Chapter 65: Chapter65-Marcus Taylor

I wasn't very surprised by their information since it was mostly what I already knew... I thought I would learn more about them, but I was wrong. There's nothing new except their future rank probabilities. *** Jack exchanged a few words with them, and soon we were inside the mall, walking through what had once been a bustling shopping center, now transformed into a fortified sanctuary. Inside, the atmosphere was surprisingly calm. People went about their tasks, securing defenses, tending to supplies. It was clear this was a community that had found stability in an unstable world. But something surprised me. The place was filled with wealthy and influential people. I noticed many important figures from various families strolling around, along with numerous unfamiliar faces. Jack turned to me and asked, "Want to meet Marcus?" I replied, "Sure, why not?" "Then follow us," Jack said. With that, Jack and his brothers headed off in a specific direction. I followed them since I wasn't familiar with the area. Lia walked behind me. Kiara and Alex didn't join us. When I asked the reason, they simply said they didn't feel like it. I figured it was because they were uncomfortable or shy around high-ranking people, especially since they were new to this environment. The Smith brothers led me up to the staircase. As we walked, I glanced around at the surroundings of the shopping mall. To me, the shopping mall didn't seem extraordinary; it looked just like the malls in my previous world. But, there was a problem... Most people were staring in my direction as if they'd seen a ghost walking. I felt really uncomfortable with all the eyes on me because I don't like being in the spotlight or getting too much attention. I didn't understand why so many people, including high-class individuals, were staring at me while I walked around. I mean, am I some kind of Diamond? I can understand it from regular people who haven't seen someone like me up close before, but why were influential people staring at me too? They've seen me before and even talked to the previous Michael, so just why? I didn't understand the reason. For a moment, I considered asking the brothers but decided against it and withdrew from all those stares. I looked back at Lia, who appeared unfazed by the stares from the guests and others. I couldn't understand how she could stay so composed. Afterward, I redirected my attention to meeting Marcus. After walking for a few minutes, they stopped at a room. Jack turned to me and said, "Michael, behind this door is the leader's room, where Marcus is." I get it, just open it quickly. I nodded in agreement. Then, they opened the door to the room. As the door swung open, revealing the leader's room, a hushed atmosphere greeted us. Inside, a person sat at a desk, writing on a piece of paper. They had thick, neatly styled red hair that framed their square-shaped face and strong jawline. Their piercing blue eyes showed determination and intelligence, with a straight nose and medium-sized lips. With a muscular build and a liking for well-fitted suits, they had a professional and commanding presence, showing strength and leadership in how they carried themselves. This person was none other than Marcus Taylor, the upcoming leader of the hunter association. Beside him stood a girl I had already metAnna, Lia's sisterstanding tall and composed. Both Marcus and Anna looked up at us as we entered. Suddenly, Anna lunged forward, and for a moment, I thought she was heading towards me. But I was wrong. She rushed past me and hugged Lia tightly. "Lia, thank God you're okay! I was so worried something might have happened to you." Lia hugged her sister back just as tightly. "I'm fine, sis, nothing happened," she reassured her, and they kept hugging each other. Marcus wasn't surprised by our sudden entry. He looked at Jack with mild irritation and said, "Jack, I've told you to knock before coming in." Jack shrugged. "Oh, I forgot." Marcus then turned to Allen. "What about you?" Allen grinned. "I knew, but does it really matter?" Marcus sighed and shook his head. "When will you all learn some manners?" he muttered. He then turned to me, extending his hand in a gesture of welcome. "Michael, it's good to see you. I hope the journey here wasn't too troublesome." That was as straight as my dick... I shook his hand, feeling the firm grip of someone used to command. "You already know about me? Thats a massive surprise to me though." Honestly, I wasn't really surprised that he knew me. Even though he had never seen me this close before, I'm sure he had already seen my face and had information about me. "Haha, you really like to joke around a lot!" Marcus said. But that wasn't a joke... "So, how do you think about this place? Marcus Questioned me. I replied. "This place is impressive." Marcus smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "We do what we can to maintain some semblance of normalcy," he said. "Please, have a seat. We have much to discuss." As we all settled into the room, Anna and Lia finally released each other from their embrace. Anna looked at me with a warm smile. "It's good to see you again, Michael. I hope you haven't been causing too much trouble the my sister." I chuckled softly. "Not more than usual," I replied, earning a laugh from both Allen and Lia. Marcus cleared his throat, drawing our attention back to him. "Alright, guys, let me talk to him now." He then continued, "Michael, since you're here, does that mean you want to join our group?" "..." I didn't answer. "Michael?" (Marcus) "..." "Michael, are you listening?" Marcus asked. "..." I was speechless. I had no words to say. My condition was that alarming. Why? When Marcus asked me the question, I used my appraisal skill on him, and what I saw took me by surprise. **Name:** Marcus Taylor (Super Monster) **Height:** 5'8" **Weight:** 100 lbs (91 kg) **Personality:** Your level is insufficient to discern! **Evaluation:**Your level is insufficient to discern! **Probability:** Your level is insufficient to discern! My eyes practically popped out when I saw the words "Super Monster." I have to admit, I wasn't prepared for that. Super monsters... As Ambrosia was constructed and the deaths and killings by monsters and diseases significantly decreased, humans started to reconstruct their lives within Ambrosia and enjoyed peaceful years thereafter. But, as the saying goes "All good things must come to an end." Nothing lasts forever, not even peace. So, after living peacefully inside the sanctuary for a few years, again some humans begin to get affected by the same deadly disease. Strangely, these individuals could control negative traits like greed, lust, pride, envy, gluttony, sloth, and wrath for 14 days after infection. This period became known as the "period of monsterrorisation." Many people successfully passed through this period and gained special abilities, becoming known as Special monsters. However, they still faced criticism and persecution from the society who viewed them as monsters. The leaders of the new government, who had guided humanity back from the edge of extinction, even order their extermination. And with that command, thousands of super monsters were slain, until those individuals rebelled against the government and formed their own organization known as ECLIPSE. However, humans mostly referred to it as a Rebellion organization rather than ECLIPSE. Personally, I couldn't comprehend why humanity opposed them. I mean, those individuals could have joined humanity and potentially accelerated technological advancements and many other things. I've read numerous history books but haven't found a single reason explaining why humans went against super monsters. What did they do to deserve being killed? They had human-like faces, hands, teeth, and everything else, except for special abilities, so why? I couldn't understand... But let's focus on the current issue. Marcus being a super monster suggests that humanity is either in grave danger or under the control of an evil force. Why? When people become super monsters, the government usually kills them or they join ECLIPSE to protect themselves from future persecution by agencies. But since nobody knows Marcus is a super monster, I can only consider one possibility: Marcus's family might already know but chose to protect him because he's the future leader of their organization. This means if anything happens to him, there might not be a hunter association in the future. But it also implies that the hunter organization supports super monsters. If I disclose this information to the federal association, it could trigger a massive war between the two associations, potentially leading to the eradication of one. I'm certain they would also seek to eliminate me because I started the conflict. For now, the best choice is to keep quiet and focus on my own affairs instead of getting involved with others. "Sorry, Marcus, I was a little occupied with my thoughts," I finally responded, breaking the silence that had settled uncomfortably in the room. So, the bitch has already started bitching around. Before Marcus could say anything, Anna interjected sharply, "Yeah, yeah, you're always occupied in your rubbish mind." Her tone was teasing but carried an underlying edge. Marcus stepped in, speaking calmly but firmly to Anna. "Anna, you should cut it out with the teasing." Anna just shrugged and turned her head away. "Humph, I'm not teasing, just telling the truth." If anyone else had said what she did, I might have found it cute. Her words caught me off guard with their sharpness. In that moment, a single word slipped into my mind: "Bitch." Marcus turned to me, his gaze steady and focused. "So, are you joining us or not?" "Yes," I replied immediately, eager to ease the tension the question caused in the room. "Good," Marcus nodded, his face relaxing a bit. Marcus continued, his tone serious as he addressed both Lia and me. "Michael, Lia, I need you both to listen carefully. What I'm about to tell you is very important." He paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing. "There's another group out there, apart from us. They don't recruit like we do. Instead, they kill anyone they come across." Marcus' expression darkened. "This group is made up of criminals from the infamous TERROR organisation." I was taken aback by this revelation. Rebels here also? They also got transported? "They have one motive," Marcus emphasized, his voice unwavering. "To kill." He went on to explain how this organization was initially formed to combat the threat of criminals killing indiscriminately. "It started as a defensive measure," Marcus clarified. "But over time, it turned into something like comman peoples." I listened closely, understanding the seriousness of what Marcus was saying. Marcus added another important point. "Most people here are hunters, ranked from Bronze to Gold. They're the ones who can defend us from threats like the terrorists." "How do you manage to feed everyone here, considering the large number of people to feed?" I asked. At that moment, I was more curious about their resources than the rebels or whatever else, since I felt safe and secure for now. "Ahh, Michael, don't hurry me. I'll get to it soon, just wait a bit," Marcus said. Before I could respond, Anna quickly added, "He's always quick to listen or do anything! Oh, wait, I mean, touching anything." Allen then asked curiously, "Anna, what do you mean by 'touching anything'?" "Well, about that, why don't you ask your friend? I'm sure he knows more about it than me, considering how close he was involved," Anna replied. This bitch... Allen then turned to me and asked, "Michael, what does she mean?" I made a funny face and said, "Oh, nothing. She's just joking around." Anna interrupted, "Who said I'm joking around? Uhmmghaghs-" Before she could finish, Lia covered Anna's mouth and said, "I'm sure my sister is just kidding around with all of you." Anna forcefully opened her mouth and retorted, "Lia, what are you doing? Why won't you let me speak?" Marcus intervened, saying, "Enough, Anna. He just arrived a few minutes ago, so stop." "But-" Marcus cut her off again, saying firmly, "That's enough." Anna fell silent after that. 'Ohh, yes. Take that bitch.' I felt a wave of satisfaction when Anna finally stopped talking after Marcus stepped in. Her constant annoyance was pushing my patience to the limit. Marcus then turned to me and apologized again for Anna, saying, "I'm sorry about Anna, Michael. She enjoys teasing people; I hope you don't mind." I replied, "It's fine." Marcus nodded and said, "Thank you." Then he continued, "Where was I? Oh yeah, about that feeding part." To sustain our community, Marcus outlined the organization of eight teams. "Each team is led by a leader with at least one lieutenant," he clarified. "These teams venture out to procure food and supplies, as it's too dangerous for ordinary people and bronze rank hunter. The terrorists target anyone they see as a threat or enemy, which includes our teams." "Fortunately, they haven't been able to inflict much damage on our teams because most of those who venture outside are either Iron rank or Gold rank hunters."