374 The Blood Armored Devil, Putting His Upgraded Abilities to Tes (1/2)
Day 59 - 1:09 PM - Kamagong St., Barangay Pamplona Tres, Las Piñas, Metro Manila
”Miss Emi! Miss Emi!”
Analynn's voice rose as she held Emi's shoulders and tried to get her attention. Surely, she was shocked by Emi's sudden action. It was very likely that it was the very first time she witnessed this.
”Karlene, you should stop your friend. Emi is already back to normal. Your friend is just hurting her like this.”
Mark spoke.
”Lynn, calm down.”
Karlene gently held Analynn's hands and made her let go of Emi.
”But Karlene, Miss Emi... She is... She...”
Analynn looked at Emi's face. There was nothing but a blank stare though. Realizing that Emi was still the same, Analynn broke into sobs.
The two might not have known each other for a very long time. However, the bond built in a short time they spent in a life and death crisis weighed heavier than the bond formed for years in the day of peace.
While Karlene pacified Analynn in her arms, Mark stared at Emi.
As for how sudden her smile was made, that was also how sudden she returned to normal.
No one in this vehicle could understand what happened. Not even Mark.
Emi might not respond to anything, but, she was awake all this time. To be precise, her consciousness was awake. She could see, she could understand and she could hear what was happening around her. Nevertheless, her body would not respond to any of her wishes. It was like how doctors advised the relatives of coma patients to keep talking to the patient because, despite their state, they could still hear the sounds and voices around them.
Emi's state was not that different, albeit, more complex.
The mysterious thing, however, that smile had nothing to do with Emi's consciousness. It was the sole movement that came from her body.
Not only it was mysterious and strange. It was also a bit creepy. The feeling was like a still doll suddenly turning her head towards you as she smiled. It was as if something else made her body act like that.
Nevertheless, Mark could not detect anything that could, possibly, do it.
If she was possessed, Mark should be able to tell as there would be two conflicting consciousness in her body. It would result in her behaving violently contrary to her current state. He could tell that it was not the issue though.
There was also no strange energy around her or Mark who became rather sensitive to such energies after he was able to wield miasma would also feel it.
”What a headache...”
Mark scratched his head. With his current knowledge and capabilities, he could not make out any reason about Emi's strange actions.
In any case, there would a lot of time to observe Emi.
***
Day 59 – 2:23 PM – Carlos P. Garcia Ave. Ext., Barangay Pulang Lupa Uno, Las Piñas, Metro Manila
The way back took a shorter time than before. Since they followed the same route they took when going to the university, the only things they needed to deal with was the infected on the streets. Still, with the presence of Gifre and Logan, it became easier to traverse the infected filled streets.
It was unfortunate that despite being an [Alpha Infected], Gifre was not a [Leader Type]. If he was, things would be a whole lot easier.
At this moment, their vehicles stopped by the side of the highway extension. It was the same area where the roads were blocked by Dark Greed, Gifre's band of bandits.
Everyone was out of the vehicles. Especially the ambulance, they needed to check the damage because unlike the [Exceed: Personnel Carrier], the ambulance was just a normal vehicle that was poorly modified. Even with Gifre and Logan around, there would still be some of the infected that managed to slip in to attack the vehicles.
”What are we going to do here?”
Karlene asked. Although she knew that this place was where the other members of the enemies that attacked them last night were holed up, she did not know what Mark would want to do here.
”No.” Mark replied. ”I'm the only one who is going to do something. Everyone else stays here.”
”Huh?”
Karlene was confused. Before she could say anything else, however...
POOF!
Mark vanished and all they could see was the trail of black mist moving towards the condominium buildings upfront.
”Say... Are the members of this group really human?”
Analynn asked. That was the question that not only she had but the other members of the survivors from the University. Not only that they had a vehicle that could traverse a sea of infected without getting a single dent, they even had two monsters on the leash. There were even two little fairies flying and slime-like creatures bouncing around the three little girls of the group.
Before Karlene could answer her friend's question, infected started to come towards their temporary encampment. As Aephelia was about to send Logan to intercept the infected, Miracle and Abbygale already charged forward.
That small number of infected was taken out in no time... Just by two little girls...
”Okay... Just don't answer my question...”
Those were the only words Analynn could say after witnessing that. Karlene could only smile bitterly as she witnessed the world of her friend going upside down.
***
Day 59 – 2:27 PM – Paseo Verde, Diego Cera Ave, Barangay Pulang Lupa Uno, Las Piñas, Metro Manila
Mark stood at the center of the compound where the condominium buildings were located. The place was quite large and surprisingly, the Dark Greed managed to secure the whole of it and even some of the streets outside. Their set up was not bad at all.
The streets were blocked with different kinds of things like vehicles, appliances and barbed fences which could block normal infected. Then, the Mutators in their group would deal with the mutated infected that would be able to get past the blockades.