7 Arc 1: Chapter 5

The journey back to the research facility that day was filled with a quiet atmosphere. Rod drove their modified pick up track, While Anderson and Grid sat at the Passenger seat. Grid despite being injured begged for the others not to be seated where the two was. He really felt that one of the two would struck him again and truly end his life for the better. That's why, Bunny was left seated with Martin and Bastian at the back. Her face looks dark as she tried her best not to even breath too loudly at the presence of the two. She was the sacrifice for Grid, and Grid truly felt thankful, he even promised to serve Bunny his whole life just for compensation.

"Why aren't you all talking? Friendship and Camaraderie starts with a little bit of conflict, it was either solved diplomatically or through fists. I say it's a good start, noh?" Martin grinned enthusiastically while patting Bastian. He truly was in a great mood. Why wouldn't he? He feels like the team would finally be more solid. "Bastian, do forgive them. They're all good people. I apologize on their behalf if they we're rude to you. But since you've already shown what you can do, I am assured that they already know what not to do. Am right?"

Anderson gulped, head nodding continuously like a hen pecking rice. His pale countenance turned paler. Bunny just avoided looking beside her, Rod answered with a 'yes, boss!" while Grid grunted, lips pursed as he tried not to aggravate his still aching body. Going against the Boss's words would just elicit them another pain, might as well go along with it? 'Ah, What to do? life is just so hard right now.'

Bastian found their reactions too funny. However his facial paralysis mask wouldn't let his emotion show this he seemed like a block of ice sitting at back. However, contrary to his face, He really felt that they're all a good people, they show concern towards each other, as well as the teams teamwork. So, without an expressionless face and almost robotic tone, he simply said what he thinks- "They're are all good and have an even greater potential...- Bastian paused, thinking what to say to encourage the rest, so he continued with- "I suggest training more on hand to hand combat and knife wielding. Why not let them fight without using guns for the time being. It would hone their instinct and ability to use their physical advantages with much efficiency." It should be enough of an encouragement, right? He truly doesn't know what to say. Thus, he confidently nod his head while saying his opinion. Training them with my knowledge in hand to hand combat should be enough to show my sincerety. Bastian thought.

Hearing this, Martin's gaze lit up even for such a wonderful suggestion. He smiled dazzlingly, it almost made the other blind. "Good!"

Bastian who was seated beside Martin felt a faint thud against his chest. He coughed, before looking outside the car window, hiding the intense burning of his ears. 'The hell! That was dangerous.' He almost lose his self control, wanting to pat the other's head. Thankfully, his body didn't immediately followed his hollowed brain. A sigh of relief almost left his lips. 'I need to be more careful. The bug is too strong, it felt like he glitched as well.'

Although he inwardly panicked inside due to unknown reason, that smile still made Bastian's day. He wouldn't dwell on the reasons though. He'd just ask the system after it returned. So he simply shrugged and threw the strange thoughts behinnd his mind.

However, for the other, it was the smile of the devil himself. They felt themselves tremble. 'F***! Brother, Why are you digging pits for us!!! Can't we be just friends AND live Harmoniously with each other? Aren't we comrades now?' The already calming hearts returned to their chaotic phase due to the despair (Martin) brought by the calamity (Bastian). It was simply too tragic.

A week has already passed, Bastian felt like his progress remained stagnant since the system hasn't comeback yet. His days were spent training Martin's little friends. Each showing a great progress with each and every encounter. During the day of their training, they made a clean up at the first town they arrived at. Rod and Bunny formed a team, each using a knife. While Grid and Anderson were the first to try fighting it off using hand to hand combat. Bastian along with Martin watched and assist from time to time. They observed the surroundings to ensure the teams safety. At first, Anderson and Grid would make a mistake, mistakes that would surely be fatal if not for the two bosses watching over them. But as they start to understand the perfect and efficient ways of spending their stamina and strength, they no longer felt exhausted. Their fighting prowess showed a leap of improvement. Although Anderson remained the weaker one between the two, He still has a sharp and innovative mind, as well as fast decision making ability. His brain works faster than any computer Bastian has ever since. No arms and weapons needed to be carried along with him. Any thing his hands held turned into a deadly weapon. He makes use of his fast and agile body to break, grapple and escape. He was like a snake. Able to use minimize effort to win over something difficult. This is his strength.

Grid on the other hand seemed like a fighter. His body seemed deadlier compared to their last spar. He no longer needed to use any weapon. Just his fist is enough to break a zombie. Even a knight walker would have a difficulty when it comes to dealing with this guy. He was as reckless as before. However, It seems like the experiences he experienced made him mature a bit. He's much more concentrated. He was also able to grasp chances when his opponents made a mistake. He showed his strength through physical combat which show a much brusquer style. He no longer waste his energy in simple and unsure attacks. Each movement and strike is deadly, just not to waste stamina. He may not be as agile as Anderson, but his raw power made it impossible to be restrained. He was as tankier as Rod. He doesn't really need to learn knife wielding since he trained at military, whilst Anderson doesn't like using a short weapon, thus the two of them mastered hand to hand combat instead.

Rod and Bunny on the other hand prefers having a weapon. Rod prefers a brass knuckle with pointy edge, much like a dagger with a brass knuckles style as a handle. Although he's a lot bigger and full of muscles compared to the three, Rods movement is fast enough when wielding a knife. He utilizes his strength through minimal movements. He moves like a predator awaiting its prey to reach his trap. Although the zombies seemed weak, their body lacks pain and awareness. Thus a simple slash of a dagger or knife wouldnt do. You have to put your strength just to penetrate its skin. While The night walkers were much more dangerous, their skin is much easier to rip. Perhaps because the blood, cells and tissues starts to work after they evolved a little. This training familiarized them to the movements and even the natural instinct of the undead.

Bunny. The only woman in the team is weaker physically when compared to the others. However, her smooth movements as well as her sharp and keen eyes made her the perfect reconnaissance agent. She trained muay tai starting from her young age untill she attend college. She Couldn't keep up, what with the study of medicine, being so tiring. Close combat is not her weakness but rather her Physical body. Thus She likes to gather, observe and even made a safe and precise decisions when it comes to the teams route and teamwork. She seemed like the eyes who sees all around the team. She's a support and a very skilled doctor too. Since there's such a high probability of being injured,it was a great advantage to have a medic who can also fight to protect their selves.

Then, there's Martin. Watching him made Bastian realized, this guy, is so much like him, but more reserved. He's just like a sheathed sword. His lethality is well concealed. He has no aura. His body only emitts a type of danger when he fought but looks completely harmless during normal times. It almost seemed like an illusion. That Calmness and Innocence in him is like mirage, what you see isn't all.

They were all elite. Their skill is finally up to par. This results to the teams efficiency being much higher compared to before.

also,...

Bastian observed a very disturbing thing going along with Martin. This true son of heaven seemed to fancy him. Up to what extent? He wasn't really sure.

This thought is not merely because he's a narcissist, it just all came together through further and detailed observation. Martin seemed to prefer sticking with him. Each mission needs the two of them being paired up. This arrangement wasn't really a problem since it is a part of his mission, so he thought why not and just go along with it. But things Starts to look weird. There were so many circumstances where he had to deal with the man's clinginess, It wasn't that irritating, but Bastian felt awkward since he does not necessarily like nor hate the other. It was a neutral feeling. There's that time during room allocation which he needs to be room mates with Martin as always. As well as night duties and late night chat that Martin seemed to like to initiate. Also, Martin likes to cook him meals. Due to the apocalypse, cooking ingredients nowadays are much harder to procure, thus simple meals prepared by the man seemed extravagant. Bastian thought it was a waste, cause although he was from a very luxurious family, he can proudly say that he wasn't choosy. In fact, a simple flavorless biscuit would suffice. Well, it's not like he hates such a caring and thoughtful colleague, so he just let him be.

Martin also likes to stare daggers at him. Most of the time, his eyes would always focus on where Bastian was. Just like the automated spy cam he bought for blackmail during one of those business transactions from his past life. The only Difference of the two was, the former was installed for him to be monitored. Bastian also realized how Martin seemed to panic when he's not within the others line of sight. As if he was afraid something would happen to him, whatever that was? He has no idea and he wasn't gonna ask. Besides, the feeling of being cared and protected by the other wasn't such a bad feeling, just a little disturbing, since he used to prefer to do things on his own, thus Bastian let him be.

then, there's the itch to ask the other about what happened before they met. He wanted to sound out the others purpose and the whereabouts of the so called lover and best friend. He was really curious to see the man's reaction. A thought popped into his mind,

'Was he reborn before or after the apocalypse?' also, 'what is it that you desire that made you form this team?' 'Are you after something?'. Surely, he wouldn't answer such questions, He also wouldn't ask. But Bastian had this feeling that the man wouldn't be able to hide anything from him. Not with that face. There's nothing to conceal there. He was like an open book.

ahh. The system is taking its sweet time just for a few intelligence. He really was bored now.

Bastian decided to simply ask, thus he moved towards the man. Martin was currently seated at a boulder not too far from him. He looks serious and silent as always, however, that flickering back and forth gaze already made Bastian aware that the man is observing and stealing glances at him again. 'How was such a man harmed back in the last life ?He was just too cute! Harming a kitten like this, those two really were a scum.'

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MILITARY BASECAMP SECTION A

A man with bronze skin and dark eyes stood beside a much smaller man. His Gaze trained at the pale skinned young looking man. His hands gently giving the other a gentle squeeze.

He smiled encouragingly as the smaller man smiled back. It was such a very touching sight to see. However, These two were the fate thief Allen and Eusto. They were currently about to enter the conference room and about to meet the big shots at the other side of the door.

Suddenly, the door Swung open, A man wearing glasses walked out, gaze narrowed at the two. He simply gesture for the them to enter the room before closing it with a dull thud.

The pair of man met the sharp gazes of the old and young military officials seated around the conference table. Eusto stiffened, however, the still intertwined hands made him calm down. He took a deep breath and stood straight. He needs to do this. Last life, last life was miserable. He needs to get these people back.

He wants his revenge. For Allen and for himself.

He can do it. He has Allen. They need to succeed now, not like their last lives.

"Allen and Eusto. You submitted a report of an abnormality at city S, right? You said it was a meteor. But according to the investigation, you haven't been there. So why do you think we have to mobilize the force just for your nonsense?" A man with triangular eyes suddenly stated, he put down the folder at the table, giving Eusto a look of suspicion.

The other people also nodded their head at this statement. No one would take risk at this unsure information. No further evidence has been gathered regarding the rock that was said to cause all these mayhem. The military has no abundant resources, so they had nothing to gamble with. They simply thought it would be a loss.

Eusto,hearing the man's words simply scoff. He grinned at the man's presumptuous attitude before simply answering with a calm and cold tone. "Major Telon, you have been smuggling weapons to the outside militant bases using your connections at the black market, aren't you? Also, you've decided to empty the base D's Storage,two weeks from now. hmm. You haven't contacted the dealer yet have you? Will you call him after this meeting?"

Suddenly, chaos erupt. The major named Telon tried to attack Eusto, but was immediately grabbed and pressed by a man wearing a general's uniform. His face was instantly pressed against the table, his face red from agitation. " What the hell are you saying you lying fucker!! I've done no such thing!! Let me go! I'll fucking teach that bastard a lesson!" Telon struggled, however, the man pressing him down seemed like a block of stone, he wouldn't budge.

"Oh? But I am not. I saw you, not with my eyes,but with my ability" Eusto grinned pointing at himself, his innocent and nervous face was replaced with an evil like smile. "That connection. Isn't he your illegitimate son? ohhh! No one knows about him yet, right? you've hid him well,Major."

Hearing this, Telon finally slumped, his body feeling weak. 'it's over now, all over.' HOW!!!

He just thought that two weeks from now would be the best time to conduct the operation since the others are planning to attack the Military base at the Island of Gaol. They would be busy to notice his movements. However, this monster knew?

".. Don't look at me with such a scary face. I have an ability precognition. I can see things. One of my visions projected you, Major. You and your son." Eusto explained before sitting at one of the vacant seat in front of him. He crossed his legs, his Condescending gaze sweeping at the others. "Now, shall we talk about my proposal, gentlemen? About the Meteor of nullah? or shall we call it the Pandora's Box?"