Allen spoke again, breaking my thoughts. "Master, I have something to inform you."
"What?" I asked.
"There was a boy who came to your office building," Allen said.
"Oh no, Ethan, I forgot about him..."
When I heard the word "boy," I immediately asked, "Wait! What did you do with him? Did you send him back or what? When did he come?"
Allen responded with a surprised tone, "Calm down, young master. He came maybe a week before you woke up. He was frantically requesting to meet you and wanted to talk about something. He even showed us the Frostburne family's VIP card and said you gave it to him personally and told him to meet him"
I cut him off. "Forget that. Just tell me what you did with him."
Allen glanced at me briefly before returning his eyes to the sky. "The guards didn't let him through because they were concerned for your safety and didn't have your permission. Since you were in a coma, they told him to go back and said they would inform him immediately once you gave permission. But he kept insisting, so the guards had no choice but to force him out."
I frowned, feeling a pang of guilt. "Allen, once we reach the mansion, I want you to immediately visit that boy and pick him up with his sister. Bring them both back to the mansion."
Allen nodded. "Okay, Master."
"By the way, you know where he lives, right?" I asked.
"Yes," he replied directly.
Afterward, I couldn't stop thinking about Ethan in the back of my mind.
Ugh, that guy...
He'll definitely get angry at me. What if he refuses to join me?
But I don't think he'll reject my offer, considering I'm giving him a chance to improve his life and live luxuriously.
But, What did he want to talk to me about?
Is he even okay?
The way he kept insisting tells me something's wrong, but what could it be?
Anyway, Allen is going there.
I'm sure he'll sort everything out.
After a few more minutes of driving, we finally arrived at the mansion.
I got out of the car and watched as Allen gave coordinated to the car, making sure that it was ready to go pick up Ethan and his sister.
He glanced at me, nodded, and I nodded back before he set off.
I turned and walked through the long garden leading to the mansion.
The garden was a vast expanse of vibrant flowers and neatly trimmed hedges, with winding stone paths guiding visitors through the beautiful landscape.
The air was filled with the sweet scent of roses, lilies, and jasmine, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
The gardeners wearing hats were all busy at work: some carefully trimming the hedges, while others tended to the flowerbeds.
I don't know why, but every time I looked at the hedges, memories of my first encounter with the monsters came flooding back into my mind.
Leave it...
I kept ignoring the hedges until I finally entered the mansion.
As I walked into the mansion, I pushed away the troubling memories and concentrated on reaching my room.
I moved quickly through the halls, paying no attention to anything around me until I finally reached the comfort and peace of my own space.
Immediately upon entering my room, I shedded my clothes and then, headed straight to the bathroom for a second shower of the day.
The cool water washed away the day's tension, leaving me feeling refreshed.
After drying off, I didn't waste any time; I dove into my soft, inviting bed and closed my eyes, seeking respite in sleep.
An hour passed in blissful silence until the abrupt buzz of my phone jolted me awake.
I rubbed my eyes to clear away sleep, then grabbed my phone and saw a message from Allen.
I remember when I first started training here, I initially set the gravity to three times normal. Seeing that it didn't affect me at all, I decided to increase it.
I raised it to four, then five, six, seven, and finally eight times normal gravity.
It was only when the gravity was eight times stronger that I started feeling the pressure.
I attempted to test myself by increasing it to nine times, but I failed miserably.
I fell to the ground and couldn't get up until Allen reset it back to eight times normal gravity.
After that, I was determined to make myself stronger than other hunters.
To achieve that, I needed to train under harsh conditions, which is why I continued practicing in eight times gravity until I found it walk in the park for me...
Only then did I shift to nine times gravity.
Allen also informed me that normal training would not benefit an Iron-Rank hunter, which is why I aimed to break through. However, leveling up fast wasn't always possible.
I looked at my body which was sweating and breathing heavily, it didn't seem like I was at my limit.
Maybe 30 more minutes and, then I am down...
Then, I placed the 20 kg barbell on the floor and picked up a 30 kg one to lift...
With the 9 times gravity, it felt like I was lifting a ton of weight.
Looks like it will not be easy for me...
But lifting 30 kg barbell in 9 times gravity was nothing impossible.
While it was difficult training, I could still manage to lift it.
I came to know from Allen that Iron rank hunters typically manage to lift a maximum of 40 kg barbells in a gravity training room.
Gold rank hunters, on the other hand, are capable of lifting up to 240 kg, while Platinum rank hunters can handle weights as heavy as 500 kg.
When I asked how much weight Ace-Rank hunters can lift, Allen replied, "10 times more than what the human body can handle."
I couldn't estimate the exact number, but I figured it might be over 5000 kg...
I also asked Allen to create a training routine for me, and he designed this intense regimen I calls "hell mode." Yet, he insists it's just the beginning.
I mean, seriously?
He calls it the beginning, while I'm out here telling everyone it's like hell.
And, for anyone thinking how?
Allen's training regimen was so intense that I began lifting a 15 kg barbell in the Gravity Room right from the start.
I know it might sound simple for someone used to the gym, but you have to realize I'm not that type of person.
***
- GRRRR! - GAAHH!
As I continued lifting the weights, I began to feel weaker, and grunting noises involuntarily escaped from my mouth...
"Okay, I'm done," I muttered, placing the barbell on the floor.
Then, I immediately set the gravity level to zero.
Afterward, I collapsed on the floor, panting heavily and covered in sweat.
My heart was pounding, and my breath was hot.
I glanced at my watch; it was 2:30 p.m.
I had been training for an hour and thirty minutes now, with a full hour spent on lifting the barbell...
This marked a significant achievement for me, especially since during my last session, I could only manage 57 to 58 minutes.
Improving by two minutes felt good and, satisfying...
And then, I closed my eyes and fell asleep...