Plundering in the Apocalypse

'What just happened?'

Seeing Shin and Alice's leaving figure. Sophia didn't know what to say. What just happened now was unbelievable to her. Shin just told them his name and her boss stopped asking them to join.

Inaka was still in a daze after hearing Shin's name.

'Did I miss out on something?' Sophia thought as she looked at Inaka's dazed face.

"Mam, what happened? Do you know him?" Sophia asked snapping Inaka out of her daze.

Inaka came to her senses and smiled wryly.

"Too bad for us. We can only give up." Inaka said as she shook her head.

"But why mam? What made you give up on him?" Sophia asked.

"You don't know Sophia but there are some powers whom even Shidou clan don't dare offend," Inaka said with a meaningful look.

"Is he someone that important?" Sophia asked.

"Yes, he is from the Wolner clan," Inaka answered.

"But I never heard of them," Sophia said trying to remember anything about the Wolner clan.

"Of course, you don't know. They are not known to the public. Only elites of the high society know about them. I only got to know about them by my grandfather." Inaka replied.

Sophia now understood that this boy was not some normal person.

Inaka sighed. At first, she was thinking of blackmailing Shin into joining them because of so many murders he committed. She could have pressured him a little with her family's influence. But who would have thought he was from the Wolner clan?

'Now it all makes sense. If he is from the Wolner clan that amount of power should be normal.'

"Let's go back and continue searching for potential candidates."

Soon they made their way out of the forest too.

***

While going outside the forest Shin and Alice again met up with the trio. They exchanged contacts and bid goodbyes.

On their way back Shin noticed some people were buying the monster parts. But as Alice said it would be better to let the government implement the policies first. They might get some extra profit. He had a good feeling about it.

'I also got a lot of things today. Skills, abilities, stats, items, and much more. I'll check everything later at home.' Shin thought.

He booked a taxi which soon arrived to pick them up.

Inside the taxi, Shin thought about how weird this day was. He came to kill monsters but ended up killing so many people. He even made Alice kill some people.

Shin was worried if Alice is okay. He glanced at her and noticed she was smiling like always.

'Her smile makes my heart warm.'

Suddenly he remembered Alice's confession.

'Haah, what should I do? I need time to understand my feelings. Even if Alice is cute, kind, and very nice. I need time. Maybe I should just pretend like she didn't say anything until I can find the answers I want.'

Shin nodded to himself and closed his eyes as he started circulating his mana. It became a habit for him whenever he was free. He had a feeling this will be very beneficial.

What Shin didn't notice was Alice's face was turning red in embarrassment.

Only now did she remember her words which sounded exactly like a confession.

'Oh no. That wasn't how my confession was supposed to be.'

'What should I do?'

'What would Shin think of me?'

Although she was panicking she suddenly stopped and calmed down with a sigh as she glanced at Shin.

'I don't think Shin noticed. I should calm down first.'

'But it irritates me more that he didn't notice it.'

***

On the way, many things had changed from before the cataclysm. Everyone was trying their best to adapt to it. How this will affect the future of this world was still a mystery.

Soon both of them reached their home.

"Hey Mom, we are back," Shin said as he was greeted by Reina at the door front.

"Welcome back both of you." Reina greeted with a smile. Seeing Shin and Alice alright she was relieved.

Both Shin and Alice headed off to their respective rooms to take a bath and freshen up. A while later.

They both came back to the living room.

"Where's Dad?" Shin asked Reina.

"He went to the office. I think it's related to broadcasting to the public.' Reina replied to Shin.

"Where does Dad work Mom?" Alice asked. After being with Shin's family these days Alice got accustomed to calling them, mom and dad. They also wanted it this way so it was fine.

"Myriad Multimedia, he is an agent as well as a reporter," Reina replied, as Alice nodded in understanding.

"So tell me now. How was your experience?" Reina asked with excitement in her eyes. She was curious.

"So it was like-"

Shin and Alice began recalling their day. Mostly them hunting and types of monsters. Them meeting Alex's group.

"Lunch was good but after that everything was just annoying," Alice said as her excited face turned to a disgusted one. Then again she thought of herself being carried by Shin and blushed.

Reina who was looking at her change in expression was dumbfounded. Excitement, disgust, and then embarrassment. She then turned to Shin as if asking for an explanation.

Shin noticed her look and sighed. He didn't want to hide anything from her. He started explaining what happened with Jake and other people who aimed at Shin and Alice.

Reina was shocked. She didn't expect it to be such a serious matter. Although Reina had already killed people in her life when she was an active martial artist and fighting against the family's enemies. But she always kept Shin away from it. And now he ended up killing people. Not only him but the sweet Alice also needed to dirty her hands.

Reina stood up and hugged the both of them.

"It must have been tough. But don't think much. They deserved it."

'Of course, they deserved it. Those dogs dared to go against us.' Alice thought inwardly agreeing with Reina.

"Ah, that weird woman too. She wanted Shin and me to join her family." Alice said with an annoyed face as she remembered Inaka, who was trying to seduce Shin with her big assets.

"Who?" Reina raised her eyebrows.

"Someone from the Shidou clan. They have started recruiting Awakeneds. They asked us too but we refused." Shin explained.

"Ah right. I expected as much. All the big families and organizations will try to get strong fast. It's not just about recruitment. It's a race for resources. The untouched magical otherworldly resources." Reina uttered.

Shin and Alice both nodded at her words. They both agreed.

"So what are you going to do now? Have you planned something?" Reina asked.

"I'll first wait for the government's actions. Before that, I'll just try to increase my strength." Shin replied. Just as Reina aspected Shin had planned something. But this was not the time yet. He first needs to learn all the skills he had collected.

'This is going to take a toll on me.' Shin thought wondering about the pain he will go through this time. Especially while learning the B rank skill. His face darkened for a moment as he shook his head to dismiss those thoughts.

"You guys go take some rest. I'll call you once the dinner is ready." Although Alice wanted to help her Reina didn't allow it. She needed rest after all. Reina urged them to go rest. It's good for their body.

After they went to their room Reina sighed.

'Shin is handling himself well. He is growing very fast. His mentality is changing. I hope it's for the better.'

Reina started preparing the dinner.

"They both have gone through so much in just a few hours." Reina talked to herself as she remembered Alice's annoyed face. She felt pity for that girl. But suddenly she stopped working as she remembered something.

"Why was she blushing though?" Reina muttered.

"I need to get more details out of her. It seems they had skipped something."

"Hehehe~ You dare hide from me." Reina laughed.

"Just wait and see, how much I will tease you," Reina had fun teasing Alice and it was a good opportunity. She won't miss it.

***

Inside his room. Shin took a seat on his bed.

"Status window." He uttered.

*Klink!*

<strong>***</strong><strong>__________________________________</strong>

<strong>[ Name- Shin Wolner ]</strong>

<strong>[Age - 20]</strong>

<strong>[ Title - 1st awakened, Maniac ]</strong>

<strong>[ Level - 15 ]</strong>

<strong>[-Stats-]</strong>

<strong>[STR - 72]</strong>

<strong>[VIT - 5]</strong>

<strong>[AGI - 90]</strong>

<strong>[DEX - 60 ]</strong>

<strong>[Stamina - 55]</strong>

<strong>[Mana - 53(50% Purified.)]</strong>

<strong>[ Bonus stats - 100 ]</strong>

<strong>[Special ability - Plunder[Advanced 1]]</strong>

<strong>[Special Skill - Devourer's Touch, Mana Absorption.]</strong>

<strong>[Plundered Abilities:]</strong>

<strong>- Arcane Web(C)</strong>

<strong>- Gravity Control(C)</strong>

<strong>[Abilities Collected:]</strong>

<strong>- Shadow Veil (C)</strong>

<strong>- Fire Ball (E)</strong>

<strong>- Pine Shot (F)</strong>

<strong>- Bullet bomb (D)</strong>

<strong>- Mana ball (D)</strong>

<strong>- Keen Arrow (E)</strong>

<strong>- Acid attack (D)</strong>

<strong>- Electro bolt (C)</strong>

<strong>- Water Shot (E)</strong>

<strong>- Mind Control (B)</strong>

<strong>[Skills - Predator's eyes (D), Extreme speed (E), Appraisal, Pain tolerance(E), Clairvoyance(Locked)]</strong>

<strong>[Skills Collected - Iron Claw (D), Steel Armour (D), Meal Claw(F) X39, Shell Armour(F) X39]</strong>

<strong>[Skill Points - 134]</strong>

<strong>[Memory Cubes - 9]</strong>

<strong>[Items]</strong>

<strong>- ??? key </strong>

<strong>- Shell Ape's Claw X2 (Uncommon) </strong>

<strong>- Shell Ape's Shell X1 (Uncommon) </strong>

<strong>- Shell Monkey's Claws X78 (Common)</strong>

<strong>- Shell Monkey's shells X39 (Common)</strong>

<strong>__________________________________</strong>

<strong>***</strong>

<strong>***</strong>

Shin's lips curled up in a smile as he checked his gains.

"This is just the start."