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"Compared to regular training and classes, the biggest feature of the Comprehensive Combat Course is its wide range of skills. To put it simply, this course includes the best parts of all four departments... Anyone who passes it can be directly promoted to Level 5 Agent after graduating and joining S.H.I.E.L.D.!"
Leonid spoke with pride.
It wasn't just because this course was unique to the Combat Division, but also because he had once taught the course himself.
Raymond didn't interrupt and kept listening.
Leonid probably realized he was talking too much, so after clearing his throat, he got back on topic. "Because of the special nature of this course, I didn't choose simple challenges like shooting or fighting. Even if someone wins in those, it doesn't really prove anything."
"That's why I've designed a few challenges that truly test overall combat skills. These will be our three rounds. Let me know what you think, Doctor. If you have any suggestions, we can change or adjust them until we're both happy."
Then, Leonid started explaining the challenges.
They weren't very complicated. In fact, the first two rounds were basically the same, just with reversed roles. But they really did test a person's full skill set. Any weakness could mean failure.
To explain it clearly, both would start in a weapon room filled with all kinds of gun parts, all mixed together.
The tricky part was that these parts belonged to many different guns. There were several ways to put them together, but it wasn't clear how many complete guns could be made. Some parts were even just distractions.
Each person would have only two minutes to pick and assemble their weapon before heading to the main battleground.
The battleground was a high ground position that was hard to attack but easy to defend. It also had obstacles for cover.
In the first round, Leonid would defend the high ground while Raymond attacked. In the second round, they'd switch roles.
Each attacker had 30 minutes. If they took the high ground, they won. If not, they lost.
Around the battleground were many high-tech tools, most of which were used only by S.H.I.E.L.D. The two could use these tools however they wanted.
Of course, all weapons and gear used practice ammo, so no one would get seriously hurt.
Both would also wear special training suits that could detect damage. If someone was hit or injured enough, the suit would show they were "dead" and out of the fight.
As for the third round, it was a hostage rescue mission. Each would take turns trying to save the hostages, and their performance would be judged by a point system.
"I'm good with it. Let's begin," Raymond agreed right away after hearing the explanation.
"If you're not happy, we can still—" Leonid started to say, already thinking he'd have to change things, but he stopped halfway when he realized Raymond had agreed.
"You're okay with it?" he asked, surprised.
"It's well-designed. Why wouldn't I be?" Raymond shrugged.
"Uh… alright then. I'll have them finish preparing the area. Let's get changed into our training suits, then we can get started." Leonid nodded, but deep down, he felt a little off.
This wasn't how he thought things would go.
But it was too late to think more about it now, so he simply made the final decision and settled everything.
Ten minutes later, both of them had changed into their training suits.
When Leonid saw Raymond again, something felt different.
Especially Raymond's eyes—they made Leonid feel a strange sense of fear deep inside.
"Something's wrong… very wrong…"
His instincts were screaming at him.
This instinct had been sharpened over years of missions and had saved his life many times. It helped him escape danger when there seemed to be no way out.
Now, seeing Raymond again, that same instinct was warning him that something wasn't right.
But no matter how much he thought about it, he just couldn't figure out what the problem was.
If Raymond could hear his thoughts, he'd probably be impressed—men's intuition could really be that sharp.
Because right now, it wasn't actually Raymond—it was the Deadshot persona that had taken control of the body.
"S.H.I.E.L.D.? So it's world's version of the A.R.G.U.S…" Deadshot mumbled to himself, only loud enough for him to hear.
"Not exactly the same? Fine."
"But still, it's a similar kind of organization, isn't it? These types of people… always acting by the book. Disgusting…"
There was a clear look of disgust in Deadshot's eyes as he looked at Leonid.
Back in the DC world, he had been controlled by the Suicide Squad's handlers using explosive chips in his neck. He was forced to join the infamous Task Force X along with others like him.
In many ways, A.R.G.U.S role in the DC world was just like S.H.I.E.L.D.'s role in this one—though A.R.G.U.S reported directly to the U.S. government, while S.H.I.E.L.D. answered to the World Security Council but wasn't fully under their control.
His deep hatred for the A.R.G.U.S also made him dislike S.H.I.E.L.D. by association.
Right now, Leonid had become a stand-in for everything he hated about the Suicide Squad—even if Leonid had no idea what that even was.
Leonid, on the other hand, had no clue what was happening with "Raymond." When he suddenly saw that hateful and disgusted look, he was confused.
Still, he walked forward and asked, "Shall we begin, Doctor?"
But "Raymond" didn't answer.
Instead, he made a throat-slitting gesture with his hand, looking straight at him—the meaning was crystal clear.
That move instantly made Leonid furious.
He was never someone with a good temper, and he couldn't tolerate that kind of disrespect. With a cold snort, he returned the exact same throat-slitting gesture back at "Raymond."