17:06

Once the dead man arrives at His destination, He opens the door in front of Him with the wish of entering it. It looks to be a training room, so huge that you would think it can fit a few buildings in it. But as He enters the door, He gets pushed by a woman that was thrown in His direction by a certain weapon.

[N04H]-I-I'm so sorry, Miss KYR4! I-I didn't know it can do this! Did I hurt you??

The man looks at KYR4 for a few seconds, then at the new recruit that was coming towards them while behind him was LUK3. He doesn't say anything, only watches what was going on in front of Him. KYR4 looks a bit at the man for a split second as well, but she avoids to make eye contact after bumping into Him. Yet as she looks back at the recruit, she does a very short and small smirk while shacking her head as she begins to look at a different direction. That action made N04H look puzzled at her.

[N04H]-W-Why are you laughing?

But as the boy turns around, he only freezes on spot. LUK3 is standing right behind him, looking at N04H as if he wants to kill the teen himself. He stares right into his eyes, making the boy unable to move.

[KYR4]-You can stop now, LUK3! You scared the shit out of his soul!

[LUK3]-But HE hurt YOU!

[KYR4]-Why do you enjoy making a scene every time something happens? I swear, you are such a child!

[LUK3]-But. He. Hurt. YOU!

[KYR4]-Oh, gods, have mercy...

Once the show ends, the cold man looks back at KYR4 with a serious expression. She does look back at Him for a few seconds once she hears her name coming from His mouth, even though she doesn't seem to want to look back. LUK3 in the meantime moves his attention towards these two, only ruffling N04H's hair as he passes by.

[CHE5TER]-Officer KYR4, mind explaining what is happening here?

But the moment KYR4 looks back at LUK3, he already starts giving her signs by doing a "cut it out" hand gesture. Still, despite every effort, she decides to tell the truth anyway.

[KYR4]-LUK3 decided to give N04H some weapons to test out in order to know faster his decision later, Master.

[LUK3]-OH, COME ON!!

[CHE5TER]-And why would you take such a decision without my approval? Again?

From the other side of the room, C0NNER's voice appears as he seems to have listened to the conversation.

[C0NNER]-You know how LUK3 acts, Master. Childish as ever. No matter how hard you try, he will always do as he pleases.

[LUK3]-That is NOT true!

[CHE5TER]-Then it shouldn't bother you explaining your own actions yourself rather than letting others speak for you. Right, LUCAS?

[LUK3]-You guys are no fun... Alright, alright! I will explain! Sooo, you know, little N04H here has to decide on his role soon and I thought that, maybe if he picks the weapon first, it could be easier for him to take the Striker role!

[KYR4]-And who said he will be a Striker like you, genius?

[LUK3]-AnD wHO sAid thAt... Ninini... Shut the fuck up!

[KYR4]-*sigh*

[LUK3]-OF COURSE he will be a Striker! Didn't you see what happened two months ago? He will be my little buddy during the quests!

[CHE5TER]-He will get to choose his weapon when he decides that he is ready. Do not forget that it took some time for you to choose yours as well.

[LUK3]-B-BUT, BUT... Yeah, okay. You are right. Sorry, Boss.

[CHE5TER]-Good.

The man then looks at N04H, who surprisingly seems even more terrified looking at Him in the eyes than being a victim of LUK3's bad jokes.

[CHE5TER]-Now, N04H, I hope you can make a decision about your role here, if it is possible. I do not try to rush you, but it will be better if you manage to choose it soon. Think about it carefully, or you will end up like him.

[LUK3]-HEY!!

[CHE5TER]-Understood?

[N04H]-M-Mhm...

Then, He looks back at KYR4 again once He notices the fear in N04H's eyes.

[CHE5TER]-KYR4, I've understood there will be Council meeting at 18:00?

[KYR4]-Yes, Master. They told us not to bring the Great Leader as they wish to make some decisions regarding a specific event.

[CHE5TER]-So that's what's all about? *sigh* All those problems and they still wish to celebrate His day every year...

[KYR4]-I don't think you should bother yourself with this. They just want a day free. That's all.

[CHE5TER]-Free day or not, there is still a lot work to do. Some lazy counselors won't help me with anything regarding this city's protection.

[KYR4]-You should have a free day too, Master. At least with this occasion you have a reason to rest, since you always say you got no reasons for it.

[CHE5TER]-...Just show N04H each role so he can have time to make his choice later. I have to go meet up with Miss MY4 now.

[KYR4]-*sigh* Yes, Master...

After that, the cold man exists the room without any other word given, while the others remain to discuss.

[N04H]-...The Great Leader always manages to give me a bad feeling whenever I see Him. His condition doesn't help either...

[KYR4]-Well, He is the type of guy to never explain what He has in His mind and would prefer living in His own world. I guess we are lucky that His brother is the complete opposite, or else we would've gotten two of Him. He is powerful, don't underestimate Him. But His soul is just a bit too... weak, to put it gently.

[LUK3]-You don't have to fear Him, little buddy! Keep in mind that I managed to convince Him to bring you here despite being against my decision! He acts big and tough, but He forgets most of us knew Him in the past!

[N04H]-...Why is He like this then?

[KYR4]-That's... a long story. And we don't have the permission to speak about it.

[C0NNER]-And yet you still speak behind His back the moment He leaves the room, Officer.

[KYR4]-...Let's change the subject. Come on, Green Head. We still have to introduce you to the roles, no?

[N04H]-Right.

17:27

After a few minutes of KYR4 and LUK3 standing in front of a control panel, they come back to N04H who was waiting alone for them to finish.

[KYR4]-Okay, we set up a small simulation area for you so we can begin. It isn't much but it should be enough for now. Do you think you are ready?

[N04H]-I guess...? But what exactly do I have to do?

[KYR4]-We will explain your task to you once we choose and begin the simulation script. There will be an imitation world based on our daily work with a different situation for each role, so don't forget that everything is not real if you fail in completing the task. That's all you have to remember for now. You will see in a few moments.

[LUK3]-Oh, oh! Let me be first!!

[KYR4]-LUK3!

[LUK3]-Pleasee! Let me introduce him to my role first! Pretty pleaseee!!!

[KYR4]-*sigh* Alright! Fine! Just tell him the basics and then we will set the simulation for the role! Maybe you will shut your mouth for once if I let you do your thing!

[LUK3]-Okay, okay!

LUK3 does a small sign to N04H to make the teen follow him, then completely runs off excited back to the control panel to which he makes a few commands. It takes just a few seconds, before he finally looks back at the boy to explain everything. And as he does so, an area of the training ground changes, moving a few platforms and showing some holograms to simulate an actual building.

ROLE SELECTION: STRIKER

SIMULATION READY

[LUK3]-Alright, kid! It isn't complicated, you saw me in action! All you have to do is to infiltrate yourself inside the building created by the simulation program! Usually the missions involve some rescue operations here and there, or provide protection for those present in the whole chaos, so that's what are you going to do! Pretty simple, right? There are, of course, other quests sometimes like fighting the M soldiers in case of emergencies, protecting other roles that are in action, blah blah blah... Basically, you are a living weapon with this role! Exciting, isn't it??

[KYR4]-In this case, it will be something similar to what LUK3 did some time ago, but on an easier level.

[LUK3]-Yep! And technically, there is someone who guides the ones that have my role inside the buildings, like C0NNER did with me when we went to save your buddies! ...C0NNER, get your ass here!

C0NNER doesn't really seem to want to be involved since all he did the whole time was to train for himself and smoke. But even so, he takes a deep breath, stops his training and comes towards the three people inside the room, a bit irritated, truth to be told.

[KYR4]-We will give you a training device that works the same way as the one used in an actual mission. Well... not as efficient as the real ones, but you get what I mean. You will have to take only two people out. Simple.

[N04H]-Which people? Are you going to bring some members here?

[LUK3]-No, no! There will be some holograms programmed to act like real people! You will see what I mean!

[KYR4]-C0NNER will guide you this time. Listen to everything he says, alright?

[N04H]-Alright... But what if I fail?

[KYR4]-Don't panic if so. Remember, it's just a simulation. If you fail, we will just go through the other roles, and if you want, we will try this one once again later.

[LUK3]-AAAND you won't fail! So shut up!

[C0NNER]-Oh, gods... Can't we just get LUK3 out and do it without him?

[KYR4]-Just go in there and we will see what happens after, Green Head.

The boy enters the simulated building guided by C0NNER, even a bit hesitant at first. With the help of the equipment given by KYR4, he is now invisible and able to pass over the hologram guards present in the building. He manages to get to the simulated execution room and take the "people" out of it, even if his timing was a bit poor. Because the imitation of the gas, typically used in the execution rooms to create an explosion and kill everyone inside it, has already started spreading by the time he arrived to save them. No, it isn't the real gas, so he cannot get hurt. But it is an alarm that those "people" can. Once he takes out everyone from the room, the alarms of the building are activated and the "guards" start chasing him and the holograms saved. What he didn't understand is the fact that not only he is suppose to lead everyone out of the chaos, but also protect them in this type of emergencies by the projectiles coming their way. The holograms which were supposed to be saved are shot and the simulation concludes. Which results in him being puzzled as to why the program has ended.

[N04H]-What? What happened? Why did it stop?

[LUK3]-YOU WERE SUPPOSE TO STAY AND PROTECT THEM FROM BEING SHOT! COME ON!!

[KYR4]-Stop it, LUK3! It's just a simulation! We will try again later if he wishes.

[LUK3]-I hate you all...

[KYR4]-Just shut your mouth for once! Next one on the list is the Defender. Try and calibrate the program so we get this thing done already.

LUK3 does go to the panel again, but this time he is lip-syncing mockingly what KYR4 just said. He doesn't really say any word, he just mocks the words spoken to him, irritated, without anyone noticing. Or at least, without anyone caring enough to say anything back. KYR4, in the meantime, goes next to C0NNER and puts her hand on his shoulder, which results in him getting puzzled.

ROLE SELECTION: DEFENDER

SIMULATION READY

[KYR4]-You take it from here, C0NNER. Explain the kid what he has to do.

[C0NNER]-Can't you bring someone else to teach him what to do? What makes you think I'm up for the task? I never taught anyone anything before.

[KYR4]-Well, neither did we. Besides, we are the ones who brought him here, so we should be the ones to show him how everything goes. And do remember that you also got involved in the whole thing. If it were up to me, LUK3 wasn't here to help in the whole choice at all. But I didn't make the rules.

C0NNER then looks into N04H's eyes, annoyed by what he just heard. But he takes another deep breath, pushes KYR4's hand away and begins to speak to the teen.

[C0NNER]-*sigh* I think you already know my role's side of the job from months ago, right? Each Defender has to work with one of the people that comes from the offensive team. You cannot work with more than one person at the same time since you need a lot of focus to do so, especially when you are a beginner. You basically just lead the supposed person you have tasked to help get to their destination safely. I think that's all.

[KYR4]-That's not really the explanation I wanted to hear, but I guess it is fine for now.

[C0NNER]-If you can explain it better, then why don't you do it yourself, Officer?

[KYR4]-I swear, I'm working with idiots...

In the meantime, LUK3 managed to set up the program again and also get some equipment himself. When he was done, he went towards the simulation area and started waiting for it to begin.

[KYR4]-Anyway, this time you will have to guide LUK3 through a puzzle. Simply get him to the other exit of the simulation without being caught by the guards that wander around at all. We won't use devices to keep him invisible to make the whole thing more accurate in danger, so be careful what decisions you make. Okay, Green Head?

[N04H]-So I have to solve the puzzle first?

[C0NNER]-No. In a real mission, you won't have enough time to think and act at the same time. Everything needs to be done in real-time, so you will have to solve this type of matters during the action itself. You won't have the time to get familiar with the surroundings of each building, you need to adapt to what you see inside them.

[N04H]-But how am I suppose to guide him without seeing anything from the area?

[KYR4]-I guess I can give you a small helping device connected to the cameras... You will only need to put it on your eyes and it should be enough for you to see and guide that idiot out. I don't think we should start with the actual techniques used by Defenders, so we will rely more on our equipment this time. They aren't hard to learn, but you need a bit of training even so. It's better if we don't risk the simulation being messy because of them.

[C0NNER]-Even I managed to learn them, Officer. The connection between the C borns and the equipment made specifically for them shouldn't be hard to learn, especially to a graduate that showed in the exams their level of knowledge in their powers. As low as the scores could be. If he passed, it means he can learn them quickly. Should we really complicate ourselves with more equipment than we normally need?

[KYR4]-It took you months to learn them yourself, C0NNER. You really want to ruin the simulation just for the sake of simplicity?

[C0NNER]-I am a special case and you know that very well, KYR4! If it wasn't for--

[LUK3]- --Can you both just stop the argument and let the kid begin?? I'm starting to get bored here!!

While both of them seem to have a small disagreement, LUK3 shouts from his position all the way to theirs in order for them to shut up. Just like that, KYR4 gives the teen all the equipment he needs, including a device that allows him to switch which camera he looks through with the other device mentioned, and instructs him how everything works. Once the simulation begins, N04H starts guiding LUK3 through the puzzle created by the program. He has more difficulties with this role than the previous one though, as he cannot decide which direction LUK3 should take. Even LUK3 himself gets annoyed by the irresolution and constantly repeating the same road. At some point, he even gets caught by one of the hologram guards which results in the simulation to conclude again. Once he gets back to the three, LUK3's expression seems even more annoyed than it ever was, making even N04H to feel a little guilty.

[LUK3]-I swear to the gods, I have to be double paid for this whole thing...

[N04H]-S-Sorry, Mr. LUK3. I guess this one is simply not made for me. What's the next one?

[KYR4]-We can skip this one though. I don't think you want to even try this role.

[N04H]-Why not?

[KYR4]-Simply because it's not taught in schools and you can learn only in particular class or by yourself, unlike the other roles which can be easier for you from the experience gained from the surviving classes.

[N04H]-I can at least give it a try, right?

[KYR4]-Then, if you are so sure of yourself, do you know at least the basics of how any equipment is created, what are the logics used when creating it, how it functions and how you can use your knowledge in order to manipulate it however you want?

[N04H]-Oh... Yeah, now I understand why...

[KYR4]-I have to leave now anyway, so we didn't have time for it no matter your choice. LUK3, make sure to bring some people for the next two roles to show him what is left, alright?

[LUK3]-Yeah, yeah. I'm not stupid. I know what to do.

[KYR4]-If you say so, big guy...