Chapter 136: The Final Ranking

"And with this, we hereby conclude the trials of the long-awaited Squad Selection."

Instructor James’s voice echoed throughout the enormous hangar.

Most of the aspirants took a few seconds to react.

"WE DID IT!"

"YES!"

"WE’RE DONE!"

Some of the aspirants raised their arms and began celebrating.

Others high-fived each other.

Some even dropped onto their backs on the floor, laughing in relief.

But most didn’t have the energy to celebrate.

Many remained seated, completely exhausted.

Others stared at the floor with defeated expressions.

They had made it to the final trial, but they knew that didn’t mean they would be selected.

"I probably wasn’t good enough..."

"I don’t think any of the sub-captains will choose me."

"At least I tried."

After all, this wasn’t just any selection.

It was the Ace of Spades Squad Selection.

And only the best would have a chance.

Liam, for his part, could barely think about any of that.

He was still hugging Lydia. His body was tired. His legs felt heavy.

But he was happy.

Lydia was exhausted too.

Even so, she wore a small smile as she rested in his arms.

Suddenly, a door at the back of the hangar opened.

James stepped through it, but this time, he wasn’t alone.

Five people walked behind him.

The five sub-captains of the Ace of Spades Guild.

The first was Amber.

She wore the Ace of Spades uniform, with a white jacket draped over her shoulders. She walked with a calm expression, although her eyes seemed to constantly analyze everyone in front of her.

Beside her was Don Rouch.

A man with several tattoos on his face and an outfit that made him look like a criminal. His presence was intimidating even when he wasn’t doing anything.

The third was Wayne.

The man smoked a cigarette as he walked, his hands in his pockets. His carefree expression contrasted sharply with the calculating gaze he directed at the aspirants.

The fourth was Tim.

The youngest of the five sub-captains. He walked with a relaxed smile, although his gaze was far more serious than his expression suggested.

And finally, there was Jane Armstrong.

Captain Armstrong’s daughter.

A young woman with long, perfectly groomed hair who walked with impeccable posture. Her expression was elegant, but her eyes made it clear that she was there to judge every single aspirant.

The five stopped beside James.

The instructor smiled.

"As you all know, the five sub-captains have been observing every trial of the Selection."

Some of the aspirants began whispering.

James raised a hand.

"And now, the time has come for them to make their choices."

Silence returned to the hangar.

"Each of them will choose their favorite aspirants. Those who are selected will have the opportunity to join one of their respective squads."

Several aspirants swallowed nervously.

This was the moment they had all been waiting for.

"If an aspirant is selected by more than one sub-captain, the decision will be entirely up to the aspirant. They will be able to choose which squad they wish to join."

Some exchanged excited looks.

James continued.

"However, I want to remind you of something I mentioned earlier."

His expression became slightly more serious.

"Not all of you will be selected."

The atmosphere grew heavy.

"That doesn’t mean your careers as hunters are over. This won’t be your last opportunity. You can always come back next year and try again."

James paused, looking around at everyone.

"Additionally, those aspirants who currently don’t belong to the Ace of Spades Guild may receive an invitation to join the guild, even if they aren’t selected for any of the five squads."

That caused several aspirants to raise their heads.

Not everything was lost.

James smiled.

"But before that..."

A massive hologram appeared in the middle of the hangar.

It was the ranking.

The names began changing.

The aspirants quickly stood up.

"The ranking!"

"There it is!"

"What position did I get?!"

Liam approached alongside Lydia, Emily, Carol, Chuck, and Jordan.

The rest of the aspirants also began gathering around the hologram.

The positions appeared one after another.

22 — JORDAN BROOKS

Jordan stared at his name for a few seconds.

Emily patted him on the shoulder.

"Top 22!"

Carol smiled.

"Congratulations, Jordan."

Jordan shrugged.

"Huh? Yeah... I guess."

"’I guess?’"

"I’m too tired to get excited."

Emily burst out laughing.

The list continued.

20 — CAROL CARTER

19 — EMILY GREEN

Emily’s eyes widened.

"Nineteen?!"

Carol smiled.

"You climbed quite a bit."

"So did you!"

The two bumped their fists together.

17 — ARCHIE YOUNG

Archie stared at the hologram.

"Seventeen...?"

He seemed genuinely surprised.

The list continued descending.

16 — ADAM COLLINS

The older hunter who had fought alongside Duncan looked at his position with a small smile.

"Not bad."

15 — IVY HARRINGTON

Ivy blinked.

"Fifteen?"

Duncan smiled.

"You deserve it."

Ivy let out a small laugh.

"I guess my plants did a good job."

The ranking continued.

The names began appearing faster and faster.

And then...

10 — LIAM DAVIS

Liam froze completely.

"..."

Lydia also looked at the hologram.

"Top ten?"

Liam slowly raised his gaze.

He hadn’t expected this. After the first trial, he had placed twenty-fifth. Then he had climbed to twentieth.

And now...

Top ten.

’Maybe...’

A small smile appeared on his face.

’Maybe I really do have a chance.’

If the five sub-captains had been watching all of his decisions...

Perhaps he could join Amber’s squad.

Maybe Don Rouch’s.

He might even have a chance with Wayne.

And then he remembered Tim.

’Maybe I could be the first man in his squad.’

There was also Jane, Captain Armstrong’s daughter.

’Maybe even she’s interested in us.’

Lydia hugged him from the side.

"Looks like we did it."

Liam looked down at her.

"We’re in the top ten."

"Yes."

Lydia smiled, and Liam gently stroked her head.

"It was all thanks to you."

Lydia shook her head.

"No."

She hugged him a little tighter.

"We did this together."

Liam smiled.

"Yeah."

The ranking continued.

9 — ROBERT HANKS

Robert stared at his position with a serious expression.

"Ninth..."

He didn’t seem pleased with his new position.

8 — CARL CLARK

Carl’s eyes widened.

"Eighth?"

He looked toward Liam.

"I guess taking a break every now and then didn’t work out the way I expected."

Chuck burst out laughing.

And then his name appeared.

7 — CHUCK MILLER

Chuck raised both arms.

"HA!"

Some of the aspirants looked at him.

He quickly lowered his arms and cleared his throat.

"Well... not bad."

Emily looked at him with an amused smile.

"You’re way too happy."

"Me? Not at all."

Chuck blew a bubble with his gum.

"I should’ve easily been in the top five."

POP!

The bubble burst.

Liam let out a small laugh.

"Sure."

Then the hologram changed, and the top five appeared.

Everyone fell silent.

5 — LYDIA DAVIS

Nobody said a word.

Liam’s eyes widened.

Chuck stopped chewing.

Emily and Carol looked at Lydia.

Even Jordan seemed to snap out of his exhaustion.

Lydia...

She was completely stunned as well.

"Me?"

She looked around.

"I’m in the top five?"

Liam smiled.

"Yeah."

Lydia looked back at the hologram.

5 — LYDIA DAVIS

Her name was there.

And she hadn’t even been on the ranking before.

"Wow..."

Liam hugged her.

"Congratulations, honey."

Lydia looked up at him.

"Do you really think I deserve it?"

"Of course."

Liam kissed her forehead.

"You earned it."

Lydia smiled.

"I couldn’t do the things I do if it weren’t for you."

Liam shook his head.

"And I wouldn’t have made it this far without you."

Lydia hugged him again.

"Then I guess we’re even."

The ranking continued.

4 — RUBY RED

Ruby stared at the result with a tired expression.

"Fourth again..."

She didn’t seem surprised.

3 — LILLY RUSSELL

Lilly had lost her second-place position.

And that meant...

2 — DUNCAN STEEL

Duncan smiled when he saw his name.

"Second."

Lilly looked at him.

"Looks like you beat me."

Duncan laughed.

"This time."

Finally, the last name appeared.

1 — MAXWELL MASTERS

First place hadn’t changed.

Maxwell was still number one.

Some aspirants applauded, while others complained.

Some simply stared at the ranking, not knowing what to say.

Liam looked over the list again.

Top ten.

Lydia in the top five.

Chuck at number seven.

His companions had made it much farther than many would have imagined.

And now...

Everything depended on the sub-captains.

James stepped forward.

"Congratulations to all the aspirants for taking part!"

The hologram began to disappear.

"You’ve demonstrated your skills, your strength, and, above all, the decisions you’re capable of making under pressure."

James smiled.

"And now..."

The five sub-captains stepped forward.

"The Selection stage begins."