Chapter 06

(Pov: Wilhelm)

As I walked into the office, my heart raced with excitement and nervousness. Entering the room, I was greeted by the site of a middle age blond-haired man with a scar running from his face down to his neck.

Just by looking at him, one could see the countless battles he had fought in. His weathered features and the scar on his face spoke of a man who had experienced triumph and hardship. This must be the one who held the authority over this Marine base.

It's not like I cared what he had been through; at the end of the day, everyone around me was meant to be used for my benefit. I desired to be God, and having human emotions would only hinder my plans. But I can't afford to be prideful now. I was nothing but a weakling right now. A worthless worm that could be crushed to death at any point.

'My plans depend on me being the ideal marine soldier. I have this young body, and I'm joining the Marines now. I'm sure they will try and brainwash me intentionally or not, and all I need to do is pretend to be brainwashed. To not get caught, I will need to keep up my persona at all times.'

'I need to think like the innocent boy Wilhelm,' I thought as I looked forward into the eyes of the man sitting down.

"What's your name, child?"

I found it funny how such a war-hardened man could speak so softly, though I answered in a soft and hesitant voice, "It's Wilhelm von Ainsworth," while lowering my head to the floor.

'Damn, it's challenging not to laugh at that man trying to appear friendly.'

I repeatedly told myself to 'not ruin this act now' to keep myself from bursting into laughter.

"How old are you?" I heard him asking me.

"I turned 14 a few days ago, sir," answering with a slight change in my voice as if to suggest the pirates attacked not long after my birthday. Turning a once joyful event into a dark and depressing one.

'Man, I'm good at garnering sympathy points from people.'

"Well, listen, Wilhelm, can I call you Wilhelm?"

'Don't laugh, don't laugh, don't laugh, don't laugh.'

"Yes," I replied timidly, as if I was afraid to open up.

"Okay, Wilhelm, I'm sorry for your loss. What happened to you wasn't fair. I will allow you to join the Marines, but you will start as a chore boy at the bottom. As a Marine soldier, you will be given a salary and a dormitory. Will that be okay with you?"

'Oh boy, I knew playing the pathetic child card would work. Now I could gain proper training and climb their ranks.'

"Yes," I replied, acting surprised and thankful.

"Okay, then follow this apprentice to register you into the Marine. Oh, I seem to have forgotten to introduce myself. I'm the captain in charge of this base, Benedict."

'Benedict is it. I can't wait to use you for my personal gain.'

"Thank you for accepting me, Captain Benedict," I said while bowing so I could grin at the success of my first step to becoming God.

'I would cry, but I can't control my body to the point of crying on demand,' I thought as I walked out of the office.

My second day in this day had just started, and I was already in the process of joining the Marines. Since registering only took about 30 minutes, with them asking me basic questions about me, the day was still young. As I was handed a set of uniforms, I was informed about my dorm room and what I needed to get done today. Walking along the long corridor on the third floor, I arrived in front of a door labeled 76.

Opening the door, a room consisting of 6 beds and desks met my eyes. My new roommates had probably left in the morning for training. Walking into the room, I changed my clothes into a white Marine shirt without decoration and blue Marine trousers. I obviously wasn't the only chore boy as the new recruits also started at the bottom, as I have been informed by the young lady who registered me.

The base here had two main buildings: the office and dorm/cafeteria. I was told to go to my dorm room first, change into my uniform, and then report to the cafeteria and assist the other chore boys. The cafeteria was on the first floor of this building. As I made my way downstairs, I met with the soldiers who had returned from their morning training, I was assuming. I was clearly out of place, being only 5'4" feet. The people around me were around 5'11" at the shortest. It was my fault everyone in this world was massive. The Admirals were shown to be over 10 feet in height.

I ignored their looks and whispers and headed to my destination. Arriving at the cafeteria, I saw a group of marines in the same uniform as me. As I approached them, they turned their heads and glanced at me with a mix of curiosity and superiority. I could sense their judgment and skepticism. After all, I was just a young boy among them, even if our rank was the same.

One of the chore boys, a tall and muscular guy with a shaved head, stepped forward. His name was Mike, as I had learned during the registration process. He looked at me with a hint of condescension and spoke in a gruff voice, "You must be the new recruit. Wilhelm, right?"

I nodded, trying to maintain my timid and innocent demeanor. "Yes, that's me."

Mike let out a short chuckle and gestured towards the stack of dirty dishes piled up on a nearby table. "Alright, Wilhelm, your job is to wash these dishes. Make sure they're spotless. We don't want any leftovers sticking around. Got it?"

I nodded again, accepting the task without complaint. This was all part of my plan, to blend in and prove my worth, all while keeping my true intentions hidden. I couldn't let anyone suspect my ulterior motives.

As I began scrubbing the dishes, the other chore boys continued their work around me. They seemed to have formed a bond already, joking and chatting amongst themselves. I observed them discreetly, studying their interactions and learning their personalities. It would be beneficial to have allies within the Marine base, but they would never see my true self. At best, the false exterior I will create would be the extent of our friendship.

The hours passed, and the work in the cafeteria continued. I diligently carried out my duties, trying to show my dedication and commitment. I had to prove myself to the higher-ups and make them believe that I was nothing more than a young and vulnerable recruit.

Eventually, the lunchtime rush arrived, and the cafeteria was filled with hungry Marines. It was chaotic, with everyone lining up, grabbing their trays, and eagerly piling food onto them. I watched from the sidelines, ready to assist wherever needed.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, a voice called out, "Wilhelm, come here!"

I turned to see Mike beckoning me towards a row of empty trays that needed to be filled with silverware. I hurried over and started placing forks, spoons, and knives in their respective compartments. It was a repetitive task, but I didn't mind. Every chore I performed was a step closer to my goal.

As the lunch hour came to an end, the cafeteria gradually emptied. The chore boys gathered to clean the tables and sweep the floors. We worked together, efficiently restoring order to the chaotic space.

Mike approached me once again, this time with a slightly friendlier expression on his face. "Not bad, Wilhelm. You're picking up the routine pretty quickly. Keep it up, and maybe you'll move up the ranks faster than you think."

I nodded, grateful for the acknowledgment. "Thank you, Mike. I'll do my best."

He patted me on the shoulder before turning to join the others. I watched him go, my mind already strategizing how I could use his trust and the trust of others to my advantage. I had to be patient and cautious, gradually gaining influence within the Marine base while maintaining my facade.

Dinner time was the same as lunchtime but a little easier for me. As the day drew to a close, I returned to my dorm room, exhausted but exhilarated. My journey had just begun, and the path ahead was filled with challenges and opportunities. I lay down on the uncomfortable mattress; my mind filled with visions of power and control. I needed to check on my system and see if the mission section had changed as I joined the Marines. But I was too exhausted today.

Tomorrow would bring new tasks and encounters, and I was prepared to seize every chance to gain the trust and respect of these people. I closed my eyes, needing to replenish all the energy I spent today.