Mutagen

<strong>Day 138 - 2:26 PM - Mountain Base, Mount Malabito, General Nakar, Quezon Province, Philippines</strong>

Mark wanted to know about the Blood Demons considering that no one knew a lot about them. Mythological and historical records, even legends and folklores, did not mention anything about them. It was like someone erased their existence on purpose.

And now, it was very likely that it was the work of the Observer and the Eyes.

Finally, Mark learned about the actual reason why Blood Demons got purged from existence.

It also revealed a problem for him to mull about, though. And this problem was quite a serious one.

In any case, there was no use mulling about it at this point. Mark was just glad that he became informed about it before things became serious.

That was why instead of focusing on a problem that he could do nothing at the moment, he turned his attention to the preparations and checking things in the base before they leave for tomorrow.

First was the removal of the Black Dust around the base. And to say, the armor that Mark made was not exactly convenient for everyone's use. The armors were made thin and did not weigh too much at all. Its only purpose was to avoid direct contact with the black dust and not to defend from attacks. Still, most of the workers were not used to wearing armor while working. After all, in any kind of work, it was better to wear comfortable clothing.

However, it could not be helped at all. Everyone needed to avoid the effects of the Black Dust as much as possible.

Next was the people that would go back to the Spirit Dimension. Unlike before, several people would need to stay back. It would be Spera, Aephelia, Alana, and Karlene.

Spera and Aephelia both had the same reason for staying behind. Both of them were necessary for the preparations they were doing before the Second Wave came. Spera was needed to open the portals to transport the supplies they collected while the infected that were under Aephelia's control did the transportation.

On the other hand, Alana and Karlene had new duties now, and it was to help with scouting and clearing the infected at places where they found supplies. Their help was more needed there than on Mark's side. In the first place, the reason Mark brought Karlene with him all the time was to keep Karla in check. Now that Karla and Karlene were already separated, only Karla needed to come with Mark's group.

One of the individuals needed in the base was Amihan. However, there was no way for her to stay behind while Mark went somewhere else. She would definitely throw a tantrum. It was only because the situation could not be helped that she behaved while Mark was in New Jersey.

In other situations, she would rather run with Mark into danger than staying with other people that she barely interacted with.

Mark had no problems with her coming along, however. Since the problem with the Black Dust changed from removing it to storing it, the work became easier.

Mark also went back to The Pagoda to see their work. Gathering supplies were slow in his view, but in the least, it was going smoothly. He also went near the outpost of Auraboros to check. Strangely, though, the number of personnel they had there became lesser. Even the presence of Shadow People sent by them was almost non-existent. At most, two or three Shadow People were lurking around. They had no intention to infiltrate, though, and only watched their activities from a distance.

It was really strange as to why Auraboros moved like this. However, it was to Mark's favor as he had to leave for some time. Well, inside the Spirit Dimension, time would be shorter, but it was still faster here on Earth comparing the two.

There was one problem that cropped up, though. The Pagoda was close very close to Reading City. Although the geography around The Pagoda was a natural defense itself, more and more infected were trying to climb up the geographical barriers to reach their outpost. Because of this, it would not be too long, and they would be forced to cease the activities here and focus somewhere else.

Right now, Mark was standing above the slope, watching the infected lost inside the Tikbalang's illusion.

"There's a lot of them, isn't there?"

Mark asked Huey, who stood beside him.

"Yes, Boss." Huey agreed. "Actually, there's more of them last night. A horde wandered tried to climb up the slope directly from the city center. This is only a fourth of that horde that managed to reach the illusion. Most of them went the other way after failing to climb up."

Mark nodded after hearing that. In fact, all of the infected in front of them were mutated ones. It was not strange as common Biters and Eaters did not have too much capability and intelligence to climb up steep slopes. It was even normal to see any of them tumbling down a set of not that steep stairs.

"We better eliminate these ones first."

Mark said, leading everyone to kill the infected trapped in the illusion.

It did not take too long to kill the infected inside the illusion. The Tikbalangs might not be able to choose which ones they wanted their illusion to affect, but in the least, they could isolate the ones inside at will.

"Wew. This became easier because of Boss here." Huey said as he shot the last infected with a crossbow through its head. "If it's just us, it would take longer."

Those words made everyone agree. Mark's existence not only raised their morale in facing the terrifying infected but because of him being present, they could go wild a bit as their safety was more secured.

"If I'm not around, do things carefuly."

Mark warned.

"Don't worry Master," Jolleen spoke. "None of us here wants to die."

That was right, no one, not only them but a lot of people, wanted to die in this wrecked up world. It was even more for people that were now under Mark that found their safe haven.

Mark shrugged. At least, the people he took under him were finding their new lives better. Unlike them, the ones that Mark saw before were the ones truly suffering.

With those thoughts, Mark turned his head towards the direction of Reading City. The build-up of infected at the edge of the city could be seen clearly.

"If the number of infected going up the mountain became uncontrollable, do not hesitate to abandon this place. This is an order. This place is not a part of our base but a temporary outpost. TEMPORARY. It's not a big loss to us if this place is gone."

Saying those, Mark turned to everyone. There, they all nodded in affirmation. He had to give this order in case these guys behave like some heroic idiots that did not want to lose against the infected and stay to protect this place.

Nevertheless, the chance of that happening was really small. He just went and said it to be secure.

After he finished checking on the situation at The Pagoda, Mark returned to the base with Spera...

Only to find Fourth relaxing inside his house... again...

"Why the hell are you here again?"

Mark could not help but ask. Anyone would surely ask this after seeing someone not welcomed going back and forth into your house without permission.

"What? It's not like I'm causing trouble, right? I even hid my presense and did not show myself to anyone outside your house."

Fourth argued.

Surely, for some reason, Fourth was more considerate compared to her actions this morning. The pressure that the Eyes naturally emit was contained properly either. If she showed herself to anyone in his base, they would be in panic considering that a lot of them saw knew about her but the base was just like the usual.

However...

"That's not the answer to my question."

Mark grumbled. He would rather have the Eyes stay away from him, considering that he was a Blood Demon that the Eyes should be eliminating.

"Didn't I tell you before that I'm spending my time here to relax since there was really no other places to go to?" Fourth reasoned properly. But then, she dropped a question that made Mark frown.

"What are you worried about? The fact that you're a Blood Demon and your family is the same?"

Mark frowned but did not react too much. After all, it was already given that it would be revealed after how he asked questions this morning. Although showed it like he was just interested, there was still a chance for it to be revealed.

Nevertheless, Mark found it odd.

Fourth already knew, but she was not making any move and confronted him about it.

"Actually, I have another errand."

Fourth said as a glowing crystal ball, about the size of a baseball, appeared on her hand.

"Our Master already knows that you're a Blood Demon. But because of special circumstances on you, we are not going to make any move or plan on eliminating you or the remaining Blood Demons in your base. My Master sent this just before I returned here."

And there, Fourth flicked her hand, and the crystal magically floated towards Mark.

Mark did not hesitate to catch the crystal as he could not detect any ill intent from Fourth. The moment he touched the crystal, however, he froze.

The crystal exploded with bright light, and a rather soothing voice entered Mark's ears. It explained everything that was happening and why he would not be subjected to elimination. At least, not now.

Hearing everything he needed to know from the plan of the Eyes and the Observer, Mark's mind returned to reality.

"So, you guys want to make me as a tool, isn't it?"

Mark asked. He was quite dissatisfied with the arrangement.

Unexpectedly, Fourth showed a complicated expression.

"I know, right? Being treated like a tool is not something that everyone can accept. At least, you and your family won't be subjected to complete annihilation, right? You have no choice to accept it."

That was right. Mark had no choice but to accept it. Then, a question entered his mind.

"Let me ask something."

"What is it?"

"What will happen to the others if I died before the plans of your master started?"

Mark could not help but ask. It was the worst-case scenario but it was better to have knowledge about it.

There, Fourth froze after receiving the question. Though rather than actually freezing, it was more like she was receiving a reply from somewhere.

And when she came to, she immediately replied in a pitiful manner.

"We will have no choice but kill the remaining Blood Demons if you died. After all, only you have the ability to consume souls among the Blood Demons, right? Then, the others will be prone to become the Avatar of that Evil God instead. That can't happen, right? So you better take care of yourself."

That pushed Mark into contemplation. It was one more thing to worry about.

Without being able to do anything about it, Mark could only sigh.

"Don't worry. I know you will be fine! I believe in you!"

Fourth said assuringly, which made Mark quite confused as to how this girl got that confidence on him.

Well, in the least, Mark knew that the Observer and the Eyes would not meddle in his business in a negative way.

While in those thoughts, Mark then remembered the last thing he needed to do. It was to check on Aimee and the stone egg she had. It was still postponed because of the things he needed to do.

That was when a thought entered his mind and his eyes fell on Fourth.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Fourth was confused.

"Actually, I had a question. But I have to show you someone first." Mark replied. "That's possible, right?"

"Hmmm.... There's no problem, I guess?"

Fourth agreed and Mark led her to the place where Aimee was staying.

But then, when they entered and Fourth saw Aimee...

She froze in total shock.