Becoming a Monster

Chapter 305: Chapter 305: My Son’s Killer

”Noah? NOAH? Are you sure it’s him?!”

A young woman pushed herself forward from the crowd of seemingly all important people. Her heels clicked sharply against the tile floor, the force in her steps was made with a panicked hostility towards Grant.

Her outfit was wildly out of place. She wore a sunflower yellow designer dress, tight enough to leave little to the imagination, a slit dangerously low at the chest. Jeweled accessories sparkled around her as if she was coming from a fashioned gala rather than surviving in an apocalypse.

Her face was adorned with makeup.

Not only her, but there were a mixture of people there that didn’t fit the chaotic world. Men and women alike were all dressed up in a luxury fashion, not a hint of weapons or gear on them.

And then, alongside the visually wealthy, there were those who were completely geared up. Those in combat gear, wearing attire that was only obtained from the chest. Most of their gear was the same as the others, clean, and without any amount of wear and tear.

In stark contrast, on the opposite side of the room stood another group. These were soldiers, survivors, clad in both practical militia gear and with gear similar to the other group, but unlike them, they still held something that proved they were still part of the soldier faction.

Together, the two sides stood under the same roof, but they were clearly recognized as divided special factions.

Everyone looked onto the scene of Regina grabbing the man Grant by the shoulders screaming again about the unknown figure they hadn’t heard of before.

However, not all of them were unfamiliar with the name. Thanks to Regina, the true leading figures understood what that name represented. How could they not when they found out that the person who had killed Neal, the child of Vincent Blackvale, one of the wealthiest and most influential men before the outbreak.

Vincent had his hands in everything, construction contracts, underground deals, even shady alliances within the judicial system. Neal, his only son, had been groomed to take over the family empire.

It wasn’t just Vincent. The base commander, Commander Burke, that led over the militia was also made aware of the human that turned himself into a monster. He wasn’t just informed of Neal’s death, but he was informed of the monster that became so strong even as a tamer.

Noah.

The crowd inside the mall murmured again. Some cast glances toward the soldiers, waiting for them to go out and put down the monster that was coming their way. Others looked toward the faction of the rich, as through waiting for Vincent’s wrath to deal with the aforementioned threat.

But strangely, both Vincent and Burke had different reactions, and different expectations. Burke, although he was the commander and leader of the military within their base, he wasn’t a righteous individual, he was a man that would do everything to keep himself alive.

Within his gaze, a plan brewed. Learning from Noah’s deeds, he began crafting his own experiments that proved to be game changers. But from what he’d heard, it still paled in comparison to the one who took all his efforts a step further.

Burke held a certain aspect of expectation for Noah to come. His fingers were twitching suspiciously, hovering near his breast pocket.

Vincent’s expression was dark. Jaw locked, eyes shadowed under his brows that were so furrowed his eyes were barely visible.

Neal’s death wasn’t just personal, the way his death was told to him, it was insulting.

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Regina’s breath was completely ragged after receiving the same answer for the fourth time. She staggered back, her body losing its strength as she envisioned Noah walking through those doors. Her eyesight wasn’t as sharp as the others’ when Noah transformed into that savage creature that mutilated the Queen Ant. That blurry version of Noah stuck with her, turning into a haunting memory that constantly reappeared in her dreams.

And now he was coming here.

Her stomach turned. She struggled to control her bladder; trickles of yellow liquid dripped at the bottom of her dress.

When Regina was on the verge of having a full meltdown, the person that was always by her side, Pam, quickly came to her aid.

”Regina, get a grip, remember where you are.” Her voice was stern, but it was hushed, not wanting to make Regina look like a fool in front of all the others.

Pam was smart. She’d long understood Regina no longer carried her father’s power. But she still had her beauty, and the legacy of being his daughter.

Regina was able to receive small benefits since they arrived here. Benefits such as food, clothing, clean water. And most importantly she was untainted by the thirsty hands of men where rules were no longer as protective as they once were.

However, Pam also knew it was only a matter of time. She observed the men’s plotting gazes. Their predatory nature was barely being hidden at all. Regina still held a certain level of status, the few people left who followed under her father were still loyal enough to stay tied to her when she arrived at the base.

But that loyalty didn’t mean much. There were only two of them now.

Every single one of them was being poached from Regina in the open, uncaring about what she thought.

Pam was all too aware, and more than anything, if they were to survive this, she had to make sure that Regina didn’t lose her face in the process. If Regina continued to show such an embarrassing and pathetic show, then maybe dying by Noah’s hand would be considered a mercy.

”He’s not here yet. And remember, everyone with us isn’t as weak as back then. I’m sure those two can stop Noah. For now, get yourself together, don’t make yourself look weak around them.”

Regina’s eyes flickered around the room. Her mascara smudged from tears she couldn’t remember crying.

She gritted her teeth, willing herself to stop shaking. She wasn’t dumb, she could already see some of them with two-faced smirks. The warm shame between her legs had already started to dry in the cold air. She straightened, not fully, not proudly, but enough to show she was in control of her emotions.

”So?” A dark, deep voice finally spoke. Everyone was familiar with the voice as they all receded their gaze from Regina’s spectacle, looking towards Vincent.

Vincent stood in front of his line of elites. Tailored in a black trench coat that hung from his broad shoulders. Underneath, he wore a sharp charcoal suit. Even with electricity no longer running, every part of his suit was without wrinkles.

Polished leather gloves sheathed his hands and engraved golden cufflinks shone at his wrist.

Despite his refined appearance, Vincent was still an Awakened. Through the Shop, anything was possible, even leveling up without ever stepping onto the battlefield. Potions, boosts, enhancements, when one had the money, the Shop never said no.

With status and power, Vincent didn’t fear Noah at all. The power he obtained from the shop was nothing compared to the amount of resources he poured into his own elite force, especially his right hand man. A man that he believed to be as strong or even stronger than Mark.

”This Noah is strong, but what does that matter? When has one powerful individual ever managed to truly make a difference and live?”

At his question, Vincent motioned the person closest to him with his eyes to stand before him. The person stepped forward without hesitation.

A tall broad figure, an older man that was nearly the same age as Vincent, yet this man had a head of gray spiked hair and a full gray beard. Unlike metal, his armor consisted of a leather material that had special engravings etched throughout them, each glowing with a silver hue.

Sleek gauntlets of tempered metal wrapped around his forearms, glowing with veins of circuitry that hummed with restrained energy. Sparks leapt intermittently from rune to rune, dancing like lightning trapped in a cage.

The man gave an air about him that spoke of his years of combat experience. His gear wasn’t as protective as the others around him, yet no one there criticized him for it.

As subtle recognition passed among the soldiers and elites, Vincent’s eyes flicked toward Burke. Just for a moment. A knowing glance, a warning, and perhaps a quiet challenge.

”Let him come. This ’Noah,’ may claim to be a monster, but they will still die a pathetic death if they wish to come here. I want to see the boy who believes that just because they gave themselves a label that it makes him untouchable.”

The silence after his words stretched. Vincent could see the morale swelling in his favor, confident in their victory, confident in him.

Burke didn’t like that fact, he couldn’t let Vincent’s momentum continue to sway the people away from his favor.

But as he was about to speak up for his own participation, he saw Regina of all people walking with quick strides as she approached Vincent.

Burke’s eyes narrowed in deep suspicion. ’What the hell are you doing, girl?’

He watched as Vincent let her approach, whispering in his ear.

Whatever it was, it made Vincent’s eyes turn icy, his gaze snapping towards a pair of individuals who were trying their best to stay hidden.