Chương 44: Chapter 43 - Alpha (V)

"That was… amazing," he exclaimed as he saw Alonso literally kill two of those bullet-like worms in midair, one after the other. It was both fascinating and… alarming. The nagging thought that he might have to face Alonso in the future became even more unsettling. The truth was, Abhijit had been worried for a while now, ever since Alonso had devised that ingenious way of measuring time and especially after he mentioned something about sound filtering.

He had pondered over the latter but couldn't make much sense of it. He remembered spending a significant amount of time in the last trial trying to make the projection of his past self blind by manipulating light using his mind waves. But filtering sound? He had no idea where to even begin. While he had a scientific background, it was limited to a Master's in Food Science. After that, he got a job as a food safety analyst, where he had been working for the last couple of years.

His knowledge of electromagnetism was limited to what he had learned in high school, and applying that limited knowledge to his current abilities was a challenge. He found it much easier to rely on practice and repetition to get a feel for this new sensory system. That's how he had managed to pass all the trials so far. But now, comparing himself to Alonso, he felt like he was playing with sticks and bones while Alonso was already forging steel weapons.

"Well, I kind of found a trick to more easily finish these ugly bastards," Alonso replied, breaking into his thoughts.

"You see, if you detect the origin of the disturbance and, based on its initial movement, predict where they'll attack, you can pre-position your blade, and they'll just run straight through it."

"Predict the attack location? But that would take a lot of battles against them to get used to it and gain the necessary experience. Besides, they don't all move at exactly the same speed."

"Well, if you remember a bit of physics from high school, you could probably skip the data accumulation process," Alonso said, leaving him frowning.

"Okay, let's keep going. I think we're getting closer to a nest or something. If you can't handle it, just walk slightly at the back." Abhijit stared at Alonso. He had to be really careful around this person. He sincerely hoped he wouldn't have to face him in the future. While Alonso was a great ally, as an enemy... Should he try to kill him by surprise or in an ambush? But then, would it be worth it? What if the trial ahead required cooperation?

Even now, he was having trouble with the worms, and he was sure this trial would involve much more than that. He was in a tight spot. He tightened his grip on his sword and took a deep breath. He intentionally left a couple of steps between himself and Alonso. First, he was worried about the possibility of two worms attacking at once, and second, he needed time to ponder his sensory skill. He needed to lessen the gap between them, even if just by a little.

His heart skipped a beat for a second. Impossible. But… how? The time between the attack of those two worms was but an instant. For all intents and purposes, it was practically simultaneous. Then… how? How had Alonso not just parried but killed both worms with a single swing of his sword? Did he predict both attack locations at once? But even then, how did he calculate his strike so precisely? This was no longer just good swordsmanship or skill—this was robotic calculation.

A level of precision a human shouldn't possess, even with their enhancements. A bead of sweat ran down his forehead. On the way here, he had been practicing, getting better at predicting the lines of attack, but just when he thought the gap between them was closing, he saw this.' Alonso… what kind of monster are you…?' August 2, 2024 - Headquarters of the United Nations, New York, US Several minutes had passed since the mysterious man left. The phone had indeed remained silent. Elena leaned back in her chair.

This was not what she had expected. The introduction of this new element didn't just shift her current situation—it upended her entire perception of modern society. Who were these people? The man had spoken with such casual confidence, as though the global powers Elena was accustomed to dealing with were mere puppets in a larger game. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Elena's gaze drifted to the door, still slightly ajar from where the man had left.

The lock, which she had engaged herself, had been bypassed without a second thought. It was a small detail, but it sent a clear message: these people operated on a different level, with resources and abilities far beyond what she had encountered before. Her mind replayed the conversation, analyzing each word, each nuance. The man had offered her a role in a new script, a chance to guide the narrative of humanity's future.

But there was a deeper implication behind his words—one that hinted at a long-standing manipulation of global events, orchestrated from the shadows. The power dynamics she had once understood were now obscured by the presence of this unseen force. The stakes had just been raised, and she was acutely aware that every move she made from this point on would be scrutinized, perhaps even controlled, by those who had pulled her into their game.

She sat up straight, her fingers tapping lightly on the desk as she considered her next steps. Whatever this organization was, they had made it clear that they saw potential in her—potential to shape the world in a way that aligned with their goals. But Elena was not one to be easily swayed or controlled. If they wanted her to play their game, she would do so on her own terms. Elena stood up, her resolve hardening. She couldn't let herself be intimidated or manipulated.

The world was watching, and she needed to stay focused on what mattered: guiding humanity through the crisis of The Tower and ensuring that whatever power lay behind the curtain didn't compromise her integrity—or her mission. Just as she was about to leave her office, the phone rang. The sharp sound cut through the silence, startling her for a moment. She hesitated, her hand hovering over the receiver. Could it be him again, or was this something else entirely?

Elena took a deep breath, picked up the phone, and answered, her voice steady and composed.

"This is Secretary-General Morales."

"That was quite a speech," came the familiar voice on the other end, old but still strong.

"Viktor?" she asked, frowning slightly.

"Come on, Elena. Surely you haven't forgotten my voice already," Viktor chuckled.

"No, of course not. I just wasn't expecting your call. So, what's the news? I doubt you're calling just to congratulate me on ruffling the Council's feathers."

"Don't worry about those old farts, they'll get over it," Viktor replied with a light tone.

"But yes, I did want to call you. I figured you might appreciate hearing a friendly voice amidst the chaos. Though I'm curious—how did my call even get through with everyone probably trying to reach you right now?" Elena's expression turned serious for a moment before she allowed herself a small smile.

"That's a good question. The lines have been oddly quiet since the speech. But then again, you've always had a knack for cutting through the noise." Viktor laughed softly.

"Some things never change. How are you holding up?" Elena's smile faded slightly as she glanced at the door.

"It's been a strange day, Viktor. Stranger than usual, even for us."

"I can imagine," Viktor said, his tone shifting to something more serious.

"Anything you want to talk about?" Elena paused, considering. Despite their constant jabs and occasional disagreements, Viktor had been a trusted friend for years, long before either of them had ascended to their current positions. If there was anyone she could trust, it was him. But, how much could she reveal?

"Well, keep your own counsel as always," Viktor said, his tone light but with an undertone of understanding.

"I just wanted to check in on you. But before I go, you might want to take a look at the trending news. I have to admit, I'm impressed—they've started moving far faster than I expected. It's unbelievable. Perhaps humanity isn't as hopeless as I thought. Well, that's all for now. Take care, Elena. We'll catch up soon." With that, Viktor hung up, leaving Elena to ponder his words. News? Moving fast? She quickly opened her laptop and began scanning the headlines.

The first headline was about her speech, as expected, but the others… US: "All Resources to Be Directed Toward Preparing Potential Climbers" China: "Mandatory Training Centers to Open Nationwide for Intensive Climber Preparation" United Kingdom: "Former Climbers Granted Automatic Entry Visas and Special Status" Elena's eyes widened slightly as she continued scrolling. Each headline reflected a world rapidly adapting to the new reality, with governments making bold, unprecedented moves.

Nations that had been cautious just days ago were now racing to secure their position in this new global landscape. Germany: "Federal Government Establishes Nationwide Climber Training Programs, Open to All Citizens" Japan: "Advanced Psychological Conditioning Programs Rolled Out for Selected Climbers" Russia: "Elite Military Units Reassigned to Climber Training Programs" The speed and coordination of these actions were unlike anything she had seen before.

Normally, such sweeping changes would take months, if not years, to implement. Yet here they were, unfolding in real time. This isn't just government efficiency, she thought. This … Her eyes drifted to the slightly ajar door, a shadow of unease creeping over her.