Capítulo 12: The Resolve of A Grunt
I looked at the second metallic heavy gate that had opened. Bright light came from outside into the room where the other grunts and I were currently standing. The light was so bright that I couldn't even see what the other side looked like, as if it was a "gate of light" that would lead you to another world. One thing I could feel from it was the rush of wind that burst into the room, as if the outside wind was blowing inside.
This... felt like déjà vu...
Everyone was focused on this newly opened gate that seemed to lead outside the secret lair of Max Brain, but I directed my attention back towards the mad scientist villain, Mad Star... or rather, her real name, Victoria. She noticed that I was staring at her. I then turned my stare into a glare, knowing deep down this so-called "orientation" was more than just that. Seeing my intense glare, she responded with the same mischievous smile that had been ingrained in my memory. That smile of hers confirmed my suspicion, and my glare became even more intense.
The mad scientist Victoria only giggled at my glare. Then, she began to announce to all the grunts who were still fixated on the light coming from the opened gate, "Well then... Let's begin our orientation, grunts," she started, a malicious grin appearing on her face, and then she simply ordered, "Go."
As if on cue, many of the grunts immediately dashed towards the opened gate... "What...?" I muttered in shock and awe at how fast they were running. They were running so fast, as if they were professional Olympic track-and-field runners. Hell, they might even be faster than those athletes. Was this one of her so-called 'enhancements'?
A few other grunts were as shocked as I was from witnessing their fellow grunts' speed, as if they also weren't aware of the enhancements that had been done to them. But many of them immediately joined in as well, running towards the light coming from the opened gate, following the other grunts that had made a head start. Slowly but surely, everyone started to run as well, and many of those who had started running entered and vanished into the "gate of light" to what I assumed was the outside world, leaving only a few of us grunts behind. Some of those notable few that I knew were Grunt No. 704 and No. 711.
Surprisingly, the fanboy grunt, Grunt No. 702, had already joined the others who had started running. Honestly, I could imagine that he was one of those people who rejoiced at the fact that they got a superpower, even if they were just going to be an expendable grunt for the villains.
We were all still staring at the backs of the leaving grunts, an awkward silence lingering...
Grunt No. 711 then looked at both me and No. 704, "Well, I better get going," she began, slowly starting to run while waving to us both, "see you on the other side~." She then promptly left towards the opened gate. We both watched as her back became smaller and smaller until she eventually vanished into the "gate of light." An awkward silence still lingered...
Grunt No. 704 and I both looked at each other, and then he turned toward the "gate of light" as well. "Well... catch you later, big guy," he said without looking back and then started running. He was also running quite fast like everyone else, quickly vanishing into the "gate of light." Eventually, one by one, all of the grunts had finally left the room, leaving me as the only person remaining... or so I thought.
I turned my head and found those white-coated scientists still on the raised platform stage, along with their squadron leader, the villainous scientist Victoria "Mad Star." She was still standing quite arrogantly on top of the stage, looking at me with an amused expression.
"You..." I muttered loudly, referring to her with a bit of venom in my tone as I threw another glare toward her. Again, she was not fazed by my snarling but instead giggled at it. Hearing her giggle only irked me more.
"What's the matter, Grunt No. 703?" Victoria asked with a fake tone of concern. She walked forward, closer to the edge of the stage. "Don't you want to join in with your fellow grunts?" she asked me, as she promptly and casually sat on the edge of the stage. I saw that some of her fellow underling scientists left the stage, presumably to monitor the other grunts who had gone ahead of me.
I ignored her fake concern. "What are you planning, woman?" I shot back. I was wary, of course, because I had been in almost this exact situation before, with a 'Witch' of a woman who had branded me with her so-called "token." Of course, it didn't end well for me, and here I was now with an entirely new and unfamiliar body in a world where superheroes and supervillains exist... while being just one of the expendable grunts of those supervillains.
It felt too much like a coincidence. I had a feeling if I had been one of those early runner grunts that had rushed to the "gate of light," I would have instead gotten myself killed yet again.
The mad scientist woman only giggled again at my question. "What are you talking about, Grunt No. 703? This is just a normal orientation for all of you newcomer loyal grunts~." She deflected my question by playing oblivious, while also provocatively showing off her sensual figure as she crossed her legs. Her evasive and taunting attitude really irked me to no end.
I looked back toward the "gate of light" that led to the world outside of the secret lair, contemplating its existence and what it meant for me. My choices were honestly quite limited, almost nonexistent even. I couldn't see myself escaping out of this secret lair of Max Brain unscathed. I didn't even know where this secret lair of his was located, and if that fictional (former) nation was any indication, then there was a possibility that this new world of superheroes vs. supervillains had an entirely different geography than Earth.
Trying to fight this scientist woman head-on was also an option... or not. She didn't show any sign of concern when I showed aggression toward her but instead found it amusing as she kept toying with me. Hearing about her reputation previously from the ramblings of Grunt No. 702 was even more concerning... if she could make an alternative nuclear bomb that had annihilated a whole nation's army, she might have other things in her arsenal that could evaporate me in an instant.
I didn't know what I was capable of in this new body of mine. Whatever that "token" the 'Witch' had given me was still a mystery. I could imagine that a bit of adrenaline might allow me to manifest whatever the hell this "token" was... or it might just be a literal nothing, and that 'Witch' had just been playing a cruel prank on me. Nothing was guaranteed here.
Even if I did manage to beat this mad scientist of a woman, Grunt No. 704 had said that Max Brain had other supervillains working for him, not to mention fighting THE Max Brain himself. Fighting unknown foes who were more than willing to NOT play by the book was not something I looked forward to.
So... trying to fight my way out of this Supervillain Empire/Company was not only the most complicated choice, but also, basically... a death flag all the way.
Then there was the last possible choice: being a good little grunt for these supervillains. The final option, and probably the safest choice among the previous two. I would have to follow all of their whims and orders while trying to survive as what I imagined being an expendable grunt. Hell, I might even try to win their favor. As long as I can survive long enough for another, safer option to pop up.
I just hoped that I wouldn't get assigned any dangerous, life-threatening tasks or have to do something that really disturbed my morals.
I hung my head low and inhaled the fresh air of the outside wind that came from the "gate of lights." Then... I exhaled loudly, creating a booming sound that echoed throughout this vast, dark, empty room.
"Oh my~," the mad scientist Victoria casually exclaimed in surprise. "Did you finally find your resolve, Grunt No. 703~?" she teasingly asked. I didn't bother looking at her expression, but I imagined she was showing the same-old, same-old mischievous smile of hers that would have irked me to no end.
"Yeah... I did," I simply answered her question. Then I readied myself to run and approach the "gate of lights" that had been beckoning me. My resolve was solid, and I had only one goal in mind right now...
"And I'm going to survive...!"
HIATUS
HIATUS. Not much to say here other than it's not working out.
Capítulo 13: An Impending Obstacle for the Grunt
I put myself in a ready position, lowering my body and positioning my right leg further back. I tensed my body, trying to feel every muscle I now had in this new grunt body of mine. I could feel the strength behind each of them, and I was starting to get comfortable with them. I focused my vision on one thing only: the 'gate of lights' that had been beckoning me.
I knew full well that when I passed through this 'gate of lights,' I would face all kinds of dangers and challenges that this mad scientist of a woman, Victoria 'Mad Star,' had in store for newbie grunts like me, calling it an 'orientation' and such. It wasn't just my gut instinct telling me of the danger behind that 'gate of lights,' but also previous bad experiences with a certain 'Witch' in a dark alleyway.
Now, why would I go along with this one then? It was really simple, honestly. I had realized that my survival would now depend on how I could please these supervillains. I had already weighed my options, the previous two being either trying to escape this secret lair facility or even trying to fight back against these supervillains. Both options were not only nigh impossible but also likely to get me killed. So, I had to choose this third option for the best chance of survival...
"And I'm going to survive...!" I proclaimed with resolve and determination.
"Is that so?" The aforementioned mad scientist woman, Victoria, commented on my proclamation with an interested tone. I didn't bother looking at her as I kept focusing on the 'gate of lights' in front of me, but I bet she was showing me an amused, mischievous smile.
"You find this amusing, huh?" I retorted as I readied myself to launch. "Well... good to know! 'Cause I'm going to impress you more!" I exclaimed loudly, and then... I launched myself forward!
I put my legs to work, feeling their muscles contracting with each step I took. I started slow as I was still adapting to this new body of mine... but eventually, I quickly picked up the pace as my running became faster and faster!
This feeling... a mix of adrenaline and even dopamine, as I felt the euphoria... the satisfaction of being able to utilize my body to its full potential. Was this also the feeling that those athletes and gymnasts felt? I could get used to this... In fact, I could feel a huge grin creeping up on my face behind this full-face mask of mine.
I quickly came closer and closer to the 'gate of lights.' The lights were so bright that even as I got closer to them, I couldn't see what lay beyond. But the burst of wind coming from it was getting stronger, and I could even smell the fresh air coming from it.
'No turning back...!' I kept pushing my legs to their full potential as I then dashed into the 'gate of lights,' but this time... I shielded my eyes by using my large arms, tackling and entering into the light.
< | X | >
[3rd Person's POV]
The supervillain and mad scientist, Victoria "Mad Star," watched the back of Grunt No. 703 with an amused smile. She observed with interest as he utilized his body and enchantment to their full potential, his running becoming faster and faster with each step. Eventually, he finally entered the "gate of lights" and vanished into it.
"Good luck," she muttered to herself. But instead of the usual malicious smile, this time she showed a genuine smile, a genuine hope for him. She had heard his proclamation and especially his promise to her.
"Well... good to know! 'Cause I'm going to impress you more!"
Victoria giggled as she vividly remembered what Grunt No. 703 had just said to her earlier. "You're going to impress, huh? Well... let's see if you can," she repeated his words with an amused tone. Then, she got up from her seat at the edge of the stage and turned around, walking toward the other white-coated scientists who were still waiting on the stage with her.
One of the scientists approached her. "Miss Victoria, Ma'am, your order?" the scientist inquired.
Victoria paused for a moment, contemplating what she should say. "The same as we had already planned before, but... keep a keen eye specifically on Grunt No. 703," she ordered to all of them as she then walked into the unlit part of the stage, vanishing into the darkness.
"Yes, Ma'am!" Every one of the scientists there acknowledged her order and quickly followed suit, disappearing into the darkness.
[3rd Person's POV Ends]
< | X | >
I entered the "gate of lights" and was temporarily blinded by its bright light. I had experienced this temporary blindness before and had ended up dead, but this time... I would not be getting myself killed like before. It would be a damn embarrassment after all that cocky talk of mine to that mad scientist woman. Luckily, I had the foresight to shield my eyes from the lights.
I felt a sudden change of texture on the soles of my feet. It felt like I had stepped onto dry, arid soil. I quickly let go of my arms that had been shielding my eyes and opened them to see, for the first time, the outside world of the new world that I had gotten myself into...
"What the hell...?" I was flabbergasted by what I was currently witnessing.
In front of me stood, in the distance, a massive contraption of what I could assume to be a long obstacle course, stretching quite far. Towering platforms dotted the arid soil landscape, their imposing structures casting long shadows in the oddly contrasting clear, beautiful blue sky. Each platform seemed to present a daunting challenge, with various contraptions and obstacles adorning their surfaces.
I squinted my eyes, trying to discern what was entailed on this 'obstacle course,' and I saw the many dangerous hazards with which this massive contraption was installed.
Sharp spikes jutted out from some platforms, while swinging giant pendulums lurched precariously, each moving at a different speed. Sections of the course crackled with bolts of lightning, creating deadly barriers for the unwary. Giant gears churned and clanked, their jagged teeth threatening to grind anything in their path to a halt. Ominous clouds of steam billowed forth from hidden vents, obscuring the path ahead and disorienting those who would dare to venture through. Amidst it all, some platforms even rotated on their axis, while others ascended and descended, adding another layer of complexity to the challenge.
I could only stare blankly at the sight in front of me. I did expect some form of deadly challenges ahead of me, but... I couldn't help but stare at how absurd-looking it was. Rather than meticulous and detailed challenges for us grunts to test our enchantments, this felt like I just stepped into a reality TV obstacle course game show, but deadlier. Hell, this obstacle course felt like those platformer video games I had played a few times with my online friends from my previous world.
I also saw some of my fellow grunts had already attempted to conquer this obstacle course... with varying degrees of success. Some had carefully traversed the platform. Some had tried to rush past the obstacles, only for many of them to instantly get blown over or fall off the platforms. The rest were still gathered at the starting point of the obstacle course, trying to observe and research how to beat this giant obstacle course.
"What do you think, Grunt No. 703~?" A voice suddenly called out from behind, startling me. I quickly looked back and saw... a flying drone...?! It hovered quite close to the ground, a bit too close for comfort. One thing that stood out about this drone... was the display screen attached to it. On the screen appeared none other than the mad scientist, Victoria "Mad Star," wearing her signature mischievous smile that irked me to no end.
Again, I could only stare blankly at the displayed visage of the mad scientist. "Hmm? What's wrong, No. 703~? Cat got your tongue or something?" Victoria teased.
I pointed my finger at the complex and comical contraption behind me. "What the hell is this...?" I inquired, my tone flat.
"What do you mean? It's all part of your newbie grunts' orientation," Victoria answered simply, as if stating the obvious. Of course, that wasn't the answer I was looking for. I had to rub my temple to ease the headache from dealing with this mad scientist woman. Ignoring my frustration, she continued, "My underling has already explained the rules of this orientation to your fellow grunts, but... since you only just arrived..."
"Let me personally tell you how this works~."
HIATUS
HIATUS. Not much to say here other than it's not working out.
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