532 Forcing Her Out, Felicias Reunion with Her Father (1/2)

Day 129 - 10:36 AM - Audubon High School, Audubon, Camden County, New Jersey, United States of America

Mark's arrival took everyone in surprise, and the way he harvested the lives of the enemies with his scythe made the soldiers relieved that he did not seem to be an enemy. If this man clad in a black haze that looked like a grim reaper started attacking them, they were not sure if they would be able to stand it.

After all, Mark just eliminated most of the enemies by himself and that the soldiers did not know how many casualties they would have if they were the ones to do it.

Thus, when he said that it was his vehicle that was coming, they could only lower their weapons without hesitation.

This person did not seem to be human, after all. Even if one were to tell them that he was, they would not believe it entirely. They were enclined not to for some reason they could not understand themselves.

While waiting for the vehicle to arrive...

”Sir, thank you for saving me.”

The old man approached Mark in gratitude.

Everyone around the old man that time knew how he was close to death. Luckily, Mark appeared to block the attack aimed at him.

”It's fine,” Mark replied. ”I have a reason for saving you.”

The old man was stupefied. What reason could that be? Did he know this person? Even though he could not see the face of Mark because of the black haze, The old man could not feel any familiarity with him.

Then, it was Captain Morrison, who approached, with some of his men with higher status in this group.

”Sir, thank you for aiding us. May I know your name?”

The military captain humbly conveyed his gratitude.

This gesture gave Mark a good impression of this person. He was definitely the leader of this place, but he did not hesitate to lower his head because of his people.

Captain Morrison was not afraid of Mark. Even if they would surely lose, this military captain would not retreat if they had to face Mark. This, however, made his gesture even more sincere. He was not lowering his head because of fear but purely because of gratitude.

The military captain himself was a Mutator. And the ones standing behind him were the same. However, none of them were at the level to contend with the brothers that fled. Even if these soldiers ganged up on that younger brother, they would not be able to do anything much.

”Call me, Mark, just Mark and nothing else.”

Mark replied with neither overbearing nor servile attitude. This way, he would not look arrogant or someone they could take advantage of, just pure neutrality.

”I want to ask, is this all your forces?”

Mark asked in a bit of confusion.

It would be easy for them to wipe out these soldiers, considering the strength of the attackers. Just the two brothers were enough to assassinate these soldiers and take over the campus.

Captain Morrison seemed to realize why Mark asked that.

”We have two small groups out scavenging this time. Our strongest people came with them. It's because these bastards had been attacking our scavenging groups all this time, and we already lost many people.”

”So, its all part of a plan, isn't it?”

Mark asked once more, and all those that heard him could only agree.

Because of the lack of supplies, they had to send as many scavenging groups out as possible. However, most of them got attacked by these same people. They would always demand the things that the scavenging groups collected, and those that tried to resist would get killed. Strangely, as long as it was not a good looking woman, they would let the others go back.

Thus, they started to take measures like making fewer but bigger scavenging groups and forbid women from participating in it. But of course, that did not stop the harassment. And if not dead, the members of the scavenging groups were injured. The survivors in this school were getting desperate these past days. They had no other choice but to send their most powerful mutants to guard the scavenging groups.

Unfortunately, that seemed to be what these outlaws were waiting for.

”Seems like you got rats in your camp.”

Mark said, causing a ruckus among the soldiers. However, what other explanation could they find aside from this? It was like their movements were always known by the enemy, and their countermeasures were rendered useless.

”All of you here better not let this out, you hear me?”

Captain Morrison spoke towards his soldiers and the other men that participated in this battle that heard what Mark said. Although what he said might be true, it would cause serious trust issues among the military and the survivors once it spread out. There were still around five hundred survivors in this school, and although they had not had a new headcount since the battle just finished with casualties, there were still around a hundred and fifty soldiers.

With that number, infighting was not something they would be able to suppress without using force. Once force was used, though, the relationship between the survivors and the military would crumble.

They had already considered this angle. However, it was also not suitable to just point fingers without proper investigation. And it was one of the things hard to do after the outbreak.

”I want information,” Mark suddenly voiced out. ”I can help you uproot the weeds if you can give me enough. But it might want some confidential ones.”

Everyone looked at Mark in surprise. However, Captain Morrison could not help but frown with a sigh.

”This person...”

Why would Captain Morrison not notice it? Mark deliberately caused some problems by saying it out loud, and then, he would offer some help for a cost. What a crafty person.

Although Mark helped them with the current predicament, he actually caused Captain Morrison some serious trouble.

”Don't worry, I'm not forcing to answer now,” Mark said as the black haze around his body vanished. His scythe also turned to a gelatinous liquid that entered his body.

With the haze disappearing, Mark's face was seen by the soldiers. And he was...

...Rather common looking.

Who would have thought that a powerful existence like this person actually looked like some ”Henchman A” from a gang movie?

Well, although he looked like that, Captain Morrison and the Mutators behind him knew that it had nothing to do with looks. Life was not like just some television drama where every protagonist was good looking.

Finally, the vehicle came.

Sure enough, the soldiers looked intimidated by the black vehicle with an uncanny style. As they were experienced soldiers, they somewhat knew that this minibus was not any less sturdy compared to their tanks.

As the vehicle stopped a few meters away since it was blocked by the dead bodies of the outlaws, Mark spoked the old man.

”Old man, look who's here.”

The old man was very confused.

Unexpectedly, after a few seconds, no one went out of the vehicle.

”What the hell are they doing?”

Mark could not help but murmur.

Any one of them could step out already. However, it seemed that they were urging Felicia to step outside first. It was not like he did not know the reason.

Mark sighed and decided to approach the vehicle. The old man was left in place, even more confused.

Opening the passenger door in the front seat, Mark spoke inside the vehicle.

”If you're not going out, we're going to leave.”

Felicia stiffened. Her eyes were filled with tears as she saw the old man, but she could not find the courage to step out and face him.

”Come on. I'll be right behind you when you go out.”