"Calling Lighthouse, calling Lighthouse, this is the Wasteland Hunters."
Through the static-filled radio transmission, Mark held a walkie-talkie, communicating with the Lighthouse.
In the dim world, massive vehicles sped through the wasteland, weaving between countless roaming beasts known as the Voracious Beasts. Yet, these creatures, which would normally never spare a human convoy, seemed to ignore them entirely.
"This is unbelievable. I didn't know humans could awaken abilities like this," mused Xuefeng, an elder Wasteland Hunter, as he followed behind Mark's vehicle.
"No wonder that delicate-looking woman and her companion can survive in this barren land."
A red-haired girl named Erika, squeezed beside Xuefeng, gazed ahead with admiration.
"I wonder when I'll awaken such powers. It's just so cool!"
"Stop dreaming, Erika. Look at how many people we have in the Lighthouse, and not a single one has awakened. What makes you think it'll be you?"
"Besides, if it were that easy, why would those two girls be relying on each other to survive in this hellish world?"
Xuefeng's face turned grim as he recalled the horde of Voracious Beasts they had encountered at the resource point. His grip on the steering wheel tightened.
"If not for those two girls, we'd have suffered severe losses this time."
"So many Voracious Beasts, and ones capable of concealing themselves, no less. If that little girl, Gabriel, hadn't teleported herself and that other woman, Hifumi, into our midst to save us, we'd have been doomed."
"Such incredible powers, perfectly suited for survival. One can make the monsters ignore her, and the other can teleport. I really wonder how the captain found them."
"Could they be the figures Captain Mark mentioned seeing on the surface?"
"Remember what Captain Mark said," Xuefeng warned. "Don't forget it."
"Yeah, yeah, relax. Who do you think I am?"
In the lead vehicle, Mark's walkie-talkie crackled before a familiar voice came through.
"This is the Lighthouse. Mark, is there a problem? Why are you returning so soon?"
"Jingnan, the Wasteland Hunters have retrieved the medicine and request permission to return."
"You've secured the medicine?!"
"Understood. I'll send the coordinates for the designated drop-off point. Please proceed there as quickly as possible."
"Roger that."
In the Lighthouse command room, Commander Jingnan ended the call, staring at the screen displaying the current time in disbelief. It felt like a dream.
Only half an hour had passed since the Wasteland Hunters landed. According to their schedule, they should just be arriving at the resource point, yet Mark was already returning with the medicine.
"What in the world happened?"
Puzzled, Jingnan instructed the control room staff to monitor the signal of the convoy on the ground. After calculating the time, they began lowering the lift platform.
Connecting to General Victor of the city's defense forces, Jingnan took a deep breath.
"General Victor, Mark has retrieved the medicine. They're on their way back."
"Mark's bringing back the medicine?!"
Victor's voice thundered over the earpiece. "Jingnan, are you certain? They've only been gone for half an hour! Even without interference from Voracious Beasts, they should only now be reaching the resource point."
"General, Mark confirmed it himself. He wouldn't lie. Something must have happened out there that we don't know about. Let's go welcome the Wasteland Hunters. It seems the Lord's condition may finally improve."
"Alright. Everything will be clear once they return."
Clank. Clank. Clank.
Amid the grinding of iron chains and gears, four intact Wasteland Hunter vehicles were lined up neatly on the lift platform.
In the lead vehicle, Mark dismissed the Hunters from the cockpit and turned to Hifumi and Gabriel.
"Have you remembered what I told you?"
Looking at the apocalyptic world around them, Mark's tone was serious.
"If anyone discovers that you're from another world, it will cause chaos. I've instructed the Hunters not to disclose your abilities, but there are many citizens from the Lighthouse here. We don't know how long your powers will remain hidden."
"So, you must remember: you are humans who awakened your abilities in this apocalypse. You've been surviving on the surface and met me during a supply run. Today, you decided to seek refuge in the Lighthouse."
"And the medicine for Lord Morgan was brought by you two."
As Mark looked at the bashful Hifumi and the game-absorbed Gabriel, he felt a headache coming on. While their abilities were incredible, their personalities were… unique.
"Thank you, Mr. Mark. I'll remember everything you said," Hifumi replied, her cheeks flushed.
"Even if our identities as ability users are exposed, as long as no one knows we're from another world, it should be fine, right?"
Relieved by Hifumi's resolve, Mark nodded.
"Exactly. As long as your otherworldly origins remain hidden, your abilities and the medicine you brought will ensure your acceptance here."
"But, Ms. Hifumi, you don't need to thank me. You came here to help me, so I should be the one thanking you."
Standing straight, Mark bowed deeply to Hifumi and Gabriel.
"Thank you both for your help. Without you, we would have suffered heavy losses this time."
"No need to thank us," Hifumi said, waving her hands shyly. "I just saw you needed help and came. As long as I'm not a bother, I'm happy to assist."
"Yeah, yeah. Just make sure to get me some of your advanced tech later," Gabriel interjected, finally looking up from her game. She waved her handheld console at Mark.
"I noticed your tech is pretty advanced, so get me a high-tech gaming console. This screen is way too small. I need something bigger. That'll be my reward for helping. Don't forget."
Mark's lips twitched as he looked at the gaming device in Gabriel's hand.
"No problem. I'll ask Jingnan to make one for you."
"Uh, Mr. Mark, could you make two?" Hifumi asked, her face turning red as she raised her hand.
Mark sighed as he nodded at the two.
So, otherworldly beings are this obsessed with gaming?
"Mark, how should we handle our identities when we get up there? Didn't you say we need to hide our abilities?"
Swinging her legs, Gabriel looked up at Mark curiously.
"As I said earlier, you're humans we encountered on the surface, who happened to have Lord Morgan's medicine."
"With that, you'll pass the Lighthouse's inspection. Once Lord Morgan recovers, your identities will be fully established."
"Ugh." Gabriel rested her chin on her hand, staring lazily at the approaching Lighthouse.
She squinted at its aura and clicked her tongue.
"What an unpleasant place. Makes me want to tear it down."
"But without it, the mission can't be completed. As a gamer, failing a mission is unacceptable."
"Sigh. What a pain. Makes me want to blow the horn of apocalypse."