As Az, Lumi, and the rest of the group arrived at the shelter, they were greeted by Uno, the leader of the survivors. Uno had a warm and kind demeanor, which was a comforting change in this world of uncertainty.
"Welcome, all of you, I see a few new faces," Uno said with a smile. "I'm Uno, the leader of this shelter. We're here to provide a safe haven for survivors like you. Please, make yourselves at home."
Uno proceeded to share the story of how the shelter was established. It began with a few friends who had survived the initial invasion, and together, they decided to create a sanctuary for others. However, as Uno spoke, his eyes grew heavy with sorrow.
Uno paused for a moment, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "Before all this," he confessed, "I used to be a trustee in a nearby town. I oversaw the community's affairs, and I never thought I'd see the day when I'd be leading a group of survivors in a post-invasion world."
Uno couldn't help but chuckle awkwardly. "You know, I filled in 'Trustee' as my class during the panic. It was the only thing that came to mind."
Az's make fun of Uno, saying, "Yeah, Uno, you do have that trustworthy aura. We're in safe hands." Both of them laugh. Then, Az looked around for Uno's friend. "I'd like to meet your friend, to pay our respects."
Uno's face took on a solemn expression as he spoke about his friends. He sighed and continued, "Sadly, all of my friends didn't make it through these first three days. They sacrificed their lives to bring survivors here and secure supplies."
Az's expression grew serious as he expressed his condolences, "I'm sorry to hear that, Uno. It must have been tough for you."
Uno nodded, appreciating the sympathy. "It was. But their sacrifice allowed us to create this shelter and provide a safe haven for others. I'm sure they would be proud."
As Uno led Az and Lumi around the shelter, they saw a motley group of people, including children, elders, and those nursing injuries. The shelter had a makeshift and fragile appearance, as though it could collapse at any moment. Yet, it was a testament to the survivors' determination and resilience in the face of the alien invasion.
Uno introduced Az and Lumi to some of the shelter's residents. They exchanged stories, providing snippets of their own experiences during the chaos of the invasion. Among the survivors were elderly people who had seen much in their lives and children who had witnessed more than they should ever have.
As Uno guided Az and Lumi through the shelter, he stopped in front of an area filled with cots and makeshift beds. "You both look exhausted," he said with a gentle smile before leaving. "Please rest and recover. We'll provide what we can, given the circumstances. We will keep your 'interrogation' tomorrow." while winking to Az and Lumi, making both of them laugh.
In their quiet moment alone, Lumi leaned in and whispered to Az, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Az, what happened earlier with the group? Why did you keep interrogating them and pushing them until they got angry and one of them even punched you?"
Az responded in a hushed tone, "Well, I had a couple of reasons for that, Lumy. First, it allowed me to gauge their strength. When the guy punched me, I realized I didn't feel much pain. That means their strength is below average, perhaps even lower than mine."
Lumi nodded, understanding the logic behind Az's actions. "And the second reason?"
Az smirked and leaned in closer, his voice barely audible. "Well, the other thing I found out is that some of them hiding something. They're being awfully secretive about their experience during the invasion. My gut tells me there's more to their story than they're letting on."
Lumi's eyes widened with realization, and she nodded again. "So, you think there's more to them than meets the eye, and you wanted to uncover their secrets?"
Az chuckled softly and said, "Exactly. We need to be cautious and not trust anyone blindly in this new world, Lumy. Who knows what we might encounter out here."
Az's confidence was soaring, fueled by his own wits. He grinned and said, "Now, it's the battle of the mind. Let's see who's smarter!"
Lumi couldn't help but point out, "Az, don't forget that your Mind and Intelligence stats are still at their default levels."
Az merely waved off Lumi's words with a nonchalant shrug. He was in a playful mood, and he decided to make a hasty getaway. "I'm off! I'm going to use my secret weapon, Johnnnn!" With that, he quickly stood up and bolted from their resting place, leaving Lumi behind.
Lumi watched Az's swift departure, shaking her head with a fond smile. "Oh, Az, you really are something." She knew that his antics could be entertaining.
As Az made his way through the shelter in search of Uno, a sense of determination washed over him. He knew he needed answers, and he needed them fast. The lightheartedness that had characterized his interaction with Lumi was replaced with a serious, focused expression.
Just as he was about to ask someone about Uno's whereabouts, a familiar voice called out from behind him. It was Lee, the one person he didn't want to encounter at that moment. Lee approached Az, her presence taking him by surprise.
Lee inquired, "Az, why are you wandering around?" Her tone was far from friendly, and Az sensed that there was something off about the situation.
Az hesitated for a moment, trying to come up with a believable excuse, but Lee's questions became more pressing and sinister. Her persistence left Az with no choice but to answer. He reluctantly revealed that he was looking for Uno.
Lee nodded, her expression inscrutable. "I'll take you to him," she offered. "Just follow me."
Az agreed, following Lee in silence as they walked through the shelter. The atmosphere between them was heavy, the tension palpable. Lee's eyes never stopped glancing at Az as they moved through the shelter.
Lee inquired why Az looking for Uno, and although he initially tried to come up with a lie, Lee's questions became more pressing and insistent. The atmosphere grew heavy as they walked in silence.
Lee persisted, her questions taking on a sinister undertone. After some time, Az glanced around and realized they were in a secluded spot, alone. Suddenly, Lee turned to face Az, her rifle pointed at him. With her tone demanding honesty, she challenged him.
"Just be honest with me," Lee said. Az hesitated for a moment but then decided to take a different route. He looked into her eyes with a confident smile and replied, "Nah, it's you who should be honest."
As the tense exchange between Az and Lee continued, Lee couldn't help but smirk sinisterly. "What are you talking about? We just met today, yet you're suspicious of me," she retorted. However, Az pointed out the irony in the situation by stating, "Look who's pointing a weapon at who now?"
Lee conceded to Az's argument with a simple, "Fair point." The conversation took a more serious turn as Az pleaded with Lee not to harm Lumi. He emphasized that Lumi didn't know anything and shouldn't be dragged into whatever conflict they had. Lee's response was cold and unforgiving: "Sorry, can't do that."
With those words, Az decided to take action. In a daring dash towards Lee, he attempted to close the distance between them. Lee fired her rifle several times, the shots hitting Az and causing him to collapse. Blood began to flow from his wounds as he fell to the ground. Lee, after confirming that Az had perished, left the scene.
Lumi had been waiting in the shelter for Az to return. As the minutes turned into hours, an unsettling feeling crept over her. Something was wrong, and she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Her anxiety grew, and she began to fidget, unable to shake the sense of unease.
It was as if an invisible thread connecting them had suddenly pulled tight, tugging at her heart.