Chapter 139: The Sub-Captains’ Selection [3]

The selected names began appearing in front of everyone.

CHUCK MILLER

LILLY RUSSELL

DUNCAN STEEL

MAXWELL MASTERS

...

Liam held his breath.

There was one last name.

The blue circle slowly appeared beside it.

And everyone stared at the hologram...

LYDIA DAVIS

Lydia’s eyes widened.

"Again...?"

It was the fifth time.

The fifth sub-captain who had chosen her.

Amber, Don Rouch, Tim, Wayne, and Jane.

Lydia couldn’t believe it.

But her surprise quickly turned into concern.

She turned her head toward Liam.

He was standing beside her.

He hadn’t been chosen by any of the five.

Not a single colored circle.

Lydia pressed her lips together.

"Liam..."

But before she could say anything, he smiled.

"Congratulations."

"What?"

"You’re the only hunter who was chosen by all five sub-captains."

Lydia looked at him worriedly.

"But you..."

"I’m fine, honey."

Liam raised a hand and pointed toward the hologram.

"Look at that number! You came in fifth!"

Lydia didn’t look convinced.

"But..."

"Seriously. Congratulations."

Liam smiled again.

Then he looked at the rest of his teammates.

He expected all of them to congratulate Lydia.

But none of them did.

Emily remained silent.

Carol had a serious expression on her face.

Jordan had stopped chewing.

Carl was looking at Liam with concern.

And Chuck...

Chuck didn’t even seem proud of being chosen by Jane.

He simply stared at Liam, as if he were disappointed that the sub-captains hadn’t chosen him.

Liam raised an eyebrow.

"What’s with those faces?"

Nobody answered.

"Why do you all look like you just lost a fight?"

Chuck finally spoke.

"Boss..."

"Come on."

Liam let out a small laugh.

"You should be proud. You were selected."

Chuck lowered his gaze.

"But you..."

"I wasn’t selected."

Liam finished the sentence for him.

"And that’s okay."

He tried to sound carefree.

"Those of us who weren’t selected can try again next year."

He looked at Jordan.

"Right?"

Jordan slowly nodded.

"Yeah..."

Liam smiled.

"Then stop making those long faces."

Chuck finally smiled a little.

"That sounds like something you’d say."

Emily let out a small laugh.

But Liam could tell that none of them were actually at ease.

◇◆◇

Throughout the hangar, the reactions were very different.

Some aspirants who hadn’t been selected by any squad had faces filled with sadness.

Others looked downright furious.

They had made it this far hoping to join one of the Ace of Spades squads.

And they had been left out.

But there were also hunters who, despite not being selected, applauded those who had made it.

Some even personally congratulated their teammates.

It showed that not everyone considered the selection a defeat.

Jane raised the microphone, and the hangar fell silent.

"Before we continue, I want to say something."

Her voice was firm.

"I know some of the aspirants have been selected by more than one squad."

Lydia looked at the hologram again.

Jane continued.

"I hope that, when the time comes to choose, you’ll choose me."

Some of the aspirants were surprised.

"If you don’t choose me..."

Jane kept her gaze fixed on them.

"...then that means your abilities weren’t enough to become part of my squad."

Her words were imposing.

For a second, nobody said anything.

Then...

"Ha, ha, ha!"

Tim burst out laughing.

Don Rouch laughed as well.

"There she goes again!"

Jane looked at them coldly.

"What exactly is so funny?"

"Nothing, nothing!"

Don Rouch raised his hands while continuing to laugh.

Wayne, on the other hand, let out a small sigh.

"She does this every year."

There was a hint of annoyance in his expression.

Amber remained completely upright without saying a word.

She simply watched.

Liam looked at Lydia again.

His wife was still worried.

He smiled at her and gave her a thumbs-up.

Lydia responded with a small smile.

Although she still didn’t seem at ease.

James took the microphone again.

"All right. Now, I’d like all hunters who were selected by at least one of the five sub-captains to come to the front."

The selected hunters began moving.

One after another, they walked toward the designated area.

Lydia moved forward with the others.

The five sub-captains positioned themselves in front of them.

Lydia looked back.

Liam was still standing among the other aspirants.

He gave her another thumbs-up, and she smiled.

Then she turned around and continued walking.

◇◆◇

James raised the microphone again.

"Congratulations to all the selected hunters!"

The aspirants at the front received a round of applause.

"Now it’s time for those who have multiple options to choose which squad they wish to join."

Some of the selected hunters began murmuring.

"But..."

James smiled.

"Before that..."

He looked toward one of the hangar’s massive doors.

"We have a little surprise for such a special Selection."

The enormous door began to open.

CLANK!

The aspirants turned their heads.

A figure appeared behind it.

A tall, broad-shouldered man wearing armor bearing the Ace of Spades logo.

He walked forward while applauding.

"Well done!"

The aspirants immediately recognized him.

"It’s the Captain!"

"Captain Armstrong!"

Captain Armstrong walked to the front.

He was smiling broadly as he continued applauding.

James handed him the microphone.

Armstrong took it.

"I want to congratulate all of you."

His voice echoed throughout the hangar.

"You have participated in three extremely difficult trials."

He looked at the selected hunters.

"And I want to give special congratulations to those who have earned a place among the chosen."

Then he looked toward the others.

"But I also want to congratulate those who didn’t make it."

Some of the aspirants raised their heads.

"Making it this far already proves that you have talent and determination."

Liam listened in silence.

’What is the Captain doing here?’

He assumed it was normal.

After all, he was the guild’s leader.

He probably wanted to personally witness such an important event as well.

Armstrong continued.

"And now, I’m excited to announce that I also have some names to present for those who wish to become part of our guild."

The aspirants began murmuring.

"Does the Captain select people too?"

Liam frowned.

Armstrong continued.

"But..."

The Captain smiled.

"I also have something else to announce."

Captain Armstrong scanned the group with his eyes.

Until his gaze stopped on one person.

Liam.

The man raised a hand and pointed directly at him.

"Liam Davis."

Liam’s eyes widened.

"Me?"

Armstrong nodded.

"Come to the front, please."

Liam stood frozen.

He looked at Lydia and the other hunters who had been selected by the sub-captains.

’What’s going on?’

He hadn’t been selected by any of the five sub-captains.

Besides, he was already a member of the guild.

Then...

Why did Captain Armstrong want him to come to the front?

Lydia looked just as confused.

Liam finally took a step.

Then another.

And he began walking toward the front of the hangar.

Without the slightest idea what the Captain was about to say.