The War of Extinction

The next day, I go to the office by 8:00 AM as I wasn't able to sleep at night because of the burden I will have to bear being the leader for the team. I still don't want to become a leader, but I know no matter what I say, it will fall only on deaf ears.

I need to prepare myself to be able to lead the team from the front as a leader should. I should take care of them, be there for them when they need me and protect them at times of danger.

This is going to be a huge step for me and I am worried I might fail them. Thinking too much about something that I don't want to do, I didn't realize the time until I feel a pat on my shoulder.

"Hello Mr. Leader, you are early." Snowfa says with her usual childish smile. "Yeah, I just want to be here when the team comes in." I reply to her to which she says "So, you are becoming an example. Wow.."

I just want to face palm myself when I hear it. I didn't think I should be an example for them, but just thinking to lead them from the front. What kind of Leader I would have been if I am not an example and pave a path for them to follow.

Others come together at 8:55 AM with smile and playfulness, but stopped when they see me waiting in the lobby. I feel awkward when people act like this towards me, so I just say "Good Morning team, ready for today's training?" To which they just nod and reply "Good Morning leader, we are ready." Without looking at me but the floor.

When we were about to leave the lobby, Jack comes in saying "Hello guys. Follow me, we are not going to the training room today." To which I look at him with questions in my mind, but didn't want to ask.

We go to the back of the office where there is a large ground that will allow about fifty people to fight one on one at the same time with no intrusion from others. We look at it and see a lot of training equipment.

I realized what he is planning to do today as soon as I entered the ground and just hope I am wrong, but the next words from him shattered my hope to dust.

"We will be increasing your endurance, speed and power for the next few days here. Get ready people." Jack says with a malicious smile crawling on his face.

We spent the entire day running around the ground pulling heavy objects tied at our backs while dodging rubber projectiles thrown at us which hurts a lot when hit. We were given time to rest only when we were at lunch and when it was time for us to leave the office.

I was so drained I didn't want to go to the cafeteria as usual to have snacks and small talks with Snowfa which I am doing for 3 weeks now. I just slouch on a nearby tree where my teammates are already resting. Seeing me sitting near them, they were quite startled, but I just smile at them and gesture them to relax.

After resting for 15 minutes, I look at others who are looking more terrible than I am. So I just smile at them asking "So, shall we guys go to the Hunter's Haven to have some snacks and tea before we go home?" To which they look at me with a surprise, but they agree to it after looking at each other.

I smile with a nod as this will help me to break the awkward moments where they try to show respect to me and are afraid to speak with me. We all move from the tree's shade with unwillingness, but still we go to the entrance where a SUV car is already waiting for us to take us to the hotel.

In the hotel, my teammates still scared to talk to me or stay close to me, but they started talking to themselves and at times with Snowfa. After ordering a little snack for everyone, I encourage them to order a beverage of their liking which they did only after Snowfa ordered for a fresh juice.

After that I start to talk with them by telling them how I used to train myself at home when I have nothing to do or feel bored. I also tell them how I used to go into the wilderness with Dawn for hunting on missions from the Hunter's Guild. I also tell them not to be afraid or feel awkward to talk to me as I am a human just like them. But I did not tell them about my second awakening where I got the Ice element. I told them it is my primary element and the Ice Armor is the only skill I have managed to learn.

I could see relief on their faces, but that is not good enough for me, so I asked them to do a self-introduction which they did one by one starting after Snowfa who did it as an example.

I am a little surprised to know none of them are yet to go into the wilderness, but have been a Hunter for almost two months now. They said they did not apply for an interview, but got an email for joining the Hammerand which is one of the top five companies in Havet.

After the introduction, I tell them they can ask any questions and I will answer truthfully. This will help them to become close to me and will accept me as a friend as they have accepted each other. I don't want them to be like a stranger to me.

"Do you have a girlfriend?" I am surprised by this question which is asked by Lucksonlay. He immediately closes his mouth with both hands realizing what he asked. I just smile and say "I don't have a girlfriend, but I do have a crush on someone who is one of the reasons I joined Hammerand."

After a few more questions, we left the hotel. I am satisfied with about how this went as I can see they are getting close to me and have started talking to me without the fear or the awkwardness they used to have.