"What's wrong, Vance? Are you not feeling well?" Daniel asked in concern.
"Ah... I'm sorry. I spaced out for a bit," Vance replied.
He picked up the broken pieces of glass one by one. His mind was currently a mess.
Calm down, Vance! She's not your wife. If you look closely, they're completely different. My wife has sky-blue hair, and she has flaming red. But... this is too much of a coincidence. I'll watch her for now.
"O-Okay then, why don't we tell more about ourselves?" Daniel tried to lift the awkward atmosphere.
One by one, everyone proceeded to share a little bit about themselves—their hobbies, problems, or what they planned to do from now on.
Vance also used this opportunity to learn more about Luna. He wanted to make sure if she was really his wife or not.
All of them enjoyed the little conversation they had. In this world, where they didn't know if they would survive or not, these moments were the only things that comforted them.
Unfortunately, these moments would not last long.
Bang!
The sudden loud bashing of a door caught the attention of many people.
The one who did it was a young man wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and navy blue trousers.
His face wasn't unfamiliar to everyone. He was the one who led them to evacuate when the First Wave happened.
Vance also recognized his face.
"Who is he?" Daniel asked in curiosity.
The three of them shrugged in ignorance.
The remaining one who didn't was Evelyn, a former worker in the Techno Company. Daniel noticed this and asked her.
"Evelyn, you previously worked here, so I wonder if you know him?"
The reason Daniel was speaking comfortably to her was that, according to him, since they had survived this hell together, they should drop the formalities and speak casually with each other—at his insistence.
Evelyn nodded. "Yes. I mean, yeah, I know him. In fact, he was quite famous. At the age of 16, he developed his own software that helped the company greatly. His name is Chris Ashford, the son of the President of this company."
"Woah, so he's a rich guy? What's he doing here then?"
A man stood up among the crowd and asked the same question.
"Sir Chris, what brings you here?"
"Ahem... Half an hour from now, the President will have an announcement on how we will move forward. The announcement will take place at the entrance. Be sure to attend so that you can receive each of the roles you'll have to take part in. Being absent will not be tolerated. Then, I'll take my leave now. Please have a pleasant meal."
Before Chris closed the door, he noticed someone staring at him. He bowed slightly, then closed the door and left.
It seems like his father already informed him. Why is he being polite though? I'm sure he must've rejected this plan. After all, his father's acknowledgment is what he wanted the most. Either way, I don't have time to think about that.
Vance stood up, catching the attention of the five. "Everyone, I'll take my leave now. I have something I need to do."
"O-Oh, is that so? Then see you later," Daniel said.
"See you later, Vance."
"See ya!"
Vance smiled and also bid farewell before leaving.
He went to the 10th floor, where his room was, and lazily lay down on his bed.
"How tiring... I've told everything I can remember to the President, although I doubt if he'll believe me. Well, he'll have no choice once he witnesses the Zombie Wave again."
"From here on will be the start. I just hope all of it goes well."
***
Half an hour later, at the entrance.
Hundreds of people were waiting for the President's announcement. While they waited, some speculated about what the President might announce.
"What do you think the President gathered us here for?"
"Sir Chris said that the President will announce how we will move forward and also something about roles, I think?"
"Don't tell me he plans to make us work!? Hell no!"
"Or he could also be planning to go outside to get supplies and thought of recruiting people to go with him."
"Outside!? I understand that we need more supplies to survive, but why does he need us citizens to go along with him!?"
"There might also be another reason."
"Another one? What is it?"
"That." The man pointed at the huge hole just outside.
"That, huh? I wonder what kind of thing made that. Because of that, I can't sleep properly every night."
"Are you sure it isn't because you're uncomfortable sleeping on a hard surface?"
The man awkwardly laughed.
"Everyone, silence! Please focus your attention here!" A voice loudly echoed across the floor, drawing the attention of all the people.
The voice came from Chris, who was standing just before the glass door. Behind him was the President, and beside the President was a young man unfamiliar to them.
"Who is that young man beside the President? I don't recognize him."
"I don't know either..."
"Everyone, I apologize for taking your time. I understand that you all haven't fully adjusted to these strange events happening one after the other and that you need time to adapt, but I must declare this to everyone." With a deep and hoarse voice, the President spoke.
"From now on, this young man will be the one to decide on the steps we will take going forward. You can say that he will be our leader starting now."
All of them fell silent. They looked at the young man the President pointed to with pride.
They were speechless and couldn't process the information for a moment until someone finally spoke out.
"Are you joking with us right now, President?" A middle-aged man at the front said.
The man had an average height, with white streaks in his hair and full beard. His gray cardigan and skinny jeans gave the impression of a friendly dad you'd normally see in a neighborhood.
The President squinted his eyes at him. "Who are you supposed to be?"
"Ah, yes. Forgive me for not introducing myself. My name is John Carter. I represent all the people here right now."
The President frowned. "You're their representative? That's the first time I've heard of it." His voice grew colder with each word.
Vance looked at the President nervously. Here it is! His Perfectionist Disease has come out!
Vance was quite familiar with the President's behavior. Strategists often envision many possible scenarios, almost as if they can see the future.
However, when something unexpected happens, they tend to act…crazy.
"I wonder why I haven't been informed of any of this, huh?" The President shot a glare at Chris.
Chris hastily shook his head and said, "I-I don't know anything about this, f-father."
Chris was supposed to manage the citizens. The President had placed him in that role to gain their trust and also to spy on them for any suspicious activity. Now, seeing one such situation unfold, he immediately blamed Chris.
"President, this selection of representatives was just made recently with a vote. And I was honored to be chosen to voice all of our concerns."
"You sure have a way with words. So? What part of what I said do you think I was joking about?"
"Everything! I mean, why are you placing a child who probably doesn't know anything in charge of leading us? Especially in a time when one mistake could lead to all of our deaths. Besides, who are you to decide this by yourself, without even consulting us first? Right, everyone?"
"That's right! Who in their right mind would put a child in command? Are you an idiot?"
"Yeah! This is a democratic country! We also have the right to express our opinion in this matter!"
"Don't decide things on your own!"
The President's head was practically steaming with anger. He raised his hand and pointed at John. "You! You…! Guards, captu—"
The President was about to order his guards to capture John when Vance patted his shoulder, stopping him.
Vance leaned closer to his ear and whispered, "I will deal with this."
The President was startled but immediately calmed down.
"I-I wasn't thinking straight..."
"It's fine. Take a rest somewhere and cool your head. I'll handle this."
Somehow, seeing Vance's composed expression completely reassured the President. "Yes, I will do that."
Vance walked forward, stopping just a meter in front of John.
"This is advice for you, kid. Go back to your parents. This isn't a playground for you to fool around in." Although John might have said it righteously, there was a hint of ridicule on his face that Vance didn't miss.
However, Vance wasn't focusing on him right now.
I see. Now that I'm closer, I can sense it. This man has already awakened his talent. Each word he says carries a ripple of mana with it. Those ripples hit the people in a small range around him and influence them, making them favor him more. Though, it doesn't seem to affect me.
In just analyzing the way mana moved, Vance already figured out the mechanics of John's skill. This was thanks to his various experiences in the previous timeline.
"Hey, are you listening to me? Why are you dozing off?"
"Hmm... You seem to be unsatisfied with this arrangement?"
John laughed at Vance's behavior. "Unsatisfied? Why wouldn't I be? You are clearly not qualified to lead us. If I let you, and you lead us to our deaths, will I allow that?"
Vance nodded as if understanding. "I see. So I just need to be qualified to become the leader, is that right?"
"Y-Yes, that's right!" John answered unconsciously.
Damn it! What's the deal with this brat!?
"I understand now."
Vance turned around and walked forward. When he reached the glass door, he opened it and continued outside.
All of the people looked on in confusion.
"What is he planning to do?"
Vance kept walking until he was just one meter from the huge hole. He raised his arms, his eyes turning bright gold, and said:
"Earth Distortion!"