Chapter 646 - Pearls Heart, Berraks Advice and the Arrival of the Threat to Catanduanes (1/2)

With a step after another, the army of infected unsteadily traversed the uneven seafloor. The evolved marine animals or the mutated corals and plants might have hindered them, and the strong underwater currents swept a lot of them away. Nevertheless, nothing stopped the infected's advance.

Many of the Type-1As, the Biters, and their mutated variants had drowned and died. With their bodies still living, the lack of breathable air was enough to kill them. But of course, they would not just lie down under the ocean floor. As they died, it allowed them to turn into Type-1Bs, the slower but living dead Eaters.

Unfortunately, while the Biters dying and turning into slow Eaters sounded like a good thing, it was the opposite. If they died in other ways, blood loss or injury might only turn them into their Eater variants. Their death under salty ocean water, however, hugely opened them an opportunity.

It was a dreadful opportunity for them to mutate according to their surroundings.

That was what was currently happening under the waters of Langonoy Gulf.

Most of the infected started to adapt underwater, mutating in different. Not only the saltwater became the catalyst of the infected's mutation. The corpses of the evolved marine animals, the water plants, and even the corals contributed to each unique changes.

To be able to move faster underwater, some started to grow webbed feet. Some Biters that survived became able to extract oxygen from seawater. Those that could not handle the strong currents had their bodies growing bigger.

As their bodies changed, their instincts followed.

Some started to swim like fish. Some learned to float. The infected gained new abilities as they traversed the gulf towards their destination.

***

Day 147 - 6:34 PM - North Codon Coast, Codon, San Andres, Catanduanes

At the campsite, the tents were pitched quickly. Unfolding and securing the tents were not some kind of complex task. It was even faster with everyone working together.

It also did not take long for Pefile to return with firewood. But it was not only firewood that he brought back. He returned, carrying a freshly killed boar on his back. This boar was definitely mutated with its tusk having a black color. However, it seemed that it was not powerful enough for Pefile as it was killed with a stab of a wooden spear on its neck.

Without a doubt, the menu for dinner was decided.

There was no need to process the whole boar. They only needed to cut a portion of its body for dinner. Draining the blood was not an issue either with Miracle around. Of course, she did not like absorbing blood from other sources aside from her Papa.

Slicing the parts and dipping them in seasoning, the wild pork was ready for grilling.

”Hey! Smelly uncle! Give me that slice!”

”It's mine.” Mark retorted. ”You can have the next one.”

”But that's bigger!”

Emika pouted.

”Can't you just eat quietly? Look at my daughters. They are eating quietly. You should take them as an example.”

Mark said, glancing at the three little girls sitting on a log by his side.

”But Miracle isn't even eating!”

As usual, Emika and Mark bickering over trivial things. Everyone welcomed these kinds of events with smiles. One of the very few times that Mark would show genuine emotions rather than his usual fake ones.

Berrak watched this scene, feeling amazed in his heart.

'Was this the very same guy that killed without second thoughts?'

That question passed by Berrak's mind as he saw this kind of playful Mark in front of him.

Nevertheless, what bothered him the most was the extreme difference of this group compared to most people he encountered since the apocalypse started.

Since the apocalypse started, everyone that Berrak saw was always at the edge. It did not matter whether they were just regular survivors or people like General Seguerra. No matter how they appeared outside, they were all afraid of the current Earth.

This group, Mark's group, however, looked like they were just on a fun vacation.

Nevertheless, it was not a bad atmosphere. Berrak felt more relaxed with this kind of thing around.

Slowly, Berrak's fear of Mark was lessening. Nevertheless, he was still not letting his guard down.

At the same time, however, Berrak could not help but notice someone who looked a bit sad in her eyes. Even her aura was a bit unstable.

***

As per usual, sleep time in the apocalypse was early. The little girls wanted to watch anime a bit more, but Mark told them that they would need to wake up early tomorrow. They obediently complied, well, aside from Emika, though. Unfortunately for the green-haired girl, she could not do anything since Mark was the one keeping the laptop.

Around the campfire, four tents were pitched. In the largest one, the four girls slept together. Mark and Mei were in another and the same for Edzel and Pearl. The last and smallest tent belonged to Berrak. As for Pefile, he was not using a tent but was resting on the branch of a large tree nearby.

Was everyone asleep? Not exactly. Mark was half-asleep while Pefile was keeping guard. Since it was Berrak's first night with the group, he could not sleep properly either.

There was also another person.

When she felt that Edzel was already asleep, she left the tent and sat on a rock while looking at the sea.

It was no other than Pearl. Of course, she knew that Mark, Pefile, and Berrak were still awake, but she knew that she would not bother them by going out like this.

To Berrak, however, he thought that it was already a good chance to ask her some questions.

And thus, he came out of his tent and followed her.

Unexpectedly, however...

”Sir Berrak, do you need something from me?”

Pearl asked, without even turning her head behind her.

This situation made Berrak surprised and embarrassed. It seemed that the most normal person in Mark's group was not some girl, either.

Berrak stood a few meters behind, not saying anything. That was when Pearl finally turned her head.

”Do Sir Berrak have questions for me too?”