Mutagen

<strong>Day 248 - 1:25 PM - Barangay Sayao, Municipality of Sibonga, Province of Cebu</strong>

"Who are you?"

Emilio stared at Mark, asking that question. He was not only referring to Mark but his group as a whole.

The three people sitting beside Emilio remembered the time after they encountered Mark and his group.

Back then, everyone was rather displeased due to their sudden departure from Madrijelos. There was no time to prepare, and everyone had to rush. The displeasure grew when one of the soldiers in the meeting slipped up, and everyone learned that the reason for their departure was the words of a mere outsider.

Fortunately, despite the displeasure, no one decided to split up. It was all due to the trust Emilio built up towards the members of their community. And so far, his instincts and actions never let them down.

The displeasure was quenched when the battle Matutinao began. Although there was no way they would see the events clearly, the fight was too eye-catching, even from afar, especially the explosions that bloomed towards the sky and the burning flames they left. Such scenes could even be witnessed even in the darkness of the night.

And then, the tidal wave came when everyone least expected it. There was no need for light. The shadow cast by the tall wave from the horizon could be seen from the hills they passed.

It was not only Matutinao that was swallowed by the tidal wave. All areas around it, including Madrijelos, were affected.

They were scared by the thought of what could have happened if they did not leave the school today. They already survived one of these attacks once, and it already left a deep trauma on most of them. To see it happen again before their eyes horrified them greatly.

The displeasure became gratitude. The people were thankful they were warned by the outsiders and that they followed Emilio's decision.

Furthermore, at that time, the survivors from the invasion of the [Tamawos] were brought to their group. It was a good thing since these poor people were finally freed from the grasp of the vile creatures. However, it also made them worried about food and water since they would have more mouths to feed. But to everyone's surprise, the survivors from Matuinao carried boxes of supplies taken from the [Tamawos]. Not only would it help feed the newcomers, but the amount would last more than a month for everyone if used sparingly.

It meant that most of the supplies Mark's group recovered from the enemies were given to the survivors of Matutinao.

Then, Emilio and the others saw the beam of light that tore cracks in the sky. It shook their minds. What kind of being could do such a thing?

And as soon that crack was created, it soon vanished for reasons they did not know.

At the end of these events, they never saw Mark's group. It gave them the idea that they could have possibly died there. If they did not, maybe they left already, not intending to have any more interaction with Emilio and his people.

That night, everyone's minds were deeply shaken by the events. The things they witnessed continued to baffle their minds as they continued their journey for the next day.

As Mark advised them, they needed to find a flat area. No one could understand what he meant at that time. Nonetheless, they followed it. There was no need to mention that his advice saved them once already.

Emilio led his group and climbed the hills of Badian the next day. Their pace was not fast at all, considering the state of the survivors from Matutinao. The men were emaciated, while most women were in an unstable state of mind. It was not a surprising outcome. After all, the men were treated as slaves, while the women were taken away and treated as playthings. After the charm magic cast on the women wore off, all that was left was depression and suffering.

The only good thing, well, definitely bad in a way, was that there were no elderly among the survivors from Matutinao. The [Tamawos] had no use for the old. Anyone old enough in Matutinao was killed immediately right after the [Tamawos] invaded the town.

Late during the same day, Emilio's group found a suitable place. It was private farmland in the middle of nowhere. The place was not exactly flat as it was in the middle of a mountainous area. However, the slope was not steep, and even vehicles would have no problems driving uphill. There were also houses and buildings, although not that many.

As for the farm's inhabitants, all they had left was the stains of blood around their homes.

Emilio told everyone to prepare the houses and tents in a tight cluster. The last thing they wanted was to have no defense against possible attacks from either the [Infected] or [Evolved Animals].

And as Mark advised them, they decided to stay at that place for a few days. Of course, the reason was unknown.

Until... A sound of an explosion from the sky roared as if warning everyone of the incoming catastrophe.

Everyone watched as hundreds of meteorites began raining from the sky in horror. At first, they stared blankly in shock, wondering if it was all just a dream. But next came panic.

It was when they cursed. They were in a flat land, mostly devoid of anything. There was no place to take cover, and the tents and houses would definitely not hold against those things falling from the sky.

Many people wanted to run, but there was nowhere to run. It caused them to question whether following that cursed advice was the right thing.

And then, one of those things from space was hurled toward them, causing people to panic even more.

It was until that thing they saw the piece of the meteorite get destroyed as if hitting something invisible. It happened not only once but repeatedly as the things from space continued to rain.

Some of those things crashed into nearby areas, making the people fall to the ground due to the shockwaves. However, they all realized that none of the debris hit them directly despite many supposedly falling towards them.

They finally realized... They were being protected by something they could not see.

It caused them to question whether it had something to do with Mark, who told them to find a place like this.

The catastrophe from the sky soon ended. Everyone miraculously survived despite some injuries.

That was when the ground began to shake. Everyone was thrown to the ground once more. It was an earthquake with a strength no one had seen before. Before their shaking eyes, they saw the land in their surroundings shift. Many trees and structures fell, and many steep hills crumbled.

And them who were in a clear and flatter area did not have to worry about things falling unto them.

A weaker earthquake that lasted a few seconds already felt several hours. An unprecedentedly strong earthquake lasting several minutes felt like an eternity.

But when everything stopped, they were all still alive. Their surroundings all changed except for a circular stretch of land around them. Everyone rejoiced they survived not just one but two catastrophes. Three if the one the previous day was counted.

And then... They all realized their survival was all because of one advice they heavily questioned.

After that, they noticed the barrier and how dangerous it was outside through trial and error. It cost some lives since some of them tried to investigate the surroundings after the catastrophe but did not make it far and showed signs of radiation poisoning. Those people did not make it due to heavy radiation poisoning.

They were the first casualties after the catastrophe.

Realizing that they were trapped in a safety net, they did not know whether to laugh or cry. But as they were alive, they decided to make the best of what they had and try to hold it out.

They encountered some of those robotic things, although looking mangled. These robots tried to attack them but were unable to pass through the invisible barrier. They took advantage of such and attacked from inside and managed to destroy the dangerous attackers with great difficulty. The robots were hard, but since their metal bodies were already broken from the start, it was easier to disable them through the destroyed parts.

Less than one month later, they all saw the barrier collapse. It meant that their protection was over, and they also realized that it was now fine to go out.

But they could not stay here any longer.

The area sure was flat and easily defensible. However, there was barely any resource they could gather, especially water. The place had a deep well pump, but it was destroyed during the earthquake.

Thus, despite the danger, they all continued north.

The journey was tedious. They encountered more enemies along the way, and the casualties increased.

Since the roads were gone, they had no choice but to cut through unfamiliar forests that appeared after the world had changed.

The casualties increased through the journey until they were tired of it.

Finally, they found this place and decided to settle down. They were all tired of running away and tired of continuing further. This place had everything they needed to live, from clean water to edible fruits and plants.

And there, this village was established.

They finally found a place to call home.

But at the end of it all... Their chance for survival stemmed from one thing, one person... Mark.

And now, the person was sitting in front of them. The question in their minds was given by Emilio.

"Who was Mark?" And the rest of his group... "Who were they?"

Janice, Caudillo, and Tanya stared at the people in front of them in silence. They were waiting for Mark's answer. But if the latter would not answer, there was really nothing they could do.

Still, they want to know. They want to know who the person they owe their lives to really was.

And finally, Mark opened his mouth.

"Normally, the script goes like I don't care who they are, they have our gratitude or something," Mark looked at Emilio and the other three. "But I guess it's different here, huh?"

Emilio and the other three could only show a bitter expression. Television Dramas were one of the most prominent hobbies in rural areas, so everyone here understood what Mark meant. They did feel ashamed but retracting the question was the least of their intention.

Mark then shrugged.

"I'm just like you guys, surviving this new world. It's just that I became blessed with luck when everyone faced their downfall."

Emilio and the other three were confused by Mark's answer. Not only them, however. Bella and Donna, who were curious, were also baffled by it.

"What do you mean?"

Emilio asked.

"Literally what I just said," Mark stared at Emilio. "This apocalypse caused my life to become way better as opposed to most people's becoming miserable. And like most people in their ideal job, I'm just thriving while in the most suitable environment. The apocalypse."

The answer was a bit confusing, but Mark did not say any lie. The apocalypse changed his life, and it shaped the current him.

"Will that answer suffice?" Mark asked. "Well, if you're asking whether I'm human or not, I'm not. I stopped being one."

That statement surprised Emilio and the other three beside him.

"A Demon..." Emilio murmured before staring back at Mark. "Are you connected to [Auraboros] or the [CNC]?"

This time, it was the turn of Mark's group to be surprised, with the exception of the sisters, who knew nothing about the two organizations.

"Are you sure you can reveal that with everyone here?"

Mark asked, confirming his possible connections with the two organizations.

"That doesn't matter. There is no point in keeping it a secret anymore," Emilio replied. "So, are you connected with the two? The answer will confirm whether we will treat you as an ally or an enemy."

Emilio's expression was serious. And he told Mark in a frank manner even if there was no chance of them winning if a fight was to break out.

"I'm connected, but not as a member," Mark truthfully answered. "I'm a customer of [CNC], and the [Auraboros] is my enemy."

Emilio then sighed in relief.

"I knew it," Emilio smiled. "There is no way a member of [CNC] will help us without payment, and it's impossible for a member of [Auraboros] to help humans."

"Then why did you ask?"

Mark asked with a frown.

"I just have to confirm because there is still a chance, right?"

Emilio replied.

It was true, although it was questionable if Emilio would be able to tell if Mark lied.

The conversation gave Emilio some clarity on the situation and what Mark and his group possibly were. However, the rest of the people inside with them became more confused instead.