The few evolved who tried to stop their rampage were killed alongside the other residents, while the group of four escaped. When the remaining evolved from the barricaded walls and hotel arrived, Jayden's group had already escaped.
"Nanda yo kuso?! (What the fuck?!)"
Holding a two-star hammer, Hurata cursed. He hadn't expected that Sylvia's remaining group members would escape so quickly.
Looking at the carnage caused, with corpses littering the streets, he felt furious.
"These damn Americans are pissing me off!"
Huffing, he cast a displeased gaze at his 'generals'. These three were Japanese just like him and had been favored to become second level evolved.
"You didn't manage to apprehend them?"
They shook their heads. Hurata frowned, feeling like they were useless. Still, he didn't vent his anger on them and instead returned to his room in the hotel.
Tied on the bed in heavy chains, Sylvia was unconscious. Unlike what they thought, Hurata hadn't killed Sylvia but knocked her unconscious. He had wanted to use her as a bargaining chip with Jayden so they could join him.
Unfortunately, those guys had left and made the bargaining chip useless.
'Arrgghh! I'm so mad!!!'
Holding his head, Hurata glared at Sylvia before exhaling. Since he couldn't vent anywhere, why not vent on one of the culprits?
From his drawer, he picked up a whip and turned to the unconscious girl. His eyes burned with a mix of lust, rage, and a promised malice.
'I'll torture you till you die.'
Smack!
.....
Early the next day, Jayden, Jones, and Alex returned to the Red Wings shelter with sour expressions. Without even answering the questions of the others, they immediately took Elena to Leon.
Unsurprisingly, the young man was already awake and whole by the time they arrived. He met them in the conference room alone.
"You all look glum. What happened?"
He ignored Elena and addressed his subordinates' sour expressions.
"One of us got killed while rescuing her—Sylvia."
Jayden answered, his voice hoarse.
"Oh?"
Leon's voice sounded a little surprised, though his face didn't change.
"Is that so…? I understand." He didn't dwell on the topic. Turning to the nervous woman, he managed to crack a pleased smile.
"You found her. That's good."
Jayden remained silent, though he was inwardly lamenting at Leon's response towards Sylvia's death.
Unaware of the guy's inner turmoil, Leon passed them three potions.
"Second Level Evolution Potions. Those are your rewards."
The three of them quietly stepped forward and received it.
"You're dismissed."
They exchanged glances, then nodded. Just before they left, Leon warned in a cold voice.
"Don't even think about going back for revenge. If I find out you tried, I'll kill you and those related to you."
His words shocked the three as it was exactly their thoughts. Now that they were going to become second level evolved, they harbored thoughts of avenging Sylvia.
However, Leon knew their strength wouldn't be enough. They'd just get themselves killed. After all, that shelter had a third level evolved.
Left alone in the room with Leon, Elena Holmes grew increasingly nervous. Although he looked like someone not much older than her daughter, she knew he was not an ordinary person. He was definitely an evolved.
Leon didn't bother comforting her or anything. He was too busy to do that.
"I'll be straight with you, Elena. I want you to work for me." He said bluntly, looking straight into her eyes.
"Work for you…?"
The woman was surprised. She didn't understand what had warranted such attention from Leon. Although she was a scientist before the apocalypse, she wasn't a great one. And she definitely had no fighting skills. So why…?
"I need you to create specific potions, as an alchemist."
He explained, then produced two items. A first level evolution potion and a class card. The alchemist class card had been looted from Kevin when Leon cleared their camp about a week ago. Without hesitation, he handed them to her.
"You take the potion, and use the card immediately. I can see that you want to meet your kids so badly."
Elena nodded with clenched jaws. She wanted to confirm if her children were okay.
"I'll give you today for the bonding. Tomorrow, your work begins. Request for an audience with Professor Oliver. He'll put you through and direct you to your workplace."
Saying that, he allowed her to leave the room while someone guided her to her children's location.
A few hours later, he called for a meeting with every evolved in the conference room.
"We're entering a new stage of process right now. I'll be allocating rewards to those worth it. However, you must know that with greater power comes greater responsibility. I don't expect slacking off."
Without offering even a casual greeting, Leon went straight to the point.
"Once I call you, you're getting a Second Level Evolution Potion." He said, "Oliver, Williams, Bob, Johnson, Little Tiger, Chloe, and Charles."
The names were familiar except for Charles. However, a few still recognized him. He was the evolved who hadn't participated in the raids and had instead stayed behind to guard the shelter.
Although this made him look weak-hearted, Leon was aware of how seriously this guy took his mission. He always ensured the environment was zombie-free. This was why Leon had decided to give him one of the potions. As for Chloe, she was part of Jayden's team.
After distributing the potions, Leon turned to the next ones.
"Level 2 Class Upgrade Cards. Ye Ming, Amelia, Rebecca, and Aisha."
The last two girls were confused since they didn't even have any class. At least that was until Leon passed them the two Spearman Class Cards.
He had already decided to give them something matching that'll make their teamwork better.
"As for the Third Level Evolution Potions…"
Everyone perked up, their eyes glistening.
"Cassie, Anna, and Simone."
His words surprised a few of them. After all, he hadn't mentioned himself. Or, did he have one for himself already? Everyone was aware that he was at the second level of evolution. Shouldn't he also get a potion for himself?
Before their confusion could spiral, Leon spoke.
"I do not need evolution potions. After all, I am a… zombie."