212 Promotions (2/2)

They mostly stayed on the outskirts of the town and observed whether the people in Binangonan were friendlies. It was only until they can't take the searing rays of the sun that they decided to enter and crossed the bridge to meet with the police patrols.

The encounter was thrilling and filled with anxiousness but after the two groups warmed up to each other and Jun's name was mentioned, everything became a breeze.

The police border patrols assigned on the outskirts of the 1km radius were all volunteer workers from the police force. They were survivors who came from other parts of Binangonan and were late to the 'faction divide' preventing them from becoming of any importance if they ever joined. At least in the police force, everyone has an equal chance due to the implementation of contribution points that its members could receive for actively doing tasks. It also does not have any conflict with trading with Black Haven.

Why not join Black Haven instead? These were people who do not know what the history of the town was. They don't revere Black Haven as much as the earlier people. At most they think that Black Haven was powerful and rising in the ranks would be harder. Furthermore, there were strange rumors that the leader was an egotistical maniac who does as he pleases. He even had a rumor that he enslaves his subordinates and works them to death.

Bernard was the one who met with these people, and he reported his findings to Evo. A report which made Evo's head hurt since if it was true that Angono has become their subordinate town, they have to send a management team to go over and check things out. He also had to produce more credit point cards and have it circulated.

Then he finally has the chance to worry over certain things: How are their food levels? Can they produce or just consume food? What resources they have? Those are one of the few reasons why he hurriedly called for this meeting, he wanted to ask guidance from the more experienced people.

This incident further highlighted the importance of people as resources. Evo urged Bernard to also search for people with talent in management or similar skills.

The meeting ended with no clear answer in hand, just more problems, and workload.

As Evo made his way back to his office, a voice spoke beside him.

”Too busy? You didn't even notice me.”

Evo turned and found Adrian looking at him.

”Oh, you're back? How's the search?”

”It's bad. Rank 2 Evolved Carriers were literally everywhere. To be honest, if it weren't for the few people we encountered we would have assumed the place as a ghost town.”

”How's the trip? What happened to Edward? Is he back?”

Evo worriedly looked around in search for the promising young man. Adrian made a team to escort Edward on his quest to journey home. Morong, Edward's hometown was a semi-urban farming town, and it has a mixed modern-countryside feeling to it.

”We reached his house. The good news? It was empty. Really empty. There's a high chance that they left alive or...” Adrian sighed and did not continue what he was about to say. ”He's currently patrolling the streets, probably to get some air.”

Evo nodded softly, before taking something out from his dimensional storage. ”Take this, its a smartwatch. If you see Sheila and Edward, tell them to come and find me. I only have limited stock, so I can't provide for everyone.”

—

Edward patrolled the streets and arrived back at the municipal plaza. He inhaled the intoxicating alcohol fragrance in the air and passed by a drunken old man. He noticed that it was Felipe, Black Haven's vegetable farmer.

A scantily dressed woman wrapped herself on his bulky body.

Edward became surprised and temporarily forgot what he was thinking. He smiled sheepishly and made his presence small as he continued to walk away. Then he heard something weird, something he wished he did not hear.

”Did you really not drink the blue pill?” asked the lady.

”Of course not! Why would I need that when I have a watering-can.” Old Felipe laughed as he repeatedly smacked his thigh. He then took a swig of the beer and exclaimed refreshingly.