Chapter 238 Preparations for a Major Raid

The sound of several impacts echoed throughout the Ace of Spades training facilities.

The Sixth Squad had been practicing for quite some time, and although some of its members were beginning to show signs of exhaustion, no one seemed willing to stop.

"Come on, Zayn! This time, try slowing down before you reach the wall!" Chuck shouted.

"I'm trying!" the young man replied as he dashed across the training field.

However, he once again lost control of his speed and ended up sliding several meters before finally coming to a stop.

Lena burst out laughing.

"You're getting closer every time! Maybe next time you won't crash into a building!"

"I don't need your commentary!"

A few meters away, Nora watched the scene with her little shadows. She and Zayn had been practicing reconnaissance techniques together, trying to improve the coordination between their abilities.

Meanwhile, Carol and Emily continued working on their offensive coordination.

Carol had covered one of her arms with a durable material, while Emily concentrated electricity around her body.

"Now!" Carol exclaimed.

Emily released an electric current into her, greatly increasing the power of her next punch. The impact made one of the training targets shake.

"Much better!" Liam commented from the sidelines.

The two exchanged smiles before continuing.

Jordan, on the other hand, was practicing his physical endurance while Chuck and Lena constantly teased him.

"Come on, Jordan! You can't let two people this small outperform you!" Chuck said.

"I'm charging up energy!" the enormous hunter replied.

"That's what you've been saying for the past ten minutes," Lena remarked.

Lucas and Eve were also actively participating. The former was practicing his punches with the enormous gloves he used as weapons, while Eve worked on controlling the power and direction of her explosions.

Since officially joining the squad, both had been trying to adapt to the pace of their new teammates.

Liam watched everything with a satisfied expression.

Although they still had plenty of room for improvement, he was pleased with the team's progress. Each member had managed to improve in their own way, and little by little, they were beginning to develop better coordination.

"Liam!"

The sub-captain turned his head when he heard his name.

James was approaching from the entrance to the facilities, holding a tablet in one hand.

"Do you have a moment?"

"Of course."

Liam gestured for his subordinates to keep training before walking over to the researcher.

"Is something wrong?"

"We have some updates regarding the Antarctic operation."

Liam's expression changed slightly.

"Did you get any new information about the dungeon?"

"Not exactly. But some important decisions have been made."

James asked him to follow him to a quieter section of the facilities.

Once they were away from the others, he began explaining.

"Captain Armstrong and I took part in a discussion with several representatives from major guilds in Asia and Africa. We shared the information we'd gathered and discussed the possibility of organizing a joint raid."

"And did you reach an agreement?"

"Yes. Everyone agreed to cooperate. Each organization will prepare its best hunters and contribute the necessary resources for the operation."

Liam slowly nodded.

"So they're finally going to send teams to Antarctica."

"Exactly. They're even considering conducting a reconnaissance raid before the main operation."

James paused briefly before continuing.

"However, we also made a decision regarding Ace of Spades. All six squads will participate in the raid. Each sub-captain will be responsible for preparing their best hunters."

Liam remained silent for a few seconds.

Although he had already suspected they would eventually get involved, hearing the confirmation made the situation feel much more serious.

"Does that include the Sixth Squad?"

"Of course. You'll be leading your team."

Liam lowered his gaze slightly.

"I understand."

"The details are still being worked out. We don't have a definitive date for the operation yet, but I want you to start preparing now. We don't know how much time we'll have before the situation gets worse."

"All right. I'll take care of it."

James nodded.

"I trust you can prepare your team. I know you've managed to gather some very capable hunters."

"I'll do my best."

James nodded once more.

◇◆◇

After exchanging a few more words, James said goodbye and left the facilities.

Liam remained still for a few moments.

Then he turned toward the training field.

His subordinates were still practicing, completely unaware of the news he'd just received.

Lucas and Eve were working together, while Carol and Emily repeated their combination. Chuck and Lena continued teasing Jordan, and Zayn seemed to be trying to complete his latest exercise without ending up against a wall.

Liam looked at each of them.

'We still have a long way to go.'

It wasn't a matter of lacking talent. He knew his subordinates had potential and had already proven they could overcome difficult situations.

But an SS-Rank dungeon that could evolve into an SSS-Rank one was something entirely different.

They needed to improve their coordination, strengthen their abilities, and prepare to face enemies that would likely surpass anything they had encountered so far.

However, Liam also remembered the missions they had completed together.

They had gone through difficult times, made mistakes, and managed to learn from them.

'I trust you. I know you can do this.'

Liam took a deep breath and walked back toward the group.

"All right! Take a five-minute break, then we'll repeat the exercises!"

"Five minutes?!" Chuck protested.

"Would you prefer three?"

"Five is perfect, Boss!"

Liam smiled faintly.

Their preparations would begin that very day.

◇◆◇

That night, Liam returned home after finishing his duties at the guild.

When he entered, he found Lydia sitting on the sofa, with Lionel and Liana resting nearby.

"Welcome home," his wife greeted him.

"I'm home."

Liam approached and gave her a kiss before picking Lionel up.

"How were the little ones today?"

"Pretty good. Although Liana was quite restless this afternoon."

"And Lionel?"

"He was hungry, as always."

Liam let out a small laugh.

After spending a few minutes with his children, he placed them back beside Lydia and sat down next to her.

She immediately noticed that something was on his mind.

"Did something happen?"

"Yeah. I spoke with James today."

Lydia stopped paying attention to the toys nearby and looked at him.

"About the dungeon?"

"That's right. They finally organized a meeting with several major guilds from Asia and Africa. They agreed to cooperate in a joint raid, and each organization will begin preparing its best hunters."

"So the operation really is going to happen."

"Yes. And they also made a decision regarding Ace of Spades."

Liam paused briefly.

"All six squads will participate. That means the Sixth Squad will have to go as well."

Lydia watched him attentively.

"Have they already confirmed that we're required to participate?"

"Yes. James asked me to start preparing my subordinates. There's still no definitive date, but they don't want to waste any time."

"I see."

Liam rested his arms on his knees and remained silent for a few seconds.

"There's something else I want to talk to you about."

Lydia turned slightly toward him, giving him her full attention.

"I'm listening."

"Ever since we started discussing this dungeon, I've been thinking about the possibility that they'll need your abilities during the operation."

Lydia didn't seem surprised.

"I figured as much."

"Your ability to absorb and manipulate energy could be extremely useful. Especially if we encounter something the other hunters can't easily handle."

"That's possible."

Liam lowered his gaze before continuing.

"But I don't want to put you in danger."

Lydia remained silent.

"You know what the situation is like. We don't know what's inside that dungeon, we don't know what kind of monsters we'll encounter, and there's a chance it could evolve during the raid. I don't want you to have to put yourself at risk like that."

"I know, Liam."

"I want you to be able to enjoy your time with the children. I know you're a hunter and that you don't want to give up that part of your life, but I also don't want you to feel obligated to come along just because your abilities might be needed."

Liam turned toward her.

"That's why I want you to think it over carefully. If you decide to participate, I won't stop you. But if you'd rather stay home, that's fine too. The decision to join this raid is entirely yours."

Lydia watched him for a few seconds.

Then she lowered her gaze toward Lionel and Liana, who were happily playing with their toys.

She still didn't answer.

Liam didn't try to pressure her either.

He knew this was an important decision, and he needed to give her the time and space to make it for herself.