[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method":3,"chapter-heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-337":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1633415,2099,"Chapter 337: God Gym Recruitment Is Pain","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-337",337,"\u003Cp>Far from the ruins of Black Ash City, another demon city still stood untouched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its tall walls of dark stone rose like an iron cage, and demonic banners hung motionless, as if the air itself did not dare to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>High above the streets, inside a black tower, two demons stood at a wide balcony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked toward the distant horizon where the sky still glowed faintly with unstable mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them narrowed his eyes. His fingers slowly curled against the railing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you feel it?\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Earlier... there was a bad mana fluctuation coming from Black Ash City. Like something big happened.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other demon frowned and crossed his arms. He shook his head once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know,\" he said. \"But City Lord Kravos already returned not long ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first demon turned his head sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s back?\" His brows pulled together. \"That’s fast.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" the second demon replied. \"He didn’t explain anything either. Just went straight to his domain with his attendant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first demon let out a low breath and leaned forward slightly, staring into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see,\" he said. \"Then something definitely went wrong. Kravos wouldn’t leave business unfinished unless he was forced to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tapped one claw lightly against the stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whatever happened there wasn’t small.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second demon hesitated, then spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you want me to send someone to check Black Ash City? A scout. Or an observer unit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first demon raised a hand without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was calm but firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s wait for Kravos to come to us. I want to hear it from his mouth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He straightened his posture and slowly turned away from the balcony, the hem of his cloak brushing against the stone floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For now,\" he continued, \"we prepare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second demon blinked. \"Prepare for what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first demon’s lips curved slightly, not quite a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A Demon Count.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second demon froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes widened, and his shoulders stiffened. He took a step forward without realizing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A Demon Count?\" he repeated. \"Here? In this city?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first demon nodded once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second demon swallowed. His throat moved visibly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s... that’s not a small matter,\" he said. \"Why would a Count come here? Did we offend someone? Or...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know the reason,\" the first demon interrupted calmly. \"I wasn’t informed. I only know that he is coming.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second demon ran a hand through his hair, breathing out slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A Count doesn’t travel without purpose,\" he muttered. \"If he’s moving, something serious must have happened.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up again. \"Is it related to Black Ash City?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first demon did not answer immediately. He walked toward a table near the wall and placed one hand on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Possibly,\" he said. \"Or possibly something worse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second demon’s expression tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do we do?\" he asked. \"Should we raise defenses? Call the elites? Lock down the streets?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" the first demon said. \"None of that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned around, his gaze sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make the city clean. Quiet. Orderly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised one finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Prepare the highest residence. Increase patrols, but keep them out of sight. No noise. No provocations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second demon nodded quickly. \"And the servants?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only the most disciplined,\" the first demon replied. \"Anyone unstable is removed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make him comfortable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second demon hesitated. \"Comfortable...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" the first demon said. \"We cannot afford to anger him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice lowered slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A Demon Count does not forgive mistakes. And we are not in a position to resist one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second demon clenched his fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand,\" he said. \"I’ll handle it immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he turned to leave, he stopped and glanced back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...If he asks questions?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first demon looked toward the darkened balcony, where the horizon still felt wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we answer carefully,\" he said. \"And pray we say the right things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second demon nodded once more and hurried away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alone again, the first demon stood still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion finally arrived at the demon city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he stepped inside the gates, he could tell the difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place was much bigger than Black Ash City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The streets were wider, the buildings taller, and demons filled every corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some walked openly. Others watched from rooftops or dark alleys. The air itself felt heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion slowed his steps and scanned the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes moved from one demon to another, calm but focused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...There are a lot more of them,\" he muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused when he noticed a group of demons with pale, faded skin standing near a market street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their bodies looked blurry around the edges, as if they didn’t fully belong there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Garion focused on them, his vision slipped for just a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Atlas,\" he said quietly. \"Is that demon race a good one?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted a finger slightly, pointing in their direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Atlas responded immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Nope.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Those are Mist Demons.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[They are known as deceptive and cowardly assassin-type demons.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Their abilities revolve around illusion, concealment, and sensory distortion.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion clicked his tongue softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that’s why my focus slipped.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Even if some individuals behave well, they are not suitable for the God Gym.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Their instincts go against direct training and discipline.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion nodded once. \"I figured.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shifted his gaze again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, his eyes landed on several massive demons near the main road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their bodies were thick and heavy, muscles packed tightly under rough skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their mouths were... large. Too large.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when they stood still, their jaws twitched slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They look strong,\" Garion said. \"Good frames. Could be trained.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Atlas answered instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Not that one.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion raised an eyebrow. \"Why not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[They are Maw Demons.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[They are living hunger-type demons.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[They grow by killing and devouring others.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Once they see blood, they easily lose control and go berserk.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion watched one of them laugh loudly as something squirmed in its hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yeah,\" he said. \"That’s not discipline.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Correct.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[They are incompatible with structured training environments like the God Gym.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion let out a quiet breath and kept walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bit farther in, he noticed another group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These demons looked almost human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Broad shoulders, solid builds, balanced proportions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only clear differences were the horns, wings, or tails attached to their bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion stopped again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These ones,\" he said. \"They look normal enough. I don’t see much wrong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Atlas paused for half a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[They are good candidates... But surely not them.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion frowned. \"You just said they look like good candidates, so why not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Because they are Flesh Demons.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion’s expression tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Efficiency is everything to them.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Instead of training, they mutilate themselves and replace parts with flesh taken from stronger beings.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[They do not refine the body. They replace it.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion stopped walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His jaw clenched slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Also, if you accept them... Dahlia and the others would be extremely angry.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Disgusted, even.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion exhaled slowly through his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah,\" he said. \"That would be a problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He resumed walking, his eyes sharper now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So,\" he asked, \"which demons here are actually good?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Atlas answered honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[From what I can see, none in this area are suitable.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion frowned deeper. \"None?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Correct.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[We should move to another district.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion rubbed his chin as he walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...By the way,\" he said, \"just how many demon races are even compatible with the God Gym?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Atlas responded without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Approximately one percent of all demon races.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion stopped again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...One percent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[So realistically, one or two races at most.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion stared ahead in silence for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That low,\" he muttered. \"Damn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head once and started walking again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is going to be a long mission.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Of course.]\u003C\u002Fp>",1286,"2026-06-06T11:12:18.542Z",1,"novelbin.me","ac61550a24d3ea6355e1d5e5e2ab200ff02b1beb78b7ae7ce9d82a7f006be0b5","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-338","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-336",613,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fheretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-cover.jpg"]