Mutagen

<strong>Day 260 - 10:01 PM - Barangay Toytoy, Municpality of Caramoran, Province of Catanduanes</strong>

A little more than half an hour since Mark started the fight against the remaining members of the mercenaries and private soldiers from the ruined Codon Settlement.

Right now, Mark stood a bit far from the campsite. In front of him was the corpse of the hated leader of the mercenaries, Ulric Montgomery. Above the dead mercenary's head, a crystal appeared after it absorbed Ulric's mutation. Mark stretched out his hand, and the crystal flew unto his palm, guided by the [PsyCrystal].

Mark looked at the new [Physical Crystal] in satisfaction. The glow inside the crystal was a little bit brighter than most [Physical Crystals] that mark gained from other [Mutators]. This indicated that Ulric's mutation was pretty high-leveled compared to most mutations. Its capabilities already showed when Ulric managed to detect Mark and even wasted Mark's twenty minutes trying to chase after the guy.

After the crystal flew into Mark's hand, he let out another three [Physical Crystals]. He got four crystals this time, two with decent mutations, while the remaining two looked mediocre compared to the previous two. Well, [Mutators] were kind of rare in the first place. Each ability was like a gacha item pulled from a random unlisted pool of rewards. And if the mutation was higher leveled or stronger, the rarer they were to find.

Mark turned his head towards the west. The bloodied campsite should be in that direction.

From the start killing the mercenaries and private soldiers only took a little less than ten minutes. Once a person's morale was broken and overwhelmed by fear, ending a human life was just as easy as stomping over an ant. The resistance was almost nonexistent as their only instinct was to flee from the dangerous situation.

The remaining mercenaries and private soldiers were ended in that state.

What Mark had to put effort into was chasing after the fleeing Ulric. The mercenary leader was able to break off the shackle of fear and death and fled from the scene as fast as he could. Although it was not a nice scene, he did not hesitate to leave his comrades and underlings behind. It was a commendable resolution to do everything for him to gain a little chance of survival.

After killing the mercenaries and private soldiers and taking away the abilities of the three remaining [Mutators] in their group, only then did Mark chase after the fleeing leader.

However, the ability of a high-leveled [Mutator] could not be underestimated. In that several minutes Mark spent killing the rest of the targets, Ulric had already scaled a mountain with his speed and strength. Furthermore, although he was fleeing for his life, Ulric did not let panic overcome his senses. He even applied some escape techniques to lose pursuers.

Misdirection. It was one of the important things to use when getting pursued by someone. Ulric did a few misdirection techniques, which did stop Mark a bit. However, an Otaku who had piled up such useless knowledge would not easily fall if they could use their head fast enough. Many of these misdirection techniques had been used in many anime genres after all.

In the end, the scythe that Mark held ended Ulric's life. The mercenary leader still offered some resistance. But compared to the [Fighter Mechids], Ulric was much weaker.

With all the mercenaries and private soldiers dealt with, Mark could finally end the day and go back to the magical village. It was already late in the night.

As for the dead bodies, Mark just left them all. He could leave the clean-up to Diwata Iraya's people. They could also retrieve the supplies Mark had left behind at the campsite. Mark did not have problems with food and water, so those supplies could be used somewhere else instead. The only things Mark wanted were the guns and ammunition, which he had already stored inside his ring.

Mark began to walk away from the dead mercenary leader. He then vanished with a puff of black mist that flew away quickly.

***

Mark returned to the village. Almost everyone was already resting, with the exception of the nighttime creatures and, of course, Mei, who was diligently waiting for Mark.

Although Mark always told Mei to not wait if he was late, she always waited anyway. That was why he already gave up on it and just appreciated her efforts to welcome him when he came back from outside.

After washing his body and changing out of the bloodied clothes, Mark had some late-night dinner.

While Mark ate, he looked outside the window overseeing a wide view below and across the mountain. This should be their last night here. It was not like they could not come back. Still, there were very few reasons to go back here, anyway.

***

<strong>Day 261 - 10:25 AM - Magical Village, Unnamed Mountain, Municipality of Viga, Province of Catanduanes</strong>

Late in the morning, the important figures of the magical village had gathered at the entrance.

It was time for farewells as Mark's group was about to depart. However, both Ilia and Chimetrice were nowhere in sight.

"Visit us sometime, alright?"

Aliya, Mark's ancestor, said as she gave her grandchildren a hug each. She really doted on Mark's family. Unfortunately, there was very little time for them to spend together. Not to mention that this previous week was busy not only for Mark, who was fighting around the island. Aliya was also busy since she was in charge of taking care of the injured.

Mark's aunt, Gennie, stood behind Aliya as she bid her goodbyes.

It was the same for the other members of the magical village, who were thankful for Mark's group's presence in their time of need. If not for them, the [Mechids] would have continued terrorizing them and the whole island.

"You are all welcome to come back at any time. You can consider this place as your second home. If you all have nowhere to go, come back here."

Diwata Iraya said. These were not just words of farewell. Coming from a Deity, it was more like a declaration the village should acknowledge. It was not like anyone of them would deny Mark's group. After all, it was already the second time they were helped by this group led by a family of Demons.

"Seems like you're praying for us to lose our home, huh."

Mark replied in a joking manner.

"In the current state of the world, who knows what could happen."

Diwata Iraya did not mind Mark's words and replied with the awful truth. In fact, this also applied to Diwata Iraya and her people. If not for Mark and his group, it would be them who could have lost their home, after all.

Finally, Mark's group turned around.

"I'll open it."

Spera said, waving her hand in front of her.

A portal then opened where everyone in Mark's group entered. Everyone in the village watched until the portal closed and vanished into nothingness.

***

<strong>Day 261 - 10:30 AM - Mountain Base, Mount Malabito, General Nakar, Province of Quezon</strong>

The portal opened in the middle of the Mountain Base. If it was any unfamiliar place other than the Mountain Base, a hole in space would have been quite an intriguing sight to draw people's attention. However, although taking the attention of the people nearby, it was not a new thing for them to see.

Still, the people stopped and watched. After all, a portal opening at this time would mean that the core people of this base were finally returning.

And as expected, the group they were expecting arrived through the portal.

Mark's group's return was met with a warm welcome. It was not like their members did not return through the portal for various reasons. However, the difference this time was that they would stay for a good while.

As the portal closed, the other core members of the base arrived to welcome Mark's group. The missing Ilia and Chimetrice were also present. It was due to the [Mini Cube] being unnecessary for their return. That was why Ilia and Chimetrice returned first to bring the [Mini Cube] back to the base while the rest of Mark's group lagged behind for a bit.

Furthermore, many other people from the base gathered after hearing about the return of Mark's group. It was as if it was a grand occasion.

Mark felt uncomfortable with the attention, but he had already gotten used to it since he was the leader and owner of this place. It was the same for Spera and Feng Zhiruo. Mei was already used to unnecessary attention since the start. As for the three little girls, it did not really matter to them. And Amihan... She was already hiding while sitting on Mark's shoulder. Even now, Amihan did not like being surrounded by people she barely knew.

Of course, it was different for the sisters Bella and Donna. The two were new to this place. However, it was not like they were useless during the last week on the island. While their abilities did not work against the [Mechids], their abilities made fighting the [Infected] afterward far easier.

The welcome did not take much time. The schedule of people within the base was not as hectic as before. However, there were still a lot of things to do. Thus, they returned to their jobs soon after, wondering what they would have for lunch and dinner today.

Bella and Donna happily joined the three children they decided to take care of. The children were also happy that their beloved sisters returned safe and sound. Being dragged by the three children, the sisters were brought to their house. A house that was newly built for the five of them. Such a scene moved the hearts of Bella and Donna. Considering everything that happened after the apocalypse started, they never thought of having a home they could call their own anymore.

On the way to the Cliff House, Mark let out a small smile. He could feel the overflowing emotions of Bella and Donna. This way, he made the two sisters one with the people of the base.

Giving the two a house with the children was actually Mark's plan. The surprise added to their relief after their safe return, and the warm welcome would be etched deeply within the hearts of the sisters.

"What are you smiling about?"

A curious and a bit rude voice sounded from Mark's side.

Mark glanced at Spera and replied.

"Nothing? Maybe I'm glad that most of the troublesome things are done for now?"

"Hmm..."

Spera nodded, but she looked unconvinced.

"Elder brother!"

A sincere call was heard as someone ran towards Mark before giving him a tight hug.

Mark shrugged as he patted Elise's head while her troubled real older brother and older sister watched from a distance away.

Furthermore, two girls of almost the same age as Elise also came with her. It was Annica and Emika. The two girls were now titled the rulers of fauna and flora within the base. It was a rather exaggerated title since Emika could only control her hair, but it still counted as flora.

"Hey, Uncle!"

"Brother."

Emika and Annica greeted Mark together.

Outside the house, Mark's three maids waited. Odelina, Aephelia, and Hannah. It looked like Hannah had already gotten used to her new life, as she did not look awkward anymore.

Mark sighed. Since was he able to get such a lively environment with him at the center? It did not feel bad, but they should not overdo things, really.

In any case, they were now back. The home they created.

With all their business in this country done for the moment, Mark planned to spend a bit more time here in the base.

A month of preparation. That was what Mark had in mind. Of course, he also planned to see the two military settlements he had a connection with from time to time.

After a month, Mark planned to pursue his next goal. The will that Freed left him. To find the remaining [Inheritors] and weigh if they were worthy of the powers they inherited.

But first and foremost...

Mark turned to Abbygale.

The little catgirl's birthday should be in the day after tomorrow. By the looks of it, she had already forgotten.

Mark did not want to miss it, though.