The world keeps on going, time keeps flowing.
In the blink of an eye, three days passed.
...
The night sky was clear.
Three moons hung in the sky, casting their glow down on the ruined city.
But the night was silent.
A figure moved stealthily between the hills of rubble.
A human figure, but the arms below the elbow were bear arms. Sharp, black claws protruded from the paws, stained with dried blood. Alpha.
The surroundings were clear—no zombie or demon.
An eerie silence ruled.
But Alpha didn't bother.
All his injuries had healed, and he was no longer thin. His body had regained a healthy look.
His eyes locked on a massive mountain of debris in the distance.
Deep resentment flashed in his eyes.
Swoosh!
He dashed.
.
.
.
Two guards stood before the entrance of the mountain of debris.
It was not just a pile of rubble, but a stronghold.
One of the guards leaned on his metal spear, half-asleep.
But the other guard, a young man, tightly clenched his spear. Sweat covered his forehead, and his legs slightly trembled—clearly, a first-timer.
He glanced at his half-asleep colleague.
"U-Uncle, can you be a bit more serious?"
"Hmmm?"
The older guard raised his head, glancing at the young man. His ear missed a piece, the wound freshly healed.
A smirk appeared on his face, the corner of his torn mouth revealed his yellowish teeth.
"Don't be so serious," He reminded. "Didn't we clear the area just this morning?"
"Uaghhh..."
Nausea assaulted the young guard.
Just remembering the gruesome scene from this morning turned his intestines upside down.
Torn flesh, flying blood, a deadly battle, and a ground covered in corpses and human blood. Corpses of his colleagues.
"P-Please don't mention it..."
Tears welled in his eyes. So many deaths touched him.
"Hehehe..."
The older guard laughed, but his smile quickly vanished, and his expression turned serious.
"Boy, don't get too attached to anyone here." His eyes shone with coldness. "Death can claim you anytime, before you or behind you."
The older guard gave him a clear hint.
The young man fell into deep thought.
'Death is a common occurrence now,'
His grip around the spear tightened.
The memory of a colleague pushing another colleague before a demon flashed in his mind.
'There is no brotherhood in this group.'
Determination flashed in his eyes.
'Only the strength of the leader keeps the group from turning into a bloodbath. If I want to survive, I have to fight. I have to get stronger,'
The older guard nodded from the side and returned to his sleep.
Human creatures, so fragile yet resilient.
Who could imagine that this relaxed guard was trembling on this same post just a few weeks ago?
The world moves forward, even if it's rotting.
Humans have to adapt or face extinction.
.
.
.
Inside.
The once spacious space now held over a dozen barracks-like structures, crafted of pure stone.
It was too perfect for human-hands to create, an ability has build those barracks.
The members of the group slept inside, stuffing several in a room.
The stone pillars still supported the mountain of rubble, and the throne platform still existed.
Three thrones. One high with two slightly below.
On the highest throne, the muscular and manly man sat.
His massive broadsword rested on the throne.
"Dear..."
A low, seducing voice filled the air.
A young hand caressed his chest and mouth.
Anne sat in his lap, her blonde hair flowing to the side. Her bra couldn't hide her endowed chest, and her tight shorts revealed more than necessary.
Her eyes flashed pink.
The man's eyes flashed in return.
Heat rushed through his body.
Thud!
He grasped her body.
"AGHHHHHHHH!"
Booom!
A cry tore the air.
The sound of fighting echoed from outside.
Anne turned sharply, her brows furrowed, her expression hateful.
'Damn...' She cursed. 'I almost had him,'
The pink hue vanished from the man's eyes.
Swoosh!
He jumped, throwing Anne to the side.
The men on the two thrones jumped to their feet.
The entire base woke up.
People started coming out of the barracks.
Thud!
A man flew from outside.
The body rolled on the ground.
The older guard.
Blood poured from his face; it was a bloody mess, but he was alive.
"Good evening,"
A voice reached from outside.
Everyone raised their guard and tightened the grip on their weapons.
"Gruughh..."
The figure of a person appeared. Alpha.
He dragged the young soldier.
His claws pierced the throat, dragging him by the open throat.
Blood poured, the young soldier's body spasmed, his eyes darted, and he choked on blood. His life rapidly faded.
Just like that, all aspirations vanished.
In a single moment, his determination to survive disappeared.
He could only blame fate.
Blame fate for encountering the greatest enemy to humanity.
Or blame the humans for creating this resentful monster?
Thud!
Alpha threw the warm corpse forward.
A puddle of blood formed.
The metallic scent of blood filled the air, yet no one minded it.
Adrenaline rushed through the veins of everyone. They awaited the command.
Clack! Clack!
But suddenly, the weapons in their arms rattled.
"Who are you?!"
The leader stepped forward.
Everyone made way.
"How dare you break here? And kill my men?"
Swoosh!
The people couldn't hold on to their weapons. They flew out.
In just a second, dozens, no, hundreds of weapons rushed towards Alpha.
'He has such a strong ability!'
Alpha's heart shook.
He didn't foresee this.
His intent to slaughter a few more instantly dissipated.
"I can enrich you!"
Alpha spoke hastily.
Slich!
The weapons froze an inch from his body.
"Enrich me?"
'Human greed,'
Alpha smirked internally.
"Speak. I don't have patience."
In this situation, Alpha couldn't move an inch.
He miscalculated, but it was fine.
He bet on the right thing—human greed.
"I can infiltrate the military for you."
The man's eyes widened.
The weapons distanced slightly.
"BOSS! Kill him!"
The guard with a bloody face roared.
Swoosh!
The two men sitting on the two thrones glared sharply at him.
"If you don't have anything smart to say, don't speak at all."
One said.
Rummble!
The other waved his hand.
Shluck!
"Ugghh."
A stone spike erupted, piercing the guard through the chest.
Blood flowed from his mouth, and resentment filled his eyes.
But he could only watch his life flash before his eyes.
"How?"
The leader asked.
"My ability. It's shapeshifting,"
Crack!
Bones cracked.
Alpha's skin moved in strange ways.
Before the very eyes of everyone present, he transformed into the young guard he just killed.
The leader's eyes flashed.
"You should know what this means, right?"
Alpha looked at him.
"Ammunition, guns, resources, medicine, I can get you anything. And more importantly, their information,"
"Hahahahaha!"
The leader erupted into laughter. His murderous intent vanished.
As a leader, how could he not know the value of those resources? Especially since resources around are drying up?
And now, such a golden opportunity presented itself. He had to grasp it.
But his face went dark.
"What do you need? Why are you looking for me?"
He knew. There was no such thing as a free meal. Especially in this new, lawless world.
"Let's say, I have resentment and unfinished business with the military." Alpha spoke. "I need your eyes. Find me a military group so I can infiltrate,"
The brows of the leader furrowed.
'Just that?'
But he shrugged his shoulders.
'Well, it doesn't matter to me much. As long as I get the benefits,'
"How can I trust you? How do I know you will keep to your word?"
"Hmph!" Alpha smirked. "I will infiltrate them. If I go back on my word, you can always expose me."
The leader fell into silence.
And after the deaths of the older guard, the members of the group dared not speak.
The leader turned to the two co-leaders.
They nodded.
"Good,"
Joy flashed in the leader's eyes.
Alpha just killed his subordinate, yet he was letting him go like this. And even struck a deal.
Truly, the group was a lawless place. The leaders plucked lives as if plucking grass. Such disregard for human life was unimaginable.
'Metal controlling ability. Such a powerful ability, but...'
Alpha's resentment only reinforced.
Humanity's rot never disappoints him. It consistently exceeds his expectations.
But it didn't matter.
He will end humanity with his own hands.