An Impending Obstacle for the Grunt

I put myself in a ready position, lowering my body and positioning my right leg further back. I tensed my body, trying to feel every muscle I now had in this new grunt body of mine. I could feel the strength behind each of them, and I was starting to get comfortable with them. I focused my vision on one thing only: the 'gate of lights' that had been beckoning me.

I knew full well that when I passed through this 'gate of lights,' I would face all kinds of dangers and challenges that this mad scientist of a woman, Victoria 'Mad Star,' had in store for newbie grunts like me, calling it an 'orientation' and such. It wasn't just my gut instinct telling me of the danger behind that 'gate of lights,' but also previous bad experiences with a certain 'Witch' in a dark alleyway.

Now, why would I go along with this one then? It was really simple, honestly. I had realized that my survival would now depend on how I could please these supervillains. I had already weighed my options, the previous two being either trying to escape this secret lair facility or even trying to fight back against these supervillains. Both options were not only nigh impossible but also likely to get me killed. So, I had to choose this third option for the best chance of survival...

"And I'm going to survive...!" I proclaimed with resolve and determination.

"Is that so?" The aforementioned mad scientist woman, Victoria, commented on my proclamation with an interested tone. I didn't bother looking at her as I kept focusing on the 'gate of lights' in front of me, but I bet she was showing me an amused, mischievous smile.

"You find this amusing, huh?" I retorted as I readied myself to launch. "Well... good to know! 'Cause I'm going to impress you more!" I exclaimed loudly, and then... I launched myself forward!

I put my legs to work, feeling their muscles contracting with each step I took. I started slow as I was still adapting to this new body of mine... but eventually, I quickly picked up the pace as my running became faster and faster!

This feeling... a mix of adrenaline and even dopamine, as I felt the euphoria... the satisfaction of being able to utilize my body to its full potential. Was this also the feeling that those athletes and gymnasts felt? I could get used to this... In fact, I could feel a huge grin creeping up on my face behind this full-face mask of mine.

I quickly came closer and closer to the 'gate of lights.' The lights were so bright that even as I got closer to them, I couldn't see what lay beyond. But the burst of wind coming from it was getting stronger, and I could even smell the fresh air coming from it.

'No turning back...!' I kept pushing my legs to their full potential as I then dashed into the 'gate of lights,' but this time... I shielded my eyes by using my large arms, tackling and entering into the light.

< | X | >

[3rd Person's POV]

The supervillain and mad scientist, Victoria "Mad Star," watched the back of Grunt No. 703 with an amused smile. She observed with interest as he utilized his body and enchantment to their full potential, his running becoming faster and faster with each step. Eventually, he finally entered the "gate of lights" and vanished into it.

"Good luck," she muttered to herself. But instead of the usual malicious smile, this time she showed a genuine smile, a genuine hope for him. She had heard his proclamation and especially his promise to her.

"Well... good to know! 'Cause I'm going to impress you more!"

Victoria giggled as she vividly remembered what Grunt No. 703 had just said to her earlier. "You're going to impress, huh? Well... let's see if you can," she repeated his words with an amused tone. Then, she got up from her seat at the edge of the stage and turned around, walking toward the other white-coated scientists who were still waiting on the stage with her.

One of the scientists approached her. "Miss Victoria, Ma'am, your order?" the scientist inquired.

Victoria paused for a moment, contemplating what she should say. "The same as we had already planned before, but... keep a keen eye specifically on Grunt No. 703," she ordered to all of them as she then walked into the unlit part of the stage, vanishing into the darkness.

"Yes, Ma'am!" Every one of the scientists there acknowledged her order and quickly followed suit, disappearing into the darkness.

[3rd Person's POV Ends]

< | X | >

I entered the "gate of lights" and was temporarily blinded by its bright light. I had experienced this temporary blindness before and had ended up dead, but this time... I would not be getting myself killed like before. It would be a damn embarrassment after all that cocky talk of mine to that mad scientist woman. Luckily, I had the foresight to shield my eyes from the lights.

I felt a sudden change of texture on the soles of my feet. It felt like I had stepped onto dry, arid soil. I quickly let go of my arms that had been shielding my eyes and opened them to see, for the first time, the outside world of the new world that I had gotten myself into...

"What the hell...?" I was flabbergasted by what I was currently witnessing.

In front of me stood, in the distance, a massive contraption of what I could assume to be a long obstacle course, stretching quite far. Towering platforms dotted the arid soil landscape, their imposing structures casting long shadows in the oddly contrasting clear, beautiful blue sky. Each platform seemed to present a daunting challenge, with various contraptions and obstacles adorning their surfaces.

I squinted my eyes, trying to discern what was entailed on this 'obstacle course,' and I saw the many dangerous hazards with which this massive contraption was installed.

Sharp spikes jutted out from some platforms, while swinging giant pendulums lurched precariously, each moving at a different speed. Sections of the course crackled with bolts of lightning, creating deadly barriers for the unwary. Giant gears churned and clanked, their jagged teeth threatening to grind anything in their path to a halt. Ominous clouds of steam billowed forth from hidden vents, obscuring the path ahead and disorienting those who would dare to venture through. Amidst it all, some platforms even rotated on their axis, while others ascended and descended, adding another layer of complexity to the challenge.

I could only stare blankly at the sight in front of me. I did expect some form of deadly challenges ahead of me, but... I couldn't help but stare at how absurd-looking it was. Rather than meticulous and detailed challenges for us grunts to test our enchantments, this felt like I just stepped into a reality TV obstacle course game show, but deadlier. Hell, this obstacle course felt like those platformer video games I had played a few times with my online friends from my previous world.

I also saw some of my fellow grunts had already attempted to conquer this obstacle course... with varying degrees of success. Some had carefully traversed the platform. Some had tried to rush past the obstacles, only for many of them to instantly get blown over or fall off the platforms. The rest were still gathered at the starting point of the obstacle course, trying to observe and research how to beat this giant obstacle course.

"What do you think, Grunt No. 703~?" A voice suddenly called out from behind, startling me. I quickly looked back and saw... a flying drone...?! It hovered quite close to the ground, a bit too close for comfort. One thing that stood out about this drone... was the display screen attached to it. On the screen appeared none other than the mad scientist, Victoria "Mad Star," wearing her signature mischievous smile that irked me to no end.

Again, I could only stare blankly at the displayed visage of the mad scientist. "Hmm? What's wrong, No. 703~? Cat got your tongue or something?" Victoria teased.

I pointed my finger at the complex and comical contraption behind me. "What the hell is this...?" I inquired, my tone flat.

"What do you mean? It's all part of your newbie grunts' orientation," Victoria answered simply, as if stating the obvious. Of course, that wasn't the answer I was looking for. I had to rub my temple to ease the headache from dealing with this mad scientist woman. Ignoring my frustration, she continued, "My underling has already explained the rules of this orientation to your fellow grunts, but... since you only just arrived..."

"Let me personally tell you how this works~."