"Enzo, it has been such a long time. How have you been?" Marie said once Enzo came by their sides.
"Good, thank you. I guess it was the same for you." Although he said that with a smile, his voice was filled with sarcasm. After all, if their situation wasn't a good thing, then surely there was a problem somewhere. And most likely the problem was the people forming the group.
"Yes. Even though it was hard on our end as well, it must have been a lot difficult on your side." Marie answered, not caring about Enzo's sarcasm.
"Well anyway we're not here for that, are we?" Ren rolled his eyes at the small chat. Obviously, Enzo looked at him from head to toe but just shrugged his shoulders in the end. "What are we supposed to do, now? The convenience store doesn't have any supplies anymore. We will either need to move to another location, or stay here but go for another store."
"The problem with the second option is that the other stores must have been scavenged as well. So it's only a matter of time before we run out of resources completely." Rose said with a sigh.
"Then should we go for the first option?" Marie asked.
"This one will be hard as well," Rose answered back. "There are just too many people here. It will be hard to move with such a big group."
"But it's impossible to leave behind a few of them as well," Enzo said, looking right at Rose. He wanted her to see the reality of the situation.
"Yes, exactly. We can't leave anyone behind." Rose nodded. "But... we can't bring those who are too lazy to move their asses as well. They will just be a waste of space and time."
"Rose, what did you say?" Ren asked, anger filled in his voice. "Are you planning to abandon people because they are scared of fighting abomination? Were you that selfish?"
"I..." Rose looked to the ground, not knowing what to say.
"Rose, I'm sorry, but we can't do that," Marie added. "And as a royal, would you really be able to abandon your people?"
Hearing that, Enzo chuckled. While the atmosphere was serious right now, he couldn't help himself. "You guys are so funny, really." He said, still laughing a little. "You're blaming Rose when she's the one who took care of everyone here? Do you know how hard it was on herself to take care of everyone here? While you guys didn't move a finger to go and help her?"
"You...!" Ren was about to slash at Enzo before the latter said something unexpected.
"By the way, what are your levels, guys?"
"Huh? It came out as nowhere." Marie said, not understanding where Enzo wanted to go.
"Just answer the question."
"Well, I'm level 14." Marie answered.
"And I'm 15!" Ren answered, proud of himself.
"And I'm 26." Rose answered, still looking down.
"Well see? That's the difference between you two and Rose. She risked her life out there, alone, fighting for your survival, and that's how you thank her? Aren't you guys some ungrateful brats?"
"You, I swear I'll kill you!" A vein bulged out of Ren's forehead and he swung his spear toward Enzo.
However, the next moment, his spear stopped mid-air, blocked by a barrier.
"Pfft, oh Ren, you're so funny. You're using words without knowing their consequences."
"Guys, please stop." Marie said, coming between the two of them.
"Well, sure." Enzo shrugged. "But stop being some ungrateful brats in front of Rose. You wouldn't be alive without her, after all."
"And what about you, then, huh?" Ren asked, anger still filled in his voice. "You useless piece of shit. Where were you during all those weeks, huh? You're even more useless than us then." A smirk appeared on his proud face.
"Where was I? Well, surely you wouldn't like to know. After all, I'm sure you wouldn't have survived even a minute there." He smiled before his expression turned icy cold. "And don't compare myself to you guys. I don't need Rose to survive in this world, nor do I need the help of any of you guys who lazily stay here in the hope of someone coming and rescuing you."
"How could you not need her help when she's already level 26?" Marie chuckled. "Well, surely it won't be some useless butterflies that would help you, right?"
"Level 26? Well, I'm level 34," Everyone's expression made a 180° turn. They never expected such words to come from his mouth.
"You're level 34?" Rose asked again for confirmation, to which Enzo nodded.
"That's why, don't compare myself to you guys." At that moment, Enzo took Rose's hand, making her flinch at the same occasion. "And I wish you luck in this world. We will continue on our own from now on. After all, if you guys are so strong, surely you'll save everyone, right?" A beautiful smile appeared on his face before he carried himself and Rose out of the gymnasium. All of Rose's avatars were called back, and so were Enzo's butterflies.
As Enzo and Rose left the gymnasium, a mix of shock, disbelief, and regret hung in the air. The group they left behind stood there in silence, processing everything that had just transpired. Ren and Marie exchanged glances, realizing the gravity of their mistake in underestimating Enzo and not appreciating Rose's sacrifices.
"He's really level 34?" Marie whispered, her voice tinged with awe and calculation.
Ren nodded, his pride humbled by the revelation. "We were so focused on our own struggles and survival that we failed to see the bigger picture. We let our insecurities blind us."
Marie sighed. "And we treated Rose unfairly, despite everything she's done for us."
"Let's go after them," Ren said firmly. "We need to apologize."
As they hurried to catch up with Enzo and Rose, the realization of their folly weighed heavily on their hearts. When they found them, Enzo was standing protectively beside Rose, his butterflies gently fluttering around them.
"Wait! Enzo, Rose, please listen," Ren called out, his voice filled with sincerity.
Enzo turned to face them, his expression unreadable. "What do you want?"
"We're sorry," Marie spoke up, her eyes downcast. "We didn't appreciate your efforts, Rose. We were blind to the sacrifices you made for us."
Ren nodded, swallowing his pride. "We were arrogant and thoughtless. We took your kindness for granted."
"We understand if you don't want to forgive us, but we want to change," Marie added, her voice filled with determination. "We want to be better, to help each other, and to work as a team."
Ren stepped forward, lowering his spear as a sign of peace. "Please, let us join you."
Enzo looked at them, not a single emotion on his face. Was it the Ancient thorn of the guardian taking effect? Enzo didn't know nor did he want to know.
He looked at Rose, her expression filled with regretfulness and uncertainty. "What do you want to do?" He asked.
"... I'll follow you on this one." She answered, looking directly into his eyes.
And so, with a smirk on his face, Enzo said one last thing to Ren and Marie. "Fuck off!" His eyes were as cold as eyes.
The moment they tried to move, Enzo's butterflies came between the two groups, protecting their master and his ally.
And so at this moment, the group which has been formed at the beginning of the apocalypse shattered, with two of their strongest assets continuing their survival on their own.