Time is Running Out

The ringing sound eventually stops, but not before most of the girls are screaming in pain. Some guys too. They have thought that their eardrums would rupture, but that is kind of impossible, as the sound is coming from within their head.

It is not really a physical thing.

"Congratulation," the now familiar voice speaks into my mind. It speaks to everyone. "On maintaining your will. For passing our little test, you are worthy, but whether you have potential or not, it is up to you to prove yourself. Please entertain my children."

Silence reigns. No one speaks, and I slip back into the kitchen to finish my little crafting project.

I know what the Ruler of Life is talking about, and her children are exactly what I think they are. Those who have not awaken will awaken soon as well, and a lot of people are going to die as the result. I do have not time to save everyone, and frankly, they are not my responsibility.

My survival is the top priority. Only being alive and regaining my full power, I can protect what I cherish the most.

"Hey Zan," Alex calls out from the doorway the moment that I finish crafting my incendiary bomb. He is not alone, and Alice is also with him. She is quieter than before. "Everyone is heading outside for an assembly. Should… we go?"

I smile. "No. Gathering of large crowd will only attract attention. You should spend this time to craft a weapon. Once everyone is armed, we will try and get out of the city."

Alex shrugs and does what I have asked while I pick up my butcher-knife polearm. I swing it to test its weight before smashing the pole end at the padlock around a cupboard. The padlock obviously doesn't give in, but the cupboard doors do.

"What the hell are you doing?" One of the new comers calls out. His name is Thomas. His sister is also with him. Her name is Jessica. I know them both from the first time around. They are amongst the few people who has survived.

"Need some non-perishable foods. We might be here a while,��� I answer. "You've heard the news. No one can enter the Cube, and no one can exit it. It will eventually collapse, and we might have to survive until it does."

The other way to collapse the Cube, freeing everyone and everything within is to clear the Black Tower Dungeon. That is simply not possible even with a hundred men armed with machine guns. They might make it to the Boss, but the Dungeon Boss isn't something that can be taken down by mere bullets.

"Seriously?" Alex questions. "Damn."

I quickly grab what I can from the cupboard and toss them into a duffle bag. Some items are deposited into my Inventory. Due to limited space of the Inventory thanks to my current level, I have to be quite selective. I also take out the gun in there just to free up a slot for other items.

Alice helps me, and I accept her help without saying anything. She needs time to think through what I have told her.

"Fuck man. You guys are acting as if this is the end of the world? Been playing too much video games, right?" Thomas questions and picks up a knife just in case. Nothing wrong with being prepared.