CHAPTER 60: CHAPTER 59- ENEMIES THAT AREN’T ENEMIES (PART 1)

Chapter 59- Enemies That Aren’t Enemies (Part 1)

A while later, after killing a good number of monsters, a huge portion of the group gained their powers and were able to swiftly complete their first step. Unfortunately, the rest weren’t able to, as the Undead had stopped appearing.

The noise they created earlier had attracted some wandering ones, and now there were no more in the area.

Jack stood up and looked at the dead corpses beside him before swinging his sword to the side and wiping it clean, then sheathing it again. He exhaled lightly and looked at Luna, who had just completed the last awakening.

"How many awakened?" he asked.

"I think it’s 35 out of 51. That is, if we don’t include the soldiers who are already awakened since they killed Undead before."

"Hmm..." Jack hummed with a nod. ’Not a bad start—more than half. But it would be optimal if everyone were able to awaken before we return to the base.’

The number was already small as it was, and not being able to awaken all of them would be annoying. It would push Jack to risk going into more dangerous areas, which only made protecting these people harder.

"We will be moving to the next potential spot," he said as he opened the map. Going up north, there was another potential area where monsters could be. He was certain that if he had found Undead here, then the next spot would also have more to kill.

"Everyone, enough fidgeting with your new system. You’ll have plenty of time for that when we’re back at the base. We are moving."

"General." Luna approached the general. He was one of the few who still hadn’t awakened, having decided to be the last after making sure everyone else did. They didn’t understand why he chose that, but Jack didn’t push him.

"You two are doing a splendid job. I never thought things could move this swiftly," he said, still impressed at how smoothly the process had gone so far. Everything was proceeding according to plan.

"Yeah, it’s mostly Jack... He knew what to do," Luna said as she looked at her friend, her eyes briefly getting lost before she blinked and turned back to Hermann. "But we’re far from over. So please, tell your men to remain alert."

"Yeah, they’re professionals. They’re still holding their ground well. We won’t let our guard down or relax until we are certain the mission is done."

The group began marching again, with Hermann and Luna following. However, as they walked, Luna noticed Jack was still standing where he was, staring at the sky.

"Jack?" she muttered, stopping and walking back to him. "Is everything okay? Why are you still standing here?"

Her eyes followed his gaze upward toward the tear in the sky. The sight was as magnificent as it was terrifying—like staring at a cosmic event from up close, far closer than any human should ever be.

"Are you worried about it?" she asked.

"Hm? No. I’m more or less aware that things will change soon," he said. "It’s something else..."

’Where did that demoness go, I wonder,’ he mused.

After almost two hours of waking up, Jack had expected Luna to return during that time after wandering off on her own. However, there hadn’t been a single sign of her anywhere. That started raising questions in his mind—ones that weren’t urgent, but still confusing.

’Did she really just grow bored and leave?’ he asked himself. For some reason, he didn’t like that idea. Even though that demoness was still a stranger—someone he couldn’t fully trust—he had grown somewhat accustomed to her presence and her remarks.

"Okay, let’s go..." he said, shaking his head and looking down. There was no point in thinking about it right now.

’Wherever she is, I’m sure she’s just doing whatever she wants.’

Wherever she was, however, was a question that didn’t leave Jack’s mind.

***

The group moved again, covering a good distance through the streets as they marched. The atmosphere was a lot different after many had awakened. There was more confidence and less fear—at least to a certain extent.

Perhaps the rush of power made them feel more capable, even though none of them had yet fought a monster alone. Still, there was a feeling that if they did face one, the outcome might be in their favor.

On the road, Jack stopped twice to check their surroundings from higher ground. However, much to his surprise, he didn’t find a single trace of the horde anywhere he looked. That raised several alarming questions in his mind. For a horde that massive to disappear out of nowhere... it didn’t make sense.

’Their movements are slow; they shouldn’t be able to just outright disappear in the span of a few hours...’ Jack rubbed his chin. ’Could it be that there’s another human settlement they found far away from here? Even then, it should still be possible to see them from afar.’

"Tsk... Losing an entire hundred thousand Undead is not good at all."

It was like losing a nuclear bomb that could detonate at any given moment. Jack didn’t like this one bit.

"Hey! What’s that?!"

As he was contemplating what to do, he heard one of the people yell. Jack quickly looked up. There, standing atop a building, was the silhouette of a man. He was staring down at them in silence—a menacing silence.

"Is that a monster?"

"No... He doesn’t look like it..."

"Hey! Over there too! More people are standing over there!"

Another pointed at a different building, pulling everyone’s attention. There were several more figures—men and women—staring down at them.

"..." Jack squinted his eyes before signaling for Luna to take her position.

’These aren’t monsters. They’re humans,’ Jack mused. ’But... what’s up with them?’

"Hey, you up there?" he called out. "You’re survivors, correct?"

"..."

No response.

"We’re from the Sky of Tides military base down south. Do you need help?" he asked again, more cautiously this time.

But even then, the people didn’t respond. They stood there like statues. The atmosphere shifted completely—the excitement of seeing other survivors faded, replaced by tense unease.

"You’re survivors?"

Eventually, one person spoke—the one standing alone on the opposite building.

"Yes, we are. What is your name?" Jack asked. "And could you come down here to talk?"

"Shouldn’t you introduce yourself before asking about someone else’s identity? It’s basic courtesy, bastard," he replied aggressively. His tone was cold and condescending, as if he were talking to an animal.

"..."

At that point, Jack threw away any thought of befriending these people. They were clearly hostile in one way or another.

’Why are they hostile? We did nothing to incite hostility. Are they just afraid?’

It wasn’t hard to imagine people being afraid of everything and everyone after seeing the horrors of yesterday. Even among normal survivors, fear and suspicion could cloud any person’s judgment.

"My name is Jack. Now, what is your name?"

"Jack? Hm... What is your purpose walking around here?"

"It’s none of your business since you’re clearly not willing to even come down to talk like a normal person." Jack retorted coldly, staring the man without blinking.

Even though the difference in their positions was clear, somehow... The boy sounded more in control than the man did.