Chapter 6: Mr. Ross.
Just when I was about to start my combat training after recovering from the effects of meditation, I heard a knock from the door. It was a personnel informing me that there would be a gathering at the gymnasium right now.
Since I live alone and have no butler or maid, I need to show up myself. So I quickly changed clothes and boarded a van that is used as a pick up.
Most high class people would just be indifferent towards such gatherings and only send their butler or something, not to mention that the world has turned upside down! No one would dare to go outside even if the subdivision is technically safe.
Although I can also refuse and not go, that would be a no brainer move. Information is key! What I've done all this time was just testing by myself. I am not conceited to think that I can figure out everything by myself. Moreover, it's better to use that same time in figuring things out in training myself instead.
Inside the van, was a middle-aged butler and a maid around 25-30 years old. The personnel informed me that we would be making stops as we go along and inform the other houses.
•×•×•×•
In the journey and even during the stops, no one talked. It was just silence. Of course, the personnel and the driver were an exception as they needed to do their job of informing the new people boarding the van.
When the van was full, the personnel drove us to the gymnasium whilst informing us that the other houses have their own respective guide.
The people that's going to the gymnasium were mostly butlers and maids except for me and two others. I was seated at the back so I could see everyone.
The two were a man and a woman respectively. Both were around the same age as me, 20-25 years old.
The man wore glasses and looked like a white collar. He was wearing a long sleeve and jeans. His features are average but because of his short and neat haircut and kept appearance, it could be said that he is handsome.
The woman, on the other hand, looked like a model. Her red hair is especially eye-catching. Even without make up nor needing to look neat, she looks beautiful as she is. She was wearing a hoodie and a pair of joggers. Her outfit was casual and comfortable but despite that, one could still feel the beautiful figure underneath. Especially her bountiful chest that is protruding above her crossed arms.
Soon, we arrived at the gymnasium. After everyone got out, we were then guided inside where chairs were already arranged in the center. I was seated in the second row as our batch was one of the first to arrive.
Gradually, more and more people arrived and it was soon announced that the meeting would begin.
On top of the stage, behind the lectern, was a middle-aged man wearing formal attire.
"First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for coming, especially those who personally came. As for the butlers and maids, please extend my deepest appreciation to your employers."
"Now without further ado, let us start."
"I'd like to start with the bad news first. Unfortunately, despite all of our efforts, the government hasn't really made much progress in reclaiming the area from the zombies. We are still a fourth of the way!"
"Speaking of zombies, we are done with the only bad news, they are actually not zombies!"
When this was said, the audience couldn't help but gasp. At the same time, a young man sporting a blue shirt and skinny jeans from the crowd couldn't help but ask.
"Then what are they?"
"Good question! It's actually related to the mana that has been introduced to the world. Those who have bodies that have weak affinities with mana got overwhelmed by the sudden appearance of mana in the atmosphere. They turned crazy from it and it has triggered some sort of instinct to attack those who have mana or affinity with mana. Meaning they are not infectious! It is not a virus. They are aptly called mana zombies!"
"As for why those who have been bitten or pounced on by the mana zombies also turn into one, it's because they got injured by the attack, that's all! Hence, even if you are not necessarily bitten or attacked by a mana zombie but got injured severely by some other means like falling from a roof, you will still turn into a mana zombie!"
"Although your body has an affinity with mana, hence why you didn't turn into a mana zombie immediately when mana first descended, it doesn't mean you can't be affected by it. So whatever you do, you must strive to not be in an injured or weakened state as the mana will take that opening and consume you."
At this moment, I couldn't help but shudder. If I had continued to push through meditation when I first discovered it, wouldn't I have turned into a mana zombie? I was already bloated at that time so if I ate more, I would be overflowing with mana and it would've consumed me!
This further steeled my conviction to my vow! Step by step, everything in moderation. I almost died because of greed and idiocy!
My thoughts aside, the middle-aged man continued.
"Now, what is mana? Just think of it as an energy that acts like oxygen, it is everywhere. You can breathe it in or absorb it."
"In fact, you don't have to completely fear mana because as much as it is destructive, it is very helpful! With the proper usage of course."
"Instead of explaining, let me show you what it actually means!"
"I invite Mr. Ross to please come up on stage."
Another middle-aged man with golden hair suddenly appeared from the back stage and walked to the front of the stage. He was wearing a tank top and military pants. His muscles were bulging, brimming with power.
As this so-called Mr. Ross came up on stage, two young men wearing military uniforms carrying a thick steel sheet followed him.
"Greetings, everyone! I am Mr. Ross, the Captain of the Rescue Team!
"I am tasked to demonstrate to you our findings regarding mana and how it is beneficial to us!"
After Mr. Ross said so, he gestured towards the two young men and they held the steel sheet in front of him.
"I encourage everyone to please take a close look."
He took a hammer and swung it hard into the steel sheet. It made a bump on the steel sheet.
"As you can see, the hammer only made a bump on the steel sheet, now watch the difference when I use my fist."
Fist?
Everyone other than me was confused. At this point, how could I still not know what they are trying to do?
Mr. Ross positioned his right fist an inch away from the steel sheet and with a roar, he punched out.
The result was out of everyone's expectations!
Mr. Ross' right hand pierced through the steel sheet that's an inch thick! Even the hammer only made a bump, but a human hand made of flesh actually broke through?
What is this?!