Deviant: No Longer Human

His steps eventually led him to the tree gardens, an area of serene beauty. Here, he found Marcus sitting under a tree near the iconic Chinese pavilion, meticulously cleaning his equipment.

In the background, the members of his squad were engaged in a rigorous hand-to-hand combat training session.

As Wang Xiao approached, the rhythm of the training seemed to falter.

The squad members exchanged glances, a mix of curiosity and respect evident in their eyes. There was a palpable shift in the air, a buzz of anticipation as they recognized the newcomer.

Marcus, noticing their distraction, silenced them with a stern command. "Don\'t try him, you all would get your ass whooped!" he warned, half-joking yet serious. His voice held a note of respect for Wang Xiao\'s capabilities, acknowledging him as a formidable presence.

Wang Xiao couldn\'t help but smirk slightly at Marcus\'s remark. He approached the squad leader, his gaze taking in the well-coordinated training session. "Your team seems well-disciplined," he commented, nodding towards the squad members who had resumed their training with renewed vigor.

Marcus glanced up at Wang Xiao, his eyes reflecting a deep sense of pride mixed with a hint of defensiveness. "They have to be," he replied firmly, setting aside his cleaning kit with a deliberate motion. "In our line of work, discipline isn\'t just a virtue, it\'s a necessity. It\'s as important as strength, if not more."

Wang Xiao observed the squad with a discerning eye, his head tilting slightly as he formed his response. "You misunderstand me, Colonel," he said, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of critique. "I didn\'t mean they are good because they are disciplined. They are more like slaves, running on orders in the name of discipline."

!!

Gasp!

The training ground fell into a deathly silence at his remark.

Marcus, equally taken aback, his expression a mix of surprise and a dawning realization of the provocation in Wang Xiao\'s words.

The sudden tension sparked a flurry of reactions among the squad members.

A tall, muscular man with close-cropped hair, identified as Sergeant Erikson, stepped forward. "Colonel, let me show him what real discipline is," he said, his voice a deep rumble, his stance emanating confidence.

Next to him, a lean and agile woman, Corporal Vega, with her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail, spoke up with a fiery glint in her eyes. "I don\'t appreciate being called a slave. Permission to spar, sir," she requested, her tone sharp and defiant.

Another member, a younger recruit named Jensen, his face still showing traces of youth, chimed in, "I want to see if he\'s as good as he talks, Colonel."

One after another, the squad members voiced their eagerness to challenge Wang Xiao, each with their own reason for taking offense to his words. They were a diverse group, from the stoic and experienced Lieutenant Karlsson to the swift and wiry Private Nilsson, each skilled in their own right and united in their pride as members of the Special Operations Group.

Marcus held up his hand, signaling for silence. He studied his team, understanding their pride and their need to defend their honor. Then, turning to Wang Xiao, he said, "They\'re not slaves, Wang Xiao. They\'re warriors. And they take pride in their discipline and their ability to make choices."

Wang Xiao\'s smirk widened as he observed the squad\'s reaction. "Fancy names to hide the real purpose," he quipped, his words a deliberate taunt.

Jensen, his youthful face now contorted with indignation, turned to Marcus. "Colonel, are we going to let this slide!?" he demanded, his voice echoing a mix of challenge and disbelief.

Marcus, a resigned smile playing on his lips, seemed to understand the underlying motive behind Wang Xiao\'s provocations. "Since you\'re eager to teach him a lesson, go ahead," he said, his tone laced with an unspoken caution. He knew the confrontation might not turn out in their favor, but the lesson would be valuable.

Erikson, stepping in with a commanding presence, placed a hand on Jensen\'s shoulder to halt him. "If he says our discipline is useless, let\'s fight him using our strategy. Let\'s see if he can last even one minute!" he declared, his gaze sharp as he turned to Wang Xiao. "Is that fine with you?"

The challenge seemed to amuse Wang Xiao, his face breaking into a confident smile. "Thirty seconds," he countered, his tone light yet firm. "And if you all can still stay on your legs, I lose." His statement, bold and audacious, sent a ripple of surprise and newfound respect through the squad.

!!

The atmosphere in the garden transformed instantly, charged with a blend of anticipation and skepticism.

Wang Xiao\'s confident smile and bold claim seemed to stir a mix of excitement and disbelief among the squad members.

Jensen, momentarily halted by Erikson\'s hand, nodded in agreement with the new plan. The squad members quickly huddled together, whispering and gesturing as they formulated their strategy.

They were a formidable team, and the idea of using their collective skills against a single opponent, even one as mysterious as Wang Xiao, invigorated them.

Erikson turned to face Wang Xiao, his sharp eyes assessing the situation. "You\'ve got yourself a deal," he declared, the challenge clear in his tone.

The squad members dispersed, forming a semi-circle around Wang Xiao. Their expressions were a mix of determination and focus, each one ready to prove their worth and the effectiveness of their training.

Marcus, observing from the sidelines, couldn\'t help but sense a potent mixture of curiosity and caution. He was acutely aware that underestimating Wang Xiao\'s abilities would be a grave mistake.

Yesterday, as they arrived at the princess\'s rescue site, the aftermath of the battle had been partially cleaned up, yet the pungent odor of blood still hung in the air.

The ground bore scars of destruction, with evident signs of a fierce and relentless struggle etched into its surface.

Yet, he also understood the pride and skill of his team. \'This will be interesting,\' he thought, his experienced eyes not missing the strategic positioning of his squad.