Mutagen

<strong>Day 154 - 8:21 AM - Madrijelos National Highschool, Barangay Madrijelos, Municipality of Algeria, Province of Cebu</strong>

Early in the morning, someone knocked on the door of the classroom where Mark's group stayed. It was Officer Emilio and a few soldiers. The female soldier that was assigned to Mark's group, Private Tanya Monteroso, opened the door.

Opening the door, however, Officer Emilio and his soldiers were a bit surprised.

"Sir!"

Private Monteroso saluted. She might look like a dignified soldier as her salute had perfect timing and precision. Even her expression was in the best form. As expected of the role model of her graduating class.

However, Officer Emilio and the soldiers behind him could not take the female soldier seriously at her current appearance. Her mouth was covered in oil, and her clothing had stains left by drops by the same kind of oil. Not to mention that her left hand was still holding onto a large bowl of instant noodles, and the other hand she used for saluting was still holding onto a spoon.

Officer Emilio could ignore her breakfast, but the other soldiers could not. They could not help but stare at the bowl of instant noodles while remembering what they ate for breakfast a few minutes ago.

What they had was just a bowl of salted rice porridge with fish slices and wild herbs. It was heavy and filling but was never as tasty as instant noodles. When was the last time they ate instant noodles or even any delicious food? They could not remember at all.

The whiff of smell coming from inside the room did not help at all. Even though the soldiers just ate, they somehow felt hungry.

Now, some of the soldiers felt a bit jealous. They should have volunteered to be the ones to attend this strange group. It was clear that what Private Monteroso was eating was from them.

"Haah..." Officer Emilio sighed. "Private, next time, you should put down what you are eating before saluting."

"Ah..."

The female soldier's face turned red in embarrassment. It passed her mind as it was a long time that she managed to eat something like this. However, she already saluted. It was too late.

Officer Emilio entered the room and saw Mark's group just having their breakfast. The unity within the group sure was admirable for them to eat together in one place.

Admiring this scene was not the officer's goal here, though.

"Are you here to give what I asked yesterday?"

Mark turned to the officer and asked.

"Here it is."

Officer Emilio handed an enveloped piece of paper. Even though there was only one page of hand-written information, the officer still put it in a suitable container for appearance's sake.

In any case, Mark had no comment as to how little the information was. It was hard to do a proper recon on magical creatures without suitable equipment. The risk was just too high.

Furthermore, it just had what Mark lacked. The schedule followed by the Tamawos in guarding the town they occupied. It would allow Mark to minimize unnecessary deaths of innocents while raining chaos unto the enemies.

"You don't really want our assistance?"

Officer Emilio asked as Mark was reading the hand-written document.

"I already said it before. It's not necessary. In the worst case, you guys would end up as a setback instead."

Mark replied. There were no roundabouts and straight to the point. That, however, made the soldiers show negative expressions. If not for the fact that they were briefed not to cause any trouble, some of them might actually argue with Mark. The charm of their leader sure was admirable to be able to keep a leash on them.

At Mark's answer, Officer Emilio did not falter.

"Then, I want to ask something."

"What is it?"

Mark tilted his head a little and asked back.

"What do you intend to do with that town occupied by the Tamawos? Will we be able to pass through afterward? If not, we would like to take advantage of your plans to force our way through while you deal with your business."

Since the goal of this group of survivors was to travel north, Officer Emilio asked this question.

"What I intend to do? Isn't it obvious?" Mark smirked at the question. "Kill all enemies that stood in front. If all the whole tribe of Tamawos dared to stand against us and not run away, they better prepare to become extinct."

The soldiers shivered at Mark's declaration. They were all looking at him when he answered. One thing they all noticed was his eyes emanating the killing intent of a predator. Although the soldiers did not know whether Mark could actually do it, they could feel that he would for some strange reason.

"Also, by the way." Mark suddenly retracted his smirk and showed a strict face at Officer Emilio. "I have serious advice for you guys."

"What is it?"

Officer Emilio took a deep breath and asked.

"Instead of going north, you guys should prepare to leave this place today and head east. Find a flat clear area and set camp for the next few days."

"What are you talking about?"

This time, Officer Emilio was definitely upset. All this time, they were persevering to travel north. Now, Mark was telling them to divert the single goal they were chasing.

"I can't tell you the details." Mark shrugged. "You don't have the privilege."

"What? Privilege?"

The officer and his soldiers were taken aback in confusion. They could understand what Mark was talking about.

"You all won't understand anyway and will only think we're crazy." Mark did not entertain their confused questions. "You guys don't have to follow my advice. But I'll tell you, officer. You all will probably get killed if you don't listen to me."

"Can't you just explain? Earlier, you're being blunt. Now, you are going around in circles, not explaining anything."

One of the soldiers could not hold it anymore and stepped forwards.

However, before the soldier could say anything more, Officer Emilio grabbed his shoulder.

"Don't say anything else."

The officer warned, making the soldier silent.

"We're leaving." Officer Emilio told Mark with a sour expression. "If you need anything else, just tell Private Monteroso."

And there, the officer and his soldiers left, leaving the awkward female soldier still holding onto her bowl of instant noodles.

"Um, Sir." Private Monteroso suddenly spoke. "Miss Mei and Miss Pearl, are they also going with you to attack the town?"

"They are. Why do you ask?"

Mark asked back.

"Um... Won't it be dangerous? The Tamawos can charm women, after all. I don't know but maybe the girls too?"

The Private stated.

To that question, Mark smiled.

"The Tamawo's charm magic only affects human females capable of bearing children. Their magic won't work on children, non-humans, and those already marked by their kind. So, we'll have no problems."

Mark's answer made not only the female soldier but also Pearl and Edzel confused.

***

An hour passed, another emergency meeting was held under Officer Emilio's call.

"Officer Emilio, what is it this time?"

The fisherman, Caudillo asked, quite bewildered. His group was just about to head out to the coast when he was called for a meeting.

It was not only Caudillo but everyone inside the principal's office. All of them were called by Officer Emilio for a meeting at an awkward timing, especially when they just held one yesterday.

"I want all of you to announce to everyone. Prepare immediately since we will leave this place before sundown. We will be heading to the flat areas east of this place."

"What?!"

Caudillo could not help but slam his hands on the desk of his chair as he abruptly stood up.

Of course, it was not only the fisherman. The other people around were also shocked at Officer Emilio's sudden announcement.

"What is going on with you?" Doctor Janice asked. "I know you're not someone to make abrupt decisions like this."

As Doctor Janice asked, the military officer was forced to tell what Mark said just an hour ago.

"Just because of what that guy said, you are telling us to leave this place?" Denver surely was unable to stand the nonsense. "He didn't even give a proper explanation. You know how dangerous it is going east. Are you trying to get us all killed?"

"Denver is right." Caudillo agreed at the handsome man this time. "If that Mark did not want to let us go with the initial idea, we can just wait here until they finish. We have to reason to risk traveling across forests and mountains and leave the safety of this place."

"Are you going to insist, Officer Emilio?" Doctor Janice asked the officer that fell silent. "If you insist on leaving, this group we had might end up splitting apart."

Officer Emilio panned his eyes to everyone inside the room. They were all waiting for his answer. He could only close his eyes as this was a kind of problematic decision on his part. However, he had been to a lot of battles as a soldier. He had a lot of close calls in his life. It was when he learned something important.

It was to trust his survival instincts. It was natural instincts not affected by confusion and ill thoughts.

Officer Emilio was too focused on traveling north that his instincts somewhat dulled. However, when Mark gave his advice, that survival instinct kicked in. He knew that even though Mark was unable to give any specific explanation, he was not lying or joking when he said those words.

The officer knew that even though many of the survivors looked up to him, he would not be able to convince everyone this time around. It was an unreasonable decision in the eyes of many, after all.

However...

"I insist." Officer Emilio announced. "Tell everyone to prepare to leave... If won't force anyone, but I will leave with those who want to follow me."

Everyone was surprised by his decision. He stuck to it. It was unknown whether it was guts or he was just being a fool.

But then...

"All right, then." Doctor Janice smiled. "Count me in."

The doctor's words gave another round of surprise.

"Doctor, you're not serious, aren't you?"

Caudillo asked Doctor Janice.

"Then, I'll ask you all something." Doctor Janice stood up and pointed at Officer Emilio. "Had any of his decisions failed us so far?"

That question made everyone contemplate.

Since the fall of their settlement, Officer Emilio took charge of this group.

And so far...

None of his decisions were wrong.

It was unsettling that they could not refute the words of the doctor at all. It just meant that while it seemed unreasonable, there might be a high chance that this was one of the times that Officer Emilio's decision would be the right thing to follow.

However, not everyone would just buy that.

In any case, as long as the majority agreed, the others would likely follow.

"Then, let's vote immediately. We can't really drag it along if we need to leave by sunset. Who's in favor of leaving?"

Doctor Janice suggested as she raised her hand to vote.

And because of the words of Doctor Janice, the majority was convinced to follow Officer Emilio's decision.

Officer Emilio could not help but look at the doctor, only to receive a wink from her.

Surely, this eccentric doctor was aiming for this. In any case, it was decided that they would leave. It was even if they had to travel during the night.

***

Soon, the whole school became busy. The sudden announcement for departure was, of course, questioned by many of the survivors. However, as what the government was good at, twisting some of the details and removing some while keeping most of the truth convinced the people.

It was not lying to the people. Just not telling everything.

***

Mark watched the rushing people around the school through the window of the classroom. On his hand was the radio. He was relaying the plans to Berrak's group that had just reunited with Pefile.