404 A Test of Worth, The Strength of the Person Judged to be Weak (1/2)
Day 68 - 12:32 PM - Recreation Area, Maryhill Retreat House, Ortigas Avenue Extension, Dolores, Taytay, Rizal
Mark and his group already finished eating launch. At first, many of them felt awkward about relaxing like this amidst the end of the world. Nevertheless, as the atmosphere got into them, they started to truly enjoy the event.
The food was not too lavish as most of it was nothing but canned food cooked into another kind of dish. Even the drinks were just juice or soft drinks.
What mattered the most was the mood.
Laughing about each other's stories, spending time with their beloved, and watching the children play. These kinds of things made them forget the horrible creatures outside this place.
Nevertheless, it seemed that Mark was waiting for something else. After all, he was glancing at the Retreat House from time to time.
***
Inside the Retreat House, Case and Kaira slipped into the room they used last night to get their things. As this room was not really someplace to sleep at but a conference room, they all shared this large room. That was why they had to slip in and avoid anyone from seeing them.
Case packed his things with a lot of things in his mind.
”Are you really sure about this, Case?”
Kaira asked with uncertainty.
Case suddenly asked her to leave with him. Although she did not hate it, it was too sudden. They had no preparations, concrete plans, or even enough time.
Furthermore, even though Case already talked with the commander of the soldiers, there was no guarantee that they would be accepted by them.
Another thing was if they two were caught by Harold. Although Harold rarely showed his anger, one of the things he hated was desertion. It was the exact thing they were currently doing.
”Also, we aren't sure... if that commander is a good person either.”
”Sir Mark? I'm sure he's quite the demon. He won't hesitate to abandon unrelated people and let them die.”
Case's reply made Kaira surprised.
”Then why...”
”You saw those people outside. The members of his group. What do you think?”
”They seem to be having fun.”
Kaira replied as she zipped her bag.
”Exactly.” Case nodded. ”Their leader is a demon to those unrelated but the best leader to his people. If we can join them, then we won't belong to those unrelated anymore.”
Case slipped his backpack on his arms.
”Let's go.”
He grabbed Kaira's hand, and the two hurried out of the room.
Things should have been fine. Since it was not new for Case to appear and disappear, it should have been fine.
However...
”Where do you think you two are going?”
Prince who sat on the highest step of the stairs leading up to the second floor.
His back was facing the two but Case could tell that this narcissist currently had a smug-looking face.
Kaira froze. Compared to Harold, she was more afraid of this person. After what he did to her several times, she already developed an instinctual fear of him. For her, it would be better if Harold was the one who caught them than this lunatic.
Case frowned. He pulled Kaira closer which made her lose balance since she was frozen in fear. However, that made it easier for Case as Kaira would not be able to resist what he was about to do.
”Uwaaa!”
Kaira shouted as her body fell.
Case caught her and lifted her up in a princess carry.
”Hold tight and don't bite your tongue.”
He said before he did the thing that not only Kaira but even Prince did not expect.
Since Kaira shouted, Prince turned around. The moment he did, however, what he saw Case jump over the railing beside the stairs.
This was unbelievable because no sane person would that kind of thing unless he wanted to suicide. The height between the second and first floor was rather higher compared to the height between the second and third floor. It was because of the reception areas and other activity areas built on the first floor.
A normal person might not die unless they land head first. Still, breaking a bone would not be surprising.
And yet, Case jumped without hesitation. He was even carrying Kaira.
”Hey!”
Prince shouted in surprise. His voice was loud that it obviously alerted everyone around them. It was including Harold and the other members of their group that was still watching the event below.
Contrary to what Prince thought, Case landed safely on the first floor. There was barely any sound of the landing either.
That landing was witnessed by several soldiers and the family members of the soldiers that were still at the reception and the open dining area.
Case ignored all those stares and bolted off. It was because Prince also jumped to chase after them.
As a Mutator, Prince landed on the first floor without effort.
”Case... How did you...”
Kaira was in shock. Although she managed to hold her scream when they fell, what just happened was still unbelievable to her.
”I'll explain it later.”
Case continued to run while Prince chased behind them.
***
”Here they come.”
Mark spoke while looking at the back door of the Retreat House.
Crashing the event, Case came out of the door while carrying Kaira.
Of course, the place fell into silence as they immediately became the center of attention.
”Gege, are you waiting for them?”
Mei asked.
”I am. Those two will be our new members.”
Mark confidently replied.
”They seem to be in trouble.”
Mei said as Prince also passed through the door chasing after the two.
”It's fine, they are not.”
While Mark and Mei conversed, Case already arrived in front of Mark.
”Sir...”
Case was about to say something, but he was cut off.
”Just leave her here. Do what you need to do.”
Case nodded and put Kaira down.
”Just stay here. Alright?”