324 Preparations, The Three Camps Waiting for the Brewing Event in Bay City (1/2)

Day 53 – 10:22 PM – Baclaran Church, Redemptorist Road, Bacalaran, Parañaque, Metro Manila

Mark watched Mei face with a gentle expression while he caressed her hair with his hand.

Right after they watched the leaders of the alliance leave their residence building, Mark and Mei stopped by the ”Team Fairy's” residence and secretly picked up the three girls and Amihan. As for Odelina, she had to stay back in order to hide the fact that Iola and Abbygale was not there.

After picking the girls up, they all returned to Baclaran Church in order to prepare. Upon their return, Karlene was delighted to meet Iola and Abbygale. Together with Miracle and the other [Blood Children] they started playing. As it looked like, Karlene's childish trait made it easier for her to interact with children.

While the girls played inside the church, Mark brought Mei into the one of the rooms inside the church where they slept at in the past few days. There, Mark made Mei consume both crystals at the same time and helped her with the pain she felt during her mutation.

It had been several hours since then and it was very likely that Mei would not wake up anytime soon. In the least, her condition had already stabilized.

Since it was the case, he decided to start his own preparation.

He moved into another room and took out the plastic medicine bottle that he had shown Mei before which contained blood. This blood came from that [Leader Type] infected with bat wings that Mei had confronted before. With this blood, he would be able to gain the same kind of mutation the source of the blood had.

It was his newest ability that came in collateral at that time he was possessed by the Deity of Bloodshed. The ability that came from the [Physical Crystal] he consumed at that time.

He thought that it was a mutation that could turn people into a chimera like creature as he saw from the lackey of the cougar in Death Valley Settlement. When he consumed it however, he learned that it was far more than that. It was not a mutation to turn someone into a chimera but a mutation that allowed someone to fuse genes or DNA into his body and receive the mutation that gene had. The ability of this mutation was rather overpowered in his view that he could not help but curse in shock at that time.

This ability was what he called [Gene Fusion], an ability that totally complemented his [Blood Conversion]. As he could absorb and convert blood of others into his, it was easier for him to fuse other's genes unto his body.

However, it came with a setback. This mutation cannot be controlled easily. If he carelessly absorbed just anyone's and anything's blood, he could turn into a monster in no time at all. Due to that, he was avoiding absorbing blood of others as much as possible since he gained this mutation. The least he could do during time he was sucking blood and turning them into metal was to not include the white blood cells and other cells in the blood that could contain DNA and just focused on absorbing those that surely did not.

Another setback was that the fusion was extremely painful.

This time, he was going to undergo [Gene Fusion] for the first time and it was to acquire that [Bat Wings] mutation.

Without further ado, he let out a [Blood Whip] and made it absorb the blood inside the bottle. After the bottle was emptied, he closed his eyes and prepared for the next thing that would happen.

”URGH!”

Mark grit his teeth trying not to make a single loud sound. Unlike the [Physical Crystals] that would fuse the mutation contained within directly to the person's body which only caused pain during the change, what Mark was undergoing right now was a full genetic mutation.

If it were to be described in a vague sense, the crystals would change the current genes of the user into the same mutated genes. It was more like the crystal was cultivating their genes to be capable of having that mutation.

On the other hand, [Gene Fusion] was making two genes fuse with one another. The already mutated gene was being fused into his genes changing its very structure. Because of that however, the process was severely shortened compared to using crystals and actual mutation after a person was bitten by the infected.

It might be painful but because of the fusion, the compatibility of his body to the new mutation he would get would be as high as possible. Due to the high compatibility, it would be easier for him to use the ability than actual Mutators.

While the others were oblivious to the pain Mark was undergoing, the [Blood Children] could sense it. It did not take long and they entered the room with Miracle in the lead. They surrounded him in total worry but they decided not to approach and touch him as his body was totally sensitive at this moment.

Three hours passed and Mark was finally able to breathe calmly. His body was drenched in sweat and he was feeling quite numb but the pain was over.

The [Blood Children] were finally able to approach him.

”Is Papa ok? Still painful?”

Miracle who already adapted her older sister's address to their adoptive father asked with a worried expression.

Mark patted her head and before patting the other [Blood Children].

”I'm fine already.”

Of course, they did not believe him. This was the set back of having a mental connection with them. It would not be easy to fool these children.

”Papa… lying is bad.”

”Haha.” Mark laughed it off. ”I'm alright really. My back is just a little numb.”

Finally, Mark stood up from his position. With the [Blood Children] in tow, he entered the room where Mei was left unconscious.

Mei was still asleep when he entered. He wiped off the sweat from his body, changed clothes and lay down on the bed beside her. He was feeling sleepy after the tiring pain he had undergone.

As he tried to sleep, Miracle and the other [Blood Children] surrounded him and also shut down their senses. With the Alpha and Aimee around, there would be no actual danger that would go to them in this church. They could take a good sleep without worries.

While he was sleeping however, two little silhouettes entered the room. The two looked displeased and forced their little bodies into the bed. Luckily, the bed could still accommodate the two.

When morning came, Mark woke up with a whole mess on the bed. Mei also regained consciousness just before Mark was able to fix the mess.

***

Day 54 – 10:32 AM – General's Office, North District, Bay City Settlement, Pasay City, Metro Manila

”General, when are we going to make a move about this?”

Major Lopez asked the General with a furious expression.

The higher officials of the military in Bay City were called into a meeting this time. Their topic in this meeting was the sudden news that arrived to them yesterday. The news contained the existence of the alliance, the power behind Senator Estrada and the scheme that caused Mei Xiao's disappearance.