?Chapter 1539:


    Though Rita’s current capabilities wereparable to Lionel’s, and she was a top contender for the lead, Harlee’s training was expected to enhance everyone’s skills significantly within a month. By then, Rita would likely fall behind, potentially bing the first to be eliminated.


    Noticing Lionel’s concern, Harlee looked up and reassured him gently, “She will only miss this afternoon’s training.”


    A faint smile crossed Lionel’s face. He had always admired Rita’s strength and looked forward topeting with her.


    Later, the thirty-nine recruits regrouped. Lionel, serving as the temporary captain, awkwardly presented their meager findings.


    “Ms. Sanderson, this is all we managed to find.”


    Behind him, the male soldiers disyed the lizards and unidentified insects they had collected.


    Rosie then reported on her squad’s efforts and the situation with Rita’s team, cing their food, which included the cacti, alongside the contributions from the male soldiers.


    The male soldiers flushed with embarrassment when they saw the cacti. They had assumed the female soldiers would hoard the cacti to gain an advantage in the uing training sessions. To their surprise, the women shared the cacti generously, not concealing any of their haul. The male soldiers realized it was they who had been petty, not the women.


    Harlee nced casually at the assortment of food gathered by the recruits before slowly reaching for the snake meat that Thiago had just grilled. She meticulously tore the meat, not in a rush to eat.


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    The others watched her actions, their mouths watering from the tantalizing aroma of the cooked snake.


    After tasting the meat, Harleemented as everyone watched eagerly, “It’s good. You all have found some food.”


    The recruits smiled broadly at her approval, but their expressions froze when she continued, “If you eat this, not even a miracle could save you.”


    Her eyes half-closed, and her tone was devoid of warmth as Harlee delivered her verdict.


    “So, apart from the few cacti the female soldiers found, the rest of you will go hungry.”


    Thiago chimed in, “Training resumes at one o’clock this afternoon.”


    Hearing this, a wave of dissatisfaction surged through the male soldiers, drained from their efforts. They were here for training, not to endure a survival trial!


    Lionel surveyed his fellow recruits, noting the frustration on their faces. After a brief silence, he stepped forward.


    “Ms. Sanderson, this is our first attempt at wilderness survival, and weck the necessary skills.”


    Another soldier quickly added, “Yes, we don’t even know how to find food or water. Isn’t this counterproductive?”


    Murmurs of agreement spread among the group.


    “Ms. Sanderson, we came here to train, not just to survive!”


    As the group’s restlessness grew, Lionel continued, his voice tinged with embarrassment, “Ms. Sanderson, everyone is quite exhausted from foraging for food. Without nourishment, we’llck the strength for this afternoon’s session.”


    The neen female soldiers remained silent, standing behind and conserving their energy. They had earned their spots in this training camp thanks to Harlee and were prepared to endure whatever challenges she presented. From the outset, Harlee had made it clear that this training was a life-or-death challenge. By choosing to participate, they had implicitly acknowledged their readiness to face extreme risks.


    Harlee surveyed the group while deftly eating the snake meat. Once she gauged everyone’s reactions, she stood, her demeanor shifting as her gaze sharpened.


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