Unrelenting part 4

"Hm..?"

Hikari faces Ataka wearing a rather confused expression, noticing her shocked expression, he  internally panics.

'Crap! did i wear my thoughts on my face again?!'

Before Hikari could say anything Ms. Choi's voice cuts in grabbing everyone's attentions.

"pay close attention this is what you'll all be expected to do in this line of work. after this team finish dealing with this current wave you'll all split up and go observe what they do more closely, is that understood?"

"Yes ma'am!"

"If there's any questions I'll answer them to the best of my abilities." 

A girl with curly brown hair raises her hand before speaking politely.

"Um Ms. Choi if its ok for me to ask. where is the Commander? i  figured he'll be with us showing us the ropes."

despite the girls polite words, it seem to have stung Ms. Choi just a bit. her voice comes off laced with bitterness and slight barely contained annoyance. 

"..well i'm sorry to disappoint you but the commander is currently busy. but rest assured you wont be missing out on anything grand.." 

the crowd of trainees noticed, all feeling awkward. they all side eye the curly haired girl who can feel all their eyes on her. the trainees all think to themselves in unison.

'Really..?'

'Sorry Ms. Choi..!' 

Clearing her throat, Ms. Choi thinks to herself

'Oops! i accidentally lost my composure there for a second. hopefully they didn't notice..'

soon after the Sanctifiers finish with the wave of Nephilim the four squads were divide into two groups. Squad one and two were placed in group A, squad three and four, in group B. Group A was taken to where they specialized in combat while group B, taken to those who specialized in support. Ms. Choi remains with group B explaining that a there will be  'someone' on the offensive side to help. whatever that means. 

As Hikari and the rest of group B approached the Sanctifiers who specialized in support they watched in aw as the injured had their wounds gradually heal. Ms. Choi voice grasp the groups attention.

"Miracles who awaken the provision class typically are assigned to the supports in order to assist fellow soldiers with protection on the battlefield and heal those who sustain serious injuries."

The some of the trainees murmur amongst each other, hardly masking their contempt. 

"Really? That sounds like easy money"

" maybe I should work as a support.."

"Idiot. You didn't even awaken a provision class."

"Oh yeah..."

as the chatter continues Hikari silently stands there genuinely intrigued, not paying the bickering any attention. Hikari raises his hand before speaking.

"Ms. Choi.."

"Hm?  yes, Hikari?"

"Although the task of a support sounds easy, I've read up on some documents related to  the work life of miracles who's part of the supports team, And many have admitted that they're great difficulties, Could you explain the said difficulties?"

Ms. Choi smirks softly and give a slight nod feeling a wave of pride.

"Indeed that's correct. Although its not something many believe, Miracles on the support team, are in just of as much danger as those who are on the combat team. One of dangers they tend to face is having to go head on into the center of conflict in order to retrieve injured and heal injured allies on the battlefield, there are times that even the supports would have to fight if it means rescuing a life."

'So it seems that you did read the documents I sent to you by email huh, Hikari?'

"I see..."

Hikari nods understandingly, he cups his chin in-between his index finger and thumb appearing studious, while his internal thoughts voiced his true feelings.

'thanks to those documents Ms. Choi emailed me i already had a grasp of what a supports have to go through on the daily basis.'

Hikari looks around noticing the trainees who were once mummering are now mostly contemplating, others still too stubborn to admit defeat but too cowardly to mumble loud enough for Ms. Choi to hear.

"pfft..! its still sounds easier than having to fight against those nephilim day in and day out.."

'Guess its natural that people like those would be in this kind of line of work.'

Hikari thought to himself, letting out a deep sigh.

'Many miracles tend to be arrogant all because they awakened a blessing.'

Hikari looks up at the rusty sky, The the sun radiates a faint orange glow from behind the clouds. His  eyes reflect hidden conflict within himself.

Not long later group A & B, rotate but Ms. Choi stays in order to educate group A about the support. as the trainees approach the combat soldiers, one by one they're eyes widen as the see the commander, he Stands there waiting for their arrival. despite his age his tall, wide and bulky build demanded everyone's utmost respect, his shaggy black hair slightly blew in the wind, making him look almost majestic even with the stubble lightly sprinkled on his chin. 

The commanders gaze focuses on hikari, his gaze sharp and expression unreadable. this startles Hikari making him slightly jump.

'What's that look for...?! did something happen? he seemed more chill before we went on the vans..'

"I guess this is what Ms. Choi meant by saying the commander would be busy"

"How did he get here? i don't remember seeing him ever getting or off a van.."

As the quiet whispers pass throughout the group, Hikari maintains eye contact with the commander, mulling over why he's getting a stare down by the commander.

'Could he be trying to get a read on me..?'

With that thought Hikari glares at that the commander determine to pass whatever test the commander is seemingly having with him. Unrelenting, Hikari maintains his sharp glare  with the commander, unbeknownst to Hikari, the commander's lips slightly curl into a small grin.

"...Hmph"

After a brief moment of what felt l like minutes the commander breaks eye contact and gives a small chuckle that's noticed by  the trainees, taking them by surprise. the sight leads to two trainees to whisper amongst each other.

"Did the commander just...chuckle?"

"Yeah..i would to if i saw your face for the first time."

"oh shut up.."

Clearing his throat load enough to gathering the attention of Group B, the commander gestures to the combat soldiers who nod and swiftly grab and drag a Nephilim corpse that's covered in dry blood and bullet holes. with a bit of effort the soldiers hang the corpse a black steel rack, set a few feet away from the commander and the trainees. with that the Commander began to speak, his voice low and gruff.

"Alright without  wasting anymore time lets get started."

The commander motions towards the Nephilim corpse, wearing a stoic expression-

 "Each one of you will strike this Nephilim corpse With either your blessings or with a physical attack. the use of mana to enhance your strength is allowed."

Many of the trainees mummer amongst each other, clearly taken aback by the sudden test of strength on a corpse.

"What's the point of hitting it if its already dead it?"

"Its already beat up, it looks like even the slightest breeze is enough to make the poor thing crumble away."

Ataka places her hand on her head, her brows furrowed and her eyes shut tightly as the trainees constant murmuring clearly frustrating her. Her body trembling as she barely refrains from verbally speaking her thoughts.

'Just shut up..! do you all have to comment on every little thing..?!'

The commander begins to speak again ignoring the mummers.

"whoever deals the most damage will receive a special gift. there's no limit to how many attempts. you can do."

Some of the trainees appear surprised, finding it odd to scale damage on an already damaged corpse others seemed stoked, looking forward to showcase their power in front of the lady's in hopes to gain some popularity. Squad four of group B on the other hand were just standing there, sharing a expression that best resembles determinations in their own unique ways. 

Yuki licks her rosy lips, clearly intrigued and...hungry?

Kuzu's mouth creepily forms a small grin his breath faintly growing heavier, the craze in his eyes clear to anybody who may happen to acknowledge his presence.

Despite Ataka's close lidded eyes her furrowed brows prove her seriousness and willingness to rise to to the challenge.

Nozomi appeared anxious but the thrilled  smirk on his face reflected how much he looked forward to this.

Hikari had his eyes shut with a smile on his face as if he was excepting his fate. a small tear ran down his cheek.

'Ah...well i'm finished....'  

.........

Meanwhile, Somewhere deeper into the restricted zone of Nagoya the land clearly desolate and decimated. various building broken down to the point many have practically been reduced to another pile of sand amongst the the dilapidated landscape, closely resembling that of rust rather than simple sand.

Tak Tak Tak Tak

Suddenly the rubble on the ground begins to rattle at slightly before trembling violently.

TAK TAK TAK TAK

CRAAACK!

Just then The ground began to split open into a massive sinkhole, its gapping whole in the ground cast a dark shadow, making it appear like of an abys. 

Dust falling into the large sinkhole, swallowing any debris that fell into it, never to be seen again. Nearby fallen buildings partially break off and fall in the abys.

A sudden silence followed soon after, giving off an unsettlingly calm atmosphere. Until-

SCREEEEE!

An ear piercing screech tears through the silence coming from within the maw of the sinkhole.

DADUM-DADUM-DADUM-DADUM

What sounds like rumbling thunder, comes from within the black pit, gradually getting louder and more intense. the insect of the ground scatter and run away as if knowing the threat that approaches.

The small area where the sun manages to touch the within the chasm reveals Various but similar armored creatures who are actively climbing their way out of the pit hissing, screeching, and groaning collectively. as they spill out from the pit they run circles around it as if celebrating the arrival of something or someone.

Grrrr~

A deep guttural  growl echoes from deep within the chasm the Nephilim yip as numerous eyes glowed from within the abys.