Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

Finally feeling the blisters on my feet and the fatigue in my legs, I still helped both of them up while raising one hand slightly higher. The funny thing was, I was expecting a roar of triumph or something from the winner but all these two could do was stay down on the floor and catch their breaths.

So I joined them by standing in between them.

"Ha… Haa… What you doing— Ha… Ha… Sir?" Marvin asked, holding his forehead with both hands while still breathing heavily.

I chuckled, "I dunno— I still beat your asses so shouldn't I be in the middle? Sorry, I didn't prepare a podium—"

"Oh, fuck you— H-Ha… Ha… Haa… You're fucking insane…" JP cursed as he couldn't even open his eyes.

I turned to Marvin, "What a sore loser, huh? And you, you sneaky~ sneaky~ rat. You planned to stay out of the radar before we started?"

Marvin tried to chuckle but he still couldn't regulate his breathing properly, "H-Hah— Ha… H-Haah… Ha… N-Not quite… Ha… H-Ha… I just thought the uh— Ha… Haa… I-I can't even talk— H-Ha… Haa…"

I chuckled once more, "It paid off, good job— and whatever anyone else says, keep your chin up, at least after you could breathe easy. You performed well within the rules and took the top spot—"

He lightly shook his head, "I'm still technically second, sir… H-Ha… I-I… H-Ha… I would've— At least everyone here w-would've done better i-if we m-made prior preparations… T-This was all I could do…"

"Bit of a humble brag, eh? But that's just it, as much as we talked about being 100%, in the real world, surprises like this just comes out of the blue and you just have to dig deep and roll with the punches. And yeah, it's a different mindset but you still technically won, I was just there to prove that there's always something better than all of you."

The two shook their heads, "Bit of a humble brag, sir?/ That's just fucking arrogant…"

"HAH!" I chuckled as I lightly hammered down on their abdominals, "I'm getting dizzy laying down with you two, don't lay down for long."

"Ugh… It hurts…/ Fuck me… Why'd you do that for?!"

I rolled my eyes, laughing, "'Cause I won for nothing?" then I turned to the group who were either running still to shave off some of their punishment or were just waiting around for the result, "Alright, I did say it's Hell Week but I think it's about time we all stop and focus on recovery. I want you fucks to push past your limits but I hope it's not to the point it does permanent damage."

Ruben raised his hand, "How about our punishment? We do double what you guys did right?"

"You really think you could finish it tonight?"

"Then how—"

"Tatiana ran with us too so her training will be moved to the 4th day and since the old man will be handling you guys tomorrow— Wait, fuck it, as long as you finish it in your own time—we'll do the honor system—I'll be happy. But for now, stop doing what you're doing."

"That's a relief at least…"

Uno shook his head, "For now… I could go for a bit more but the pacing whacked me good. You guys are monsters."

I chuckled, "It's just a way for them to combat your stamina, you got the technique down, they don't. They can't just fight a losing battle, no?"

"Ha… I guess you're right, sir. Good game…"

"Yeah, good game… Anyway~ You can walk your way later to shave some distance off but no more running. It's almost the perfect time for dinner too, with some proper seasonings now, of course. Congratulate Marvin though, he whooped all your asses— And Williams too, of course, she won the women's division."

Williams just gave me a nod, "Thank you, sir."

I faintly smiled, "Heh, don't relax just yet— I mean, it's time to relax now, now that the day's mostly over but again, do focus on recovering. I asked my aunt to prepare some extra food too because we burned a ton of calories but since we don't want all of you to burst your stomachs, it's more calory-dense to bridge the distance.

Have a nice hot shower or soak later and lay off the electronics and have an early sleep. That's all I have to say for now, good work, everyone— yes, Hooper?"

Hooper hobbled over slowly to us, "Is there a place where we could take care of our blisters? I got a lot and I just bandaged them tightly before going back… It looks bad then, it probably looks worse now…"

"Alright, we'll have our doctors come in to your bunks or after dinner. Listen to what they have to say and follow all their advice— that sounds like the same thing but… Is there anyone else who has concerns?"

Brian spoke up, "What's the theme for tomorrow?"

I shrugged my shoulders as I pointed at Tatiana, "Don't ask me, ask her."

Tatiana chuckled as she turned to me, "Are you gonna be busy tomorrow?"

"I'll take care of some things, yes, but I'll drop by when I finish early—"

"Ah… That's alright, Kuzma will do— I'll ask Artem. A nice big meal will replenish me but I can't fight and teach at the same time with these numbers. Not unless you want me to send all of them to the hospital, I can't hold back as good as you."

Brian let out a smile, "So it's hand-to-hand combat training tomorrow?"

Tatiana nodded, "Something like that but don't get too excited— Have you fought Kuzma yet?"

"No? He's the new guy, right?"

"Yeah, your dirty style wouldn't last against his—more so now."

"Dirty— Just what—"

"Let's just say he's not the best fighter in our group but we avoid sparring with him as much as possible. It's dirty and annoying."

Brian rolled his eyes, "We'll see about that."