Chapter 133: 133:Training.
Before sunrise, the contractor hotel remained wrapped in quiet stillness. Most of the guests were still asleep after long days spent hunting beyond Delta Four’s walls.
Only a handful of early risers moved through the corridors, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpets as they prepared for another day’s work.
Silver’s eyes opened naturally. For a few moments, he lay still, listening to the quiet rhythm of the room.
Across from him, Ravenna was still asleep. Her breathing was slow and even, one arm resting loosely across the blanket.
The tension she had carried ever since Detroin had gradually faded over the night. For the first time in quite a while, she looked genuinely relaxed.
Silver smiled faintly.
’Let her sleep a little longer.’
Quietly climbing out of bed, he changed into a simple set of training clothes before picking up a towel. After making sure he hadn’t disturbed her, he slipped out of the room and gently closed the door behind him.
The contractor’s hotel gym occupied an entire floor near the back of the building. Unlike ordinary fitness centers, this one had been built specifically for Contractors.
Everything was reinforced.
The barbells were forged from dense alloys capable of supporting enormous weights. Thick steel frames lined the room, while punching dummies made from compressed beast hide stood in neat rows along one wall.
Even the running track circling the room had been designed to withstand repeated impacts from Contractors far stronger than ordinary humans.
Despite the early hour, several people were already training. Some practiced weapon forms. Others sparred under the supervision of teammates.
Nobody paid much attention to Silver. He preferred it that way.
After stretching his shoulders and loosening his joints, he walked toward the squat rack.
Ever since absorbing the Tier Two beast cores the previous afternoon, he had been curious about exactly how much stronger his body had become. And there was only one way to find out.
The first few sets served as warm-ups.
Silver moved deliberately, focusing on perfect form rather than adding weight too quickly. His breathing settled into a steady rhythm as he lowered himself and rose again, each repetition feeling smoother than the last.
Then he began adding more plates. Normally, the increase would have slowed him down. Today, it barely did.
His muscles responded with surprising ease, generating power that felt natural rather than forced. The beast cores had strengthened him, but more importantly, they had reinforced the foundation he had already built through countless battles.
By the fourth set, sweat had begun to gather along his forehead. His breathing deepened, yet he never lost control. Each repetition remained clean, and each movement remained stable.
A familiar blue notification appeared in the corner of his vision.
[Primal Strength Lv1]
{Proficiency Increased.}
Silver smiled to himself.
He had expected that. Skills tied to the body rarely advance overnight. They improved through repeated effort, pushing muscles beyond their previous limits before allowing them to recover stronger than before.
He continued. He did squats, deadlifts, weighted pull-ups, and push-ups performed with a heavy training vest strapped across his shoulders.
His entire body worked together as one.
Meanwhile, back upstairs, Ravenna slowly opened her eyes. Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, bathing the room in a warm golden glow.
She blinked once before instinctively looking toward the other bed.
Empty.
For the briefest moment, confusion crossed her face, then she remembered yesterday’s conversation over dinner.
’Gym first.’
A small smile appeared.
"So he really went."
She climbed out of bed, changed into comfortable training clothes, tied her hair into a ponytail, and headed downstairs. She didn’t even have to ask the receptionist where the gym was. She already knew exactly where she’d find him.
When Ravenna entered the training hall, Silver was midway through another set. His movements were steady despite the heavy weight resting across his shoulders.
She leaned quietly against the doorway, watching him finish before walking over.
"You really weren’t joking."
Silver looked up before smiling.
"I told you I’d be here, and you still came; you could have used the one in the room."
She shrugged.
"This one is more advanced, and you were right. After yesterday, I wanted to see how much stronger I’d become, too."
Silver wiped the sweat from his forehead with the towel around his neck.
"Then don’t let me stop you."
While Silver continued testing his strength, Ravenna moved toward an open training mat. Unlike him, she wasn’t interested in lifting increasingly heavy weights.
Fire affinity relied upon balance, precision, and control, especially with her body size. She began with slow stretches, carefully loosening every muscle before moving into a series of balance exercises.
Standing on one leg, she slowly shifted her center of gravity while maintaining perfect posture. Then came controlled core movements. Each motion flowed naturally into the next.
Silver glanced toward her between sets.
"You’ve definitely done this before."
She smiled without stopping.
"My mother always said... ’Strong powers need a stable foundation.’ So flexibility first and power second."
Silver nodded.
"Makes sense. If your body can’t support your affinity, it’ll only hold you back."
The next hour passed quickly. Silver gradually increased the intensity of his workout. The resistance grew heavier, and the repetitions became slower. Every muscle burned pleasantly from exertion.
Then, another notification appeared.
[Primal Strength Lv1]
{Proficiency Requirement Satisfied.}
The familiar blue screen flickered.
[Primal Strength]
{Level Increased.
Lv2 Achieved.}
A gentle warmth spread throughout Silver’s body. The exhaustion in his muscles didn’t disappear; instead, it became easier to manage. His movements immediately felt more explosive, as though every muscle fiber had become better coordinated.
Silver slowly exhaled.
"...That feels nice."
He wasn’t finished. After a short drink of water, he moved toward another station and began a series of bodyweight exercises designed to strengthen his entire frame.
He did dips, pull-ups, and explosive jumps. Each movement placed stress upon his bones as much as his muscles.
It wasn’t long before another notification appeared.
[Iron Bones Lv1]
{Proficiency Increased.}
Silver continued. His breathing became heavier, and sweat dripped onto the floor. Still, he refused to stop, not until his body reached its limit.
Finally...
[Iron Bones Lv1]
{Proficiency Requirement Satisfied.
[Iron Bones]
Level Increased.
Lv2 Achieved.}
Silver rolled his shoulders. A strange sensation spread through his entire skeleton. It wasn’t painful; if anything, his body felt sturdier and more resilient, almost as though his bones themselves had become slightly denser.
He clenched one fist. The improvement was unmistakable.
Ravenna finished her own routine a few minutes later. She walked over while taking slow, controlled breaths.
"Well?"
Silver grinned.
"They both levelled up."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Already?"
"I think yesterday’s beast cores pushed them close. The workout just gave them the final push."
She nodded thoughtfully.
"That makes sense."
Silver looked at her carefully.
"And you?"
She smiled.
"I didn’t level any skills, but my body feels lighter."
She slowly shifted her weight from one foot to the other before performing a smooth spinning kick. The movement flowed effortlessly.
"I can feel the difference. My balance improved, and controlling my posture takes almost no effort now."
Silver laughed.
"Looks like both of us got what we wanted."
They spent another fifteen minutes cooling down before gathering their towels. The communal showers were already becoming busier as other contractors finished their morning routines.
Warm water washed away the sweat and fatigue from training. By the time Silver finished dressing again, he felt completely refreshed.
Breakfast was served shortly afterward in the hotel’s dining hall. Unlike the previous evening, the atmosphere was quieter. Most of the conversations centered around planned expeditions and newly posted Association commissions.
Silver and Ravenna found a table near the window. Their breakfast was simple but filling: fresh bread, eggs, grilled beast sausage, and fruit. Plus a strong coffee for Silver and tea for Ravenna.
As they ate, Silver looked toward the Association headquarters visible several streets away.
"Ready?"
Ravenna followed his gaze.
"For the training rooms?"
He nodded.
"Short-Step improved yesterday, but Space Slash hasn’t."
She smiled knowingly.
"So today’s your turn to work on technique."
"And yours?"
She took another sip of tea.
"I want to improve my fire control."
Silver smiled.
"Sounds like a good plan."
After finishing breakfast, they returned briefly to their room to collect their weapons before checking that nothing had been left behind.
Together, they stepped out of the hotel and into the cool morning air. Walking side by side, Silver and Ravenna headed toward the Association with renewed energy, ready to begin another day of training and growth.
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