Chapter 43: CH 043: A way to survive (MR 7)

Chapter 43: CH 043: A way to survive (MR 7)Sorry for the delay, all pending updates will be released now! *** Moments after the warm welcome of Gunther, the group had decided it was time to move again. The mission wasn’t over, and many lives depended on their success. But before leaving, Gunther made one request. "Let’s eat first. We’ll take off right after," he said, his voice still carrying the fatigue of his ordeal. As the group began to gather around for food distribution, Dave silently slipped away, heading toward an area on the outskirts where the piles of dead beasts lay. His backpack, the one issued to their group, was strapped comfortably to his back, but he wasn’t alone in his movement. Simbi had also followed closely behind him, her curiosity piqued. "Why are we here?" Simbi asked, her voice filled with confusion. The sight of the dead beasts littering the ground wasn’t exactly the most inviting environment for a conversation, or for anything else for that matter. Dave paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the area, his thoughts still processing the recent events. "Do you remember a part of Gunther’s story?" he asked, his tone distant. "He mentioned how his body was covered with black blood, the beast’s blood, but none of the creatures attacked him. It didn’t make sense." Simbi nodded. "Yeah, he said it was odd. And besides, the beasts have been acting strange ever since we first saw them. What about it?" Dave’s gaze hardened, and he turned to her, speaking with quiet determination. "I have a theory. I think the reason the beasts didn’t attack him was because the black blood on his body masked his human scent. They couldn’t smell him as prey. It’s just a theory, but I need to test it." Simbi’s eyes narrowed with interest, though she was still unsure about Dave’s plan. "So what are you going to do?" Without responding directly, Dave bent down, grabbing a large cylinder container that had been left among the discarded gear. He began draining the dark blood from the nearest beast, his movements methodical, practiced. The blood was thick and oily, pouring into the container with a heavy slosh. Simbi watched, silent, as he filled the cylinder halfway. When the container was full, Dave hefted it up, securing it in his backpack. "I need to store this. We’ll see if it works." He threw a glance at Simbi. "Let’s head back before we’re too far off. We don’t have much time." Simbi didn’t respond immediately, but her eyes were filled with curiosity, and perhaps a bit of concern. She knew Dave’s mind worked in ways most people didn’t understand, and if his theory was correct... well, it could be crucial to their survival. Just as Dave slung his bag back onto his shoulders, a small notification from his system flickered into his view. [You have less than 30 minutes before the next attack begins. All powers will be nulled once the time is over Dave let out a sigh, his face momentarily hardening with resolve. "Well, I guess it’s time to go," he muttered, turning to head back toward the rest of the group. The countdown had begun, and the next attack was coming soon. **** At the same time, from where Gunther was seated, he let out a slow breath, the weight of the past few hours pressing against him. It seemed like the threat had passed for now, but the unease still lingered in the back of his mind. His instincts told him that waiting too long could be a mistake. The beasts might be gone for now, but what if they came back? What if they were lying in wait, watching, ready to strike again? The thought was enough to prompt him into action as he stood up from his seat. "Alright, everyone," Gunther said, his voice cutting through the subdued chatter. "It’s time to go. We can’t afford to sit around and wait. Let’s get moving before things change." Without hesitation, the group fell into motion, climbing back into the truck and preparing for the journey ahead. Dave and Simbi had also arrived, heading into the truck as they began their journey once again. Once everyone was ready, Kim had started the truck, its engine purring as it began its journey toward the TT Junction, the designated rendezvous point for all the members. The landscape outside blurred into a mix of greens and browns as the group settled into a momentary lull. With each passing minute, the tension that had once gripped everyone slowly began to fade, as if the beasts that had attacked them were nothing more than a bad memory. The atmosphere inside the truck had softened, quiet conversations filled the space, punctuated by the occasional clinking of utensils as the group finished their meals. Gunther, however, wasn’t quite as relaxed. His eyes scanned the horizon with a practiced vigilance, searching for any signs of movement in the distance. He kept his focus on the road ahead and the edges of the open fields, his hand occasionally tightening on the seat as he waited. But as the minutes ticked by, nothing stirred. No beasts was found in sight. The truck’s engine hummed steadily as it continued its journey, the tires rolling over the rough terrain, kicking up dust in the fading light of the afternoon. After several minutes, the truck slowed, pulling to a halt at the TT Junction. It was a quiet but significant location, marked by the imposing statue of a long-dead leader, towering at the center of the roundabout like a silent sentinel overseeing the road. The air inside the truck shifted as it came to a stop. A quiet murmur of voices spread through the group, the sound of seats shifting and the rustling of gear. The truck’s engine shut off, and the noise outside quickly flooded in, the soft wind, the distant hum of other vehicles, the faint murmur of birdsong. One by one, the group disembarked, grabbing their bags and weapons as they climbed out into the cool afternoon air. Some paused to stretch their stiff muscles, others just stared ahead, deep in thought. The TT Junction was their point of departure, this was where they would be parting ways, heading to their respective assigned locations. And although their day hadn’t started so well, with chaos and bloodsheds, the group still have the mind to complete their expedition. Especially now that Gunther was still alive, they have no other excuse to not want to complete it. Then once everything was over, they’ll head back to the base, and probably not leave till the next one to two weeks. Or so they hoped.