Vincent stared at the system window before his eyes.
[Main Quest: Level-Up Apocalypse]
[Requirements:]
[100 corpses] - [0/100]
[10 awakened corpses] - [0/10]
[1000 Iron ores] - [0/1000]
[Reward: (Zombie Virius Level-Up)]
[Penalty for failure: Death]
[Time limit: 16 days 1:57:37]
Vincent's eyes skipped past the first two requirements.
He had no strength or will to deal with them right now.
He'll deal with them later.
Once he finishes gathering the iron ores.
'Iron ores,'
His eyes narrowed.
Before, he had tried using real, processed iron, but it didn't cause any reaction.
'There is only one place I can think of that might have raw, unprocessed iron.'
Vincent's mind wandered; a picture of a mountain appeared.
'The abandoned iron mine on the mountain,'
But his brows furrowed as he glanced at the timer on the system window.
Although he had time, it would take him several days to reach the mountain on foot.
'I need to borrow the vehicle.'
He could think of only one option.
'But how do I convince the group to lend it to me?'
Swoosh!
Suddenly, his eyes widened as realization flashed through them.
'The mountain is far from the city and the tower.'
A possibility emerged within Vincent's mind.
'The mountain is outside the known range of their activity.'
In this new world, a place with no zombies or demons was a haven.
He didn't deny the possibility.
But it made a perfect excuse.
"I can explore the mountain to relocate in the future and also gather iron ore."
Two birds with one stone.
Having found a solution, Vincent closed the window, and another status window appeared at his will.
But his eyes focused on only one part.
[Race: Progenitor (Conditional)] - [Time remaining: 62 days 22:37:21]
His fists clenched.
'I don't have to worry about this for the time being. '
Nails dug into his flesh.
And anger soared within his heart.
Eating Peter worked.
It worked a little too well.
But he could do nothing now.
He had done it.
Thinking about it wouldn't change anything.
He had survived and overcome the crisis.
That was all that mattered.
So…why did the thought make him want to vomit?
Vincent shook his head.
Forcefully, he suppressed his thoughts.
Swoosh!
He put on new clothes and strode out.
Vincent had yet to bear the consequences of Peter's death.
…
The first rays of daylight pierced the sky, and the rift slowly became visible.
Vincent went down the stairs to the ground floor, toward Livia's room.
Knock! Knock!
He stopped before a door at the far end of the hospital and knocked.
But no one answered for a long time.
Creak!
Suddenly, the door opened.
Livia stood in the doorway, her hair messy.
She had just gotten up.
"Vincent, what is it?"
Seeing him here so early, she assumed something bad had happened.
"Did something happen?"
"Livia, we have a problem."
She frowned and stepped aside.
Vincent entered the room.
"Peter is dead. Kai killed him."
Livia's expression instantly darkened.
"What happened?!"
Vincent didn't beat around the bush and explained what happened, deliberately hiding certain details.
He only described what he witnessed. What Kai did, but not what happened after.
.
.
.
Silence descended in the room.
Vincent finished speaking.
Yet Livia said nothing.
But her brows kept furrowing and relaxing.
Thoughts clashed in her head.
"Sighhh…"
In the end, only a sigh escaped her lips.
"That fool…"
She shook her head, the regret clear in her voice.
"What happened to his corpse?"
Vincent's heart jolted.
His eyes widened for a moment, but instantly returned to normal.
"I don't know."
Vincent shook his head.
But Livia carefully observed him.
"I didn't check. Probably the demons ate him."
"Is that so?" Livia's eyes narrowed. Maybe even the zombies?"
Vincent nodded.
"Quite possible."
He maintained a perfect poker face.
They held eye contact for a few seconds.
"Sighh,"
Livia shook her head.
"To think he targeted Kai. Does he not listen to the rumors?"
"In the end, rumors are just rumors," Vincent said. "The group expanded rapidly in the past two weeks."
Livia nodded.
"I get what you mean. Our group is already over 1000 survivors.
Kai is one of the first survivors you brought back home. But you never took him out for missions or to rescue other survivors. So not many had seen him fight."
Her brows furrowed.
"Back then, what happened? You disappeared for over a week, and you came back with him."
Memories flashed in Livia's mind.
A memory of an injured Vincent.
Vincent lowered his head, his brows tightening.
A distant memory returned.
"That's not the point now."
But he immediately suppressed it.
He looked her in the eyes.
"How do we deal with this now?"
Livia rubbed her temples.
"I'll call a meeting. We'll tell them as it is. They can't do anything to Kai, anyway.
We'll need an explanation for the group. After all, Peter was well known. He can't just disappear with no reason."
Vincent nodded in agreement.
"One more thing…"
Vincent explained that he wanted to explode the mountain, presenting it as a worthwhile cause.
"Hmmm…" Livia put on a thoughtful expression.
"The vehicle was a gift from the military. It's the only one we have. We'll need ot bring it up at the meeting for further consideration."
Vincent rubbed his forehead tiredly and sighed.
"Please do it in my stead. I'm too tired to attend a meeting."
Livia stared at him for a few seconds before agreeing.
"I'll leave it to you."
Vincent didn't intend to stay longer.
He opened the door and strode out.
As he walked out, a strange glint flashed in Livia's eyes.
The corner of her mouth curled up into an unnatural smile. An amused smile.
But quickly hid it away.
She left the room and went to organize the meeting.
…
"Sighh…"
Vincent let out a tired sigh as he walked down the corridor.
He had no energy left to engage in mind warfare with the other group leaders.
'It will be a headache…'
If he attended the meeting, he'd have to bear a heavy burden.
For he was the cause of Peter's death.
A cause of the killing within the group.
Kai's close big brother.
In the end, he left it to Livia.
He returned to his room and sank into bed.
…
Livia sat in the empty meeting room, her finger clicking against the metal cover of her ear, hiding an injury she'd suffered earlier.
Her face rested in her arms, eyes closed.
She was sorting out her thoughts.
Swoosh!
Finally, her eyes snapped open, eyes shining with a green light.
She strode out of the room.
Livia personally gathered the group leaders for a meeting.
Half an hour later.
The meeting of the group's top powerhouses and key figures began.
With only Kai and Vincent absent.