Mutagen

<strong>Day 248 - 11:59 - Barangay Sayao, Municipality of Sibonga, Province of Cebu</strong>

The [Mini Cube] landed behind a hill in the southwestern area of the valley. It was a small clear land surrounded by a thick forest. After observing the surroundings a little, it was clear that the residents of the settlement would not come here often, making the place suitable for hiding the [Mini Cube] without needing to cover it with [Optical Camouflage].

Of course, it also meant that his place was dangerous. For normal people, at least.

As if giving them proof of how dangerous this area was, Mark was immediately attacked by something the moment he stepped out of the [Mini Cube].

Mark felt something, and he took a step back. It was when he saw some kind of string now extended from the ground in front of him. It led towards one of the trees to his right.

In retaliation, Mark pointed in the direction of the tree and shot a small ball of lightning. With a soft crackle and a loud thud, something pretty large fell from the tree to the ground.

Mark approached the culprit without hesitation. In fact, he already detected the enemy before it he alighted the [Mini Cube]. It was also one of the reasons he took the lead out of the door.

Right at the exposed root of the tree, Mark shot. He stared at the wriggling phosphorus-colored caterpillar. It was about six inches tall and three feet long. The caterpillar's length was definitely longer than Miracle's height and almost reached Abbygale's at eight years old.

Mark controlled his blood and made a constricting leash. He then measured the strength of the still extended string and cut it to tie the caterpillar so it would not escape.

"Gege... What... is that?"

Mei stepped back as Mark returned with the constricted caterpillar.

It was not only Mei. Even Bella and Donna felt goosebumps seeing the thing.

Mark could only shrug. These women already faced all kinds of abominations. Yet, a single caterpillar could make them step back and make disgusted or frowned faces. Well, the caterpillar Mark had was about three feet long. Its disgustingly squishy segmented body, wrinkled head, and hairy underside all became emphasized by the caterpillar's gigantic size.

Still, Mei could fight spiders without problems, even horrendously gigantic ones. It seemed that it was just caterpillars having this unique trait that would make many people feel instinctually disgusted.

Surprisingly, Spera was fine. As for the little girls and Amihan, they were more interested than afraid. On the other hand, Ilia, a Demon, was more confused about why Mark brought that thing back.

And to Mei's question, Mark answered with a shrug.

"Silkworm."

That was right. What attacked Mark seemed to be an evolved Silkworm with its diet changed to meat instead of leaves. It was not [Infected] nor feral. When Mark detected it, it seemed to be looking for prey to hunt. It just happened that Mark's group landed in front of it, and the silkworm spotted Mark coming out of the door.

For an [Evolved Insect], the intelligence of this silkworm did not seem to be high enough. If it developed some intelligence, it would flee after seeing Mark instead of attacking.

"What do you plan on doing, carrying that over here?"

Spera finally asked.

It was a reasonable question. Mark could have just killed it just now, but it looked like he only paralyzed it.

And to answer the next question, Mark only made Spera see the thick string the silkworm shot at him. It was like a web, but soft while also being sturdy. Normally, it was cocoons of silkworms that were used to weave silk. In this case, however, this web-like silk was more than enough to be woven into fabric. Furthermore, a cocoon would be a limited resource, unlike the silk web that the silkworm could secrete.

Mark's mind sure was quick in analyzing possible materials. The silkworm only saw him as prey once, and Mark immediately turned it into a resource.

"I wonder if there are others," Mark murmured, making the three women freeze. "There's a lot of creatures in the forest, but I can't detect any similar mental fluctuation nearby."

Those words from Mark made Mei and the sisters feel a bit relieved, although the sisters could not understand what Mark meant by mental fluctuations. Still, one caterpillar was enough. They did not know if they would be able to handle seeing more.

"Haah..." Spera sighed. "Just why did we land here? Aren't we going to that village we saw earlier? Or are we going worm hunting?"

"It's a caterpillar."

Mark said to Spera.

"It's called a silkworm, alright?!"

Spera argued.

"No, it's not."

Mark smirked.

"Are we going or not?"

Spera slapped her forehead, knowing that Mark was trying to tease her again.

Mark shrugged as he told everyone they were leaving. Of course, it was not literally everyone. Like the usual, Ilia and Chimetrice would be left to guard the [Mini Cube]. Since the two were staying behind, Mark left the caught silkworm in their care. Not like it would be able to escape with the restraints Mark put on it.

Leaving the [Mini Cube], Mark and the rest trekked through the hilly forest.

As Mark said, there were quite a number of creatures in the forest. No wonder this area did not seem to be frequented by the residents of the settlement. If people passed through this forest, they would definitely be ambushed by the lurking animals and insects.

Mark's group did not face any attack, however. He made sure that they would not be attacked.

Since the forest inhabitants seemed to be [Evolved Creatures] and not the [Infected], Mark could use his [Emotion Induction] to scare anything alive nearby. After a ten-minute uneventful walk towards the east, the group reached the other side of the hill and exited the forest.

At the foot of the large forest-covered hill, there were actually remains of the ruined concrete road that passed through this valley. It must be what the survivors followed to get here since the road was still visible despite turning into rubble.

"Let's follow the road."

Mark said as he led the group.

"Ah, right."

And Mark suddenly paused.

All of a sudden, Mark took several weapons he made using materials that Mei and the others brought back this past week. Wrapped spears, sheathed knives, and crossbows. Mark then distributed the weapons to the group. Spears for Bella and Donna, knives for the little girls, Crossbows for Mei and Spera, and Mark hung a sword made of bones on his back.

Mark then told Mei to store the usual weapons they use.

"What are the weapons for?"

Amihan asked as she watched him distribute the makeshift weapons.

"Well, we can't just roam around without weapons," Mark answered. "Although we don't really need it, for the most part, it will look unnatural to other people. Also, the weapons we use are too eye-catching for people."

Mei and the sisters agreed with Mark's words.

Bella and Donna had already seen the weapons Mark's group usually use. And without a doubt, the white sniper sword of Mei and the black weapon set of Mark would easily draw unwanted attention.

After preparing, Mark and the rest followed the road towards the north.

Going through the forest towards the east and following the road was actually a longer route towards the settlement. They could have just gone through the forest towards the northeast and exited near the gates of the settlement. Yet, they took a longer route as per Mark's suggestion.

Actually, Mark had a plan that would allow them to enter the settlement faster.

And it was...

"WHO?!"

A surprised shout was heard as Mark's group traversed the ruins of the road. It was then followed by noises and panic as the voices went to scramble to get their weapons drawn.

On the other hand, Mei and the others were also surprised that they actually took out the weapons that Mark handed to them.

There were people seem to be resting beside the ruined road with baskets and water containers in tow. No wonder they had to scramble to get their weapons out. They were carrying other important things. They were startled to see unfamiliar people and were extremely cautious. After all, it could be a group of [Infected].

"Wha! NO WAY!"

Among the startled people, however, a man stared at Mark, Mei, Amihan, and the three little girls in utter surprise.

"Sir Emilio, what's wrong?"

The other people with the man were surprised by the man's reaction. And in response to the question, the man ordered hastily.

"Lower your weapons!"

The rest of the group was confused by the order. Nonetheless, they lowered their weapons, although they kept their guards up. Actually, some of the men found the group before them rather familiar.

"You people are still alive?"

Emilio voiced out with a voice filled with disbelief.

"Although we only met once, I didn't think that you want us dead."

Mark replied nonchalantly.

"No! I didn't mean it like that!" Emilio waved his hand defensively. "It's just..."

Emilio did not finish his words.

A lot of things happened since the last time he saw this group arrive and leave their outpost. Most of the things that happened were catastrophic, and death would not be surprising.

Yet, this small group of people was still alive. Not to mention looking healthy and fit.

Emilio could not help but scan the members of Mark's group. He realized that he did not recognize the two women standing behind the rest and the petite foreign woman standing beside Mark. Furthermore, the teenage couple and the girl with green hair that were with Mark before were nowhere to be seen.

The first thing that came into Emilio's head was the worst outcome, although he did not dare voice it right now.

Mark, on the other hand, stared back at Emilio.

Officer Emilio Dela Rosa, the leader of the survivors from the destroyed Liloan Military Settlement.

The last time Mark saw this guy, he still had the aura of a strict soldier. Now, rather than a soldier, he was only a leader of people surviving the apocalypse. The strictness was already gone from his movements, and his aura had become free and refreshing. For him to have this change, a lot of things must have happened to him and the group he led.

"Are you guys looking for a place to stay?" Emilio asked Mark, thinking of the long journey they could have gone through. "We have a village just a bit up north. You guys can rest there if you want."

Mark glanced at Mei and the girls before turning back to Emilio.

"If you'll allow us."

Mark replied.

"There will be no problem. Your group will always be welcome."

Emilio said with a smile.

The former officer clearly remembered that they were still alive because of Mark's vague but serious advice. Basically, they owe their lives to Mark.

The group then went together towards the settlement. Emilio spoke to Mark along the way. While Mark mostly listened, he would reply from time to time.

Apparently, Emilio and his group were resting after fetching water and edible plants and fruits from the forest. Apparently, the nearest water source they had was about half a mile away from the settlement. That was why they had to fetch water outside.

They all soon reached the settlement. The people guarding the gates were surprised to see Emilio's group bring back some people. It was until some of the people recognized Mark and they could only stare in disbelief.

While the commotion was happening due to their arrival, Mark was confronted by Mei and Spera.

"Gege, you know that we will encounter them on the road, right?"

Mei asked.

"He definitely knew it," Spera grumbled. "He just deliberately didn't tell us."

"Well, you girls can show a better surprised expression if you didn't know, right?"

Mark smirked.

It was part of Mark's tiny schemes. Before they found a place to land, Mark already detected the group coming from the forest to the southeast of the settlement. Mark then deliberately led his group to a "coincidental" encounter with Emilio and his group. To make this work better, they should play the part of a group surprised to unexpectedly meet people along the way.

And as Mark thought, Emilio would invite them to the settlement.

After all, it was easier to enter invited than asking outside the gates for entry.