Sasha's Evaluation
Sasha completed the exercise flawlessly, stepping back toward David with an air of calm confidence.
Her posture was straight, arms loosely crossed behind her back.
"Well? How was it, David?"
David regarded her with his usual composed expression.
"For your first time using the armor, that was solid work."
Sasha's lips quirked into a slight smile.
But David wasn't done.
"However," he continued, "[Source Project: Ambition] is a suit that rewards skill and tactical thinking. The more you train with it, the better results you'll get."
He gestured toward her still-active suit.
"This armor has limitless potential. Use your brain, push your limits—you might be surprised by what it can do."
Hearing his words, Sasha felt a warm sense of approval settle in her chest.
She nodded firmly.
"Got it, David. I'll train harder."
David simply nodded back. "Good."
Before he could say anything else—
"Alright, my turn!"
Dorio's deep, eager voice cut through the rooftop air.
She had been waiting for this moment.
David glanced at her, then nodded.
"Go for it."
Without hesitation, Dorio slotted her battle chip into the interface behind her ear.
---
[Source Project: Judgment]—Power Unleashed
K-KSHHHT—!
The sound of shifting metal filled the rooftop as Dorio's armor came to life.
In a flash, her entire frame was covered in heavy-duty nanotech plating, seamlessly forming over her powerful physique.
Her already imposing height seemed to tower even more under the armor's bulk.
A sleek, V-shaped visor slid over her eyes, glowing a fierce orange.
But the most striking feature—
Her fists.
Her hands were now encased in massive mechanical gauntlets, each one humming with pulsing electromagnetic energy.
They weren't just weapons.
They were wrecking machines.
[Source Project: Judgment]—Power, Control, Unstoppable Force.
---
Maine's Shock
Maine had seen a lot in his time, but this—this was something else.
His eyes widened as he took in the full sight of Dorio's transformation.
"Shit… That armor looks like it was made for you!"
Rebecca whistled. "Damn, Dorio. You look like you could punch a hole through a tank."
Dorio flexed her fists, testing their weight.
Then, she let out a deep, satisfied laugh.
"Hah! This feels good!"
She slammed her fists together with an echoing BOOM—
And at that moment—
A wave of electromagnetic energy pulsed outward.
The shockwave rattled the rooftop, sending a sharp buzz through the air.
Even Maine swallowed nervously.
"…Okay. That's terrifying."
For the first time, he felt genuine fear at the thought of getting hit by Dorio.
He had taken punches from her before—they hurt.
But this?
One hit from those gauntlets, and he'd be picking up his teeth off the pavement.
---
Dorio's Test—David's Challenge
Dorio, still grinning, turned toward David.
"Alright, boss. How do you want me to test this bad boy out?"
David rubbed his chin, eyes scanning the rooftop.
Then, he pointed at a solid concrete training dummy, standing three meters away.
"Hit that target."
Dorio blinked. "That's it?"
David shook his head.
"Not just hit it—punch the air in front of it."
The team froze.
"Huh?"
Dorio narrowed her eyes.
"You want me to punch… nothing?"
David smirked.
"Just trust me."
Dorio shrugged. "Alright. Your funeral if this doesn't work."
She took a wide stance, shifting her weight onto her back foot.
Her fists hummed as electromagnetic energy charged up.
---
Dorio's Punch—Unleashing Judgment
WHAM—!!!
She swung her fist forward.
She didn't touch the dummy.
But the air itself EXPLODED forward.
A violent shockwave blasted outward, tearing through the empty space between her and the target.
BOOOOM!
The concrete dummy—
SHATTERED.
Not cracked.
Not chipped.
Completely obliterated.
Chunks of cement and dust sprayed across the rooftop, leaving nothing but rubble where the dummy had stood.
Rebecca's jaw dropped.
Maine took a step back.
Even Sasha, always composed, let out a quiet—
"…Impressive."
David crossed his arms, nodding in approval.
"As expected."
Dorio looked at her fists. Then at the rubble.
Then—
She laughed.
A deep, thunderous laugh, echoing through the rooftop.
"Holy shit! I LOVE THIS!"
She threw a few more practice punches, each one sending shockwaves rippling through the air.
---
Maine's Internal Struggle
Maine was still in shock.
He could feel it in his bones—Dorio was a monster now.
And if she hit him even ONCE…
…He'd be paste.
For the first time in his life, Maine felt a cold, creeping realization.
"I used to be the strongest in our crew."
"Now? …I might not even be top three."
He sighed.
"Damn it. This means I'm gonna have to train harder."
---
David's Final Words
David turned to Dorio.
"You've got power, but now you need control."
Dorio smirked. "Yeah, yeah. I'll work on it."
David's gaze was firm.
"No. You will. That much force can break more than just enemies if you're careless."
Dorio's expression sobered slightly.
She nodded. "Got it, boss."
David gave a final nod, then turned toward the rest of the crew.
"Alright. The tests are done."
He crossed his arms.
"Time to put these new armors to the real test—
In the field."
---
TO BE CONTINUED…
---
What's Next?
The crew's first mission with their new armors.
Rebecca's upgraded weapon—what's David planning?
Will Maine regain his top spot, or has he fallen behind for good?
Find out in the next chapter!
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