Myles and Nadine packed up their stuff quickly.
Myles checked his status screen for the second time that morning and couldn't help but nodded approvingly to himself.
He was now level 14 and he feels himself become stronger.
He'd been putting almost everything into Wisdom lately to add more MP. More MP meant more skill usage when he was in the middle of the fight.
Nadine's stats were still modest in comparison. She was now level 7. But her level was definitely still pretty high than the others.
She didn't have any combat skills that require mana yet so her points went straight into physical power. With only a crowbar to her hands she relied entirely on her body to deal damage so she uses her stats to point to her Strength, Agility, and Endurance.
They didn't have much else to prepare. Nadine pulled on a pair of faded trousers and a jumper jacket she'd scavenged from the storage room.
Myles was still in the same clothes he'd worn when he'd left his house. It was now dirt and blood stained, with a tear on one sleeve.
"These clothes are already disgusting," he muttered, brushing off a patch of dried blood. "Maybe later we should go to a clothing store."
Nadine looked at him like he'd just suggested going on a picnic.
Then she laughed, a quick, warm sound. "Seriously? In the middle of an apocalypse with monsters everywhere, you still want to go shopping?"
Myles chuckled. "Well… at least it's free now."
They joined Ryan and Nia, the only other two ready to move out. They were the only available soldiers among the four.
Both of them had abandoned their rifles because their ammunition was long gone and now carried combat knives.
The four of them moved through the hall toward the main entrance, where the refugees were gathered.
Ryan and Nia didn't say a word. They strode ahead, posture stiff, eyes fixed forward, and pushed straight through the front doors without even looking at the survivors around them.
Myles slowed his steps, frowning. That was odd.
He turned to address the room in a louder voice. "We're heading out to look for food! Come on, if anyone wants to help, let's move!"
Silence.
Dozens of pale tired faces turned away from him. No one spoke or stood.
His frown deepened. "What the fuck…?"
He scanned the room again. Every single refugee was staring away.
It seemed the survivors here had no intention of stepping outside to find food, even though they also ate it.
Myles let out a quiet sigh. He should have expected this. Fear had rooted them to the floor and made them unwilling to move.
Ryan and Nia glanced back.
"It's fine, Myles," Ryan said. "We can handle the search for food, right?"
Myles shook his head. "No. This can't keep happening. If they want to eat, they need to contribute. They can't just leech off us forever."
A few heads lifted at that, eyes narrowing. Murmurs spread, and then a man near the back spoke up, his voice thick with resentment. "You're a terrible kid, calling us leeches."
"Then come with us to look for food," Myles replied evenly.
The man hesitated, his defiance wavering. After a moment, he sank back into his seat without another word.
"See? You're just proving my point," Myles said coldly.
"That's enough," Nia snapped, stepping forward him, anger flashing in her eyes. "They're terrified!"
Myles met her glare with another sigh. "And how long do you plan to keep providing for people who won't lift a finger? If you or I are surrounded by monsters, do you think they'll step outside to help? No. So why should we risk our lives to provide for them?"
Nia's lips parted, but no words came. The weight of his question sank in, and her expression changed, doubt settling in her eyes.
Nadine just looked at them with crossed arms beside Myles. She had been in their place once. She was reluctant and afraid until Myles had pushed her to fight and kill. Then she received the System and it had changed her, made her stronger.
"No one?" Myles scanned the room, his voice cutting through the tense air. "Then I'll take the food I take for myself. We can only carry so much with just the four of us after all."
Without another glance, he turned and walked toward the door with cold and deliberate steps.
For a few moments, Ryan and Nia just stood frozen, caught between understanding and hesitation.
Myles's words make sense in their minds, but the thought of dragging these trembling people out into the nightmare beyond the doors made their chests tighten.
Then a woman stepped forward, her face pale and her hands clutching her worn sweater.
"Mister soldier… you won't force us to go outside, right? You'll protect us?" Her voice shook, her eyes pleading.
Others joined in, murmuring their fears. Their voices weave into a chorus of desperation.
They begged Ryan and Nia to stay, to guard them, and keep them safe from the horrors lurking outside.
From beyond the doorway came the faint sound of Myles scoffing. But he didn't add a word.
Ryan exhaled slowly. His shoulders sagging.
"We have to go," he muttered.
Without meeting anyone's gaze, he turned for the exit, Nia following in silence.
Outside, Myles and Nadine were already striding ahead with steady and unhesitating pace.
They kept moving. Their boots crunching softly over broken glass and scattered debris.
The streets ahead grew narrower, choked by crumbling buildings leaning toward each other.
When they entered a dense cluster of city blocks the air felt heavier and thicker. Shadows shifted behind shattered windows and alleyways, and every sound seemed to echo too long. Even though this is already daytime,the nuance didn't change.
Myles slowed his pace, scanning their surroundings.
His Perception pricked with dozens of faint presences scattered around them. Some near, some farther away but he still couldn't understand their exact strength.
"We need to be careful," he murmured. "There's a market up ahead. We just need to make it through."
Ryan, Nia, and Nadine gave silent nods, their eyes narrowing in mutual understanding.
Without another word, Myles reached for the black blade at his side, letting its weight settle into his grip just in case.
—