"I understand there is quite a bit of discontent about what happened in the car park."
The survivors fell silent and eyed Tracel warily.
"My class is [Leader] and the skill I used is called [Authoritative Voice]. I know you are angry, but this skill has a major weakness," Tracel paused for a moment to observe the crowd's reaction, they all seemed calm, but he was experienced enough to know that this was not good news. It was like the calm before a storm. "I am incapable of influencing a person of a higher level than myself. So the closer their level is to mine, the greater their resistance to my ability."
This time his words caused a reaction in the audience. Everyone looked at each other and some began to whisper. But Tracel wasn't about to stop there.
"Right now we are going to perform a small test. I'll try to give Adam a simple command and you can see the result."
Adam and Tracel looked at each other as all the survivors looked at them intently. Wasting no time, Tracel activated his ability to full power and spoke.
"Jump."
His voice rose in several tones and charged with energy. Tracel felt an intoxicating power as he used the ability at full power, as if no one could disobey him. It only lasted an instant, however, for when his voice reached Adam, Tracel felt as if he had suddenly hit a wall. His ability failed instantly and he suffered a ricochet. Under the surprised stares of the survivors, Tracel took a few steps backwards as he put his hands to his face, discovering that he was bleeding from his nose.
Adam did not expect this outcome, so he stepped forward to help him. Tracel was in no condition to speak further, so Adam continued.
"As you can see, the difference between our levels is so significant that trying to order me to do something resulted in injury."
"How do we know you don't possess the same ability? Besides, I'm sure it can be used much more subtly. It already seemed odd to me that Tracel managed to convince everyone to help with the ritual. Come to think of it, Carlos also managed something similar in the superblock a few days ago."
The one who had raised his voice was Han, Carlos's lawyer and accomplice in the Crawler disaster. Adam hadn't heard from him since then, because he spent his time locked up in his house and didn't feel like talking to anyone.
Carlos watched from afar and was not pleased when Han mentioned this, as it was not entirely true. By this time the difference in level between him and the others was not so great, so his orders were not so powerful. However, he decided it was a sacrifice he had to make.
"I don't have that kind of skill, as my Class is [Engineer]. Though I don't rule out the possibility of developing them in the future." Han frowned and tried to continue speaking, but Adam beat him to it. "However, that's not what's important right now. Our goal here is to let you know that if you level up, you can get protection against those kinds of abilities."
"Yes? I guess then we should all join your teams and fight against the zombies, risking our lives. That's exactly what you want, isn't it?"
Han continued to protest, but Adam was already expecting that answer.
"Fortunately there is another way, an obvious way that we didn't realize until recently," Adam paused and looked at Han, but the lawyer just looked at him, so Adam continued, "For those with Advanced Classes, as I've called them, they can gain levels by doing activities that have to do with them. For example, Carlos' wife is an interior designer and has advanced levels in this way."
Everyone turned to look at Nadia, who didn't appreciate Adam's mention of her at all.
"Yes, that's true," she was forced to reply, "I'm level 5 and I haven't killed any zombies."
Her words piqued the interest of all the survivors.
"Wait a minute! Even if I am one of the beneficiaries of this, I think most of the survivors have classes like [Warriors] or [Mage]. Do you think it is possible for them to adopt this method?"
The survivors fell silent as they listened to Han.
"I don't think it's possible, at least for the [Warriors]. We thought that perhaps the mages could advance in level by researching the strange energy we now use our abilities with, but I don't think we'll be able to do that for quite some time. However, we feel confident that The System will not completely block access to other classes. I remember the [Engineer] Class was unlocked for me for meeting the requirements. I am sure that if you dedicate yourselves to learning a trade during this time you will be able to unlock a new Class and start gaining levels without needing to fight. With enough levels they shouldn't be afraid of skills like Tracel's."
"So, what's in it for you guys? Because I find it a bit suspicious that you're trying to move everyone in this direction."
Adam was starting to get annoyed with Han, but he kept his cool.
"Our intention is to get the shelter stabilized and we can't do that if you're afraid of Tracel's abilities."
"Yes, but Tracel is already at a high level, there's no guarantee that the other survivors can catch up. If Tracel always stays ahead of them all, thanks to his initial advantage, then we'll live in fear of him for a long time to come."
Adam was speechless, but by that time, Tracel was better, so he took it upon himself to respond.
"That's a useless fear. It's not as if I can order everyone around and get away with it. People can easily notice those cases, especially if someone is in charge of it. You are a lawyer after all, aren't you?"
Tracel had realized what was going on. He understood that the lawyer had probably been delighted with the revelation that he could earn levels simply by pursuing his profession as usual and the best way to do that was to become an advocate for survivors in front of the authorities.
Han, for his part, was a little irritated with Tracel, for he wished to be a little more subtle, but he had been left with no alternative.
"I'm willing to take that position, especially after suffering the effects of Carlos' ability myself. That's for them to decide for themselves, though."
"I'm fine with that," said Adam, who had unwittingly given free rein to the man who would become his worst headache in the future.
Han approached the survivors in the hope of making a deal, who, thankfully, seemed quite enthusiastic. Adam sighed in relief, one weight had been lifted from his shoulders, however, there was still another, even heavier one.
"I'd like to give you more good news, but I'm afraid what I'm about to report next is serious. This morning we conquered part of Block 3, but that same afternoon, after the monstrosity died, the System notified me of the loss of those same territories."
All the survivors looked back at him and the atmosphere became tense.
"I'm afraid the Breeder in block 2 will attack in the next few days, so I recommend that you stay in your houses and do not leave for any reason."
All the survivors nodded nervously.
"Menil, can I count on you?" Adam continued. Some of the survivors looked around as they recognised the name. But Menil and the other infected had remained hidden from view until that moment. They were all hiding in the nearby trees.
"Yes, you can count on us."
Adam had kept them busy in the afternoon, as he sent them to clear the car park at the back of the superblock, where there were still some zombies that had tried to enter the building during the night. This car park was important, as it connected directly to Block 1, and was a route through the back of the buildings surrounding the plaza until it dropped into the entrance of the suburb. With the car park cleared, there was now a possible escape route in case the situation worsened.
"Well, I think that's it. Please, I ask you all to think about the Class of your choice and start researching on how to unlock the Class requirements."
After these words, everyone returned to their houses.
"Well, that went rather well," Adam turned to look at Miguel, who had been standing apart from everyone's attention. Adam just nodded.
"Yeah, I just hope it's enough to motivate them."
"Believe me Adam, one of the things people hate most is not having control over their lives. My ability is too great a threat to ignore." said Tracel, who was trying to wipe the blood still on his nose.
"Speaking of dictators, do you think the president is alive?"
Tracel and Miguel looked at each other. Talking about the man like that was a death sentence, but they both soon realized that it didn't matter any more.