CHAPTER 105: FAKE

The loudspeaker buzzed to life again, crackling over the ambient noise of soldiers and operatives preparing their gear.

"All Class 2, 3 and 4 operatives, prepare for immediate deployment. Your assigned target zone is Lacan State University. Multiple wings will be cleared simultaneously, and teams will receive specific coordinates en route."

Murmurs spread through the gathered crowd like wildfire. Lacan was a known red zone risk, still under partial lockdown after previous outbreaks. It was the biggest university among provinces in the country.

Theo adjusted his gloves, heart pounding, not from fear, but anticipation. He scanned the crowd, already spotting familiar faces.

Then he saw her. Lexa Spears.

Standing tall in her uniform, backlit by sunlight filtering through the glass panels. She was already briefing several operatives assigned under her command.

Theo’s lips parted slightly, waiting... hoping... he’d hear his name under her unit.

But it didn’t happen.

"Gamma Team - Commander Rico Reyes. Assigned wing: West Research Facility. Operatives: Ben Harrow, Theo Luther, Jex Lim, Avan Gresh, Miko Danes."

Ben again. Theo clenched his jaw.

He barely noticed the rest of the assignments until another name hit his ears.

"Delta Team - Commander Lexa Spears. Assigned wing: Administrative and Dormitory Buildings."

Theo’s heart sank. He wasn’t going with her. Of course he wasn’t.

He exhaled and adjusted his gear silently.

’It’s fine,’ he told himself. Different wings, same zone.

That didn’t stop him from glancing back at Lexa.

She hadn’t even looked his way.

Disappointment tugged at his chest, but he shook it off. This wasn’t about what he wanted. He had a job to do.

Still...

’I’ll find a way to check on her. Make sure she’s safe.’

"Luther, move out!" Commander Reyes barked, already halfway toward the armored transport.

Theo nodded and joined his assigned team, Ben trailing behind him with his usual smirk, and the others murmuring among themselves.

As the engines roared to life and the convoy rolled toward Lacan State University, Theo quietly made up his mind.

’Even if I’m not part of her team, I’ll be watching the dormitory wing. If anything happens, I’ll make sure she comes out alive.’

***

Inside the rumbling AMSO transport vehicle, tension buzzed in the air like static. Five operatives sat along the walls, the metal floor vibrating beneath their boots as the vehicle sped toward Lacan State University.

Commander Reyes stood in the center, holding onto the overhead strap. His sharp gaze moved from one operative to the next before he began his briefing.

"This mission’s a live red zone clearance. Expect resistance. You are authorized to use your abilities as needed. Lethal force permitted on infectees and any active Meteorborn. Non-lethal for UMS unless provoked. Understood?"

Everyone gave a firm nod. Well... everyone except Ben Harrow.

Ben leaned forward with a smug grin, elbowing Jex beside him. "So... Luther," he said loudly. "What kind of ’power’ are we talkin’ about here? Let me guess... eating? Emotional damage resistance? Doughnut regeneration?"

Laughter echoed inside the cramped vehicle.

Theo didn’t respond. He kept his head slightly bowed, eyes closed like he was meditating.

But inside, he wasn’t calm.

He was activating Observer’s Insight.

[Skill Activated: Observer’s Insight]

Analyzing Target: Ben Harrow

AMSO Status: AMS Operative - Class 4

True Classification: Unawakened Meteor Survivor (UMS)

Core Stability: Unstable

Ability: Pulse Displacement - Can emit localized force pulses to knock back or stun targets within a 3-meter radius.

Theo’s eyes snapped open, his stare sharp now as it focused on Ben.

’UMS?’

That meant Ben wasn’t supposed to be in AMSO, unless he faked his records or had someone cover it up. A parasite hiding in plain sight.

His family was rich, so Ben probably used connections.

Theo’s fists clenched on his lap. He thought he was just dealing with a loudmouth. But this was more dangerous. Ben wasn’t just annoying, he was a risk. A potential threat...

And worse... he was sitting across from him, laughing like nothing was wrong.

’How many others are like him inside AMSO?’

Theo’s heart thudded louder, but his face stayed passive. If Ben found out he knew, he might act first.

He exhaled softly.

’No. Not yet.’

Let him keep talking.

Let him laugh.

’I’m watching you now.’

"So is your special power really eating?" Ben said with a mocking grin, loud enough for everyone in the transport to hear. "Oh wait, you’re not fat anymore... so maybe it’s dieting now?"

A couple of the others snickered, but not all. Some just glanced between them awkwardly, unsure whether to laugh or look away.

Theo didn’t react at first. He calmly turned his head toward Ben, eyes unreadable.

"Electric manipulation," he simply answered.

Ben raised a brow, clearly unimpressed. "Oh? So you’re a walking taser. Cute." He leaned forward a little, smirking as if he’d just discovered something amusing. "Let me guess, short circuits and flashy sparks? Don’t fry your own brain trying to be useful."

Some of the others chuckled, one even elbowed Ben, whispering something under his breath.

Theo simply leaned back against the wall of the vehicle, face unreadable. His voice calm, composed.

"Still more useful than fake reports and falsified IDs," he murmured, just loud enough for Ben to hear.

Ben’s grin twitched.

Theo didn’t look at him again. He stared ahead, eyes fixed on the faint reflection in the window across him.

UMS. Dangerous. Lying about it.

And yet Ben acted like he owned the place.

’I could expose you right now. But I won’t. Not here. Not yet. If you turn... if you lose control like the others... You’re dead...’

The vehicle rumbled as it began to slow.

Deployment in five minutes," the commander barked. "Group A with me. Group B to the south wing. Watch your comms. Remember your protocols."

As the door hissed open and the scent of smoke and iron hit the air, Theo stood up silently and adjusted his gloves.

The military transport skidded to a halt near the barricaded entrance of Lacan State University. Cracked pavement, overturned vehicles, and burned foliage surrounded the once-bustling academic grounds. The sky above was tinged with grey haze as smoke rose from various parts of the campus.

"All units! Move out!" their commander barked.

Theo jumped out with the rest of the team. Screams echoed faintly from inside the university. The infestation wasn’t just rumor. The infectees were already in.

As his boots hit the ground, Theo’s system flared to life with a cascade of alerts.

[Ding! Multiple Main Quest Types Available]

[Ding! Multiple Special Quest Types Available]

[Dark System Notice: Purge Eligible Targets Detected. UMS in critical state: Mutation Inevitable]

[Override Protocol: Accept PURGE? YES / NO]

[Warning: You cannot accept multiple exclusive quests simultaneously. Choose wisely.]

Theo gritted his teeth.

’Damn. So many quests... but I can’t take them all. I’ll miss out if I don’t split off.’

He looked around.

Ben was already leading part of their squad toward the central plaza like he was in charge, unsurprisingly ignoring the real command structure.

Theo’s orders were to back up Bravo Squad near the Science Wing, but he’d seen civilians waving from the upper floors of the Engineering Building just before they landed.

"If I just had a little more time-"

Then a thought clicked. He smirked slightly and activated his Camouflage Gear.

Theo quickly ducked into the shadows behind an old vending machine, away from the others’ sight.

[Ding! Camouflage Gear Materialization - Confirmed]

With a flash of system energy, the sleek black gear wrapped around his body, adjusting perfectly to his frame like liquid armor. The texture shifted, blending in with the cracked walls and darkened debris around him.

[Active: Camouflage Gear - Visual and Sound Signature Dampened]

His form blurred, almost invisible unless someone looked directly at him.

He exhaled slowly. "Perfect."

While the rest of the squad moved forward, sweeping the area near the Science Wing, Theo broke formation without drawing attention. He sprinted low and fast toward the Engineering Building.

"I’ll save those people first, then circle back and make it look like I’ve been helping from the Science Wing. No one has to know..."

He was already navigating through crumbled pillars and overturned chairs when he heard the distinct gurgle-hiss of an infectee nearby.

Theo’s eyes narrowed.

"Time to clear the way."

The cries he’d heard earlier grew clearer now. Voices. Desperate. Panicked.

Theo didn’t hesitate.

Theo finally reached the third floor.

The hallway reeked of rot, copper, and smoke. Debris littered the floor, fallen ceiling panels, broken tiles, and what looked like smeared blood handprints along the walls. Flickering emergency lights painted everything in flashes of red and white.

At the far end, a collapsed doorway blocked access to a partially barricaded classroom. Behind it, Theo caught the faint movement of a few students - trapped, frightened, clinging to each other.

But between him and them...

[Ding! Main Quest Available]

Target Confirmed: MTerra

Target Confirmed: MRavager

[Rewards for each Meteorborn: +500 EXP, +50 Gold Coins, +Basic Loot Crate, +Contamination Sample]

[Warning: Penalty will be issued if at least one target is not eliminated within 12 hours.]

[Accept Main Quest? YES / NO]