Chapter 45: Training and Sponsors
While Katniss bid farewell to her family, Jake sat alone in the makeshift meeting room.
He had no acquaintances in this world, so why would anyone come to see him off?
But things always take unexpected turns. Peeta, the male protagonist whom Jake thought he'd never cross paths with, actually came to visit him.
Besides expressing his gratitude, he also pleaded with Jake to help Katniss.
He couldn't feel any ill will toward this young man who was infatuated with Katniss in the original story; he was like Gale, willing to sacrifice his own happiness for her.
Of course, Jake wasn't that kind of person, but that didn't stop him from admiring this kind of selfless devotion that only seemed to exist in fiction.
Three minutes later, Jake and Katniss, whose face still bore traces of tears, boarded the train.
The carriage was lavishly decorated, with crystal chandeliers and walls covered in intricate metallic patterned panels.
The tables were made of polished alloy, lacking a metallic feel, but rather gleaming like flowing water.
Silver cutlery and plates were laid out on the tables.
Adorably shaped, soft breads and pastries, fruit glistening with dewdrops...
Even though he lived in a palace, had hundreds of millions of dollars in cash, and hundreds of tons of gold bars, Jake's ordinary life didn't focus on luxury; most of the time, he simply ate simple meals. This was the first time he'd ever witnessed such extravagance.
"The train is traveling at 200 miles per hour, yet it's incredibly smooth—this is truly a marvelous experience," Effie said, her affected elegance and gestures nauseating. "Although our journey is short, let's enjoy it."
She finished speaking expectantly, anticipating their surprised expressions, but in the end, she could only leave awkwardly.
Her departure was somewhat distinctive: her hands swung rapidly at her waist, her high heels tapping the ground with a quick rhythm, making her look like a waddling duck—actually, the hurried gait of a noblewoman from a bygone era.
200 miles per hour, the speed of a regular bullet train. The war destroyed North America, and many technologies from previous civilizations disappeared, such as the internet, but some remained, including high-speed rail.
Although the train was fast, it didn't surprise Jake, but Katniss was clearly experiencing this kind of high-speed transportation for the first time.
A moment of awkward silence filled the carriage, broken only by the faint sounds of the train gliding along the tracks and their breathing.
"My name is Lance King. I haven't asked your name yet," Jake said, looking at Katniss.
"Katniss," she replied in a low, rushed voice, likely still immersed in the grief of leaving her family and the fear of facing death.
Jake paused, then looked at her strangely. "Catnip?"
Catnip, because Katniss's rapid speech made it sound like "catnip."
"It's Katniss," she said, seemingly annoyed, but slowing down her speech so Jake could finally hear her clearly.
After Jake's joke, Katniss's mood had clearly improved, and she wasn't so dejected anymore.
"Do you know what the 'Hunger Games' actually are?" She smoothed her hair, turned to look at Jake, and looked somewhat frustrated.
"Twenty-four people participate in a fight to the death, and only one can survive," Jake's words were simple, but they hit the nail on the head.
"Then why did you volunteer?" She looked at Jake with an incomprehensible expression.
"Didn't you volunteer too?" Jake shrugged, grabbed a piece of bread from the table, the butter getting all over his hands, but he liked the feeling. He gently put it in his mouth and took a bite; it was delicious.
Katniss shook her head seriously. "That's different. I came for my sister..." Her voice trailed off as she spoke, because she had discovered a possibility, albeit a very small one.
Since she came for her sister, then this guy who had been looking at her since their first meeting... he could also have come for...
His gaze was always gentle, making Katniss unable to feel any hostility.
So she remained silent, quietly picked up a piece of buttered bread, and, like Jake, ignored the butter all over her hands and started eating.
Jake liked this feeling of indulgence; he always wanted to break perfect things to satisfy his rebellious nature.
Katniss was simply in a state of emotional turmoil; after all, she was only a 16-year-old girl.
Jake didn't pay much attention to why Katniss had suddenly stopped talking and started eating, because their survival mentor, Haymitch, had arrived.
This was supposedly the only living victor from District 12.
Then, this mentally exhausted old drunk began explaining some tips to the two of them—how to survive in the arena, how to hide themselves, etc. He spoke quickly, occasionally taking a swig of alcohol, making it sound rather chaotic, but Jake understood the general idea.
In other words, if you encounter something edible, especially something high in protein, eat it without hesitation. Of course, the first rule of survival is to find water first!
Aside from the added element of human combat, it was basically a sci-fi survival show.
Haymitch also mentioned the most important element in the entire Hunger Games—sponsors!
Only by gaining the support of these people could you gain greater advantages and survive better throughout the game.
"I think, if possible, it might be better for me to meet these 'sponsors' directly," Jake suggested.
Katniss watched Jake from the sidelines, always feeling that Jake's desire to meet the "sponsors" wasn't for sponsorship, but for something else entirely.
"Of course!"
...
The plot didn't change after Jake's arrival.
After arriving at the Capitol and taking a shower, Jake hadn't had attendants bathe him since he was old enough to understand, especially not those two attendants who were otherwise flawless except for their excessively long false eyelashes. He almost lost control of his physical reactions, only managing to restrain himself by constantly using mental techniques to calm his excited emotions.
Jake also made a memorable appearance on a talk show—a futuristic variety show.
Interviewing the 24 tributes as celebrities alleviated the boredom in the Capitol citizens' hearts.
With perfect mastery of psychology, Jake easily controlled the host's speaking rhythm. This talk show debut made Jake the most eye-catching of all the tributes, and he finally got to meet some of his sponsors.
However, according to Haymitch, these sponsors seemed to be all wealthy women...
Of course, they also trained regularly, with everyone gathered in a huge training facility. This training was mainly to demonstrate their abilities to their future opponents, so that the enemies didn't see them as easy prey.
More importantly, it was about identifying their own prey.
Katniss's near-perfect archery skills attracted a lot of attention, so many people avoided her warily.
Jake, standing in the huge training hall, didn't know which weapon to choose.
His forte at this stage was firearms, a skill he'd learned from professional training, followed by psychological manipulation and suggestion, and then his decent close-combat skills.
A pistol was definitely out of the question in this arena, so his tactical skills were his only option.
He casually picked up a combat knife, assumed an awkward stance, and slashed at the air twice. The blade cut through the air with a sharp sound.
Nodding in satisfaction, Jake began practicing with the knife.
The surrounding tributes, watching Jake practice like a complete amateur, couldn't help but smirk. Clearly, they had already categorized Jake as easy prey.
But who was the hunter and who was the hunted? Everything was still unknown...
"You should show them your real skills," Katniss said that night, as Jake had expected. She was a compassionate girl who didn't want anyone to die needlessly.
She just hadn't figured out her position yet. She was in an arena where only one could survive, and her kindness was a liability.
But that was also part of her appeal.
"They all see you as prey," Katniss said with frustration, her face tight with concern. "You're definitely more than that... right?" Her voice trailed off at the end. She didn't know Jake, nor what he was capable of; she just couldn't bear to see him go to his death because they knew each other.
"Of course," Jake smiled easily. The Hunger Games were truly just a game to him. "But I have an appointment with our sponsors tonight. See you tomorrow, Catnip." He patted Katniss on the shoulder and turned to leave.
Actually, he wanted to pat her head more, but Katniss was tall, and they were about the same height, so he could only pat her shoulder.
Once Jake was out of sight, Katniss finally reacted and loudly retorted, "My name is Katniss! Not Catnip!"
Leaving their apartment building, Jake saw Haymitch waiting downstairs, still clutching a bottle of liquor.
"Let's go," he said, a strong smell of alcohol wafting from him.
"Are you planning to drink and drive?" Jake frowned, waving his hand in front of his face to dispel the smell, while his gaze fell on a sleek hovercar behind Haymitch.
"Drink and drive?" Haymitch was taken aback.
This world didn't seem to have strict traffic laws, but Haymitch was quick to understand. After a moment's thought, he grasped the meaning and nodded with a laugh, "Haha, that's right, I'm planning to drink and drive!" He looked a bit like he was drunk and acting reckless.
Fortunately, Haymitch's driving skills were good, and there weren't many vehicles in the area late at night, so the journey was relatively smooth.
Half an hour later, driving through the night, the two finally stopped at an estate.
While its area might not be as large as Jake's palace grounds, its opulence was something Jake could only marvel at.
The entire estate, illuminated by strange holographic lights, was as bright as midday.
"This is a party specially prepared for your arrival," Haymitch patted Jake on the shoulder, gesturing for him to prepare for the socializing, while Haymitch himself wandered to a table, picked up a glass of wine, and eagerly began to drink.
...
Thirty minutes later, Jake finished his mingling with these ladies dressed like fashion nightmares.
He had already used psychological techniques to influence them.
"When you hear 'Showtime,' start dancing," Jake said, subtly conditioning them.
Jake felt a deep disgust for these predatory socialites, so naturally he wouldn't say anything pleasant.
"Showtime," Jake tested it.
Sure enough, all the ladies began to dance, swaying their hips wildly.
"Freeze," saying a different word, everyone stopped, their awareness returning.
The word "Freeze" was the key to breaking the suggestion.
As the ladies once again lost themselves in dance, Jake began his covert acquisition.
Holographic projectors, tracking devices...
not many tactical supplies, but plenty of luxury items.
For Jake, this bracelet-like holographic projection device was sufficient for his operation.
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