Chapter 2 Squad Z

Olivia's breath hitched from the deadly glares she was getting from her supposed teammates, she didn't understand the disdain in their gazes, she wondered if she had done anything wrong to earn it….

"Perfect, another dumb ass from section 27," a girl with short blonde hair said, her voice laced with annoyance, as if Olivia's presence was a sore eye for her.

"Don't say that, Tinya, that is rude of you," another boy said, with voice laced with sarcasm. "At least her death will serve a purpose for us," he added.

As he said that, the rest of the team burst into fits of laughter.

Olivia's fist clenched harder, trying to blink away the tears that threatening to fall from her eyes. "We have to see who will come back alive first, before laughing." She snapped back at him.

The boy with the golden brown hair walked towards her, he took a moment to look at her from head to toe, before scoffing. "Do you want to bet on it?"

Before Olivia could say anything, the door suddenly opened, and a lady soldier walked into the room.

The team gasped in surprise. The silence soon broke into excited chatter. "The flame wielder."

Olivia stared at the soldier with mix feelings, she had heard of Alexa, the flame wielder, who was a soldier from section 22. She was poor and had no resources to train, but she was one of the most powerful soldiers who had killed a level-18 monster, hence gaining her respect and honour.

Alexa's blonde hair was tied up in a ponytail, her curves were perfectly complemented by her black leather pants and jacket, with a sword hanging at her back.

Her cold blue eyes stared at the chosen squad, her eyes glinted with something unreadable.

"Hello everyone, welcome to the headquarters," her powerful voice boomed across the room, silencing every noise.

"As you all know the system, every year, teenagers at the age of 17 are chosen by the system, depending on the number being drawn," she paused, her eyes sweeping at every single one of them.

"This year, you 12 are the chosen ones to fight against the monsters within the level of 1 to 5, so try your best to make it out alive, squad Z. The survivors from this mission will be trained to become part of the Elite squad," her voice sent shivers down their spines, but Olivia was having it worse.

All her life she wanted a peaceful and loving home, she was too weak, meek, and afraid to be a soldier, and right now, all she wanted was to run away so badly, but her feet refused to move.

"We depart in 20 minutes, so get your suit on and every single weapon that you can carry," she clapped her hands, urging them to hurry up.

The team ran towards the suiting area, wearing their armour and boots. The rich kids came with their own armour ranging in level 5 tiers.

Armours are useful because it serves as a boost to their system's ability and strength.

However, far from the hassle Olivia stood frozen. Her heart hammering in her chest, as bile rose up her throat, her fingers trembled beside her.

'So this is really happening?' Tears rolled down her cheeks, as she could no longer hold them back.

Suddenly, a hand grip her shoulders, making her gasp in shock, as she pulled herself away. When she turned, her eyes widened in shock as she met Alexa's gaze, "Don't be a coward, you are stronger than you think."

Alexa encouraged, as she could see her former self in her.

Olivia unconsciously nodded her head, although her lips parted, but no words came out. Being in Alexa's presence, made her felt little and worthless.

"Now go suit up!"

Olivia turned without looking back, and ran towards the suiting room, she wiped her tears away.

She nervously tried to buckle her belt, but she couldn't get it right.

'You can do this, Olivia,' she tried to encourage herself, her lips stretching into a silent cry, her shoulders shaking from the turmoil in her chest.

"Let me help you?" A soft voice came from behind her. When Olivia turned her around, a girl with brown hair smiled at her, before helping her to fix the buckle with one click. "I'm Anna." She smiled brightly.

Olivia blinked at her, unsure of what to say. She was surprised to see someone acting nice to her, it couldn't help but to make her wonder if this Anna was genuine. "Thank you," she whispered awkwardly.

"You are welcome, you should relax," Anna began. "Take it as an adventure, we get to kick the ass of those dumb monsters."

'Was she fearless…or just clueless?'Olivia thought inwardly. But she nodded to Anna's words. Her hands reached out for the twin blades that was hanging on the glass shelf, although she had no idea of how to use them, but she think they looked cool, then she took a gun too. 'This might come in handy.'

Olivia was startled by Anna's next move, as Anna wrapped her arms around her shoulders.

"Let's stick together, friends?"

Olivia stared at her with a puzzled look, and before she could answer...

"Everyone get in line, it is time to move out," Alexa's stern voice commanded.

The air felt thick, as the weight of reality rested on their shoulders "Remember if you encounter a high level beast... Run," she advised.

Olivia's throat went dry, as anxiety crept up her spine.

"Move out!"

The team jogged outside the bunker, entering a van, whose engine was already running. The teams eyes turned serious, yet fearful, as they knew they may never return back, they nervously sat inside the van, hearts hammering in their chests.

The smell of dust and oil invaded their nostrils.

"Are you crying dude?" Tinya asked the chubby boy, who was sitting beside her.

"I don't want to die!" he wailed.

"What a disappointment to your lineage.. And manhood," Tinya scoffed.

Anna pursed her lips into a thin line, she nudged Olivia who seems to be in an emotional spiral of her own.

"Are you scared?"

Olivia paused, contemplating of what to say, after a few seconds, her lips parted. "Aren't you?"

"I am, but you look pale, Olivia," she said with her brows furrowed, worry flickering through her eyes.

"I'm terrified," she muttered under her breath, trying to hide her emotion, she didn't want others to view her weak, even though she was.

"I understand, I have been trained since childhood, although I'm scared, but I am more thrilled," Anna said, trying to make her feel better, not realising how much her words were like a blow to Olivia's fragile heart.

"Are you boasting that you are from one of the top sections?" Olivia frowned.

"Yes… I mean, I'm from section 3," her eyes widened as she realised what she was saying "No, no I mean…" she quickly tried to correct her statement.

Olivia shook her head in disappointment.

"I mean, I can protect you," her eyes lightened up. "Yes, I will protect you," she assured her.

Olivia's green eyes locked onto hers. "Thank you, but I am good." She didn't trust Anna to that extent to place her life in her eyes, and furthermore she didn't want to be a burden to anyone.

The hour drive felt like a few minutes drive to Olivia.

The van came to a halt. "Come out everyone, we are here," Alexa's voice sounded from outside.

Dread etched on their faces, but they obeyed her, jumping out of the van.

Olivia's throat bubbled up and down, cold sweat dripping from her face.

"Let's go," Anna nudged her.

As they stepped out of the van, Olivia's eyes scanned over the deserted land.

"This is the border between the monsters and us." Alexa walked around them. "This is also our meeting point," she added.

"This is the time to show your potential, for every monster you kill, you earn a point." She paused. "The system will record every point, and you will be upgraded by it."

"Come back alive, everyone." Her voice held a mix of sadness and anticipation.

The heavy gate creaked open…