Becoming The Strongest Using My Would-You-Rather System!-Chapter 32 - Invitation To The Military

As Theo stood there, the early morning light shone down softly on the beach, revealing how many bodies had actually been laid out.

’’Come on, Theo,’’ Iris said quietly behind him. ’’It’s time we go.’’

He blinked once, as if waking up from his trance, before turning towards her.

Most soldiers were already leaving the beach, some walking while others lay exhausted or wounded on transport vehicles.

’’Yes,’’ Theo muttered quietly.

The two of them began walking across the beach, moving past the medic tents and the rows of soldiers slowly loading the wounded onto trucks.

Neither of them was in the mood, or even had the energy to speak.

Theo rubbed the back of his neck as he walked, massaging his muscles.

His entire body felt heavy now that the adrenaline had faded, each step feeling like he was dragging a thousand pounds with him.

’I need to get some sleep as soon as possible,’ he thought, closing his eyes. ’There isn’t much time left before the system pops up after all.’

He’d completely forgotten about it after all the fighting, but it had almost been three days since the last time it appeared in front of him.

Just as they passed a group of soldiers, Theo snapped out of his thoughts as he noticed something strange.

All soldiers ahead of them suddenly straightened their backs despite the immense exhaustion, a quiet murmur spreading amongst them.

Theo frowned and followed their gaze to the back.

A small group of people had just arrived.

But even from a distance, their presence felt completely different from everyone else’s.

Iris stopped walking too, her eyes wavering for a moment.

’’...Father,’’ she mumbled.

A tall man with a broad back and deep black hair stopped in front of them. His uniform was completely different from the others, decorated with a dozen medals while a long black coat rested over his shoulders.

His eyes scanned over Iris for a few seconds before a faint smile grew on his face.

’’You’re unharmed,’’ he said.

Iris nodded slowly, her gaze locked on the floor. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The man glanced behind her briefly, scanning the beach from where he was standing.

When he looked back at Iris, his expression had turned more thoughtful.

"How was the experience?"

Iris didn’t respond immediately, her body trembling slightly.

’’It was... brutal,’’ she said, her voice barely a whisper.

The man nodded slowly, as if the answer had been expected.

’’Beast tides tend to be,’’ he said. ’’But even so, this situation was far out of the ordinary.’’

For a brief moment he remained silent, studying her face.

’’Do you understand what you wish to become in the future now?’’

Iris’s body stopped trembling for a moment, her eyes darting up to meet her father’s.

’’Yes.’’

Another nod followed, this time more satisfied.

’’Good,’’ he said, his voice firm. ’’This is a responsibility you can only learn once you’ve stood on the battlefield yourself.’’

With that said, the man’s gaze shifted off Iris for the first time.

He glanced at Theo, a hint of interest flickering past his eyes.

’’You must be the boy I’ve heard so much about,’’ he said.

After a brief pause, he stepped forward and stuck out his hand.

’’Leoric Blackwood.’’

Theo blinked once before quickly taking the offered hand.

’’Theo Lane.’’

Leoric released the handshake and looked at him, the same faint smile on his face.

’’I know a talent when I see one,’’ he said calmly.

’’Do you have any plans for what you intend to do after finishing school?’’

Theo’s eyes widened, his mind churning as he searched for an answer.

But nothing really came out as it felt like his mind was wrapped in a fog from exhaustion.

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Not really," he admitted. "I haven’t thought that far ahead yet."

Leoric watched him, the smile on his face unchanging as he gave a small nod.

’’That’s fine,’’ he said. ’’You’re still young.’’

Reaching into the inner pocket of his coat, he pulled out a small card and held it out.

’’If you ever decide you wish to join the military,’’ he continued calmly, ’’give me a call.’’

Theo accepted the card, glancing briefly at the name and phone number printed on it.

"...Thank you."

Leoric waved him off as if it was nothing to him.

’’You should head home now,’’ he said. ’’Your family is likely worried.’’

With that said, Leoric gestured for Iris to follow as he turned around and began walking towards a jeep in the distance.

Iris flashed a tired smile in Theo’s direction before turning and following after her father.

Theo watched them for a moment longer while letting out a slow breath.

’I really should head home,’ he finally thought, his mind wandering to his family.

He’d sent them a message before he went onto the battlefield, but hadn’t gotten a reaction.

’They must’ve already been in the civilian shelters,’ he thought, slipping Leoric’s card into his pocket.

With that thought, Theo finally turned and began walking away from the beach.

Many hunters moved in the same direction, each and every one of them completely covered in blood.

Theo rubbed his eyes as he walked.

Now that everything was truly over, the exhaustion was trying to pull him under every second.

’I really need sleep...’

As he reached the bus stop, he noticed there were dozens of public transport vehicles waiting, slowly filling up with other hunters.

’That’s nice,’ he thought, barely able to keep his eyes open.

After climbing into a bus and dropping into an empty seat, Theo weakly glanced up at the transparent screen above him.

[Cooldown: 00:13:31:22]

’I can’t sleep for more than 13 hours, huh.’

Theo leaned his head against the window as the bus slowly pulled away from the beach.

’I might just take a little nap now...’

Within moments, exhaustion pulled him under.