Chapter Four: A Monster Among the New Recruits

Early the next morning.

After breakfast and a weighted morning exercise, the new recruits, dressed neatly in their uniforms, assembled on the square.

But the training officer today was not the usual Officer Bryant. Instead, it was another tall, powerfully built middle-aged officer. His white skin was tanned to a deep bronze, his frame was broad and imposing, and a stern, martial aura surrounded him.

“Officer Bryant is on leave today. I’ll be taking over your combat training. My name is Joseph Kingsley. Just call me Instructor Joseph,” the substitute instructor announced in a booming voice.

“Yes, sir!” the recruits answered in unison.

“By the way, that show-off yesterday—Kyle, right? He’s in your squad, isn’t he?” Instructor Joseph asked with a hint of interest. At once, all eyes turned toward Kyle in the second row. Steve, meanwhile, looked a little anxious for his friend.

“Private Kyle, step forward!” With Instructor Joseph’s command, Kyle marched out in perfect military form.

“Handsome enough,” Joseph commented, then added, “Your pistol shooting yesterday was impressive—a real sharpshooter—” He suddenly changed tone. “But being a marksman alone is far from enough to be an outstanding American soldier! If the enemy gets close, you’ll be down in a single exchange!”

So, he’s here to put me in my place. Kyle mocked inwardly, but on the surface, he asked humbly, “Then, Instructor Joseph, would you be willing to demonstrate in person?”

Good grief, that’s a blatant challenge!

The recruits behind Kyle felt their scalps tingle.

Instructor Joseph was momentarily speechless, his anger barely concealed. No wonder Officer Bryant needed a break—this rookie was a real live wire!

But Joseph only laughed, sounding genuinely delighted. “Very well, let me show you what close-quarters combat really means.”

“What if I accidentally injure you, Instructor?” Kyle asked, feigning concern.

“You have my permission to fight back however you like. That’s an order!” Joseph waved his hand, signaling him to begin.

“Then I won’t hold back, sir.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Kyle sprang into action. In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance, fists raised, launching straight into military boxing.

[Military Boxing Mastery]: Proficiency in practical army hand-to-hand techniques, with emphasis on close-quarters engagement. Green ability card.

A true expert reveals himself in the first move. Joseph hadn’t expected Kyle to have mastered military boxing; caught off guard, he could only defend hastily, quickly finding himself on the back foot.

Kyle didn’t care about rank or showmanship. He unleashed a fluent series of military boxing maneuvers, treating Joseph as little more than a training dummy.

“This is humiliating!” Joseph’s expression shifted; he could feel the recruits’ eyes on him. While he was able to block most of Kyle’s attacks—thanks to his own mastery—it certainly looked like he was being overwhelmed.

“Had enough, rookie? Military boxing alone won’t cut it against me!” Joseph shifted tactics, his limbs spreading wide as he pressed the attack, now gaining the upper hand.

“Not bad at all,” Kyle panted, fending off Joseph’s assault while also splitting his attention to focus on the instructor’s ability cards.

[Military Boxing Mastery], [Endurance Combat Mastery], [Counterattack Mastery], [True Physique of Strength]—

Four green cards, all focused on physical prowess, and one was a rare green card!

No wonder he could turn the tables so quickly after falling behind, Kyle thought, eyes gleaming as he began to draw from Joseph’s cards.

To extract a green card, Kyle needed to stay within one meter for three minutes. And what better excuse for close contact than a sparring match?

Though now on the defensive, Kyle resisted doggedly. Joseph couldn’t finish him off as quickly as he’d hoped. Every time Joseph tried to relax, Kyle would close in again, launching another flurry.

“Kid, are you really going to make me hurt you?” Joseph growled, but Kyle only grew more energetic, clinging to him and refusing to yield.

After three minutes, [Counterattack Mastery] was successfully drawn.

Warmth surged through Kyle’s body, enhancing his constitution and instantly gifting him with the experience of a decade’s study in counterattack techniques.

“Down you go!” Joseph threw his weight behind a powerful blow, intent on flattening Kyle, but Kyle suddenly locked his arms in a clinch and unleashed a swift counter.

Counterattack mastery! Military boxing!

With his new card, Kyle’s abilities were quickly closing the gap, prolonging a fight that should have ended long ago.

Back and forth they traded blows, dust swirling as neither man could gain the decisive advantage.

A clash of masters!

The watching recruits were dumbstruck. The fierce, drawn-out brawl quickly drew attention from other units on the training grounds, until a crowd had formed, several rows deep.

“What’s going on over there?” Passing by, Agent Carter noticed the commotion and asked a nearby officer. He shrugged helplessly. “One of the new recruits is sparring with Joseph in close combat.”

“Joseph?” Carter’s sensuous lips parted in surprise.

“That’s right, Joseph—the close-combat instructor,” the officer replied with a wry smile. “No idea how the recruit is managing it, but he’s lasted nearly ten minutes against Joseph.”

“What’s the recruit’s name?” Carter flipped open her dossier.

“Kyle. Private Kyle.”

…

Card extraction successful.

[True Physique of Strength]: Maintains a powerful, superior constitution, healthier than ordinary people, with improved endurance and strength. Rare green ability card.

“Got it.”

Kyle was breathing heavily, his sweat-soaked uniform clinging to him. The last of the physical ability cards was his. Though a new surge of strength flooded his body, fatigue and soreness were etched deep within his muscles.

He kicked off with both legs, leaping back to disengage. As Joseph lunged forward with a growl, Kyle suddenly raised both hands. “That’s enough. I’m spent—I surrender.”

“Hm?” Joseph, also breathing hard, halted his fist just before Kyle’s nose, his beard bristling. “What’s this, giving up?”

“I admit, Instructor, your strength, speed, and technique are all superior. I surrender. If you hadn’t been holding back, I’d probably be missing a limb by now,” Kyle replied, dropping to the ground and not forgetting to flatter his opponent.

“You little rascal,” Joseph grumbled, but then, uncaring of the watching crowd, he too sat down, weary. “At first, I was holding back, but after that, I was going all out. I have to say, in my twenty years in the army, I’ve never seen a recruit with your fighting talent. You’re an absolute prodigy.”

During their bout, Joseph had sensed Kyle’s close-combat skills improving at a staggering rate, almost as if he were learning directly from him. How could he not be amazed?

“That was great. We’ll have to spar again sometime,” Joseph said with a laugh. He truly admired a soldier who could master techniques so swiftly.

“Anytime,” Kyle replied without missing a beat. After all, there were still several more green ability cards on Joseph, aside from the three physical ones he’d just obtained.

“You recruits—” Joseph’s gaze swept the crowd as he bellowed, “What are you staring at? Don’t you have training? Or do you all want to spar with me?”

We’re nothing like that monster Kyle…

The watching recruits dared not reply and scattered like a swarm of startled bees.