416 The Situation Outside the Base, Those That Could Enter and Those That Could No (1/2)

Day 71 - 5:22 PM - Mountain Base, Mount Malabito, General Nakar, Quezon

Reaching the base located in a flat area between two mountains, everyone was already dead tired. There might not be that too many battles along the way. However, just the rough new road out of Barangay Daraitan leading to the base drained out their energy because of the very bumpy ride.

When everyone saw the base, they could not help but feel amazed. Tall reddish-black walls surrounded the base. Above the walls, many odd-looking cross-bow like weapons were mounted. If that was not intimidating enough, the spikes protruding from the walls would surely frighten people enough to make them stay away from these walls.

\”This is not just a base, it's more of a fortress.\”

Those words were what currently occupied their minds.

As for Mark, he felt rather proud of the base after seeing their reactions. The foundations of this base were laid out by him, after all.

Still, his proud feeling could not appear on his face at all as he frowned deeply.

The exterior of the base was all excellent and was even improved.

However, what was with the two tent villages outside the southern gates?

It was already surprising to find out that Barangay Daraitan was currently being occupied by a group of survivors. Yet, what was with this situation?

These two tent villages were set up with temporary huts separated by the road going towards the gate. By size, the people on the west side of the road numbered to thirty-two. On the east side, however, there were ninety-seven individuals.

The people on the west side looked really odd. By their appearance and the atmosphere around them, they seemed to be belonging to an indigenous tribe.

On the other hand, the larger group on the east side, many of them wore rags, they all looked normal citizens.

Since several vehicles arrived up the rough road, the people in the temporary huts were alarmed. They all went out of their dwellings to see what was going on. Amazement could be seen on their faces as they saw the Sci-fi looking vehicles leading the convoy. Of course, seeing Gifre, many were shocked that they ran into hiding.

Then, a commotion could be heard from the base.

Hurriedly, the gates opened. This seemed to have surprised the people on the east side of the road.

As the gate opened, several people went out with brightened faces. They were no other than Mark's direct subordinates left to lead the base. Huey, Joleen, Trisha, Ed, Ron were here. Along with them, Mark's friends, Hallie, Nicole, and Alana, also came. Unexpectedly, Aaron, Naomi, and Tullia, the slaves that were saved from Death Valley, were also present.

It was not hard to tell why they came out. Even without communication, it would be impossible for them not to recognize the same material used on the vehicles. After all, it was the same material used with the walls and weapons they had.

Seeing the vehicles modified with [Blood Metal] only meant that Mark had returned.

Their eyes lit up even more as they saw Mark going out of the vehicle leading the convoy.

\”\”Boss!\”\”

\”\”Mark!\”\”

The group coming out of the gates yelled in unison and greeted.

Mark nodded at their greetings and faced Huey, who served as the temporary leader, while he was not around.

\”What happened? Why are there people outside?\”

Mark asked while glancing at the people in the surroundings.

Hearing that question, Huey sighed.

\”Actually, Boss, we don't know either.\”

According to Huey, this situation happened too suddenly.

The tribesmen seemed to have arrived first just a few days after Mark left with Miracle, Karlene, and Edzel. Since Mark made a very strict rule to not let any outsiders to the base, Huey did not let them in. Since the only way for them to enter was Mark's permission, Huey told the tribe that they have to wait for Mark or could just leave if they wanted to.

Nevertheless, they insisted on staying to meet Mark who was the owner of this base.

They did not seem to be bad people and that was why Huey and the others actually helped them make temporary dwellings for them. These tribesmen even helped with farming on the north side of the base in exchange for extra food and clothing. Since there were no problems with that, Huey and the others gladly accepted their proposition.

These tribesmen seemed to have some odd customs. Still, they were good people to work with.

As for the group on the other side, they suddenly appeared about five days after the tribe arrived. Furthermore, they arrived with a bit of commotion.

Apparently, this group arrived midday after the hornet nest northwest of the base were disturbed. Furthermore, when these people arrived, a lot of them were wounded, especially the ones wearing rags.

Furthermore, some of the people from this group tried to infiltrate the base one night. Of course, with Huey guarding the base entirely, there was nothing that could escape his ears within the base.

The intruders were eliminated without mercy. There were seven intruders and four among them were Mutators while the remaining were Evolvers. Unfortunately for them, their abilities were no match to the defenses of the base. They were killed even before they could climb over the walls.

When the other people from their group were questioned, they denied their involvement with the intruders. Since there was nothing that could serve as evidence, Huey could only maintain close guard towards that group.

\”Alright, good work.\”

Mark tapped Huey's shoulder.

\”It's nothing, Boss. We need to protect this place or we won't anywhere else to go.\”

Huey replied.

While the greetings were happening, some people from the vehicles also came out.

\”Bessie!\” Karlene shouted as she embraced Alana. \”Look who's here!\”

Karlene pointed at the person following behind her.

\”Mizuki! Long time no see.\”

\”Lynn!!!\”

Alana shouted at Analynn in glee as the two embraced each other.

Mark was rather surprised hearing what Analynn called Alana though. However, asking about that would come for another time.

\”Gege, who are the enemies?\”

Mei, who also followed behind after Karlene and Analynn, approached Mark and whispered.

Sure enough, her appearance as she came out of the vehicle caused the world to still a bit. Everyone in Mark's group was already used to her appearance. The others who saw her for the first time were surely not.

What was unexpected was her question to Mark. She even had her sniper rifle and sub-machine guns with her. It seemed that she realized what Mark's frown meant. It was not only because there were people outside the base, but it was also because of something else.

\”Huey, can you guys stomach killing people like animals?\”