Training

Exhausted and sweating fountains, all new members of the fifth division were running circles around a field, carrying almost 100kg each. Normally this wouldn't be the case, however, in consideration of their above-average bodies due to their demonic properties, this was an appropriate weight for their training.

Jack and Zain, also being enhanced humans were capable of lifting the 100kg with slight issues but not so much as to break their spirit. Although the expedition would take place in less than 2 months, it was still necessary for all members to be able to at least do this much.

However, unlike Jack and Zain who needed to use only their body for the heavy lifting, the other members had easier methods.

Lily was using her shadows to help her, Anastasia was lifting them with her strings, and Carl was using his beard. Stefen also had an easy time, as he inflated his whole body like a balloon and was just bouncing around.

Next to each other, Jack was looking at Zain's face who seemed jealous of the new members, however, Jack knew that what they were doing was a mistake.

"Enhanced humans use their blood as fuel to activate their abilities."

Confused at the fact that his old man was suddenly speaking, Zain couldn't help but raise his brow.

"Demonic humans on the other hand use their stamina as fuel."

Noticing what he meant, Zain just faced forward and continued running around.

And without even completing two laps around the field, all of the new members were already exhausted beyond belief. Without any stamina left, all new members fell to the ground.

However, Jack who was now done with his third lap, stopped before they could even relax.

"Get up, I said 15 laps around the field", Looking at them with cold eyes, the members couldn't help but have a shiver run down their spine as they looked at Jack.

Lily, however, being fearless in front of Jack, retorted.

"Lily is tired"

Laying down his equipment carefully on the ground, Jack grabbed onto his axe. It was only then that Lily realized the severity of the situation. And without a second to spare, all members stood up straight like planks belonging to a fence.

"Don't rely on your abilities."

After this piece of advice, all members started to run their laps without using their demonic abilities. Although it was hard and almost impossible for them to run around with nothing more than their own strength, all members were able to finish the 15 laps before sunset.

Once done, all members were forced to go inside the building without getting an ounce of rest. Taking their time washing up, they finally gathered in the cafeteria of the building.

Being served a nice meal cooked by Zain.

Nevertheless, the meals served to the demonic humans had an unusual twist, which was a glass of blood instead of a drink. Anastasia, however, who was considered to have a high degree of humanity seemed reluctant to drink it.

"It is necessary for your sore muscles."

"...Sore muscles?"

"The training given to you four is going to get harder and harder, to thoroughly prepare you for the countless enemies we could face, it is better to have you in top condition every day"

It was only after Jack, comforted her, that Anastasia finally drank her glass of blood.

Normally people would be disgusted at this sight but Jack and Zain had already seen too much to even care. Once done with their meals, Jack could notice the curious expressions from all four children. So with no choice, he decided to accept his faith.

"You can ask your questions, but in a simple order, Stefen, Anastasia, Carl, and then Lily, ok?"

"Eh? Why is Lily last?", Putting up a frustrated expression, Lily couldn't help but wonder if Jack hated her. However, Jack who was already tired just gave her a large angry smile, and once again asked, "OK?"

"Yes" Even though Lily didn't have the powers of the balloon demon, it was incredible for her to sound exactly like one in her response.

Finally, with that out of the way, Jack pointed directly at Stefen and told him to ask his question.

"Then, aren't you the hero of the demon force?"

To this question coming out from an excited little child, Jack, Anastasia, and Zain all couldn't help but flinch.

Anastasia and Zain both flinched due to the fact that Stefen had been informed to not mention anything about this fact. However, Jack on the other hand, already had a grim expression on his face, and with a solemn voice, he answered the question.

"I am no hero, in fact, I don't even deserve to be called a human"

Jack's answer took everyone by surprise.

"I will tell you a little story of the past..."

*

10 years ago, the first demon entered the sacred land through the only tunnel that led to the outside. It was the blind demon as everyone already knew. The demon was fearless but the many citizens and soldiers of the land were not.

Many soldiers went to battle.

500 soldiers of the demon force created a legion and headed for battle. However, that was a grave mistake. Humanities' biggest enemy, after all, is fear. And such fear will cause panic. During the fight the horrid demon used its ability on all soldiers, blinding them, and causing them to fear the worst.

Although the blind demon is considered to be the deathliest demon that has entered the sacred land, this was mainly due to the friendly fire that happened in the field. It would be an understatement to say that all soldiers in the field were in complete terror. Who wouldn't be scared? Walking around and suddenly turning blind, whilst a beast ready to hunt you down roamed nearby.

Amongst them was a young man in his twenties, with brown hair and black eyes, the moment the blindness stroke him, he ran into the darkness. He was scared, trembling, and most of all a man without any training behind his belt.

Bumping onto a tree and falling to the ground, disoriented, the man stood up. Grabbing onto his rifle he shot in a random direction. And it was then, that his dark world disappeared.

In front of him stood a large humanoid creature with stitched eyes appeared, bleeding from its upper body, he clenched his wound using his large blade-like claws. Everyone else also escaped from their dark worlds, only to see the soldier aiming his gun at the fallen demon.

Naming him the hero that defeated the first demon.

*

Returning to the cafeteria, Stefen had his head lowered, as all Jack did was give him a fake smile. And to finally change the topic of conversation, Anastasia decided to ask her question.

"Eh, so why are they only giving us two months to prepare?"

It was a reasonable question considering the unrealistic schedule but the answer was simple.

"To send us to our deaths"

Only served to worsen the mood on the room, Anastasia didn't know as to what to do.

"I see"

However, unlike one would expect, no one was shocked at this fact, apart from Lily.

"...But why?", Stefen on the other hand couldn't understand why.

"Well, for once, they consider me an eye-shore, considering I'm called a hero and have the support from the public, it is also because of something I did in the past and Zain on the other hand just got dragged into this. However, in your case, it is probably to have it under the guise that this wasn't just straight-up an attempt on my life."

"Guise?"

"Instead of saying that I was sent to scout with nothing but a unit, they would instead say that I was sent to scout the outside world together with humanity's secret weapons. And not only that but they probably think that killing four demonic humans is better than 18 new soldiers."

However, in reality, Jack already knew as to why this was happening. It was because he planned for it to be this way. Apart from the demonic humans, everything until this moment was something that Jack had already predicted.

Carl, on the other hand, had nothing he wanted to ask. In Lily's case, however, she asked a question that Jack found to be quite fitting for her.

"So, Lily's leader isn't the alpha?"

"No"

Due to his honest answer, Lily couldn't help but squint her eyes. In her head, all she could think about was, 'If he isn't the strongest, then there is a better leader.'

However, stopping her stupid thought process was Jack's follow-up.

"I'm not at the top but that doesn't mean that those above me are stronger, they are just older."

"Hmm, then who is above the leader?"

"The basic structure of power in the sacred land is the king, then the nobles, then the division commanders, and finally the unit leaders. However, even though I have the title of a division commander, I don't exactly hold enough power for it."

The questioning continued, however, no important questions were really asked. It was mostly many things revolving around the sacred land. Ultimately, the children didn't find anything new in the city since their experimentation. The world was still poor, and abusive.

After getting tired of the constant questions, Jack sent everyone away and left the fifth division building, leaving Zain behind to take care of the children.