Becoming a Monster

Chapter 235: Chapter 235 : One More Day

With Eve still in his arms, Noah found himself gazing around the forest. He wanted to properly take the chance to observe the surroundings of their home to aid hoping that he would be enlightened on ways he could improve the place for him and his creatures. However, his thoughts couldn’t tear away from his earlier conversation. The talk of having kids was a concept that Noah had never seriously entertained.

The idea wasn’t absurd to him at all; in fact, creating a family for himself is what inspired him to choose the tamer class in the first place. Yet, whenever Ailetta brought up having kids, he felt a knot creeping deep within his being. He could instantly recall the times that his companions were put in danger, the times where he faced opponents who made him readily accept the possibility of death.

The world was harsh, unforgiving, and riddled with dangers that loomed around every corner. A world where survival of the fittest was now dictated by all aspects of life.

Kids, huh...” he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible. The forest around him was alive with movement, subtle rustlings in the underbrush and distant calls of creatures. Yet none of it managed to distract him from the spiraling thoughts in his head.

Could he even imagine bringing another life into a world as chaotic and dangerous as this? A world where survival often demanded sacrifices that weighed heavily on his conscience?

Still, the thought lingered, stirring something deep within him. If his fear was because of his lack of danger, slowly, that fear was lessening. His strength was constantly increasing, his confidence in himself was rising. He was reminded of his original purpose for growing stronger, it was all so he could have freedom.

Eve’s small hand tugged at his sleeve, pulling him from his thoughts. Her bright eyes peered up at him. ”Noah?” she asked curiously, her voice lacking any inner turmoil or fear despite standing in the center of the forest, cutting through the heaviness of his thoughts.

He smiled faintly, adjusting her in his arms. ”What is it, Eve?”

”Are you sad?” she asked, tilting her head slightly. Her innocence was disarming, and for a moment, Noah didn’t know how to respond.

”No,” he said after a pause. ”Just... thinking.”

”About what?”

Noah hesitated, his gaze drifting back to the forest. ”About what it means to have a home,” he said finally. ”And what it means to protect it.”

Eve nodded as if she understood, though her expression remained curious as she looked at the bland towering wall once more. ”This is our home now, right?”

”It is,” Noah said firmly, not minding the lack of excitement she had while looking at the structure he made. ”And I’ll make it a place where all of us can be safe. No matter what.”

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With Noah being able to find a semblance of peace within a world that was now full of death. The being that created such a world watched in speculation as they continued to scrutinize the efforts of humanity. They continued to weigh the outcomes of the human’s efforts. Determining if humans deserve to continue to be supported before the first merge.

Their gaze traveled to the most notable of humans who had transcended their mortal peers, the ones who piqued his interest, giving the rest of humanity time to adjust before the next merge. Eventually, their interest turned to Noah, one of the three anomalies they have witnessed thus far. He was a specimen that actually managed to defy the natural order they had so meticulously designed. Out of the three anomalies, one somehow untethered themselves from their creator’s grasp, while another harbored ill intention for their own race.

Noah stood as a contradiction to the world they created, he was both a product of it and a force that resisted it. Unlike others who clawed their way to gain power for survival alone. Noah desired power so he could live, embracing the world for what it was while also changing it to fit his own desires. Seeing Noah was a continuous reminder of the being that also took the same path Noah is now undergoing, a being that has an eerie similarity when it came to defying the natural order of things. However, Noah wasn’t living for revenge, and the creatures that were rising to his side, creatures that were capable of violence and destruction, weren’t driven by their instincts.

The watcher withdrew their immediate focus, though their curiosity remained. If not for humanity’s collective strength beginning to rise above their corrupted counterparts, the divine being would have already merged the first realm, regardless of the interesting individuals they had their eyes on. They were now preparing, there was only one more day before they could set the earth on the right path again.

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Although Noah was able to find a respite of peace after reaching his desired destination, Mark and his group couldn’t say the same.

After finally reaching the base issued by the government in their broadcast, they arrived at a small mall. The once bustling shopping center had been transformed into a fortified stronghold, its wide glass entrances now covered in thick steel barricades. The parking lot, once full of cars, had been cleared, with military trucks and makeshift guard towers taking their place.

Beyond the main building, in the once-expansive parking lot, rows upon rows of tents were pitched, creating a sprawling camp for the overflow of civilians who had nowhere else to go. The tents were tightly packed together, offering minimal privacy and little protection from the elements. Makeshift barriers separated different sections, but it was clear that these civilians were living in a constant state of uncertainty.

When Mark and his group first arrived, they were ushered in with welcoming arms. Their combat attire was a sight that the government officials and military operants had been longing for. Unlike the civilians outside, Mark and the other able-bodied fighters were allowed shelter inside of the mall’s constraints. There, they met some of the leading figures, who quickly gave the group terms and conditions for staying there.

Even with their demands, the concept of law and order brought about a sense of peace and security that the past students have been longing for. However, it didn’t take long for some of the wiser individuals to begin to feel the weight of something insidious lurking in the air. The mall, while fortified, was not immune to the same pressures that had shattered the world outside. Resources were running low, alliances were fracturing, and the undead were never far away, drawn to the scent of living flesh. The government’s promise of safety now felt more like a fragile hope.

In the beginning, those who followed Mark had no issues abiding by the commands of those in charge. When given the orders to help fend off armies of zombies away from the compound, they didn’t hesitate to aid in the base defense despite coming here for protection. After displaying their strengths that were even above the military guards and few elites that they had, they were even held more in consideration in the eyes of the ruling powers. However, it was also because of their glaring power that tensions began to rise.

While they were originally welcomed as much-needed reinforcements, their strength quickly turned from an asset to a point of contention. The soldiers, who had been fighting tooth and nail for survival for weeks, began to feel overshadowed by Mark and his team’s abilities.

At first, the higher-ups tried to keep things cordial, but it was becoming increasingly difficult as Mark and the others continued to prove themselves as the key to repelling the relentless attacks. However, as much as they appreciated the help, the hierarchy they had worked to maintain now felt fragile.

It wasn’t just because of their strengths, but it was because of the natural charisma Mark wielded. The soldiers may have grown issues with them, but the civilians, who were able to bask in his prideful and serene aura were quickly drawn to his lead. Noticing the shift, Mark’s team success had led to uncomfortable stares, and whispered discussions. What started as admiration for their prowess was now being twisted into suspicion and envy.

It was only a matter of time for the growing tension turned into subtle acts against them and Mark knew it. People, whether soldiers or civilians, needed something to hold on to in these times of desperation, and in a world where survival was all that mattered, control was the ultimate currency.

He couldn’t understand it; it was only one day that he was there and everything changed. He felt it had to be more than what he believed he understood, but besides what he knew, there was no other reason for the change.

With the day almost ending, Mark found himself looking out the window towards the moon that seemed more closer than before. His thoughts were surprisingly thinking about someone that he had once wished to forget. The events today really made him wonder if he had made the right decision to come here. He couldn’t bring himself to say it, but he was beginning to wish that he had stayed with the devil.