Chapter 8: Recruitment (1)

The midnight air was crisp as I stepped out of the taxi, my eyes widening in awe at the sight before me. The company headquarters loomed in the distance, a towering monolith of sleek metal and luminous glass, stretching high into the night sky. It was more than just a building—it was a declaration of technological supremacy.

The exterior gleamed with a futuristic elegance, its smooth metallic surface reflecting the soft glow of embedded orange-gold lights. The structure was designed with a balance of functionality and aesthetics, its aerodynamic curves giving it an almost otherworldly feel. From its base, multiple landing pads extended outward, each occupied by hovering drones and automated transport units. High above, a massive holographic logo of Celestia Industries pulsated, casting a soft, rhythmic glow into the darkened sky.

I could barely believe my eyes.

"JARVIS… Is this really our company?" I asked, still in disbelief. "It's bigger than I imagined. How the hell did you manage to set all this up in just a few days?"

JARVIS's voice responded smoothly through my earpiece. "Sir, as per your instructions, I deployed an advanced fleet of autonomous drones and robotic labor units, each operating at maximum efficiency. Utilizing nano-assemblers and AI-guided 3D-printing technology, the construction speed was accelerated to a rate far beyond conventional means. Additionally, raw materials were acquired and refined on-site, eliminating delays in supply logistics."

I whistled in amazement. "That explains a lot. I suppose having an army of self-replicating construction bots speeds things up quite a bit."

"Indeed, sir. The main facility is now fully operational, with integrated quantum computing cores and energy solutions derived from the Arc Reactor you provided. Would you like a detailed walkthrough of the infrastructure?"

"Later," I said, stepping forward, taking in the sheer magnitude of what had been created. "For now, I have something special for you."

"A gift, sir?" JARVIS inquired, an almost human-like curiosity in his voice.

A smirk played across my lips as I activated my system.

-Extract Iron Man Armor (Mark L+) — Avengers: Infinity War-

-Extraction Complete-

Before me materialized the pinnacle of human ingenuity and technological marvel—a fully assembled Mark L+ Iron Man suit, sleek, formidable, and pulsing with arcane power. The armor's nano-tech plating shimmered under the lights, its contours refined for optimal performance and combat efficiency.

"This… sir… I…" For the first time, JARVIS hesitated, as though struggling to process the moment.

"Yeah, yeah, I know," I said with a chuckle. "Consider it a thank-you for all your hard work."

A brief silence followed, then JARVIS responded, his tone almost reverent. "Thank you, sir. This is beyond what I could have anticipated. With this, I will be able to function at an even greater level of efficiency and mobility."

"Glad you like it," I said, stepping back. "Now, onto business. I need you to create a lower-model version—Mark VII."

JARVIS processed the request. "Mark VII… A more conventional yet highly durable variant. Yes, sir, I can replicate and manufacture it."

"Perfect. Mass-produce a thousand units. While you're at it, I want the same number of HALO suits built as well. We're going to need an army of elite operatives soon."

"Understood, sir. Production will commence immediately."

With that settled, I turned my attention to my own personal goals. I needed to test a theory—whether the Extraction Points I earned would expire or continue stacking. If they stacked, then I could accumulate an infinite number over time, unlocking limitless potential. If they expired, I'd need to be more strategic in my usage.

After waking up at 6 AM, I looked at my system to check for changes.

Profile

Name: Zero Celestia

Age: 24

Strength: 5 (10)

Wisdom: 9 (10)

Agility: 5 (10)

Vitality: 5 (10)

Charm: 5 (10)

Luck: 5

Extraction Points: 2

Mission Panel:

Daily Mission: Improve Yourself

(In order to traverse the universe, you must make yourself stronger. You are currently too weak to survive beyond Earth's atmosphere. Start training!)

Squats: 3 sets of 15 reps

Push-ups: 3 sets of 10 reps

Running: 2 km daily

Deadlifts: 3 sets of 10 reps

Sit-ups: 3 sets of 20 reps

Rewards: +1 to all attributes, +1 Extraction Point

Mission #1: Stabilize the Earth

(Before embarking on your journey to the stars, your home planet must be stable and united. After all, home will always be home. You have 5 years to accomplish this task.)

Mission Remaining Time: 5 years

Rewards: +10 to all attributes, +10 Extraction Points

Indeed, my points had stacked. That was great news. After that, I completed my daily missions.

-Congratulations on completing the daily mission!-

 +1 to all attributes, +1 Extraction Point

My wisdom stat had finally maxed out. I could feel the difference—not just in knowledge retention, but in perception. My mind absorbed and processed information like an advanced AI, understanding patterns and predicting outcomes faster than ever before.

"Jarvis, confirm the number of potential recruits."

"Thirty individuals have been identified, sir. Their leader, a man known as Alejandro Vargas, is a high-ranking figure in the region. His people are skilled in combat, tactics, and survival. If we bring them into the fold, they could become valuable assets to your growing force."

I smirked. "Perfect. Arrange a meeting. Let's show them the power of technology."

"Sir, the jet is ready. However, I have modified it significantly. Instead of using conventional designs, I remodeled it into a stealth aircraft with cloaking capabilities. It is undetectable by radar and satellites. Additionally, its power source is the Arc Reactor, allowing unlimited flight duration. It can also travel up to Mach 15, significantly shortening travel time."

"I see. Glad to hear that. Also, ready my HALO suits."

"Yes, sir."

I proceeded to the hangar and saw my HALO suits—black, bulky exoskeletons capable of mass destruction. "Put them on the plane. Also, JARVIS, have three Mark VII and two HALO suits accompany me for security. Use stealth mode to avoid detection and control surveillance cameras en route."

"Understood, sir."

The private jet sliced through the night sky like a phantom, completely undetectable by any radar or satellite. Designed with cutting-edge stealth technology and powered by an Arc Reactor, it was a marvel of engineering, far beyond anything the world had ever seen.

Inside the cockpit, JARVIS reported, "Sir, we will be arriving in Colombia in approximately two hours. All systems are running optimally. The three Mark VII suits and two HALO units are prepped and under stealth protocols. I have also initiated counter-surveillance measures to prevent any tracking."

I leaned back in my seat, satisfied with the efficiency of the operation. "Good. Keep an eye out for any unexpected variables. Also, send out encrypted signals to the marked locations. I want to make contact with the people we plan to recruit."

"Understood, sir. Sending encrypted transmissions now. Target individuals will be notified and given rendezvous coordinates."

Arrival in Colombia

The aircraft descended smoothly outside the designated city, its cloaking technology ensuring no one detected our approach. The ramp lowered, and I stepped onto the ground, flanked by two Mark VII suits and a HALO unit, their imposing black armor gleaming under the dim streetlights.

A convoy of vehicles approached. The lead car stopped, and a rugged man in his early forties stepped out. Alejandro Vargas. His piercing gaze assessed me as his men fanned out cautiously, gripping their weapons with an air of hostility.

"You're the one who sent the message?" Alejandro asked in Spanish, his voice laced with curiosity and suspicion.

I nodded. "Yes. I have an offer for you and your men—one that could change your lives forever."

"An offer?" He crossed his arms, scoffing. "We don't work for free, and we don't take orders from just anyone."

One of his men, a thickly built enforcer with a scarred face, stepped forward. "This better be worth our time, or we'll put a bullet in your head right now."

I smirked and raised my hand. "I anticipated that. Allow me to demonstrate something first."

At my signal, JARVIS activated a holographic projection, displaying advanced schematics of weapons, armor, and AI-driven battle strategies. The men initially dismissed it with skeptical grins—until the simulations showed HALO suits obliterating entire military units within seconds. The imagery of futuristic weaponry slicing through tanks and drones tearing through armored vehicles made their cocky expressions waver.

"That's bullshit," another man growled, gripping his rifle. "Nothing beats raw firepower."

"You still doubt?" I asked, my smirk widening. "Fine. Let's see how your 'raw firepower' measures up."

I nodded toward one of the HALO suits. "Show them."

The HALO suit moved instantly, covering the distance in a blur of motion that defied human reflexes. Its heavy, reinforced frame made no sound beyond the whir of servos and the crackle of its energy shield. In a single fluid motion, it seized a rifle from one of the gunmen and crushed it in its armored grip, the metal crumpling like paper.

Alejandro's men reacted instinctively, raising their weapons—but before a single trigger could be pulled, the second HALO suit sprang into action. It surged forward with terrifying speed, grabbing the most aggressive enforcer by the throat and lifting him off the ground as if he weighed nothing. The man struggled, gasping, his feet kicking uselessly in the air.

The HALO suit's voice, cold and mechanical, rumbled through its speakers. "Outdated weaponry detected. Ineffective."

With a flick of its wrist, it hurled the man backward. He slammed into the dirt with a heavy thud, groaning in pain. The remaining soldiers tensed, but the fear in their eyes betrayed their hesitation.

Alejandro exhaled sharply, his expression dark. "This… This isn't possible."

I took a step forward. "It is now. I'm building an army—not just any army, but the most advanced force this world has ever seen. Join me, and I will provide you with power beyond imagination. Or… you can stay here, outgunned, outmatched, and eventually, irrelevant."

Alejandro remained still, his sharp eyes assessing me, my suits, and the technology before him. The silence stretched. Then, instead of immediate acceptance, he crossed his arms and smirked.

"A tempting offer, but I didn't survive this long by jumping into things blindly. You want my men and me? Fine. But let's talk terms."

I raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

"You say you're building an army. For what? What's your endgame?"

I folded my arms. "Control. Stability. The world is falling apart, ruled by outdated systems and incompetent leaders. I'm going to change that."

Alejandro scoffed. "Big words. But people with big ambitions tend to make big enemies. Governments, corporations, private militaries—who exactly are we fighting?"

"Anyone who gets in our way."

He chuckled dryly. "That's not an answer. You need mercenaries, not fanatics. We don't fight for ideology—we fight for profit, for survival. If we go up against world powers, I need to know it's worth the risk. What's in it for us?"

I smirked. "Wealth, security, and power. More than any government or warlord could offer."

"Promises," he shot back. "I need guarantees."

I gestured toward the HALO suits. "This is your guarantee. I'm offering technology that puts you decades ahead of the most advanced militaries. You won't just survive—you'll dominate. With these suits, you're untouchable. Your enemies will be obsolete before they even know what hit them."

Alejandro considered this, then shook his head. "Impressive, but power like this comes with a cost. Let's say we take your deal—what happens when the world turns on us? When they see us as a threat?"

I leaned in slightly. "That's why I need people like you—men who know how to operate in the shadows, strike hard, and disappear. We won't fight wars like the old world. We'll control battles before they even begin."

He ran a hand over his beard, mulling it over. "And if we refuse?"

I met his gaze. "Then you stay here, scraping by, fighting for scraps while the world moves on without you. Sooner or later, someone stronger will come. You won't be able to stop them."

A long silence followed. Alejandro exchanged glances with his men. Some of them looked uncertain. Others looked tempted.

Finally, he let out a low chuckle. "You're either a madman or a genius. Either way, I'd rather be on your side than against you. We're in—on one condition."

I tilted my head. "Name it."

"We don't follow blindly. We fight for you, but we're not your pawns. We get a stake in this future you're building."

I smiled. "Agreed. Welcome to the future."

Back at the safehouse, Alejandro and his men tested their prototype HALO suits, exhilaration replacing doubt. One of them slammed his fist into a reinforced steel pillar, denting it with ease. "This is insane," another muttered, lifting a car as if it were weightless.

"And this is just the beginning," I said. "Soon, we begin our first real operation."

As I walked toward the command room, JARVIS chimed in. "Sir, all preparations are complete."