CHAPTER 32: NEXT FIGHTS

Jack remained standing at the center of the platform as Mira was carried off by the seniors of Division 3. She wasn’t seriously injured—just a bit of bleeding. Anyone in the awakened society knew that wasn’t a big deal.

Even Jack knew that.

Still, it was the first time he had ever hurt a girl like that. And to everyone’s eyes, it felt like he had toyed with her.

’She was exhausted so I got off easy, but I didn’t expect her to fight so much. What was she thinking?’ Jack thought in concern and forced a smile to erase his guilt.

"How could you smile after beating a girl like that?" James then popped out from behind and spoke like the devil.

"..."

Jack wanted to say something, but kept his mouth shut.

James then tugged at him with the same annoyingly bright smile before suddenly slinging an arm across his shoulders.

"Still congratulations, rookie. She might have been exhausted but you really took down our Mira like she was nothing. That was despicable. It made sense you were recommended," James said in a friendly sarcastic tone as if he enjoyed the show.

’...’

Then suddenly, the air around him shifted before asking, almost too seriously, "How about another round?"

Activating his skill, the system window flickered right in front of Jack’s vision.

[James Franco.]

[Level: 35]

[Age: 28]

[Race: 22% Skarn (Awakened)]

[Notes: Dangerous.]

Jack had already appraised him discreetly earlier.

James was easily one of the strongest in the entire training sector. A level-to-age gap that wide was absurd. Most awakened hovered near their age in levels—but James was far beyond that.

"No way. I’m exhausted already." Jack replied jokingly, clearly with no intentions to fight again.

"How could you say that after you just defeated an exhausted girl? She’s the exhausted one, you’re not. How cruel," James laughed lightly.

Hearing him, Jack couldn’t believe how he was acting and slipped out from under his arm.

"No, no, senior, maybe next time."

And truly—why would he fight again? The agreement was one-on-one matches to welcome rookies.

’I’m not some arrogant stupid MC is a webnovel?’ he muttered in his head.

"That’s a shame," James then said before smiling, "I hope you learned what you were trying to learn from this fight."

’What is with this guy?’

Jack just nodded and smiled politely before the annoying gaze of the senior.

"Division 12, huh? I’m glad to see you finally getting some promising rookies," James said as he walked towards Division 3 to check up on Mira. "I honestly thought young David was the only talent you had."

He glanced at the lineup of newcomers, a faint smirk pulling at his lips. "You may call your next fighter. I’m excited."

Jack continued walking.

In doing so, he could feel it—the assessing looks from the rookies of other divisions as if he was their prey all of a sudden.

It honestly made him want to laugh.

"That was nice, older brother," David was the first to speak to him, though his expression carried a hint of shock at Jack’s performance. Even Lucy’s look made Jack smile bitterly inside.

"I guess it’s my turn to show off," David then said and walked forward without discussing anything.

The moment his figure appeared in the platform, the gym went silent.

It was clear that his name is pretty known around the gym.

’I’ve been curious too,’ Jack admitted privately. ’He’s the youngest awakener I’ve ever met. Is he one of those prodigies?’

Of course, he had already appraised David, and knew he was indeed very strong. He was already at level 18 despite being only at the mere age of 16.

’Mira was level 15, so David must be stronger.’ Jack said, remembering Mira’s acrobatic flexibility—and David breaking concrete with his bare hands.

Then, at the weapons rack.

David stopped and chose to wrap white cloth around his knuckles like a brawler.

His massive frame—193 centimeters tall with broad, sculpted shoulders—made many doubt he was even sixteen.

Across from him, Division 6’s rookie stepped forward who was cheered by his seniors.

"Give them a taste what the Tactical Support Division is like!"

Representing Division 6 was a young man named Lewis Further with rectangle-shaped prescription glasses but with also a big frame. Anyone could tell he lifts weight like Jack.

[Lewis Further]

[Age: 19]

[Level: 18]

[Race: 22% Fangborn (Awakened)]

[Fangborn is a warrior breed dog race with large broad shoulders with great focus on battle.]

[Notes: Tired.]

’Hm, they have both awakened combat-focused races. Level 18 versus Level 18. They are pretty even. But David should have more stamina right now.’

Jack muttered.

Like David, Lewis started preparing. He had strapped on shin guards and gauntlets indicating he also fights at close range.

The moment the match started, Jack’s eyes widened. So did everyone.

’!!!’

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

In only a few breaths, David and Lewis collided like a boulder going against tree. Each clash sent shockwaves through the platform.

And after just fifteen seconds, someone collapsed on the floor.

David’s raw power, brute-force fighting style, and terrifying regenerative ability overwhelmed Lewis completely!

He fought like he didn’t care if his bones shattered.

Just relentless force.

"The winner David! Division 12 again, now, that is some real sparring!" James happily announced in the background.

’That kid is scary,’ Jack thought, watching David walk back toward them, dripping blood while his wounds stitched themselves closed in real time.

Lewis, on the other hand, just lay collapsed behind him with his mouth open.

The crowd reacted with mild surprise—but also familiarity, as if they already expected this outcome.

"See that?! Division 12 is on a roll, older brother! Now older sister just needs to finish it!"

David immediately started as he came back, wiping blood from his cheek as it healed.

’...’

It made Jack worry for the kid’s mental health since he treated something like that as normal and ordinary. Almost like he just took a walk when he just broke someone’s bones by punching them and had broken bones himself.

And like he said, finally, it was Lucy’s turn.

The first thing everyone noticed was her beauty—otherworldly and striking.

Even if she obviously looked shy and slightly clumsy-looking, it added to her charm. Thus, she had been turning heads since they entered the training sector. Her tight workout clothes didn’t help as they showcased her perfect proportions.

To Jack’s surprise, she chose a blunt monk’s spear.

"I—I’m ready," she told James, who looked equally mesmerized by her beauty for a second.

"Wow, for the next match, we have a goddess!" James then loudly screamed, making everyone cheer even louder than when they cheered for Mira.

Mira who was watching also had an expression of shock.

Then finally, her opponent also stepped forward.

A familiar face.

He was the one Jack remembered most from the HR ceremony—the boy with cold, sharp eyes and an arrogant aura. At only twenty years old, he was already Level 25.

"This next match is no joke. Here’s someone from the Black Ops Division, ladies and gentlemen, Lyle Dross!"

Jack of course had learned enough of the other rookies since his first day.

And Lyle Dross was the top recruit during the Recruitment Trials, and was someone from a prestigious awakened clan with the blood of dragons.

Moreover, he had been deployed in the Black Ops Division, a top division in the company which can’t be even compared to Division 12.

Unlike them who handle complaints from the public about supernatural events, Division 5 handles illegal, off-record missions such as assassinations, kidnappings, sabotage, and deniable operations.

Lyle, unlike the others, then went to the center immediately, without choosing any weapon.

And for some reason, he stood there, glaring at Lucy with burning hostility, as if she owed him a fortune.