Chapter 14: Chapter 14: New Enemy

The <Magic Cores> originated the Mana of monsters and Evolved.

These glowing stones contained magical energy. In monsters, they were found in the head, while in Evolveds, near the heart.

These cores had appeared in the body of all existences when the Apocalypse struck the Earth. Moreover, the more they evolved, the more the quality of these cores increased accordingly.

There were Magic Cores of different grades, according to the evolutionary rank of existence. The black stone in Dai Zen's palm was a <First Grade Magic Core>; obtained from a First Rank existence.

Last night, after obtaining information from the Fairy, Dai Zen had gone up to the rooftop to take them away from the bats.

He also took the core of the Badly Evolved; Mutant.

Although the Fairy had not yet explained the function of these Magic Cores, Dai Zen thought that the more he had, better.

He looked at the other stone in his hands, a rock the size of a clenched fist surrounded by whitish runes. Just like the first Skill Rune when he crushed his first enemy.

Though he didn't know what kind of skills it contained, it wasn't the time to learn it as it would take a bit of time.

Dai Zen nodded and stuffed the two items into the bottom of his backpack. Then he scanned the rest of the high school with crimson eyes. Wu Xiuying and the others must have been waiting for him.

He ran at full speed, dodging the Badly Evolved swarming over him like flies on honey with all ease.

There were mangled dead on the road, perhaps the work of the bloody-handed woman he had rescued from the Cursed Hound.

In no time at all, he reached the bus stop. And his worried face, weathered by anguish that there was nothing left of what he was looking for, softened when he saw that there was still a vehicle. The students and teachers who had escaped earlier had not taken everything.

He made his way through the bodies of the enemies like it was nothing, disappearing from one spot and appearing behind the beasts before slicing through them. Soon, of the twenty Badly Evolved, not one was left standing.

As he boarded the bus, his crimson gaze met the girl.

"Thank you for saving me!" She said as soon as she saw him: "If it weren't for you, I'd be dead now."

She was about seventeen, eyes blue like the sky and shiny black hair. Her lips are like red cherries, and her cheeks pink in porcelain skin.

"You're welcome." He shrugged: "Now, help me clean this up before it's too late."

They needed to get going as soon as possible.

"Of course!" Her eyes sparkled with a strange hidden emotion: "I, Cai Ning, will do whatever you ask me to do if you let me accompany you."

"... We have a group of survivors. You can join us."

As he threw the monsters' bodies out the door, Dai Zen looked over his shoulder. The girl who called herself Cai Ning had a smile on her lips while she did the same.

"No. I want to accompany you." She replied firmly: "I am not weak. I am quick, agile, and skilled with the sword. I have useful skills, I promise you!"

Dai Zen was speechless. Those blue eyes conveyed determination and stubbornness. He realized that no matter what he said now, this strange girl would follow him.

If she decided to accompany the survivors, there would be no problem; however, he didn't even know her, let alone her goal to stay close to him!

Maybe it's because this is a token of gratitude on her part? Or perhaps she was looking for someone strong to keep her life in this apocalypse?

'Either way, it's not my problem.'

He decided to leave the questions for later.

Within seconds, the remains of the beasts were thrown outside.

While parts of the monsters remained, they no longer occupied the seats; he quickly closed the door and approached the driver's seat.

With a quick movement, the key given to him by a teacher before he came to this place clicked into the lock. He pressed the accelerator and took off towards the entrance, crushing and knocking down as many Badly Evolved as crossed his path.

***

On the first floor, Wu Xiuying and the survivors awaited Dai Zen's return with bated breath.

They knew many beasts would roam around looking for easy prey to continue evolving.

The students fit that description perfectly; in such an apocalyptic hell, they had become little more than food with useless arms and legs.

The Evolved were prepared for any monster that dared to interrupt their vigil at the gate.

Fang Mo now carried a black iron spear, a weapon he obtained from the Soul Sphere of a Badly Evolved.

On the other side of the students was Lian, whose body was protected by leather armor, full armor he obtained from the Soul Sphere upon defeating his enemy. For a mage like him, the armor fits like a ring on his fingers.

Beside Wu Xiuying stood Hua Mei with a worried face but a determined look; not strange, considering that before the fall, she was only the treasurer of the student council.

However, a brilliant mind like hers could not remain paralyzed in the face of the unknown, even if she lacked the strength of the other Evolved. In a way, she was the most valuable of the group with her magical healing skill.

And finally, Kong Lei was just feet away, stern gaze and somewhat perverted face roaming the bodies of some of the women in the group. His body easily six feet tall, easily intimidated any student who crossed his path.

His chest was bandaged, indicating that the wound inflicted by Dai Zen had not yet healed. He had just regained consciousness the night before, though inside, he never stopped harboring desires for revenge against that crimson-eyed boy.

Then...

—Krarak!—

Suddenly, the ground began to tremble beneath their feet.

A thunderous shriek rose, shaking the walls, and a colossal shadow obstructed the entrance.

Seeing the monster blocking the entrance, the students reacted with panic and terror.

Many screamed. Others pressed themselves against the wall, trying to get as far away as possible from that aberration of nature.

Some girls burst into tears, hugging their companions for comfort. The braver boys tried to comfort them, although they also looked terrified.

Death hovered again, tangible as the sensation of their accelerated heartbeat.

A mantis, almost two meters long and equipped with a green scaly carapace, serpentine antennae, and closing jaws, stared at them with hungry reddish eyes. Acid saliva dripped from its dirty mouth.

The creature sniffed them with contempt, as if they were mere insects, before concentrating on Wu Xiuying and the Evolved. The evolution energy in Wu Xiuyin's body smelled delicious.

Her presence made her the main threat; she had to be eliminated to devour the rest.

"Wu Xiuying, do something!" A voice in the crowd exclaimed. Another seconded it: "Please save us!"

Heart-wrenching cries went up. They pleaded with Wu Xiuying and the Evolved to protect them, to stop that creature at any cost.

The fragile survival of those normal humans depended entirely on the Evolved.