The cleaning team's training ground always smelled of metal mud: damp, pungent, and as if someone was burning under the ground. Rudo stood in the middle, not yet sure which side was safe.
Enjin had just given a simple task:
"Just stand there. Don't faint."
But the instructions didn't ease his anxiety. Why did he have to do that?
Zanka leaned against the pillar with his arms crossed, his eyes shining as if he was waiting for a drama.
Riyo stood a few steps away from Rubekkia, her chin clenched as if preparing to withstand an explosion.
Rubekkia stepped forward.
Her long pink hair swept a small line on the ground. She didn't look at Rudo but at… the empty space behind him, as if he were just a transparent shield.
"Rubekkia."
Riyo called, her voice restrained.
"Don't overdo it."
Rubekkia tilted her head very slightly.
"I haven't done anything yet."
"Your elbow is open!" Riyo almost shouted.
Rubekkia looked down at her left hand, the metal part was indeed showing a thin gap like a crooked smile.
She replied curtly:
"It likes itself."
Rudo didn't know whether to be afraid of her or of that… 'it'.
Riyo stepped forward, blocking Rubekkia and the rookie.
"You scared the rookie to death."
Rubekkia waved her hand, the movement as light as dusting off a deadly dust.
"If you're afraid of a look… then what will protect it from the Abyss?"
"You don't have to lecture me, okay?" Riyo gritted her teeth.
"There's still a way to train without pointing a gun at someone's face!"
Rubekkia looked straight at Riyo, her eyes colder than a reef.
"I didn't point a gun at his face."
Rudo saw her move her hand a little.
The gap between her elbows widened, and the metal pieces split open, bending like the small doors of a dangerous mechanism.
Riyo immediately rushed forward:
"Rubekkia!"
But it was too late.
A sharp click like metal cutting through the wind rang out.
Rubekkia's elbow lit up a red line, and then…
AK emerged.
From inside her arm, the long gun stock slid out like a living steel bone. The sound of the metal sliding made Rudo's whole body get goosebumps.
The entire yard was dead silent.
Rudo stood still as if he was fixed with screws.
Riyo stood in front of Rudo, her fists clenched until they turned white.
Rubekkia raised her arm, turning her wrist slightly so that the AK could catch the latch.
Her pink hair swayed behind her like a death flag.
Riyo breathed heavily:
"Rubekkia, put it away. What do you want to do?"
Rubekkia looked at her AK as if she were examining an old toy.
"I want to see how it reacts."
Her eyes glanced at Rudo.
"If a rookie can't stand up to an item… then he's trash on the battlefield."
Riyo moved closer to Rubekkia's face, no longer afraid, only angry.
"No one in this team is trash. If you keep treating people like monsters, I'll—"
Rubekkia interrupted:
"Don't say 'will'. Just do it."
"You want to try?" Riyo snapped.
The two stood exactly a breath apart.
On one side, the gun popped out like a living creature.
One side was pure violence hidden in the fist.
No one lowered their voice.
No one gave way.
Enjin finally had to speak from afar, slowly like pouring water on a stove.
"Rubekkia. Riyo. Stop."
The two continued to stare at each other for a few more seconds. Invisible sparks crossed their eyes.
Rubekkia let out a very light breath, then turned her wrist.
The AK slid back inside, the metal joint closing with a 'click'.
Rudo almost breathed a sigh of relief.
Rubekkia turned and walked away, her voice throwing back:
"Rudo Shuaburekk. We'll check again tomorrow.
If you're scared, don't come."
Riyo shouted back:
"If you keep pointing the gun like that, I'll push you down the drain!"
Rubekkia just raised her hand high, waving it lightly as if saying goodbye… or as if accepting the declaration of war.
Zanka laughed out loud.
"Congratulations, new recruit. You just survived Rubekkia's welcome. Not everyone gets such 'favors'."
Rudo thought to himself:
Do I… really want to be here?
The wind in the training ground still carried the smell of hot metal.
The danger still loomed overhead.