A sixteen-year-old wielding a gunblade.
In any normal world, I would've been brushed off as some amateur who was arrogant and careless. But here, in this post-apocalyptic scenario, just the fact that I was alive made people regard me more carefully and with great caution.
This was important because of the notifications that had appeared before me.
[You have joined a survivor group!]
[Loading...]
Ding—!
[Second of the Three Tests of Worth has begun!]
[Test of Capability: Group Survival!]
[Completion Requirements: Companion's Lives (x5)]
[Current Time: 8:17:32]
[Testing Time Remaining: 23:42:28]
Ding—!
[Third of the Three Tests of Worth has begun!]
[Test of Temperament: Camaraderie!]
[Completion Requirements: John Dire — Bond (Trusted), Jane Dire — Bond (Trusted), Gunther Tan — Bond (Trusted), Ella Vi — Bond (Trusted), Jennifer Dizon — Bond (Trusted)]
[Current Time: 08:17:34]
[Testing Time Remaining: 23:42:26]
The two other tests from the Tests of Worth had made their appearance. They had to be completed together with the first test. This was the reason why some people had difficulty completing the tests—they had to multitask. Furthermore, the world was going to throw curveball after curveball after curveball.
If they chose the lonesome route, then it would be a similar—if not, more difficult—set of challenges.
The only way to achieve a perfect clear was to perform like a speedrunner. The de Nuantra family achieved such a level of performance only after sending dozens of their followers into Worthy Adversary's challenges and analysing the information they brought back.
With that said, my advantage was as clear as day.
Thus,
I allowed myself to assume an amiable demeanour, "From what I heard, your Camp Halkens has a few guns?"
"We have," John Dire replied with a certain level of cold politeness.
"I see, I actually know a few places where you can go for more..."
Unperturbed, I engaged the group in small talk. I asked a few questions and received a few perfunctory answers in reply. I made a few mentions of how much I knew and basically gave them a menu for what kind of information they could order from me.
Unfortunately, they were still on guard against me. I could only follow them from behind at a set distance.
We had already escaped from the risky underground mall. We snuck past the swarm of Level 2 zombies who were all attracted by the same noise that they were creating, slowly making our way to Camp Halkens.
...
[Current Time: 09:03:48]
[Testing Time Remaining: 22:56:12]
[Kill Count: 17/33]
It took us quite a while to make it back to camp. As we marched, I was able to gain a few more kills.
The distance between me and the group had lessened quite a bit and I was basically someone who guarded their right wing. They had assigned me a position when I proved that my gunblade wasn't all for show—I had helped them fight a few grouped-up zombies in our way, easing their burdens.
Unfortunately, I had no way to determine how much my bond with each of them had progressed. I could only gauge it from non-verbal indicators. An example of that was Gunther Tan. He no longer doubted my ability to use my weapon after seeing how well I fought with it.
My strikes had been accurate and swift despite my current weakness. I had taken a page out of the Rushing Shadow Art and fought with sudden bursts of energy. The benefits of combat experience as well as Hyperfocus made for a wonderful combination.
Gunther and I chatted about weapons as we walked forward. I did my best to bullsh*t my way through, forcing out a few impressed chuckles when I finished a few of his sentences.
Eventually, we arrived at the banks of a wide river.
That was when the entire group froze dead in their tracks. I knew what caused them to react in such a way without having to look. Nonetheless, I had to act naturally.
I followed their gazes and in came an interesting sight. Camp Halkens appeared before me in all its floating glory.
Ships and boats were all put together, acting as different platforms for a complex structural layout. Floating platforms handcrafted by a few dozen survivors housed many different amenities and fishing boats were scattered here and there.
It was a thriving location, but there was one teeny tiny issue...
Black smoke rose into the sky as the camp burned. Zombies were jumping around like frogs, infecting and devouring any human they could find.
"Level 4 zombies..." I muttered, catching the attention of the group around me. "The amphibious types. I've only ever heard of these guys."
I glanced at John and Jane. Their expressions were of dread and despair. Their parents were on those ships, and now they didn't know what to do.
Humans could only run when they met a swarm of Level 2 zombies. What could they do to those at Level 4?
They were both looking at me, with their mouths agape. Their lips had parted open at the same time... But just as they were about to say something,
BOOM—!
An explosion rocked the river's waters. A shockwave washed past me while humanoid figures shot into the air, dismembered and messy.
A fuel tank explosion consumed the entire camp with flames, incinerating those within the blast radius. It was a tragic sight as lives were consumed and aspirations were ended.
The words that were supposed to come from my companions' lips got stuck in their throats. I could see tears pooling at the corners of Jane's eyes, but she noticed my gaze and wiped them off.
She acted tough, but I knew that her heart was throbbing. The rest of the group just stood there in a daze, unsure of what to do.
Ella had balled her fists until her nails dug into her skin. Blood was dripping in a rapid rhythm. Her younger brother—the one she desperately wished to protect—had been in the camp. She too lost someone dear to her at this very moment.
Meanwhile, although Jennifer and Gunther had already lost their loved ones long ago, the frustration of losing their home scraped at their hearts.
"..." I kept my silence. I had to give them this moment to process what had just happened before all hell broke loose.