On the one hand, helping them grow wouldn't be that hard. Enzo and Rose were strong, so as long as they didn't take great risks, they would be able to continue their journey just fine with them.
On the other hand, Enzo couldn't shake off the lingering doubts that crept into his mind. He knew that the more people they added to their group, the more attention they would draw from the monsters lurking in the shadows. It was a delicate balance, and every additional survivor could potentially be a liability. Especially since this liability would bring more problems than anything else at the moment.
Yet even though his conscience was telling him not to help them and continue on his path with Rose, - or alone -, he was still human.
No amount of rationality could stop him from giving a hand to people who needed it. At least not at the moment.
"Sigh, I guess I can't stop you." Hearing that, Rose's face illuminated with a bright smile.
"Thank you, Enzo. I'll be sure to take care of everything." She said with excitement. Sure she wanted Enzo to stay with them. After all, he was someone strong enough to survive on his own for several weeks. But she couldn't force him to help them actively, at least as long as they weren't fighting.
As such, Enzo and Rose came out from their hiding spot and slowly walked toward the group.
"L-look, there are other survivors!" One of the women with brown hair and eyes said. She was scared at first as not every human they met was kind to them, but something was telling her that this time, they were really going to help them.
Enzo offered a reassuring smile to the wary group of survivors. "Hello," he said gently, trying to ease their fears. "My name is Enzo, and this is Rose. We've been traveling through this campus for a while now, and we understand how tough it can be. We saw your campfire and thought we could offer some help."
The two men in the group exchanged glances, uncertainty still evident in their eyes. They had learned to be cautious of strangers in this dangerous world. But the women seemed hopeful, their eyes brightening at the prospect of aid. Especially since one of their helpers would be Rose, the 'Queen' of the campus.
"We don't have much to offer, but we've got some spare supplies and knowledge of safe areas you can seek shelter in," Rose added, her voice warm and welcoming. "It's not safe to wander aimlessly, especially at night with such a big source of light."
The brown-haired woman stepped forward, her gratitude clear on her face. "Thank you," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "We've lost so many, and we're just trying to find a way out of here."
Enzo could see the glimmer of hope reigniting in the survivors' eyes. They were desperate for guidance, for someone to show them a way out of this nightmare. It reminded him of the time when he and Rose were still with the other survivors and when they needed to always go out and risk their lives for people who clearly didn't deserve it.
"We're not exactly a large group," Emma with brown hair and eyes spoke up, her voice tinged with hesitation. "Do you think we'll be safe with you?"
Enzo thought carefully before replying, "Safety is relative in this place, but we've managed to stay alive so far. With caution and teamwork, we can increase our chances of survival. However, we can't guarantee complete safety either. Nothing can be guaranteed now anyway."
"We can protect ourselves, but you all have to be vigilant and follow our instructions." Rose added, her gaze firm yet compassionate.
The group looked at each other, considering the offer. They understood that they were in dire straits and that they needed every advantage they could get. Enzo and Rose seemed capable, and they were offering help without any ulterior motives.
John, a rather handsome man, nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "We'll follow your lead," he said. "If you can show us how to survive and get out of here, we're with you."
Relief washed over Rose's face, and she smiled gratefully. "Thank you. Together, we stand a better chance."
Enzo had mixed feelings about this decision, but he knew that he couldn't ignore the plight of these survivors. If they were to make it through this cursed campus and apocalypse, they needed each other's support and strength, at least for now as no one knew what the future held for them.
Over the next few days, Enzo and Rose shared their knowledge and survival strategies with the group. They taught them how to move quietly and avoid unnecessary risks. They showed them the best places to take shelter and rest. They also explained the importance of rationing supplies and maintaining a lookout for potential threats.
Of course, the task was harder for the new group. They weren't as strong as Enzo and Rose, nor did they have such wonderful abilities. Nonetheless, they were still useful on their own. John, the handsome man, had high agility and strength. At least it was what his ability increased. As such, he was stronger than he looked. Mark, the other man, contrary to John, could use magic. The magic in itself wasn't strong, but it was really useful to slow enemies. After all, what was better than ice for this task?
Emma looked to be a pro in archery, a little like Marie back then. Her arrows always seemed to hit the target in the right spots, perfect for blinding an opponent.
Another woman whose name was Samira had great stamina and strength. Enzo couldn't understand how, but even though she took hit after hit from the monsters, she was still standing and alive.
Lastly, there was Gwen, the timid in the group. She didn't talk much, but her ability was really useful. She could see the opponent's weak spots and share them with her allies.
All in all, the group fared very well. The only problem was their level. They were all more or less level 20. A far stretch compared to the monsters around the area. But at least, their eyes were filled with conviction, and with Enzo and Rose's help, they slowly grew stronger.
Gradually, the survivors grew more adept at navigating the dangerous campus. They developed a sense of camaraderie with Enzo and Rose, and their trust in each other deepened. Enzo was surprised to find that he had become somewhat attached to this small group, despite his initial reservations. He couldn't call them friends yet, but they weren't strangers either.
Everything seemed to be alright. However, things changed quickly for the worse.