The meeting (1)

"I think... maybe the animals could also advance in rank, just like we humans do. That would explain how they were able to match us in terms of speed. Remember that day when we ran up the hill; it was still able to climb up."

"True," Rhea thoughtfully nodded, running her slender hand through the dog's fur. "That means we still have a lot to learn about the world itself and the power it has given us."

Reckless nodded, his eyes trailing the movement of her slender fingers. They were long and beautiful, and her nails were round, clean, and pink. He thought of something and shook his head, then averted his gaze.

He wanted to say something when a cold voice rang out.

"Awakened, please move to the fifth floor."

The voice was something Reckless and Rhea were familiar with; it was Ethereal's voice.

The other Awakened also heard the announcement, and they were amazed that Ethereal could amplify her voice. Without wasting any time, they started moving to the fifth floor.

The fifth floor looked almost like the other floors, except that the air seemed different. They hadn't had time to check it out when they saw the people sitting at the highest stage. They included Ethereal, Metis, Ruby, and another man, this time, not Perry.

Not many had met Metis before, and they were simply captivated by her. Reckless could even see the obvious tents in the pants of some Awakened as they made their way to the seats arranged for them.

Ethereal looked as cold as usual, her face frosty, and she had a mature demeanor. Metis looked seductive as she whispered something to her cousin's ears, making the slit of her dress part, giving a beautiful view of her fair and smooth legs, up to her thigh. The girl seemed not to have noticed as she sat up, but Reckless knew she was doing it on purpose, and she won because the men's gaze were completely fixated on her.

Noticing the movement of the newcomer's eyes - who was Ethereal's new left hand man, Ruby, who was about 1.8m tall, clad in tight black leather pants and a top, with inky shoulder-length hair and charming red lips, stepped beside the newcomer, Tyler, and whispered in his ears.

"Do you know the cause of Perry's death?"

The newcomer suddenly felt chilled and shook his head. He had indeed heard some rumors but he didn't know if it was true.

Ruby placed her palm on his shoulder. "He died because he couldn't take the fact that he didn't have a cock anymore. And mind you, staring too much at Lady Metis would brought the same outcome." Tyler shivered and hurriedly averted his gaze. So it was lile this?

He suddenly felt that he was surrounded by demons instead of beauties. What's the use of being around beautiful women if you can't even admire them? Anyway, he had to thank Ruby. He still wanted to get married and have a harem of women serving him.

After the Awakened had seated, Ethereal gave Metis a nod, and the latter nodded back and sat back in her place properly. Looking at the seated people, Ethereal began her speech.

"Even though I don't think we need introductions, I would still like to introduce myself. I am Ethereal."

Her gaze swept across the people, her voice calm and even-paced. "My call might seem abrupt, and many of you might have been busy when I called you, so I will not waste your time. We are running low on meals."

Instantly, clamor started in the hall, and the hall was drowned in a cacophony of voices as many went into panic. After all, without food, even if they had shelter, they would die of hunger.

"I think it will benefit you if you let me finish my speech, or I wouldn't mind throwing you all into the wild."

This successfully silenced everyone as they went quiet.

"I and my people have come up with a plan, and I approved of it after seeing how feasible it was. You guys were brought here, away from the claws of nightmares, free and healthy. I fed you and sheltered you, and have hidden you from even more threatening nightmares. And for those who have parents, lovers, or children here, we have protected them for you. Of course, we are not asking you to pay or something, but don't you think it's time you do something helpful in return?"

It was silent before a middle-aged woman raised her hand.

Ethereal nodded for her to talk.

"Lady Ethereal, I am Ivy. You have indeed spoken the truth. After the outbreak of the apocalypse, many of us lost hope. My husband... he died by my hand. He asked me to kill him because he was turning into a zombie. No matter how painful it seemed, for the sake of my children and others, I had to do it. After that, I became what I had thought was impossible. I felt powerful as I've never been and could even slay zombies. However, I could only watch helplessly as my close friend died at the hands of a plant, an ordinary plant." The woman laughed at herself, wiping away the tears in her eyes as she shook her head, her voice shaking. "I couldn't do anything. I was helpless, just like I was from the start, and I could only watch the zombie chew on her gut. I was also in trouble; my kids weren't safe, I couldn't protect anyone, not even myself. I had never felt that powerless."

"I had, in fact, thought I would die, my kids would die, and even though I felt regretful, it was not like I could do anything until you came."

Ivy's face was emotional and full of admiration. "You saved me; you made me realize that to become powerful, one has to be powerless first. You saved me and my kids. The two are healthy and vibrant now, all thanks to you."

"Just like me, you have saved many of us and built us a heaven out of hell. I am sure others would be as grateful as I am, and you didn't ask us to do anything. We didn't pay you a dime, yet you helped us. So... whatever you want to do or want us to do, you just have to say the word, and I, Ivy, will be at your command."