There's No Love In the Deathzone (BL) novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78: Chapter 76. Path of Changes

Being found making out with Bassena in the training hall wasn’t in Zein’s plan. But it might be a blessing in disguise.

He had no idea what kind of rumor spread out among the guides after that, but when he called the guides he wanted to put inside the division to tell them about his intention, those guides were meek and resigned to their fate easily. He didn’t even need to voice out his authority or entice them with a higher salary.

Which was...nice?

The guides who found them out--which turned out to be those residing in the dorm, the people Zein predicted would come for a consultation first--also ended up turning in their application.

Although, the most surprising of all, was when he saw Nora’s application among them. So, thanks to that makeout session, he had a full house in the conference room for the first meeting of the new division. They whispered among themselves just before Zein entered the room--this time without Abel tailing him.

The black uniform looked imposing wrapped around the guide’s lean and sturdy figure. Zein also wore his mask fully this time, so his image got even stronger. Adding to it was whatever these guides think about him and Bassena Vaski’s relationship.

"We don’t need an introduction, yes?" the blue eyes swept the room with a piercing gaze as usual. Even as the man leaned casually on the conference room’s head desk, he still looked menacing. "I’m not going to welcome you yet since you haven’t signed your new contract."

He stared at the fifteen pairs of eyes around the conference table, who looked back at him rather timidly. Two A-class, seven B-class, and six C-class. It was the ideal calculation Zein could come up with to form six raiding teams.

"This uniform," Zein said suddenly, seemingly out of topic, "is made of SavAsh and Mortix’s new technology," he patted the fabric on his body lightly. "It’s designed to reinforce the guide’s physique, circulate energy evenly to boost stamina, and withstand impact better. Also..."

Zein pulled his left sleeve slightly, showing a small bracer above his commlink. He clenched his fist tight, and the bracer let out a shimmering mana barrier--not large, just around a small round shield, but enough to protect one’s head.

"Not just this mini-generated mana shield, you will get one weapon of your choice--dagger, crossbow, handgun--anything you prefer."

The guides’ eyes widened at the display of new equipment. Some of them gulped, whether in fright or desire. Their eyes were set on the black uniform and the black metal bracer. Those would be theirs soon...how cool was that? Their regular uniform had no such technology embedded, and they never touched any equipment that seemed to be catered for esper...

Snap!

The tall guide’s loud finger snap brought their eyes back toward the deep blue gaze. It was hidden beneath the mask, but they felt the smile forming underneath. "These are what you’ll receive if you prove yourself taking the division’s program seriously."

The guides, who thought they would be able to don the black uniform immediately, groaned in protest. But they still did it quietly under the cool blue gaze watching them.

"You will still get your new PT gear today, don’t worry," Zein added with a smirk.

Honestly, it was only because SavAsh need to know the exact personnel who would wear them before finishing the product, but these chicks didn’t need to know about that. Zein glanced at Alice then, and the assistant swiftly turned on the screen behind the conference table.

"I gave you the perks, now I’ll give you what you’ll need to do," he pointed to the screen and the guides followed his fingers. "I’ve told you before that this division’s objective is to survive inside the dungeon,"

There were only three things written there; Physical Ability, Dungeon Knowledge, and Effective Guiding.

"So this is what you’re going to do," Zein lifted one finger. "It’s obvious, but you’ll need to improve your physical state. You should already know that dungeon excursions are rigorous. At least stamina and agility--I will hone this into your body."

The guides played the recording of Zein’s action in their mind, the way the guide moved and jumped with agile reflex--and gulped in nervousness.

"Second," Zein lifted another finger, "the more you know about dungeons, the more you’ll be able to survive it. Preparing your mind for any kind of dungeon can help stabilize your mental state once you stepped inside. This...this will be the hardest thing I’ll drill into you,"

The guides turned their heads toward Zein, whose blue eyes had curled mischievously--a rare but dreadful sight. "I’ll give you materials to memorize, and send you into simulation chambers."

What Zein talked about was a virtual reality capsule where the user could feel like they were diving inside the dungeon. It could be set to mimic any dungeon that the company had recreated digitally, and was usually used by espers as mental training.

Without even stopping to give the guides anytime to lament, Zein already lifted his third finger. "And last--I will make sure you can guide effectively, in any situation, in any shape."

The guides’ gaze got more focused then, now that Zein brought up the matter of guiding. Someone lifted their hand then, which turned out to be the B-class Zein was familiar with, Brisk.

"Yes?"

"What do you mean by in any situation, Captain?"

Zein smiled deeply beneath his mask, but his answer was nothing but serious. "Whether you’re in distress, whether you’re tired. While laying down, while sitting up, while walking..." ignoring the quiet gasp he heard from some of the guides, Zein continued. "Inside the dungeon, things won’t always be ideal. You won’t always be guiding comfortably inside the tent. Sometimes you have to do it while the battle is still on and everything is in chaos. But no matter what the situation is, a guide has a duty to guide. That’s all that matter."

Zein let the room come to silence then, letting his words seep inside these guides’ minds. This was actually one of his biggest concerns when he heard about how the guides here had quirks and habits--things that might be hard to overcome. He would need to break all of those comfortable things the guides enjoyed so they would always be ready in any situation.

As expected, he could see some downcast expressions, and wondered whether they would refuse to sign the new contract after this. Just then, another hand rose energetically, as if it had become a Q and A session.

"Yes, Dheera?" _{ƒгeewebnovёl.com}

Zein had no idea whether it was weirder being called Mister or Captain. He contemplated for a while, and then started speaking again.

These people didn’t know yet, but some of them would have to face something even more dangerous than dungeons next year; the very menace of the Deathzone. They would understand it more once they knew--why Zein had always been stressing on the word survive.