Currently, this training base, which covers an area larger than a football field and has three full floors, is equipped with 30 of these robots, with one stationed at every important location.

The robots’ weapons are quite simple but highly effective: they use stun guns capable of paralyzing a person. Once hit by one of these stun guns, the target will lose all ability to resist for 10 minutes and will experience significant pain, though there will be no lasting harm to their body.

Soon, the 10 minutes of free activity for these 22 people ended, and the voice of Brain Zero echoed throughout the training base once more. At the same time, a projection appeared above the base, displaying a man wearing a black mask. This masked man was not anyone specific but a virtual creation by Brain Zero, intended to act as the ‘instructor’ and speak in place of the AI.

The reason Brain Zero created a virtual ‘instructor’ was to prevent these individuals from discovering that their training and management were being handled by an artificial intelligence.

Since the 22 individuals came from different countries, organizations, and ethnic backgrounds, it would take time for them to integrate and become a cohesive group.

Therefore, Brain Zero would not allow them to handle any weapons or undergo genetic modifications or chip implants at this stage. The current goal was to eliminate any barriers between them, at least making them view each other as teammates rather than being suspicious of one another.

“Novices, your free activity time has ended. I am your instructor, Zero. Of course, you can just call me ‘Sir.’ I’m sure you have already seen some of the equipment in the training base and may have questions. Now, I’m giving you time to ask questions, and I will explain everything to you. Finally, I will introduce the rules of our Black Hawk Legion. If anyone has any questions, speak up now!”

The 22 people present looked at the projection of the short-haired man in a black mask and black tactical suit, with no one doubting that he was a virtual character created by Brain Zero. They regarded him as a mysterious instructor speaking to them via remote video.

Since the 22 individuals spoke only English, which was the only common language among them, Brain Zero also spoke in English. However, Brain Zero had already decided that once the training was nearly complete, everyone would need to learn Chinese, as all previous intelligent prompts in the base had been in Chinese; only this closed training base had been set to English.

“Sir, I have a question!” A Black man spoke up first after Zero finished. Upon seeing such advanced technological equipment in the base, he had no feelings of contempt, so his question was very formal.

“Speak,” Brain Zero gestured for him to continue.

“Sir, I want to ask whether you are an independent organization or a secret organization affiliated with a national government?”

“This question is rather dull. If we were affiliated with any national government, would we recruit you in this manner? Next!”

The Black man, clearly intending to continue questioning, was cut off harshly by Zero. “I already said ‘Next.’ Did you not hear me? If so, I don’t mind giving you a reminder.” With a light wave of the hand, a hovering robot swiftly approached the Black man and, without warning, discharged a burst of electricity that struck him.

The Black man fell to the ground, convulsing and emitting a crackling sound.

The others were taken aback by this scene, clearly unprepared for such a development.

“Don’t worry; he won’t die. He’s just temporarily paralyzed and in some pain. He will recover in 10 minutes. However, if anyone else wishes to experience this, I wouldn’t mind letting you have your wish. Now, does anyone else have questions?”

Brain Zero’s actions were clearly meant to set an example, showing that when it allowed them to speak, they should speak; otherwise, it would not hesitate to use the hovering robots to remind them of their place.

After all, this form of punishment would not kill anyone; it would only cause temporary pain.

“Sir, I have more questions.” After a brief pause, someone spoke up, now understanding that following the mysterious instructor’s instructions might prevent any punishment.

For these 22 individuals, everything in this base was still very unfamiliar and appeared full of danger, adding to its intimidation, especially after witnessing how a seemingly harmless robot could incapacitate someone with a stun gun. They understood the function of these hovering robots—at least one of their functions was to emit electric shocks to paralyze and neutralize resistance.

So, they realized that even if the upcoming tasks were undesirable, leaving was not an option.

At this moment, Brain Zero, seeing that someone had continued asking questions, signaled for him to proceed.

“Sir, I want to know if, after two months of training here, we will really become several times stronger than we are now?”

“You don’t need to worry about that. Many things will become familiar during the upcoming training. Right now, your task is to get to know each other. No matter your previous identity or background, everything from before is irrelevant now that you are here.”

“Your previous identities, backgrounds, and family situations have long been known to our intelligence organization. Since you now have no family outside, there are no international or racial distinctions here. You are all just teammates.”