I would normally take a few days to travel from the Federation to King County, Georgia if we went by land. But since we used the chopper, the entire trip took only about four hours. During the flight, Alex kept fiddling with his sword, almost like it was an extension of himself. I couldn't blame him—I also brought my own sword, strapped neatly beside my all-black outfit and long coat. Cool, right? Alex, on the other hand, wore the standard soldier's uniform.
After a few minutes of circling, we finally found a proper landing spot. This area should've had only a small number of walkers, and those were manageable. We touched down in the backyard of a quiet suburban neighborhood, but the sound of the chopper immediately attracted a handful of walkers shambling toward us.
I turned to the two pilots and the guard.
"You three stay here. Secure the area and watch the chopper. That's our way home."
"Yes, sir!" they saluted in unison.
Alex stepped beside me. "Marcus, what exactly are we doing here?"
I smirked. "Now, that would spoil the fun, wouldn't it?"
We grabbed a few days' worth of rations along with a bag filled with weapons and essential supplies. The plan was simple: swords for walkers, guns for hostile people.
Alex frowned at the amount. "But Marcus… this is a lot for just the two of us."
"The more, the merrier, right?" I said casually.
He raised a brow, clearly unconvinced, but didn't question further. Of course it was a lot—for good reason. I intended to give some of the supplies to the protagonist. A little support wouldn't hurt him at all. No need to tell Alex that part.
"Walkers," Alex warned.
I spun around just in time to see one approaching. Alex stepped forward and quickly intercepted it, slicing it cleanly. Not bad.
"Let's go, Alex!"
After a short skirmish, the bodies of the walkers lay scattered around us. I scanned the area. "Looks like that's all of them."
We continued forward. My target was the hospital—the place where the protagonist would wake up. I wanted to be there, just this once. A newbie privilege for him, I guess. After that, I'd leave. I admired the guy too much to interfere with his entire journey.
With the map, it didn't take long to find the hospital. There was only one on the way, and thankfully we didn't encounter many walkers. The few that appeared were easily dispatched. Alex showed surprising skill with the sword—clean movements, steady breathing, no hesitation.
When we entered the hospital, Alex looked around in confusion.
"Wait… what? How could this person still be alive?" he whispered as we found a man unconscious on a bed.
"Hmm. Looks like someone took care of him," I said, scanning the area. "But whoever it was… they're gone now."
We had passed the Don't Open, Dead Inside doors earlier—it matched perfectly with what I remembered.
"What should we do, Marcus?" Alex asked, hesitant.
"What are you hesitating for, Alex? Of course we're going to help this guy."
"But Marcus… this person looks like he's already dead," he said slowly.
I walked closer, ignoring his doubts. "We'll stay for a day or two. He'll wake up soon."
I looked at Rick Grimes—skinnier, weaker, pale from months of unconsciousness. He looked far more fragile than he ever did on TV or on the news broadcast.
Still, seeing him here felt surreal.
"Anyway… it's thanks to you," I murmured softly. "Because of your story, I was able to prepare. This is my way of repaying you, Rick Grimes."
I gently touched his head.
"I hope you wake up soon."
Alex's POV
What the hell is going on?
I've always trusted Marcus. His instincts, his insight, his planning—everything about him screamed "leader." He's the kind of person you follow without hesitation because you know he'll get everyone to safety. But today… I don't understand him at all.
First, he insists on coming personally to this dangerous place instead of sending a squad. A leader is supposed to stay safe, but Marcus actively seeks danger like it's nothing.
And now this.
We find some half-dead guy lying in a hospital bed, and Marcus is looking at him with an expression I've never seen before—like he's staring at someone legendary, someone he's been waiting to meet his entire life. Why? They don't look like acquaintances. I've never heard Marcus mention this man, not even once.
And the supplies… I glance at the bags we brought. It's a lot. Too much for just the two of us. Why would he bring so many provisions unless he intended to give them away?
None of this makes sense.
Who is this guy to Marcus?
Why does Marcus look at him like he's important?
Why does he act like he already knew this man would be here?
I clench my jaw, trying to process everything. Marcus is strong, smart, capable—but sometimes he does things that make me realize just how little I truly know about him.
I looked at him again, watching as he touched the unconscious man's head with a strange gentleness.
Marcus… what the hell are you planning right now?
My system is useless… bah. I haven't even managed to use it properly in a fight. Instead of crushing my enemies, all it's done is help build barriers for the Federation. Great. I want to use it to destroy threats, to tear apart anything coming for us—but where are those enemies now? Hidden? Waiting? Or maybe fate is just messing with me again.
It didn't take long for Rick to wake up—barely a day after we arrived. One moment he was motionless, and the next his fingers twitched, his breathing shifted, and his eyes slowly opened. Confused, weak, and struggling to understand where he was.
We explained everything—the fall of the world, the walkers, the collapse of society, the chaos outside these hospital walls. Alex filled in the details whenever I paused, telling him how people turned, how the outbreak spread, how dangerous everything had become.
Rick stared at us, his face paling with every word.
"That's impossible," he whispered. "How could something like that even happen?"
I expected that reaction. Anyone would react the same way after waking up to a nightmare. I let out a quiet breath and nodded.
"I knew you wouldn't believe us," I said gently. "But don't take my word for it."
I motioned for him to follow.
"Come. See it yourself."