Mutagen

<strong>Day 147 - 12:22 PM - Barangay Pandan, Real, Quezon Province, Philippines</strong>

Alternating flying and running, Chaflar managed to bring them to this small community located on the southeast coast of Real, Quezon. They reached this location, which was more than sixty kilometers away from New Infanta Settlement pretty fast, because of their Dragon Mount. If it was by road, it might take them the whole day just because of the danger they might encounter alone. Being able to travel through the air was an advantage at this point.

The journey was quite noisy, though, because of Emika. The lively girl could not zip her mouth at all, although most of her topics and questions were aimed at Mark.

Nevertheless, even though the peace and quiet were gone, Emika's antics gave liveliness to the group.

At this point, they stopped by the shore for lunch. And to save supplies that they were carrying, they went to search a seemingly untouched resort. Sure enough, there was no one here, and there was some canned food left in storage.

On the other hand, Mark allowed Chaflar to fly away to search for food. There was no way that they would be able to feed the huge lizard with the human food they were carrying. Besides, the evolved animals suit Chaflar's diet and large appetite more. There might be a lack of evolved animals in the middle of the city but not in the countryside.

In fact, while they were eating, they just saw a dog-sized green crab pass by the shore. It did not seem hostile and even ran away when Emika tried to approach it.

One thing was strange, though...

"It's strange that there's no infected, but there are no people either."

Pefile said as he looked around the area.

"The place is a mess, though."

Mark said, looking at some overturned things and items thrown here and there.

Even so, the place might look like a mess, but there was no sign that the place was looted. If it was, Mark's group would not find food not only in the resort but also at some houses nearby.

"It looks like everyone left in a hurry."

Emika deduced. Everyone could not agree more.

Unfortunately, there was no way to know what really happened here.

And, of course, their lunch was not uneventful either.

A loud crash was heard from the shore, making them run out of the room that they were eating. And there, they saw what another surprise.

"Octopus?"

Emika blurted out, seeing the huge octopus that seemed to be catching some large crabs to eat by the shore. Well, more than shock, she was drooling. She could not help but turn to Mark.

"Uncle, can we eat that?"

She asked, making the others shake their heads with a sign.

Unexpectedly...

"I don't know. Why don't we catch it first?"

Mark replied positively.

And without waiting for anyone, both Mark and Emika jumped out. The two went to catch that octopus that was as large as a Volkswagen Beetle.

"Those two really get along well, don't they?"

Pefile remarked, seeing the two that ran out with the same goal. And everyone could not help but agree with what he said. Miracle was puffing her cheeks, though. It seems that the youngest of the girls was starting to get jealous.

It did not take long, and the octopus was captured alive. It was overkill for both Emika and Mark joining hands to catch it.

"Nee, Uncle, how do we know that it's edible?"

Emika asked, poking at the octopus' slime body. The poor octopus that was only catching its lunch got entangled by both [Blood Metal] and the [Hair Vines] that Emika made.

"Let's ask Chaflar when he gets back."

Mark replied.

It was not wrong to ask the Dragon since animals had the natural instinct to know which prey was edible or not compared to humans.

The poor octopus was struggling as it tried to escape from its restraints. Unfortunately, Mark and Emika were both cruel. There was no way for it to escape without tearing all of its tentacles off.

"You two, why don't you just kill that?"

Pefile could not help but ask. If they were going to eat it, why not kill it already?

"It won't be fresh if we kill it now."

Mark replied. Pefile was speechless.

Soon, Chaflar returned. Even the Dragon was confused as to why there was a squirming thing with its Master now. However, Chaflar deemed that the octopus was edible. It was good that there was someone to ask before trying it out.

Well, Mark was not really afraid of poison as he would be able to push it out using his blood. Still, it would not be a pleasant experience.

With lunch being dealt with, they continued on the journey. The only difference was there was a large octopus strapped on Chaflar's body. It was a strange sight.

***

Day 146 - 7:21 PM - Caramoan Feeder Port, Guijalo, Caramoan, Camarines Sur

The Caramoan Feeder Port. It was a fish port mostly used by fishermen back before the outbreak. Now, however, the port was barricaded by, no other than, the Philippine Army. Currently, this port was being used by the soldiers to travel from Catanduanes to the mainland.

This was not the closest area of Camarines Sur to the island of Catanduanes. However, there were no properly built ports that the military could use on other nearer places than this one. Furthermore, because of the smaller population of the nearby residential area, the number of infected that they encountered was easily controllable, and they reclaimed this port without any problem.

From here, they would receive lucky survivors that managed to reach this place and wish entry to the safety of the island. And even though the last group of survivors that they received was more than a month ago, there were still soldiers stationed in this place.

It was not to receive survivors anymore, though. They were stationed here in case that the NPA tried to use this port.

Of course, it was not like the NPA could not use other places to anchor their boats. However, here was where the easiest access to the main road was located.

As usual, the soldiers were lazing around. They only needed to respond to infected and evolved animal attacks. Fortunately, those did not happen a lot in this place.

But then, there was a sudden event at this moment.

"Who are you people?"

The soldier atop the walls questioned the group of people that arrived outside. It was very unexpected for them, and most of the soldiers were interested in the sudden event.

Who would have thought that there were still people that would arrive at this place?

Furthermore, what surprised them was the appearance of the group. It was because most of them were females, and four were even children.

To the soldier's question, the not-so-good-looking man in front answered.

"Here."

Yes, that was the answer. Unexpectedly, the man stretched out his hand, holding a small envelope.

The soldiers were confused. The current guard received the envelope through a slip between the barbed gates and opened it. As it was already dark, he beckoned his companion to point a flashlight on the contents of the paper.

After skimming through the letter, the two soldiers guarding the gates looked at each other.

"Please, wait a minute. We'll call our superior."

The tone of the soldiers changed after reading the contents of the letter.

The soldier then picked up his radio and started calling.

It was just a short call. However, it still took five minutes before the person actually arrived. Even the two soldiers at the gates and the gallery were already apologetic to the group outside the gates. However, without the go of their superior, entering these gates would not be easy.

"Where are the people claiming to be hired by General Faustino?"

A grouchy voice echoed as the person they were waiting for arrived.

Unexpectedly, it was a soldier with a rather big belly. By the looks of it, he seemed to be sleeping when the call arrived. He was already sleeping even though it was still this early.

"Captain, here."

The guard at the gates handed the letter, and the fat soldier started to read it with his flashlight. He then inspected the seal that was stamped on the letter that signified the authority of the person who gave it. Of course, it was no other than General Faustino.

"Is this real?"

The fat soldier frowned, waving the letter in front of his eyes. He then turned to the group outside, looking at them one by one.

"You people are delivering something from General Faustino? Where is the package?"

The man outside sighed took the briefcase that the beautiful girl beside him was carrying. He then raised it forward.

"Here."

The man said.

"Alright, give it to me. Let me check."

The gate then opened as the fat soldier tried to take the briefcase. However, his hand reached nothing but air as the man outside pulled the case back.

"What are you doing?"

The fat soldier almost screamed.

"Didn't you read the letter? It should have said there that I can only hand this to General Dela Peña. Besides, it's number coded with a secret code that only in high positions knew. Don't tell me that you are General Dela Peña? I just heard them call you, Captain."

The fat soldier froze. Even if the man in front of him really gave him the briefcase, there was no way that he would be able to open it without the code. Either way, he would embarrass himself.

"Are we allowed to enter now?"

The man asked, turning to the guard instead of the fat soldier.

No reply was heard, though, as the fat soldier's permission was still needed.

Here was when the fat soldier hurriedly replied.

"Enter! Enter!" The fat soldier went out of the way. "Geronimo, lead them to the quarters first."

As the fat soldier commanded, one of the soldiers stepped forward to escort the group to the quarters. It was a building being used as a barracks for non-soldiers that were here. It was mostly survivors that reached the place that had used this building.

While passing through the gates, however, the fat soldier's eyes were glued unto someone.

That was when the man leading the group turned his head behind.

"Watch your eyes."

He warned.

Not only that, but the green-haired girl gave the fat guy a tongue, infuriating him further.

However, the fat soldier held it in. If these people were really hired by General Faustino, there was no advantage in offending them.

"What are you all looking at? Go back to your posts!"

The fat soldier yelled as he drove the soldiers that were attracted by the commotion away.

***

"I'm sorry about that. Please just don't mind him."

The soldier that was guiding Mark's group, Private Geronimo, apologized for their Captain's behavior.

"You don't have to worry about it."

Mark replied, although his expression did not change at all.

Private Geronimo was a bit taken aback. It seemed that he managed to perceive what Mark meant by his reply. He did not have to worry about it. It was that person who should worry about himself.

"So, we have to stay here for the night?" Mark asked. "Is there a fixed schedule for the boats?"

"Yes, unfortunately." Private Geronimo replied. "There is only one boat your group can ride tomorrow at nine in the morning. That boat is scheduled daily."

"Good."

Mark nodded and did not ask anything further. Even Mei and the others were silent. Soon, they arrived at the barracks right beside the pier. It was just a large makeshift hut, though.

"This is the place?"

Mark asked, seeing the dilapidated structure.

Private Geronimo sighed.

"Please make do for now. This isn't really the initial place but... Hah. You already saw our captain."

Private Geronimo was already waiting to be scolded. After all, who would want to stay in these dilapidated barracks?

"Alright, this will do," Mark replied, surprising the soldier. "Just be sure to call us if the boat arrives."

Mark then tossed something towards the soldier making him catch it by reflex.

With those words, Mark's group entered the dilapidated structure, leaving the surprised soldier outside while staring at the large can of tuna in his hands.