My Talent's Name Is Generator

Chapter 9 9: Then I Met Her (Yeah, This Is Where Things Got Complicated)

I stared at the words Elite Unit 02 on the card.

I didnʼt feel as happy as I thought I would.

Seeing 02 instead of 01 nagged at me. I knew the chances were low—extremely low—but a part of me had still hoped.

The Rank on the card likely referred to my standing within Unit 02, though I wasnʼt sure how they calculated it.

But damn, I made it into 02. That was way better than my parents, they had both been part of 07, so yeah, I had one-upped them.

”02?”

I recognized Steveʼs voice from behind me.

I turned and grinned.

”02.”

He raised his hand, and we high-fived.

Throwing an arm over his shoulder, I pulled him along.

”Letʼs go see what this 02 is about.”

***

Soon, we stood in front of a door with a huge glowing sign above it that read 02.

Steve and I exchanged glances. He shrugged, so I clicked the door open, and we stepped inside.

The room was a large hall with a center stage in one corner—again, no chairs.

Around 30 to 40 people were already inside, all dressed in military uniforms: black pants, black shoes, and tight-fitting black shirts. A thunderbolt emblem was imprinted on their left chest, and a bold 02 marked their right.

The moment we entered, every head turned toward us.

I could feel their eyes sizing us up, judging us in one way or another. The tension in the air was almost electric. And why wouldnʼt it be? When you throw a bunch of top-ranking students into the same room, egos clash, and a new competition begins.

I forced the sweetest smile I could manage.

Steve scoffed beside me.

Someone suddenly called out, ”To your left.”

I turned and saw a door labeled ʼChanging Room.ʼ

”Letʼs go,” I said to Steve, and we headed inside.

The room was stocked with uniforms in various sizes. We picked out what fit us, changed, and returned to the hall.

We stood in the corner for a few minutes, and I was already getting bored.

Turning to Steve, I said.

”Hey, letʼs go introduce ourselves. See what kind of comrades weʼre going to have.”

Steve blinked at me, then shoved his hands into his pockets and stared off into the distance.

”Not interested.”

”Come on, itʼll be interesting.” I urged.

”It wonʼt be,” he said flatly. ”Weʼll get to know them later anyway.”

He shrugged, still looking at nothing in particular.

”So what am I supposed to do until everyone gathers?” I asked.

”Look around. See what others are doing. Then follow the same.”

I sighed and glanced around the room.

Most people were just standing in small groups of one or two. Some stood alone, aimlessly looking around. Every time someone new walked in, there was a brief moment of tension, a small buzz, as if everyone had been jolted by a mild shock, before they went back to staring into space.

”Hmm, is that so?” I said, rolling my shoulder and cracking my neck.

”You know, Steve, I think youʼve forgotten something about me.”

He finally turned to look at me, brows furrowing. Then, as if something clicked, his eyes widened slightly.

”Dude, no. Please donʼt. Just let there be peace for once.”

I grinned.

”No, Steve. I donʼt follow others—I make others follow me.”

Without another word, I started walking toward the stage.

I could already feel eyes on me, the room stirring as I passed. By the time I stood at the center of the stage, the whole hall was buzzing.

I looked down at Steve from the stage and saw him mouthing, ”I will kill you.”

Ignoring him, I scanned the crowd. Most of them were glaring at me, their stares practically burning holes through me. But who cared? I certainly didnʼt.

I smirked, letting the tension in the room settle before I spoke.

My voice echoed in the hall.

”My name is Billion Ironhart. And since weʼre all going to be part of this unit together, let me make one thing clear—” I raised my hand and pointed at the crowd, slowly sweeping my finger across them.

”I donʼt care which academy you came from, what rank you held, or what fancy class you think youʼre getting. And I sure as hell donʼt care how strong you think you are.”

I let my words hang for a moment, then smirked.

”What I do care about is that by the time this probation is over, you all will know one thing for certain.

That no one here outworks me. No one here outlasts me. And by the time this is over, whether you like it or not… you will be chasing me.”

The moment I finished, the room erupted. Some scoffed, others exchanged glances, and a few stepped forward as if they wanted to say something. A low murmur filled the hall.