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墨書 Inktalez
Although it was Sergeant Johnny's command, no one dared to disobey. After a moment of contemplation, they stepped into the shallow pool.
The training emphasized focus, and during the continuous Ultimate exercises, their spirits only seemed to rise. Sergeant Johnny chuckled to himself, "If all I do is line you up with those others, how will you improve? A little deception won’t hurt; let me see just how much endurance these so-called elites truly possess."
"Knuckle push-ups!"
Sergeant Johnny's training orders were simple, often delivered without extra words. After demonstrating the exercise, he issued the command directly.
Behind him was a plastic table and chairs, along with a sunshade. The other sergeants sat together, passing the time as they slowly devoured greasy roast goose from their plates. These sergeants had already achieved a balanced physique; even after months of exercise, they could maintain their shape with the help of supplements.
However, while it was possible to use technological genetic enhancements to reach the strength of these sergeants, it did not mean that new recruits were automatically qualified to meet such standards. The training programs were merely a process of natural selection, filtering out the useless impurities from the ranks.
The Crimson Dragon Army was an elite force, and many soldiers aspired to join. Thus, many sergeants employed harsh training regimens to weed out those unfit for service. Although these training programs could be optional enhancement procedures, many recruits were just a thin layer away from breaking through and stepping into that realm. While the body could be easily modified, a person's heart and willpower were products that no technology could create. The training aimed to forge strong willpower—fearless of hardship, unafraid of death, and even transcending the sensation of pain.
The exercises bordered on madness; the training involved supporting one's body with just ten fingers. One by one, everyone became consumed by their efforts, nearly frantic, undeterred by the violent ripples disturbing the once calm water surface.
Another feature of the Artificial Lake was its ability to simulate waves comparable to ocean swells. Many were knocked down by the waves but quickly got back up. The finger exercises were exceptionally grueling and often resulted in painful strains and sprains.
"You’re all like snails! I shout once and you barely move," Johnny yelled.
This kind of training was almost abusive; although it could indeed extract hidden potential from within, the process was incredibly arduous. This was what military training entailed, and the Crimson Dragon Army was no ordinary unit—it comprised Special Forces soldiers drawn from elite troops across various divisions.
Some allied units occasionally required the formidable Crimson Dragon Army for support during straightforward missions.
The Crimson Dragon Army was not a traditional force; it existed specifically for mission-oriented tasks with a strong sense of competition. Within each division of the Crimson Dragon Army, there were numerous sub-teams under each platoon stationed together. The Platoon Leader commanded each team’s captain; after accepting missions suited to their team's capabilities and returning safely, a certain score would be allocated to the Platoon Leader while the remainder would be used to enhance the strength of their team members.
When the appropriate Score reaches a certain level, it can even allow the entire team to upgrade their stage. The Score can be exchanged for weapons, equipment, and even Gene Pills. Of course, once the team's stage is elevated, the Score they earn will significantly increase. In other words, there is a strong correlation between the intensity of the missions, the benefits they provide, and the level of adventure involved.
"Ah!"
Many people shouted out, starting with one person and then collectively joining in a rhythmic chant. It was a primal scream, as if these calls could extract energy from their muscles.
"Hmph~"
Johnny looked coldly at these unrefined elites, a faint smile creeping onto his lips. However, if this was all it took to satisfy him, it would be too beneath him as someone in an officer's position. Every part of them bore the honor earned through battles with enemies; at least the honors on their shoulders were bought with blood and sweat, constantly demanding more from them.
"You can do it faster."
They could indeed do it faster; however, time continued to flow.
In the blink of an eye, three months had passed. A group of people still immersed themselves in the Artificial Lake, each standing on the water's surface with their body weight balanced on just a few fingertips, half suspended in mid-air. Although describing it as One Finger Zen might sound terrifying, they were making rapid progress akin to lightning, performing push-ups in new postures.
As their abilities grew stronger, fatigue diminished. At some point, what had once seemed like an unbearable ordeal now felt manageable. It was precisely these experiences that facilitated their swift advancement. Yet, unwilling to settle for mediocrity and following the Trainer's guidance, they attempted various methods to induce further fatigue in their bodies.
"Alright, let's move on to the next training exercise."
"Yes!"
The water provided immense resistance; muscle impacts and collisions slowed their movements considerably. Even without the heavy gear weighing them down, the water's resistance seemed ineffective at this point. They could move as swiftly as if they were walking on land.
The surface of the Artificial Lake had been turbulent for three months, with waves violently swaying. They stabilized their bodies in this extreme environment, and perhaps at first, a single wave could sweep them into the depths of the lake. Fortunately, the deeper waters were relatively calm, allowing them to swim back up quickly. However, the current conditions felt as if they were standing on solid ground, completely still.
In the cold winter season, the water temperature dropped to zero degrees. Even though the edges of the Artificial Lake constantly released cold water from the depths and injected warm water to control the temperature, such a temperature difference made it difficult to maintain warmth for those in the water. Once it exceeded a certain threshold, their muscles would become abnormally stiff, leading to injuries during intense training.
Training in water close to ten degrees Celsius brought a slight chill as the current rushed against their necks. Yet, after continuous exposure to the impact, they adapted more quickly to the environmental temperature changes without fear.
Indeed, every day over the past three months had been filled with rigorous training. They hadn’t experienced a good night’s sleep in ages; every night they dreamed, entering the Dream Space where they constantly engaged in survival scenarios.
Strangely enough, each time they confronted an enemy, it was different. Regardless of how much their physical abilities improved, their opponents seemed to always be a level above them. It was unclear how many times they had faced total annihilation as a team. They had survived many extreme environments through teamwork. Even when confronting those stronger foes, they would no longer be mere lambs waiting for slaughter.
When the Dream Domain of Dream Space faded away, they returned to their harsh training. Although mentally exhausted, upon waking up, the accumulated fatigue and soreness in their bodies had vanished. Of course, no one knew how many people circled around them while their bodies slept, using mechanical hands to relieve their fatigue through acupressure and injecting hormones that promoted muscle and bone growth. Even though their bodies were no longer developing and had stopped producing hormones secreted during adolescence, they experienced a second spring of growth over these three months.
Over these three months, Freyr had grown into a towering figure at two meters tall, becoming an undeniable leader among this new squad of recruits. The second-in-command was Nosty, who also experienced a surge in physical abilities due to training. Although he still couldn’t see a colorful world around him, his mental expansion progressed at an astonishing rate. In the extreme environment of wilderness survival, he managed to function like an ordinary person without special treatment.
Standing by the lake's edge was Cousins. He stood up from his chair after three months of diligently guiding this squad of over twenty recruits. Now he could proudly tell everyone, "I have witnessed your efforts over these past three months. You all meet the qualification requirements for enlistment in the Crimson Dragon Army! The doors of the Crimson Dragon Army are open for you; welcome to officially join!"
At this point, smiles began to appear on everyone’s faces. However, today’s training was likely their last before entering service; even before mealtime arrived, they were told to stop training temporarily. This was merely a pause before facing various assessments upon enlistment.
Sergeant Johnny rarely smiled but looked at his comrades’ rapid progress and nodded. "From now on, you are members of the Crimson Dragon Army. However, before you officially become part of it, you will face a comprehensive military feast ahead of you as logistics personnel assigned to participate in our annual military exercises."
Cousins chimed in immediately: "That's right! This year's military exercise will feature formidable opponents from past competitions: the Wolf Brigade from the Third Division, the Ever-Strong Army from the Sixth Division, the Falcon Army from the First Division, and the Lion-Tiger Corps from the Second Division. These are some of Noah's Sanctuary's strongest legions stationed at major military bases across all directions—sending out elite soldiers is only fitting. As warriors of the Crimson Dragon Army—even if you haven’t achieved any accomplishments yet—you are fortunate enough to participate in this grand event. I hope you can fully immerse yourselves in combat preparations."
The prospect of witnessing a human military spectacle excited these recruits who had yet to earn any merit; everyone’s faces lit up with anticipation. This meant that all members of the Crimson Dragon Army would unite as one cohesive force. Even if there had been conflicts among them before, now was not the time for backstabbing each other.
Freyr clearly understood the importance of military exercises. They measured a unit's operational status and represented the greatest manifestation of interest division on the battlefield. The number of bugs killed, the amount of Exoskeleton obtained, and even the population drawn from regular troops for missions could serve as a precedent. In the Cosmic Bug War, as the commander of the victorious side, one had the opportunity to enter the staff and gain greater authority to directly consult with the Marshal and strategize.
The so-called logistics support troops managed trivial matters and strategic deployments. Naturally, they would not let newly enlisted soldiers draft plans. New recruits would spend their first year in the Logistics Department, responsible for managing ammunition, weapon maintenance, distributing medical supplies, and ensuring that Surgeons arrived at incident sites promptly.
At Base Camp, the highest Commander would sometimes come to inspect. New recruits would be questioned and scrutinized, with a slight chance of being recognized for their talents during this military exercise. However, this possibility was minuscule unless someone made an unexpected move that caught attention—only then could such a rare event occur.
"The exercise is scheduled for a week from now. This is your final test to see if you can become part of the Crimson Dragon Army. After observing your performances, I find you all to be excellent and hardworking. However, being a soldier is not just about enduring hardship; I want to impart one last lesson: as soldiers, you must not be rigid. You need a certain awareness that cannot be gained merely by reading two military books."
"The first point of being a soldier is loyalty. You have done well in this regard; you have not faltered halfway through. Although I do not know your motivations—whether it is to live better, to earn civic honor, or simply to secure a job after two years of service—do not forget one thing: remain true to your hearts. Your weapons are never aimed at the people; they are aimed at our enemies."
"The second point is not to adhere too strictly to conventions. Military competence relies on adaptability and improvisation. Familiarity with military texts should not bind you; everyone has a voice, especially in this week before the exercise begins. I hope someone will offer suggestions. If there are better ways to influence the battle situation, why not? Even if you are a lowly private, strategy and decisive courage are what matter in warfare. Ultimately, it is the Crimson Dragon Army that must achieve this—a massive force that operates smoothly, united in purpose, tempered through trials, solid as rock, and uncompromising. These four principles embody the spirit of the Crimson Dragon Army!"
"Yes, sir!" everyone exclaimed in unison with unwavering determination.
"Good, my words are finished. Now let Sergeant Johnny assign duties."
Applause erupted as Colonel Cousins stepped back while Sergeant Johnny saluted and stepped forward amidst another round of applause. Johnny faced the crowd and returned their salute; he seemed like a different person compared to during training—perhaps it was because he felt validated that he could return to his true self.
"We will stick with the four teams formed earlier. Each team leader will coordinate with their squad leaders: Team One will enter Row Three; Team Two will enter Row One; Teams Three and Four will enter Row Two for adjustments according to each row's schedule."
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