Departure

"What the hell? That's it?" Gran took the mask off his face. He expected the mask to be a defensive artifact or maybe a one with enhanced sensory abilities. However, all the mask did for him was give him the ability to see through it. It just acted as an eye!

"So much for being a rare artifact. Maybe gathering the fragments will help unlock its true powers." Gran hung the mask by his waist as he let out a defeated sigh. Although its functions were lackluster, it was still an artifact, thus it could stick to any object with was attached to, like the face. Or in this case, the waist.

...

The glowing door creaked open as two messy figures stepped out of it. When they entered the hallway of the familiar building, the door behind them suddenly stopped glowing and the mana in the surroundings returned to normal.

"So it's a one-time use thing." Gran thought that it was a great way to test his power as the boss was usually quite durable for a punching bag. Sadly, it was only a one-time use door.

'Looks like it is time to explore the outside world.'

May suddenly pulled Gran along as she hurriedly walked towards the direction of Gran's apartment. She needed a shower!

However, as they were passing by the reception area, they heard a commotion that was just starting to get intense.

"Look. There is a banking system that suddenly appeared! That means that money still holds some power here in the apocalypse! I am not saying that I should take charge of the entire group, but since I am the one with the most currency right now, I should at least have more share in the food and other good stuff." Opal was arguing with a young woman while they stood before a glowing ATM.

"Maybe in the future, we can buy special powers or something with the new currency that has appeared. I am telling you, treat me well now, and in the future, I will take you guys under my wing." Opal was sounding more arrogant the more he spoke, rightfully gaining the attitude of 'a big boss of a large company'.

"Bullshit! Although there may be some use to the currency, you can kill monsters with money! In the end, we are all around the same strength, who gives you the right to get more food and stuff." As the food situation starts becoming a problem, many people living in this building who was used to having their stomachs filled were now acting very grumpy.

Contrary to what should've happened, Gran acted like he didn't raise them and wasn't their leader, as he walked past the group of monkeys. T'was another day in the apocalypse, the fight for a new hierarchy hasn't been settled. For Gran, who thought himself already at the top of the hierarchy, he didn't give a damn about the people below him.

May, however, had no choice but to step in. Although she is near the top, she still had to exert her dominance now and then to stroke her ego a bit and make sure those under her have no funny ideas. Even more so now, when she just gained a significant strength boost.

"What was going here?" May spoke up as she walked toward the crowd, regaining her 'reclusive master' demeanor.

The crowd naturally parted ways for her, as she arrived in front of the duo. "Sis May, this fool was asking for more food just because he has more money in the bank! I think we should punish him!" The young woman shouted as she finally saw her pillar of hope.

May raised an eyebrow as she asked, "Bank? I thought those things are useless now?"

Realizing that she wasn't up to date with the newest apocalypse news, the young woman quickly told her about the bank that could be accessed from the glowing ATM.

"Interesting," May stroked her chin, imitating a certain genius. "This should be what the teacher meant by mana altering reality. With human's strong belief in the banking system, which was deeply rooted in our culture, it is no surprise that mana would alter and turn this ideology into something real in the apocalypse." Although the people around here didn't know what she was talking about, she sounded smart and they were impressed nonetheless.

'Bingo, look at all their faces with admiration, hehe.' May smirked in her head as she kept a straight look on the surface. "I have to consult with my teacher first, in the meantime, stop thinking about nonsense and go clear the workers' dorm. There are still monsters there."

May instructed as she made her timely exit. The power-hungry duo looked at each other with fighting intent as they lead their own team to start another round of competition.

...

After settling down, May and Gran were in their usual spot, on the Jarsheep wool sofa.

"So that happened? Banks huh... Well, I guess that guy Opal had some truth in his words. With this new banking system, there maybe be a rise in the status of people with money in their banks. It's not solely about might anymore, the people who used their brains to accumulate their wealth would have a saying in this new playing field."

"Now, since there is a bank. We just have to wait for a 'Shop' to appear. I wonder if they will manifest themselves as a real physical shop or not. Maybe it'll go the online shopping platform route and appear next to our status. What an interesting guessing game hehe." Gran was finding the world even more interesting as he thought of all the possibilities with mana alteration and its wonders.

"So how are we going to deal with them?"

"We are not, let Centy deal with them. This is his building after all, and the ATM is in him. He should use this to leverage against them. Right, Centy." Gran called out to nothing, seemingly talking to air.

"Umm, well, I can't control whether they use it or not. Haha." Centy let out an embarrassed laugh, "Actually, I can only monitor the situation in the building, I can at most lock or refuse access to people who wants to use the apartments. Things that manifested from mana alterations however are out of my control. Think of them as honored guests, visiting my humble abode.

"How useless, well anyways you can threaten them with your restrictions or something, this is your chance to make a bunch of new friends." Gran waved his hands dismissively.

"What about you?"

"Oh me? I am taking my disciple outside for a little stroll. Don't worry it may take a while but we will be back."

...

"What! We are leaving? Why, where, how? So soon? But I-" Gran cut her off there, "Shush, we have to go out and see if we can find more of those doors, maybe things will get even more interesting."

"And you said I am yours right?"

"H-huh, yea of course,"

"Then if I were to leave and explore the world, you wouldn't just let what is yours go by himself right?"

"Of course! I will never leave your side!"

"Good girl."

May smiled shyly as he finally admitted that he belonged to her. What a strange turn of events.

...

"So yea, that's all. We are leaving." Gran said casually as he turned and left, giving May no choice but to follow quickly behind.

The crowd of survivors stared blankly at their irresponsible leader, not sure if what just happened truly happened.

"I suggest we vote for a new leader!" Opal's voice snapped the survivors out of their stupor as another round of power struggle began.

...

"How could you just leave them like that? What about calming them down and reassuring them and all that. You just up and left?" May still couldn't wrap her mind around what just happened. Was this how a mighty figure should act? Wasn't there a need to uphold his image as a benevolent and wise leader, sacrificing his body to explore the outside for the better good of humanity?? Where did all that go?!

"Enough of these mundane matters, at the end of the day I won't be the one who will always be there to babysit them, they are elites for goodness sake. They can carry their own weight."

"Now, our main goal is to grow stronger ourselves. And more research! I feel like I am close to a breakthrough!"

Gran announced with a smile as he looked up into the sky with expectations. His strides became wider as he started a new adventure with his foolish disciple.

...

"Are you not worried about your family? Don't you want to go home and check?" Gran said as they sat on an empty bench in a park.

"Well, I was worried about them at first, however seeing the zombies killed so easily with sharp objects, I'm certain they are safe," May said as she chewed on the food bar in her hands, it tasted like spaghetti.

"They have guns after all, although not the military-grade ones, gunpowder types are still quite lethal I reckon. They often go hunting during family trips too."

"Teacher, how about your family?"

"Mine? Well, I guess right about now they would've conquered most of the territory on the Western Side. If they are smart about it."

May rolled her eyes at her teacher's nonsense, not knowing that what she said was close to reality.

*Shake shake*

At this moment, the bushes by the bench shook.

Gran was still enjoying his steak-flavored food bar so May had no choice but to get in a defensive stance.

A small figure shot out from the bush, only to be swept aside by a roundhouse kick coming from May's now well-toned legs. It had to be mentioned that since the apocalypse, May's body has been growing more seductive, with curves appearing where there were once none. Her breasts were also growing larger as if mana was altering her body toward the perfect image she had of herself in her mind.

What laid there, dead on the ground was a rat looking like it was from the same series as the rat automaton that Gran fought in the garage. However, instead of being bipedal, this rat had 4 wheels for legs and its tail stood ramrod straight. Its teeth were sharper and more threatening and its fur had a slight metallic coat, making it reflect light.

"I will name this the rat swifters."

"What a dumb name teacher."

Both of them looked at the creature on the floor curiously.

Suddenly.

[You have survived for more than 10 days]

[You have gained the title: Beginner survivor]

[Title shop is now available]