The Gym

"What now? Will they send assassins to dispose of us?"

"Why should they? For all they know, we might be really nice guys and invited the team to stay the night."

"Is this a joke to you? We could die!"

"Relax. You are able to dodge inanimate objects without any energy left in any of your limbs. Dodging some guy with a strong Aura who comes bursting into here shouldn't be a problem."

Locus let himself fall down on the sofa.

"But what if they send a Commander next? We barely managed to win against Lieutenant Golmer."

Genken laughed.

"Oh boy, you have no idea what barely winning means. You hardly got a scratch from the fight."

Locus didn't look like he was in the mood for anything but brainstorming.

"You know what I mean. How are we supposed to fight a High Commander, let alone the Mastermind?"

"I once tried to kill the Mastermind. As you know, he didn't die. If someone as weak as me survived that encounter, I'm sure you will do as well."

Genken turned to walk into his room.

"But if you're insecure, you can always train to get stronger."

Locus looked at Genken. He seemed unsure whether Genken was telling the truth.

"You tried to kill the Mastermind?"

"At that time, I was a lot stronger than I am now. But yes, I did. I never lie."

"Mhm..."

Locus was still not sure about what Genken said.

"And how am I supposed to get stronger?"

"If I recall correctly, there's a gym for adventurers in this city. I never used it though."

"And that will make me stronger?"

"I guess there is just one easy way to find out."

The two of them left the apartment and went over to the guild and stood at the 'Information' counter for the adventurers.

"Where can we find the adventurer gym?"

"It's the blue building behind this one. But it's reserved for adventurers of D-rank and above."

"Thank you."

A few seconds later, Locus and Genken stood inside a small, white room with a woman, presumably a member of the gym staff, behind a desk that was standing right in front of an open wall.

"I'm guessing that's the gym."

Genken pointed at the large room that lay behind the desk.

"Let's go."

They walked around the table.

"Excuse me."

They turned around to the staff member.

"This gym is exclusively for adventurers of at least D-rank."

"We know that."

The staff member doubtfully looked at them.

"May I see your adventurer cards, please?"

Genken sighted, and the two of them pulled out their cards.

"Here."

The woman behind the counter took a quick look.

"Oh, you are B-rank adventurers? I'm sorry for stopping you. When entering next time, please show the staff member behind this counter your card. It's the rules."

"Fine."

The two took back their cards and proceeded to walk inside the bigger room. There were hundreds of weights, machines, and people inside the large building, which could be described as a hall. The floor felt soft as Locus stepped on it.

"I guess we can just go and train."

Genken approached an area with lots of dumbbells lying around. Locus followed him. While they were looking at the weight written on the dumbbells, a large and muscular man approached them.

"You boys are adventurers?"

Locus turned around while Genken just ignored the man who was way over six feet tall and had arms as big as Locus' head. He was bald and just wore a simple tank top and short pants.

"Yes, why?"

"What's your rank?"

The man looked like he felt responsible for kicking Locus and Genken out of the gym.

"Rank B."

The man laughed.

"Good one, boy."

He pointed in the direction of the exit.

"Now get out of here before I go get a staff member."

"Why should I?"

The man's Aura was weak compared to Locus' own.

"Out! Now!"

"No."

"Do you want me to make you?"

"Oh yes, please."

The man got visibly mad at Locus.

"Little boy... You think you're strong, don't you? But you are nothing."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Then how about a little competition? Whoever lifts more weight gets to stay."

The man looked down at Locus with a condescending tone in his eyes. He began smiling.

"Alright."