UNDEAD ARISING

Chapter 3 - Encouraging

"You know why you're all here... The courage test..." Gong Yoo says above the platform with the rest of the captains with him while his eyes wander on the sea of the private that freshly graduated from the academy, hopeful to become a part of this regiment. 

All the newbies were wearing their academy training uniforms whereas the whole Rescue Corps was wearing all black, complete with armor and their own weapons. 

The newbies noticed the difference in their uniforms which rattled them with anxiety. They realized this is not gonna be the same courage test they had countless times back in the academy. The Rescue Corps were all armed so this must mean a very difficult test.

"The test will commence until the sun brings the light back to the horizon, so I hope you had fully prepared yourselves. 

You will be group together with 10 members. All of you are free to choose a team leader. All of you will be given a training weapon of your choice, and a paintball riffle with 40 rounds of ammunition. The rules are simple, stay alive and save your bullets. Execute the mission with stealth. 

Three groups will compete at a time. Each person will begin with 100 points. Points will be deducted if your rifle is used. Points will be deducted if you flee or act on your own accord leaving your team at a disadvantage. Also, you will have adversaries along the way. Each member of the Rescue Corps will pose as the monster you all fear. You can fight them, hit them if you will and they will fight back. If they think your skill is enough to have to immobilize a zombie for good, then, they will let you go and a point will be added to your score. 

The first team who will able to find the flag we've hidden deep in the forest will win. The members will get the privilege to chose their prefered captain from the Rescue Corps provided that your score must be at least 95 points or above. But as I've said yesterday, you can chose the captain of your liking but that is if the captains chose you as well." The general continued which had most newbies confused especially about defending themselves.

"Why would you give us the bullets if we're gonna save them, General?" One of the privates asked. 

"You should all know this since you chose the Rescue Corps -- noise isn't gonna help you... mastery of stealth is our priority so we could accomplish the mission much faster. Making too much noise attracts zombies. If you use your guns too much, you'll create a horde for yourself before you even know it." He answered, losing the smile he had on his face. 

"General Gong Yoo, Sir, there's no forest inside the military base, right?" Another private questioned. 

"Negative. There's no forest inside the wall." He answered, wearing a smirk on his face as he carefully watches the reaction on the faces of the people in front of him, whispering words of anxiety and fear to each other. 

The newbies now know that the courage test will not be held in the Rescue Corps' base, but outside the safety of the wall under the darkness of the night. 

"B-but... is that safe?" Another questioned. 

"Those who are afraid to set foot outside the walls, you may leave now." He stated. "You will be of use to other regiments, but not in the Rescue Corps if you're afraid of what's outside. I know some of you chose us because we're highly paid, but money is of no use now. Your responsibility comes with risking your life to save others. If money is what you came here for, then leave."

Despite the warning and the obvious hazard, none of the newbies left. Leaving right now would be shameful and it's better to try and go along with it than to be called a coward for the rest of their lives by the colleague they will leave if the walk away. Despite the fear, those who are afraid tried calming themselves down with a prayer while others who can't seem to do so were comforted by another.