Hanging on the hangers were not suits as everyone imagined, but sets of all-black, streamlined combat suits full of futuristic technology.
On the chest and armbands of the combat suits, there was a highly dynamic "Apex Amplification" logo composed of two upward arrows.
"These are the uniforms custom-made by the company for everyone."
Lynt picked up a set and showed it to everyone, "The latest Kevlar blended fiber, bulletproof, fireproof, and cut-resistant, with a built-in simple life support system and communication module.
Most importantly, it represents our corporate image—professional, efficient, and powerful."
Toad Man curiously picked it up and sniffed it, while Sabretooth let out a disdainful snort.
"I don't need this," Victor said gruffly, flashing his gleaming claws, "My claws and teeth are the best weapons."
"Is that so?" Lynt looked at him with a smile, "Victor, your personal image somewhat deviates from the company's professional positioning.
According to Article 19 of the employee handbook, if your attire does not meet the requirements, twenty percent of your monthly bonus will be deducted."
A muscle on Victor's face twitched.
"Also," Lynt turned to Raven, "Director Raven, please inform finance that from today onwards, any action causing damage to company property will result in triple compensation from the individual's salary.
Please make a copy of the purchase invoice for that sofa and give it to Specialist Victor."
Sabretooth's face instantly changed from disdainful to ashen.
He looked at the deep scratches under his claws, then at Lynt's harmless smile, and for the first time, he felt that his claws were not as sharp as that damned labor contract.
"Alright, put on your new gear."
Lynt clapped his hands,
"Our first team-building activity is about to begin."
The so-called team-building activity took place on the third basement level of the company, in a tactical training ground that Lynt had spent a fortune renovating, comparable to a S.H.I.E.L.D. training room.
When the Brotherhood members changed into their handsome black combat suits and entered this sci-fi-like silver-white space, even Magneto was momentarily dazed.
This was a completely different World from the scene he imagined, of struggling for survival and ideals in dark sewers.
"The team-building content is very simple," Lynt said to everyone in the field via broadcast from the observation room.
"Destroy all target drones in the field.
The shorter the time taken, the higher the score.
The champion of this activity will receive a cash prize of ten thousand U.S. dollars, and... a month of paid leave."
Ten thousand U.S. dollars and paid leave!
These two words instantly ignited everyone's enthusiasm; even Sabretooth, who had been scowling, had a glint in his eyes.
"3, 2, 1, start!"
As Lynt gave the order, dozens of high-speed armed drones were instantly activated in the training ground.
Then, disaster began.
These Mutants, accustomed to fighting alone, had no concept of teamwork whatsoever.
Red Devil was the first to rush out, teleporting into mid-air, only to collide with Toad Man's tongue, which was spat out to stick to a drone, and the two screamed as they tumbled together.
Sabretooth, like an out-of-control Beast, frantically pounced on the nearest drone; his claws shredded the target drone and also messed up his teammates' line of Fire coverage.
Several times, energy beams shot by teammates almost hit his backside.
"Idiot! Where are you even aiming?!"
"You're blocking me, get out of the way!"
"F***! My tail!"
Inside the training ground, curses, explosions, and the sound of tearing metal rose and fell, the scene as chaotic as a brawl in a wet market.
In the observation room, Raven crossed her arms, watching the farce, her mouth twitching uncontrollably.
She turned her head and looked at Lynt, who was beside her with a calm expression.
"You anticipated this, didn't you?"
"A team's cohesion always has to start from the worst situation," Lynt said calmly, holding his coffee.
"If they don't see how disorganized they are with their own eyes, they'll never learn what discipline is."
He looked at Magneto on the monitor, the only one who remained calm amidst the chaos and was attempting to control metal fragments with a magnetic field for a large-scale attack.
"You see, the leader has already started thinking about how to control the situation.
But he will soon discover that without the cooperation of his teammates, his control will only cause greater chaos."
Raven gazed at Lynt's profile; this man always seemed to see through everything, controlling everyone and everything with an almost cold rationality.
She unconsciously moved a little closer to him, his pleasant scent lingering in her nostrils.
This kind of power, controlling everything, made her feel an unprecedented sense of security and... fascination.
Lynt seemed to notice her proximity, turned his head, and gave her a meaningful smile.
His hand couldn't help but grab Mystique's perky peach and knead it forcefully.
Mystique hummed softly, returning Lynt's offensive with a counter-attack.
The atmosphere in the monitoring room began to shift, and Lynt revealed a mischievous smile, withdrawing his hand from her peach.
"Don't rush, Director Raven.
The real show has just begun."
He picked up the intercom and pressed the talk button.
"Specialist Victor, due to your reckless charge just now, two friendly drones... oh no, the attacks of two colleagues missed, and you almost accidentally injured friendly forces.
According to Article 8 of the performance appraisal regulations, your teamwork score is negative.
Your bonus is gone."
In the training ground, Sabretooth's angry roar echoed throughout the entire underground Base.
At the same time, at S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, in the shooting range.
Natasha Romanoff stood at the firing lane, the Glock 17 in her hand making almost no sound, only a faint mechanical whir.
On the target one hundred meters away, ten bullets precisely hit the same spot between the eyebrows.
Her breathing was steady, her heartbeat calm and strong, and all the sounds, light, and air currents around her formed an incredibly clear three-dimensional image in her senses.
This feeling... it was so wonderful.
She put down the gun, instinctively caressing her lips, where Lynt's warmth seemed to still linger.
That man, like a top-tier drug dealer, had given her a taste.
And she was completely addicted.
She was betraying S.H.I.E.L.D., betraying Nick Fury's trust.
But when she felt this power within her, all loyalty and principles began to become... negotiable.
"Power is everything," Natasha murmured, looking at the perfect bullet hole in the bullseye.
And the only one who could give her all this was the man who called himself "the investor."
Her face flushed, she bit her red lip gently, and her eyes began to glaze over.
Her wetness was already impatient for the next paid service.
"Enough!"
In the training ground, Magneto finally could not tolerate this team-building activity, which was comparable to a disaster scene.
He floated into mid-air, and a powerful magnetic field instantly erupted, forcibly suppressing all the out-of-control drones, errant energy projectiles, and even his uncooperative teammates, pinning them all in place.
Metal groaned and deformed, and the entire training ground fell into a deathly silence.