The Gamer's War

Well Adjusted, Part II

"Your compatibility with the circuit, as they say it, is much great than any Delsyians."

"I still don't get it!"

"By compatibility with the circuit, it meant that you can easily access, activate, and operate the circuit as you please. It is an amusing matter that you have skipped the test of activating the circuit."

Hearing that made me come to a conclusion. "Then does that mean that you're troubled with activating the circuit?"

He nodded. "Yeah, for us, it requires great amount of focus and determination to get the circuit activated. And to be honest, I still fail to activate the circuit of a tier 4 weapon. It's very difficult."

"Oh..."

"But the only flaw in your case is your frail body. It's gonna be hard for you to pay the toll when you lack mass." It made sense now. Maybe I just really need to take a rest... and maybe I can improve myself better at enduring the extraction.

"I see..." as understood a lot from his clear explanation, I felt bad for treating 023 poorly yesterday. I sighed and shrugged it off. I'll just make it up to 023 later.

Then I continued my conversation with 113, which I learned a lot from. After a day of resting, I felt a bit better but I still wasn't allowed to go train. "We received orders from researcher D138 that we should atleast let a few more days to pass before you train so that you could fully recover." Said 320.

"...thanks." I muttered, but I was dissatisfied with the news. I don't want to laze around even for a while, I think I got used to working hard because of my experience this past week. "Get well, Max. I still look forward to fight with you." 437 commented.

Then I received a pat from 974. Looking up to him from my side, he smiled at me. "Yeah, I agree with 437. I also look forward working with you."

I smiled back as I received thoughtful words. "Hm, yeah..." I could've been patient about this, but I had no choice about it anyway. Shrugging my stress off, I exhaled roughly. "I'll recover soon and get back on track, so don't worry that much about me." I told them, smiling sincerely.

"Nice." I heard 974 muttered.

Then as we were all dismissed by 113, I wondered where 023 was. I didn't got to see him today. Before I could head back to my room, I asked 113. "113-- er, I mean, sir? Where's the captain?" I was taught the other day by 320 to use honorifics to show respect. I didn't realized that I was being rude until she taught me about it.

"He's working on something. Why ask?"

"Uhm, nothing."

"Is there something you want to tell him?"

"No, not really. Thank you, sir." Then I left immediately. 023 must be busy with something else right now, so I'll just bother him some other day.

It took about 2 and a half days for me to recover from my sickness. I was ready to train again. But I have a feeling of uncertainty. I'm not confident that I'll be good as before. I bet the time count must decrease again. And what's worst right now is that 023 traded place with 113. He won't be the one to guide me for now, or ever.

I felt quite sad about it because I think distance grew between me and 023. I'm worried that he started avoiding me. Is it because I was rude the last time? I hope not, but it can possibly be that. But I'll try to fix it soon when I get the chance to talk to him again.

It was a bit weird that I'll be training with 113 now. There was nothing different with 113 teaching, he just lacks encouraging words unlike 023. Then I was gonna start the simulation, I remembered that I have no access since 023 said my code isn't recognized by its system.

"Uhm, sir 113!... I got a quick problem over here."

"Yes?..."

"023 accessed the simulation with his own code so that I could use it. Can you do the same?"

He looked a bit surprised. "You mean you don't have temporary code identity yet!?"

"Yes." I simply answered.

"How troublesome! That i***t is sure irresponsible..." he said to himself looking annoyed. I can say that the i***t he's referring to was 023. "...okay fine, let's get this over with." Then he acted like he had no choice but to activate it.

Then as the simulator was started, I felt nervous like it was the first time I was going to use it. Though I was still familiar with the ways how to start it up. "Fifteen percent, fire." I calmly said.

Then extraction began.

Like how I used to do my routine on dealing with the extraction, everything went smoothly. Then I didn't noticed early but I surpassed the highest time count I made before! "You, you did it!" 113 was also shocked.

"I, I passed?! I really did!?" I asked.

113 nodded but still had this shocked look. My grin escaped my lips, I couldn't help but be happy. "This is just the first step! On to the next phase!" I happily said.

He just agreed with me and we operated the simulator to take it to the next level. Thinking that I passed something that I thought was impossible was mind-blowing. After that, 113 helped me operate the simulator to set it to the next phase.

"Twenty percent capacity, fire!" I commanded.

I was excited to utter those words. Achieving this made me happy, it feels as if I surpassed a game at its difficult level. Then now that I passed the first phase, I bet the next will go smoothly. I just need to increase the strength I muster to my routine.

Thinking that this would be a piece of cake, it was like a hit on the face for my arrogance when the extraction had taken its toll. "A-Aaah!" It hasn't been a minute when I moved away from the circuit.

"T-This... is going to be harder." I said as I met eyes with 113.

Chapter end.