The faces of the S-Rank Hunters turned grave as they stared up at their Guild Leader with full focus. They knew that he wouldn't call them all here today for something like a warning or a small directive, for things like that could simply be told through email. There must be something else.
And, just as expected:
"Now, as this unknown Humanoid Monster is shown to be extremely fast, Victor Rapido here has been invited to test your speed and make sure you can defend against attacks that the Mage Lord could not," the Battlemonger said, his hands redirecting everyone's attention to the suave blonde-haired man.
It was common knowledge among the Hunter community that Victor Rapido was indeed the fastest man in the world. There was even a time when he raced one of the World-class Hunters with an S+++ Agility Stat, yet still won by a long shot. However, it was also widely known that when stacked up against anyone in the Top 50, Victor was lacking in everything except for his speed.
If based on stats like Strength, Endurance, or Intelligence, Victor was merely considered a bit above average for an S-Rank—and that was with the addition of the influence that his Agility had on his other stats. Without that, it was highly possible that he wouldn't even be considered a fairly powerful A-Rank Hunter.
But what he lacked in everything else, he made up for with his stupidly fast speed!
If Victor went all out—which he had never done before with a human—then it was unknown just how quickly he could get his legs to move! Possibly even thousands upon thousands of times the speed of light!
And though all of the prideful S-Rank Hunters were at first taken aback and slightly offended by what their Guild Leader said, when they logically thought about it, it wasn't a bad idea. None of them particularly cared for or even liked the arrogant fastest man alive, but it was impossible to deny his God-given talent to go really, really, really fast.
It was because of this undeniable fact that they either stayed silent or let out barely audible snorts. This was their way of saying they were fine with such a proposition by their Guild Leader.
The Battlemonger scanned his eyes between all of his S-Rank Hunters before turning his fierce gaze toward Victor Rapido. After a moment of staring at him, he shifted his eyes back to the hundred-plus S-Rank Hunters. "What I've yet to tell you about this exercise of sorts is that you're not only doing it to counter the humanoid Monster—codename 'Draconic Silver Bullet'—but you're also doing this because of the upcoming World's End Gate Raid."
Another wave of dread washed over the expressions of those present when they heard those three specific words.
In the world of Hunters, mentioning the World's End Gate had become somewhat of a taboo. The more superstitious folks even believed that just saying the name would bring nothing but death and misfortune.
However, as the strongest of the strongest, those in the Auditorium knew very well what the World's End Gate meant for not only them but the entire world.
If they're unable to clear it, then it'll surely live up to its name.
Many of those in the Auditorium today had actually personally been in the Evolving Gate during one of its many Evolutionary Periods. And when they listened to their Guild Leader, they knew exactly what he was referring to when he mentioned speed counters being necessary.
In that Gate, there existed Monsters that moved so fast that you were only able to hear the wind whistle by before realizing that you were already… dead.
It was daunting, but it was all too real.
This made all of the S-Rank Hunters even more inclined to follow the lead of the fastest man alive, if not just for now.
Looking back at Victor, the Battlemonger said, "They're all yours for today; take them out to the thousands of acres of open land we have in the back."
"Yes, sir," Victor said before beginning to descend the stage.
"Oh, and Victor," said the Battlemonger.
"Do not go easy on them."
Victor confidently smirked. "Of course, sir."
With that, Victor vanished from his spot. Then, with ludicrous levels of speed, he reappeared near the door that led outside. Looking back over his shoulder, he asked, "What are you all waiting for? Let's get going, yeah."
Many grunted and huffed in displeasure, but none of them made any remarks. They did just as their Guild Leader instructed and rose from their seats before following behind one of the most insufferably competent bastards on the planet.
'Victor Rapido,' Memphis thought while looking at his distant back. His back seemed to overlap with the back of someone whom she constantly tried her best to forget. 'I wonder who's the fastest among the two of them…'
When the hundred-plus S-Rank Hunters made it out of the Auditorium and onto the field, the 'Speed Resistance Training' began right away.
The windflow in the area was momentarily skewered in a certain direction. But before anyone even comprehended what had occurred, Victor's voice rang out. "See what I have here?" he asked, swinging around a tiger-striped piece of cloth. "It's the underpants of one Mister Lester Evans."
All eyes fell on a portly man standing at the back of the S-Rank Hunters. His cheeks flushed red in embarrassment as he averted his gaze.
"What we're going to play is a little practice exercise I like to call 'Protect Your Undies,'" Victor said, his smirk widening ever so slightly. "You lose if you lose your underwear, and you win if you keep your underwear from being stolen. And if you're a female or worried about consent, don't bother. I have the permission of your Guild Leader and three Vice Guild Leaders to do whatever is necessary to sharpen your God-given talents, if not by just the smallest of amounts."
Victor's wolf-like eyes scanned over all the S-Rank Hunters, pausing slightly longer on the beautiful females. Especially on Memphis.