Chapter 2: Chapter 2
"The Evaluation starts now!" The instructor declared.
The recruits began their evaluations, navigating through the obstacle course, showcasing their strength by pulling weights, testing endurance, speed, reaction time, and more.
The place echoed with the groans of men giving their all, as if it were their last effort. However, the observers, including the instructor and Team 2 Leader, weren't satisfied. The disappointment was palpable, even causing the instructor to clench his teeth in frustration. The woman, now identified as Shin Jiyeh, maintained her unwavering gaze on Gwan Joon.
"Team 2 Leader, what do you think of this person?" Shin Jiyeh pointed at Gwan Joon.
"He has better results compared to the other recruits, decent in strength and speed. Unfortunately, he's barely qualified for the job," Team 2 Leader honestly reported.
"Is that so? How unfortunate. I thought there was someone who is a diamond in the rough. Yet he is also the same as the others. Trash," Shin Jiyeh expressed in a disappointed tone.
The instructor observed the interaction between the two and could sense the shared disappointment on their faces. As time passed, the three of them continued to watch the recruits without saying a word. The recruits, in turn, felt the weight of that disappointment with every glance.
Gwan Joon, running tirelessly, breathed rhythmically, sweat pouring down his face. He glanced around, seeing most recruits on the brink of collapse due to the intense sets. Yet, their eyes remained resolute.
"I can't stop! Please end this! I can't take this anymore!" Gwan Joon angrily thought to himself. His mind had given up, but his body persisted. Minutes passed, and recruits slowly dwindled, collapsing on the floor, but one person persisted.
Gwan Joon, the last man standing and on the brink of exhaustion, refused to fall down.
"Why does this ringing sound not stop?" Gwan Joon looked at the floating screen in front of him, displaying a bell with numbers.
"Can I press it in my mind? Let me try." Gwan Joon attempted to think as if pressing the bell physically.
"Beep," the floating screen sounded.
After that, a long list of notifications greeted him. He had to move his head up and down to see the ends of it.
"Pretending to be not tired, but you are. Pretense +"
"Pretending to be not tired, but you are. Pretense +"
...
This covered his field of view, and he somewhat understood what it meant.
"Because I was pretending, the floating screen, no, let's just call this system. Ah, what the hell is going on? The sensation that I feel now is not a dream. I don't know how I got here, but I'll slowly accept that this is my life now," Gwan Joon thought, making up his mind.
"Let me view what the system has in store." Gwan Joon focused his attention on the screen, unbeknownst to those observing him in disbelief.
"How the hell is that person still running? I thought this would end fast for all to be down. I didn't expect someone to last this long!" the instructor thought to himself.
"Oh my, I take back what I said to him. He isn't trash after all. I might have judged him too quickly. What do you think, Team 2 Leader?" Shin Jiyeh admitted that she underestimated Gwan Joon.
"My view is the same as yours, Director. His tenacity definitely caught us off guard. But for all that effort is a waste if he couldn't pass the sparring test," Team 2 Leader acknowledged Gwan Joon briefly.
"Sparring Test? But, sir, most of the recruits don't have any energy to even stand. Much more that the person that can barely possibly do a sparring test is only that guy running on the tracks!" The instructor refuted Team 2 Leader.
"We have already set the requirement for passing the Evaluation. You gave a pass to the sets and activities that they must do, all of them barely meeting the minimum. Did you forget that you approved that a sparring test will occur after it? Now, are you taking back those words you confidently said that everyone would be able to do it with flying colors?" Team 2 Leader glared fiercely at the instructor with momentum.
"Ah, that, uhm..." The instructor darted his eyes all over the place, avoiding making eye contact with the Team 2 Leader.
"Look at me!" Team 2 Leader voiced seriously.
"I'm sorry for failing." The instructor bowed 90 degrees, looking at him apologetically.
Team 2 Leader looked at the instructor, disappointment showing in his eyes. Shin Jiyeh saw this on the side, sharing the same sentiment as the Team 2 Leader.
"Can you exempt Gwan Joon from being kicked out? No need to drag him with them, Team 2 Leader?" The instructor requested.
This only prompted the Team 2 Leader to scold him again.
"Have you forgotten again? The recruits are to be graded as a team, not as individuals. Again, you approved of this, right? Do you want to go out with them as well?" Team 2 Leader harshly reprimanded the instructor again.
Shin Jiyeh only focused her sight on Gwan Joon, sweating falling down, hoarse breathing, unstable posture—he looked like a soft wind could blow him away. Shin Jiyeh heard the conversation between the Team 2 Leader and the instructor. She thought of something.
"I will give you 1 month," Shin Jiyeh suddenly said, making Team 2 Leader stop scolding the instructor mid-sentence. The two of them looked at her confused.
"I will give you 1 more month. If you make all of them pass with colors as you said before starting training them, I'll give a raise by two-fold. If you fail, you go out with them. What do you think, Instructor?" Shin Jiyeh gave an offer.
The instructor was taken aback by this offer. As he slowly understood it, he pondered the pros and cons. After a few moments, with some hesitation...
"I will make them pass the evaluation by any means! I'll put my job on the line!" The instructor stated boldly, placing a hand on his chest.
"Remember what he said, Team 2 Leader," Shin Jiyeh smirked as she heard the instructor accept. She then glanced one last time at Gwan Joon.
"Don't let me down, I'll be expecting a lot from you." Shin Jiyeh turned around heading outside with Team 2 Leader following her.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone