As the day steadily transitioned into the evening, countless hours had elapsed since the taming of the monstrous ogre. My gaze remained fixed on the group from earlier, now on their feet and seemingly rejuvenated, though the trauma of the encounter with death still clung to their faces.While her comrades sought solace in rest, the leader, identified as Anne, decided to retrieve their coveted prize. A sense of wonder took hold of me; despite their earlier peril, they hadn't abandoned their quest. Was it purely the prospect of precious resources that anchored their resolve?Their ultimate aim, it seemed, was a Vending Machine. A banal device, but one laden with potential nourishment and items to bring back to their camp. Anne approached it eagerly, a palpable sigh of relief escaping her as she considered the dual victory - the fulfillment of their quota and the acquisition of a new skill from the defeated monster's Demon Core.'Ah, she's planning to transpo
"...My second reason is anchored in hope. I believe that these seemingly barren buildings still hold potential resources. It's likely that food, clothing, and other invaluable materials are hidden away within them. So, while we secure shelter in one of these structures, I will personally undertake a search to uncover anything we can use back at the camp," Anne articulated with conviction.A wave of awe washed over the group as they absorbed her words. Indeed, they couldn't imagine a more fitting leader among them. Anne's assertiveness and pragmatic outlook were undisputed.Her words were undeniable; the logic, indisputable. Anne was not just thinking about the immediate wellbeing of the group, but also contemplating the long-term sustainability of the camp.The man with the glasses, named Peter, was the first to break the silence. "I-I see… I apologize for my earlier misunderstanding," he admitted humbly.Anne dismissed his apology with a casual s
Anne, the group's leader, leaned in closer to the young girl, her voice low and coaxing, "...Do you see now, Katie? We must stick together as a unit. It's the surest way to guarantee our safety." She was doing her best to convince the visibly uncomfortable girl.Katie, as she was referred to, seemed to grapple with Anne's rationale. Her hesitance hung palpably in the air, a weak protest on her lips before she swallowed it back down. She seemed to understand that arguing would only paint her as selfish."In any case," Anne continued, "I will be setting out soon to scrounge for supplies. You simply can't be alone, Katie. Leaving you here by yourself would unsettle me deeply."The gravity of Anne's words hung heavily in the room, effectively silencing any retort Katie might have had. To speak out now would be a sign of ingratitude for Anne's heartfelt concern for her safety. It would also indicate an unreasonable stubbornness that could potentially put the te
'Oh, this is far more entertaining than I anticipated!'From my vantage point, I could feel the young woman's palpable fear resonating a few meters away from me.I had been discreetly observing her as she embarked on a futile quest throughout the building, searching for any useful resources, only to be met with disappointment.Finally, she crumbled to her knees, heavy breaths escaping her lips. It was clear that fatigue had finally overwhelmed her.'This is my opportunity,' I mentally prepared myself.Within a few moments, I silently traversed the distance between us, approaching her from the nearby stairs. Aware that my presence would soon fall within her sensory range, I steeled myself for the impending encounter.I had taken the necessary precautions beforehand. I'd altered my clothing and smeared my face with dirt to give myself a ragged appearance. My hair was tousled into a disheveled mess, and a thrilling grin spread acros
'Oh, the embarrassment!' My mind echoed as I heard the cringe-inducing voice I hadn't utilized in a long time.Before the Apocalypse, when I was still my former self, this voice was a tool I used frequently.Aiming to project an impression of submissiveness and harmlessness, I crafted an identity that reduced me to a disregarded lamb, inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. I had hoped that this camouflage would allow me to avoid attention and go unbothered.However, this tactic ultimately backfired. Even those younger than me saw me as a pushover and exploited me for their own amusement.The misery I had attempted to avoid eventually descended upon me in full force, and I paid a steep price for that mistake. “Fuck”, I cursed inwardly as a few memories of what I went through played in my head.But this time, the situation was different.The person I was interacting with was a typical do-gooder who had an innate impulse to help the weak. To appeal to her nurturing instinct, resor
I made my way towards the spot where I had arranged a few torches and switched them on, casting a soft glow across the room.Anne's eyes widened as she absorbed the sight before her. The space was orderly and compact, devoid of any superfluous clutter that might make it too confining.“W-whoah… It’s just like the Camp…” she murmured, seemingly to herself.I could easily see why she made that comparison. I had arranged multiple blankets around the room for warmth, given the lack of electricity, and stockpiled a corner with some foodstuffs. Disassembled home appliances, capable of serving as makeshift weapons, were scattered around, as were rechargeable battery lamps, only one of which I had turned on to conserve energy.“A-Amazing! This is amazing…” she kept praising.Her incessant commendation left me wondering if I had perhaps overdone it. If she was this impressed, it meant I had inadvertently portrayed myself as more of a survivalist than I had intended.I had to somehow debunk tha
The day was one of unparalleled horror, a day that bore the heavy weight of despair and hopelessness. It was a day I would never forget, a day that revealed to me the true face of Hell.As I stood amidst the chaos, I could do nothing but watch in terror as blood poured unceasingly from human bodies, as their screams filled the air, creating a symphony of agony that reverberated within my very soul. The Demons' screeches mingled with the cries of the dying, echoing in my head in an endless loop, etching themselves into my memory.Our abode had been breached by the Demons, and we were slaughtered by the hundreds. We had foolishly thought ourselves capable of withstanding their onslaught. But how wrong we were. The very idea that we could protect ourselves now seemed like a cruel joke.We had Gifts, powers bestowed upon us, but they proved futile against the seemingly endless horde of Demons that attacked us. Some of us had fashioned weapons, but they were no
And just like that, with an air of finality, he ended it all. He gathered the crimson energy that surrounded his weapon, focusing it into a single, concentrated point. With a swift, horizontal slash, he unleashed the power toward the multitude of Demons that still lingered.>BOOOOOOMMMMMThe Demons were consumed by the blast, their bodies incinerated, leaving behind only the pungent, sickening smell of burnt flesh and blood. There was no time for screams or protests; they died instantly, their wicked lives snuffed out in a single, decisive moment.All that remained of them were ruby-like stones that lay scattered on the ground, glowing faintly as if in testament to their former existence. The pounding in my heart, which had been deafening only moments before, began to subside, replaced by an overwhelming sense of relief and disbelief.Finally, I turned my attention