After all, coming from Clark's mouth, the authenticity of the information was considerably higher. Moreover, Clark didn't deceive this group of "minions" much, and the remaining rebellious thoughts among them weakened.
What were they resisting for? If a zombie tide really broke out, Clark would be their only hope for survival, just like today.
"Why... why is it like this?"
The joyful mood of the students was instantly doused with a bucket of cold water from the harsh reality. Many couldn't help but hold their heads and cry in pain, unable to imagine the life ahead.
Zombies, mutated beings, monsters, natural disasters – each one was a colossal catastrophe.
"Isn't this a game? Why, why don't we have any way out!"
Awakeners who hadn't attended the meeting outside wore pained expressions. As the first batch of players with power after the outbreak, they largely lacked a sense of crisis. Especially during this period after the outbreak, many had tasted the flavors of power and authority.
So, for many Awakeners, this indeed seemed like a game. After all, ordinary zombies didn't threaten them, and they had only experienced "The Licker" among the mutated beings. Although many had died under the hands of mutated beings and monsters behind the mountain, those issues had been resolved. A companion next to him couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh after hearing his questioning tone.
"Haven't you figured it out yet? A game? This game is called the game of the apocalypse!"
"It's just that..."
"It's our apocalypse! It's the monsters' game!"
Pessimism and despair spread. In Clark's perception, if the will of the people was like a flame burning before, now it was withering and could extinguish at any moment.
That's enough. Ignoring the emotions of the crowd, he continued expressionlessly:
"I have conveyed the message to everyone."
"So, my duty is fulfilled. I hope to see you all in the future."
"Goodbye."
Clark didn't hesitate and turned to leave, leaving only his back to the crowd.
"Clark... Boss!"
Surprisingly, the one who spoke wasn't Gerard or Cuthbert but Lenny.
Gerard looked at his nephew in astonishment. He had been nervously waiting for Clark to play a trick. As the best actor, he was ready to beg Clark to stay, save everyone, and become the leader of the academy. Unexpectedly, the opportunity was taken away by Lenny.
This shouldn't be the case. He knew his nephew's personality too well; this kid had been proud since childhood, and he didn't have the brains to understand the meaning behind Clark's actions.
"Please... stay!"
Lenny pushed away the Awakener who was supporting him and earnestly said to Clark with a determined face, "We were wrong before. If you have any grievances against us, I am willing to take the punishment on behalf of everyone. Life or death, it's all up to you."
Unlike the shrewd Gerard who saw through things, in Lenny's mind, he genuinely believed that Clark initially wanted to negotiate with everyone to jointly resist the zombie tide and save the academy. However, due to their arrogance and ingratitude, it made Clark completely cold-hearted, unwilling to stay and lead them. This led him to plan to leave after conveying the information.
Taking a deep breath, Lenny bowed deeply, as if expressing a willingness to sacrifice, and slowly spoke, "I implore you, for the sake of the innocent survivors in the academy, stay and lead us against the zombie tide! I will take responsibility for what happened before!"
Each word was deliberate and heartfelt. After saying this, he forcefully slapped himself on the head.
Late at night, in the leadership office of the academy.
As one of the few well-decorated and clean rooms in the office building with a sparse population during the outbreak, the academy specially arranged for a few water Awakeners to hurriedly clean it and brought various snacks to flatter Clark.
In the room were five people. Lynn sat on the sofa with a pale face. Arnold and Dirk sat with their legs crossed, eating fruits. Clifford sat cautiously on the spacious sofa. Arnold, with half an apple in his mouth, touched his forehead and looked towards Clark, who sat behind the mahogany office desk in a leather chair.
"Clark, if you hadn't taken action, would that kid Lenny have really smacked himself to death?"
After Lenny spoke and begged Clark and the others to stay, Clark, under the subsequent pleas of the entire group, "reluctantly" became the highest authority in the academy.
Not only that, but after Clark agreed, the originally desperate emotions of everyone vanished, and they celebrated all night.
Clark chuckled and nodded. "That kid is not bad by nature, much better than his uncle. Just a bit naive, but it's not a bad thing; we can make use of it."
Arnold grinned, feeling like he found a kindred spirit. "Clark, what if that kid Lenny hadn't spoken up? Would we really leave?"
This time, before Clark could answer, Dirk, playing with a dagger in his hand, spoke helplessly, "Arnold, didn't you see how those school leaders were so anxious, bubbling at the mouth? If Lenny hadn't spoken up so quickly, they would've all knelt in front of Clark, crying and begging us not to leave."
"Our position in the academy is solid. Clark just wanted them to speak up voluntarily, making it easier for us to manage."
Arnold paused for a moment, realizing he hadn't noticed these details.
"Damn it, they're all cunning bastards."
Arnold smacked his lips, glancing around the office like a curious child before asking, "Clark, where did Sandra go? I haven't seen her all afternoon. She didn't run off with the zombies, did she?"
"Also, I've been thinking. If Ira didn't release the sand worms, wouldn't we be unable to stage this play?"
Clark sighed lightly; only Arnold would ask such questions.
"What was your previous sentence?"
"What?"
"Your previous sentence was about Sandra... Where did she go?"
Arnold was puzzled, not understanding the connection between these two questions. Dirk and Lynn couldn't help but chuckle at Arnold's skeptical expression.
Clark gave him an exasperated look and casually spoke over the team channel, "Sandra, clear out the zombies and mutants gathered outside the academy and get ready to come back for dinner."
"Got it."
"But not so fast. There are more than 7 mutants gathered, and over 3000 zombies. I need some time to crawl out."
Two kilometers outside the academy, Sandra, with black lines covering her forehead, stared at the 7 "The Licker" mutants watching her from above. The surrounding zombies almost formed a hive around her. From a distance, it looked like an additional mountain of corpses appeared out of nowhere.
"Damn!"
Arnold, hearing Sandra's reply, couldn't help but widen his eyes. Even if he was slow, he understood the meaning.
"Clark...!"
"If the sand worms weren't released, were you planning for a zombie siege?"
Clark smiled faintly, his gaze profound.
"Winning people's hearts isn't that simple. We have a short time, and we're outsiders. If we want to quickly control the academy, this is the only way. Otherwise, no matter how strong our strength is, it won't be of much use."
"We are still human. We need to eat, drink, and rest. Brutal suppression may temporarily suppress them, preventing them from harboring ill intentions, but what about in the long run?"
"Poisoning, sneak attacks, conspiracies, double-dealing. Each of them will bring considerable trouble."
Clark sighed softly in his heart.