farron raised an eyebrow, as if reading his thoughts. “It’s a mistake to focus on one type of strength. We’ve been neglecting the other muscles, and we’re going to fix that today.”

For the next hour, she drilled them through hellish circuits that targeted mostly the upper body and core muscles. By the end of it, his arms felt like lead, his shoulders were crying and his core was on fire. Just when it looked like they’d finished, Farron disappeared behind the stump. When she returned, she carried a thick, knotted rope.

“Squads one and two to my left, everyone else to my right,” she said, dropping the rope onto the ground.

Kaiden stared at therope blankly. It was tug of war. What the hell? Kaiden thought. Isn’t this some childish game meant for elementary school kids? But he was dead wrong. Never having played tug of war before, he hadn’t realized just how strenuous an activity it was. The first few rounds went without abilities, just a warm-up. Then things got intense when abilities were allowed.

Each squad gripped hard, leaned, and dug their heels into the ground, their muscles already sore from the earlier workout. Luckily, the teams were balanced enough to keep the matches competitive, giving both sides an incredible workout. By the end, Kaiden’s muscles were drained, but he tried to hide the grin creeping onto his face—he was more than satisfied by the rough workout. He was sure his arms would be sore for days if he didn’t have his Regeneration ability.

After the grueling PT, the day wrapped up in the familiar format, each team of four splitting off to practice strategies and simulate dungeon runs. The next two days, however, brought a new, intense focus to the training—final lecture days centered entirely on case studies. The trainees combed through detailed reports of prior dungeon runs, analyzing what strategies teams had used, how they’d dealt with unexpected challenges, and the outcomes they faced. Every case, whether a success, a retreat, or a disaster, was examined with stark honesty. The instructors didn’t sugarcoat anything; their goal was clear: to drill into the trainees the unpredictable nature of dungeons.

Kaiden watched as trainees went through waves of emotions during these studies. Faces turned grim at descriptions of close calls and injuries. There were moments of triumph too—when a team found synergy and overcame their limitations. Nuggets of wisdom surfaced: how one team’s Striker had lured a monster away to buy time, or how a Bracer’s quick thinking saved lives with well-timed healing potions. It was all valuable, and everyone soaked it all in, but there was an air of unease.

Kaiden himself couldn’t shake a strange feeling—like the danger wasn’t entirely real yet, as if this was just some story they were preparing for, not an actual life-threatening test just days away. In his mind, he knew the stakes. They’d been drilled in every way possible about the risks, and yet, the reality hadn’t settled in. It was as though they were all suspended on the edge of something inevitable, waiting for the final push that would launch them into the unknown.

Was this how soldiers felt before marching to battle? he wondered, feeling a new weight settle in his chest. Because in just a few days, this wouldn’t be theory or simulation anymore. He’d be stepping into the fire for real.

The day after the lectures, Farron brought them back to grueling calisthenics and intense upper-body training, throwing in another brutal run for good measure—or, more likely, because she enjoyed watching them push through the pain. The final day of training arrived soon after, with the last rest day tomorrow. Dungeon Day loomed on the horizon, and some of the trainees had even started calling it D-Day, a nickname that made Kaiden chuckle to himself. Of course, the others had no idea what D-Day meant in Earth’s history, but it fit the mood—a day that could make or break them.

Today, though, was different. For the first time, there was a defiant gleam in everyone’s eyes as they gathered by the stump. Every trainee seemed to share the same fire—a wordless challenge to Sergeant Farron to do her worst. Farron surveyed them with approval.

“I like that look in your eyes even better. Remember that fire. Hold on to it,” she said, pausing to let her words hang in the air. “And now…” She trailed off, letting the silence build, the suspense drawing everyone in. Surely, today would be the most grueling PT yet. Her next words, however, caught everyone completely off guard.

“Sit down.”

They blinked, barely processing the command before they lowered themselves cautiously, each one bracing for some fresh torture of crunches, planks, belly crawls, or something even worse. Farron’s smirk was almost gleeful as she took a seat on the stump. “Relax. Get closer. No physical training today.”

The shock was universal; jaws practically hit the ground. Kaiden caught the Sergeant’s expression—a rare, almost playful grin—and could’ve sworn she nearly chuckled. But instead, she gathered herself and gestured for everyone to form a close horseshoe around the stump.

“This is your last day of training, and today, you’re going to rest. You’re tackling the dungeon the day after tomorrow. Today’s also a logistics day of sorts for the instructors.” Seeing the confusion on several faces, she explained. “After we’re dismissed today, if you plan on not taking on the dungeon and instead falling back to a support platoon, you need to come see me. The decision can’t wait until tomorrow. If you fall back, we’ll have to reassign members and fill any gaps in teams. That means you could be partnered with a private from another platoon.”

Kaiden felt a slight jolt, and looking around, it seemed others did too. In the rush of training, many of them had lost sight of the option to pull back if they didn’t feel ready. And it made sense, he thought, for the instructors to need time to find replacements if someone opted out.

“I know what some of you are thinking,” Farron continued, “and yes, if you leave your team, it impacts the group that’s trained together for weeks. But remember! Be prepared to not be prepared. This is not necessarily a bad thing. If someone who isn’t ready to tackle a dungeon is replaced by someone who is, then that’s a benefit to the team. And when you reach your actual units after this, you’ll see this kind of thing happens often. A team member can be swapped out for any number of reasons. It’s something you’ll have to adapt to.”

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Her tone was calm yet unwavering, and Kaiden could see the gravity in her expression. So then, what else were they in for today?

Farron said, “Your first dungeon is a big deal. Everyone remembers their first. Today, I’ll be sharing my experiences as a Dungeoneer, and I want you to ask me anything.” This brought a hum of excitement from the platoon. Until now, they’d only heard secondhand stories and general lectures. A chance to get the perspective of an experienced Dungeoneer, directly from her, was a rare treat.

“However,” Farron continued, “keep it professional. Don’t ask anything personal unless you’d rather be running laps the rest of the day.” The platoon chuckled, a few laughs bubbling up from the back, and to everyone’s surprise, Farron didn’t shut it down. Her face softened slightly. “Learn from this while you have the chance. So, who’s first?”

Almost everyone’s hand shot up, Kaiden’s included. At the sight of all the hands flashing upward, Farron let out a chuckle. It was an actual, genuine laugh that left the platoon stunned. This was a side no one in the platoon had seen before.

“I didn’t realize you were all so starved for information,” she said, amused. She pointed to a Striker near the front. “Go ahead.”

“What’s your role, Sergeant?”

“Striker,” Farron replied, and her answer set off an instant ripple of whispered “I told you so’s” among the privates, who exchanged knowing grins and nudges.

“What’s the highest grade dungeon you’ve ever done?”

“Gold,” she replied, which elicited even more whispers of awe. Gold-level dungeons were notorious for their difficulty.

Another hand shot up. “What’s it like being in a real dungeon unit?”

Farron leaned back, a faraway look settling in her eyes. “It’s… a lot more relaxed than being in training or with an Army unit. You know how most dungeons have towns and cities nearby? The Corps has installations in those towns, sort of like mini-bases. When you’re posted there, your command schedules your runs, though not as frequently as you’d think.” She scanned the faces around her, reading the rising interest. “Depending on your skill level and your command, you might spend half your time training and the other half doing what you like. It’s actually rather pleasant.”

Kaiden’s pulse quickened at this description. Dungeon life sounded far more appealing than training or a support platoon at Camp Thorne, and he could tell his fellow trainees shared his excitement by the buzz of whispered remarks spreading around the horseshoe.

“What’s your Dungeoneer rank?” came the next question.

“B-rank,” Farron replied, and a wave of awe swept through the platoon, with whispers of “ooh” and “ahh.”

Dungeoneer ranks hadn’t been covered in detail yet, so this news sparked real interest. The privates knew that after their first dungeon run, they’d start at E-rank, which was the entry level. Seeing Farron at B-rank was impressive; it meant she was only two levels below the elite S-rank. Most instructors were C-rank, with a rare few at B or D, so Farron’s rank was a mark of her high standing. Kaiden made a mental note to ask about how ranks were assigned.

Another question followed quickly. “Why’d you decide to become a trainer?”

For a split second, Farron’s expression darkened, but it passed as she answered. “I got orders. I’m only here to fill in for Sergeant Boran. Once he returns, I’ll go back to my unit.”

“What’s the longest dungeon run you’ve done?” someone else called out.

“Two weeks,” Farron replied.

A murmur of interest followed, and Kaiden could see some wide-eyed expressions. Unlike dungeons runs in video games back on earth that lasted minutes or hours at most, Aterra’s dungeons were an entirely different beast, often taking days or even weeks to clear. The lower-grade dungeons were usually shorter, but it all depended on the dungeon’s design. They all knew that Camp Thorne Dungeon normally takes between 1-3 days.

“How does a Dungeoneer rank work? How’d you get yours?” someone asked. Kaide was going to ask that, but was happy someone else did.

“Good question,” Farron said. “We already learned from the lectures that most dungeons have different entrances for different grades. Some are open to Wood-grade through Silver, others Gold through Diamond. Higher grade dungeons will have a separate entrance for a trial run, which is designed for a solo clear. If you complete the trial, it assigns you a rank based on your performance, which becomes a permanent part of your status.”

Farron pulled up her own status and displayed it to them. Every other line was hidden except for her rank, which simply read: Dungeoneer Rank: B.

Kaiden noted the display trick as she continued. “You’ll get more details about trial dungeons once you reach your unit. Until then, it’s something you won’t need to worry about.” A collective nod of understanding rippled through the platoon as they took in this new information.

After a few more questions, Farron finally called on Kaiden.

Kaiden asked, “How does dungeon loot work at your unit? I heard something about contribution points?”

Farron nodded knowingly. “I was wondering when someone would finally bring up loot,” she said, looking around at the entire platoon. “So here’s the deal. As part of the military, you don’t have personal rights to anything you find in a dungeon.”

There were a few disappointed groans from the trainees, but most had already guessed this might be the case. Farron continued, “All loot collected from dungeon runs goes up the chain. The top officers then decide what to send back down to each unit. The loot that’s handed back down isn’t free for the taking, either—you’ll need to buy it with contribution points. These points are earned through dungeon runs, the quality and type of loot turned in, and various non-dungeon duties.”

The platoon murmured among themselves as Farron spoke, but she seemed prepared for any grumbling.

“Now,” she added, “don’t even think about hiding any loot. After every dungeon, you’ll be screened by lie detectors to make sure you’re not stashing items. If you’re caught holding back, that’s a one-way ticket to the brig.”

A few of the privates exchanged uneasy glances, and Farron didn’t miss a beat. She raised a hand to preemptively silence anyone who might object. “Some of you might be thinking this setup sounds unfair, but here’s the trade-off you’re making. The Corps provides you with everything—food, shelter, training, equipment, and a team to watch your back. Civilian divers? They have to assemble their own teams, buy their own gear and potions, and front the costs of dungeon dives. And one dive doesn’t always cover those expenses.”

Kaiden took this in, finding himself torn. The military provided stability, sure, but the idea of being free to keep whatever he found, of not answering to officers up the chain, was obviously ideal. The way she framed it, though, made the Corps’ way seem almost like a fair deal, even if he knew it still meant giving up personal freedom.

It was a lot to think about, and Farron’s words settled over the platoon like a weight. The truth was, life as a civilian diver was riskier and more unpredictable. But for some, the potential independence and adventure might be worth it.

Still, Kaiden had decided that he’d make the most of the Corps’ resources, train, build up his skills, and see where that led him by the time his contract was up.

The next question that came out shocked everyone like lightning.

It was the kind of question most wrote off as rumor, too risky to ask aloud. But not Davick. He asked, “Is General Thorne really a Dragoon?”

Farron paused, taking her time to respond, and every trainee held their breath. The air buzzed with anticipation. The platoon stared at her, some with wide-eyed hope that she would confirm the rumor—that the leader of the Dungeoneer Corps was a Legendary Class holder, a Dragoon.

Farron looked thoughtful, her eyes drifting as she considered her answer. “I don’t know.”

Disappointment was palpable, and several trainees couldn’t hold back exasperated groans. That wasn’t an answer at all. She hadn’t said no, but she hadn’t said yes, either, leaving everyone hanging. Then she smirked at their reactions and added, “I’m just a sergeant. I’m not privy to information like that, if it’s even true. I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting him, so I couldn’t tell you either way.”

Then, one private burst out, not even bothering to raise his hand, “Do you think it’s possible?”

For a moment, Farron’s eyes grew distant, as if she were seeing something only she could. She snapped back to the present and gave her answer simply: “Yes.”

The response was like a spark igniting a fire—platoons erupted into excited whispers, each trainee sharing their theory of what a Dragoon might be capable of. Kaiden heard snippets around him—some said Dragoons could summon dragons, others swore they could jump high enough to break through floors of a dungeon. Kaiden felt a twinge of excitement himself; the idea of being led by a Legendary Class holder was thrilling.

Questions continued for some time, the curiosity of the platoon seemingly endless, until finally Farron raised a hand, signaling for quiet. “All right, enough for today. Everyone, back in formation.”

As the platoon rose, she continued, “I know this is earlier than usual, but as I mentioned, we instructors need time to finalize the teams. Those who need to see me, stay back after I dismiss everyone else.”

She began pacing in front of the platoon again, her gaze sweeping over them as if evaluating each face, each posture. “I’ve watched you all transform over the past few weeks,” she said, her voice softened ever so slightly. “And I think most of you are ready for your first dungeon.”

She almost looked like a proud mother, though her expression remained stern as she walked back to the front, took her place, and squared her shoulders.

In a loud, commanding voice, she barked, “Twenty-Seventh Platoon! To boss and back! Dismissed!”

Everyone’s hearts swelled at the mention of 27th Platoon. They’d earned their number back. Kaiden couldn’t help but grin as he turned heel and headed back to the barracks, feeling a surge of pride.

As they headed back to the barracks, Kaiden called out, “To boss and back!”

The phrase echoed throughout the platoon as they marched together.