2025-03-15 04:34:58An express high way three vehicles covered in a mixture of dust and blood were rushing forward. Aything that stood in their way was mercilessly crushed with fail thanks to the specialodifications of their vehickes. Approaching a road branch they all left the express highway each taking sharp turns into the rocky dirt road bleeding out of the highway.
They drove for a while before approaching a moat causing them to all grind to a halt. The moat was probably constructed just a few weeks ago as there were still signs of fresh soil scattered around.
Behind the moat was a huge structure which was fenced by logs. At a glance,just the height of this fence was more than twenty meteres!
It simply reminded one of those castles of medieval times.
Giving a signal of sorts,the mechanisms of the gate started making moving noises before starting to slowly lower itself down.
Creak
Creak
Bang
Touching the other side of the koat,the three waiting vehicles didn't waste a second as they rushed through the makeshift bridge into the fenced structure and then the bridge closed up by itself.
Simple,fast and smooth!
There were already people standing wait just after the gate as if to welcome them, the passengers on the vehicles also started to get off revealing their identities while a man wearing armour gear broke off from the waiting group,took large strides towards the leader of the just arrived group before giving him a bear hug.
“Welcome back brother!"
“It's nice to be back,haha!".
Soon the other members of the group also came forward,exchanging hugs and welcoming them.
Naturally, they were none other than the Stinging Nettles who had just come back from their last expedition. This place was their base camp,which was simply named ‘camp’.
“....."
The excitement of the camp members was understandable. Being able to see the expedition team return safely after going into the monster infested main city was a relief.
It wasn't unheard of for entire teams bigger than this to just dissappear,wiped off from the face of the earth.
“Thomas you don't know how much I feared for the teams safety-your safety,coupled with the recent increase in monster activity I nearly regretted allowing you guys out.”
Grinning widly Thomas felt smug while replying.
“Big bro,how many times have I told you I'm not a kid anymore. I can hold my game fully well.”
As it turned out the buff guy was actually Thomas’s elder brother,Tyson. No wonder he was so emotional when he saw him.
“Yeah,boss isn't a kid no more!”
“You had to see how he was soloing those monsters,none of them could even withstand one of his hits!”
“Yeah…”
Hearing the responses of the other team members Tyson was barely able to control the proud smile on his lips.
That was his brother. What more could he wish for?
“Mm…very good then.
They were still catching up when a member of the welcoming party spotted a figure exiting the pickup truck.
“Who’s that?”
Almost at the same time,everybody's head automatically snapped to the direction of the teenager who was just getting off the pick up truck in the middle.
“H-hi.”
Waving his hands,the teenager greeted everybody. The atmosphere was somehow delving into awkwardness as more than a dozen pairs of eyeballs stared at him.
Turning to Thomas,there was a look of ‘who the hell is that’ on Tyson's face as he looked at him.
“It's a pretty long story."
“Hmmm ..long story is it?"
“Yeah,a long story.”
Everyone at the scene:".....”
***********
Down at the far end of a mall people could be seen queing to receive their meals which consisted of bread, canned beans and some fruit which at first glance would make one to doubt even being in an apocalypse in the first place.
Heck it looked like they were going on a picnic!
" Sooo Ethan, you said you can't really remember anything is it? But how did you know that your name is Ethan?"
" Er..I just kinda knew I guess.”
"Ohkk!”
Seated around a huge table the Stinging Nettles team were having dinner along with Thomas's brother. All around them,the sound of cutlery hitting plates resounded in the hall as they ate.
Tyson was the one that suggested they discuss Ethans matter over dinner. When he heard his brother say that it was a long story he thought he was joking,however when he heard the full breakdown about how they found Ethan he almost knocked Thomas's head.
How was this a long story?!
“It was one of the weirdest and unbelievable stories he had heard of in a while since the apocalypse began!
He couldn't comprehend how a human being was able to survive in such a dangerous place like the supermarket and yet still be unscathed.
That place was in the centre of the city!
Another thing that gave him an headache was the fact that he had lost his memories so even if he wanted to ask how he got there he wouldn't receive an answer.
The only thing the kid remembered was his own name. He had been trying his best to make him remember something all to no avail since.
“Aiyah…Thomas come here for a while.”
" Al-alright."
Sighing,he facepalmed before calling Thomas aside and they discussed in whispers.
Seeing the two of them leave to discuss something,Ethan subconciously clenched his fist in nervousness. Tracy who was sitting next to him saw this and smiled before consoling him.
“Hey there don't get all tensed up. It's gonna be ok. The boss's brother is a pretty nice guy.”
“Hmmm."
Nodding, Ethan agreed while looking in the direction of the two brothers. Soon they finished their discussion and started coming back.
Gulp!
Despite Tracy's reassurance Ethan still felt somewhat nervous while he started to panic
What if they decided to kick him out?!
Thinking about all the stories the team members told him about monsters and their vicious ways he felt fear rise up in him. At the same time he had a strange feeling that no matter what he would survive causing him to be surprised and strangely calm.
Yes calm.
It was as if a strange atmosphere descended on his mental space blocking out all the panic in him repacing it with confidence. He felt that even if it was decided that he would have to leave,nothing would happen to him.
He was still contemplating where that feeling came from when the two brothers arrived.
“Ahem..Ethan…”
“Yes?”
Glancing at Ethan's face,Tyson was surprised to hear his calm response.
“Are my ears not working or does this boy sound more confident than earlier?”.
Muttering to himself,Tyson shrugged it off before resuming.
“After Thomas and I discussed about your matter we've come to a conclusion and …”
“... I'm glad to say welcome to our midst.”
Instantly a smile bloomed on Ethan's face as a sigh of relief escaped his lips.. Everyone else also had a smile on their faces as they heard this. Even Dave who was against Ethan on day one couldn't help but smile before walking up to him before giving him a bear hug.
“Welcome to the family kiddo! And I'm sorry about how I behaved the first day.”
“Err…. no problem Dave but can you release me first ,my ribs are crying.”
“Hehe..sorry my bad."
" Hahahahah!"
Seeing the comical scene of a hulk of a man like Dave scratching his head awkwardly caused everyone to laugh.
After the laughter had died down,Tyson cleared his throat before continuing.
“The camp currently contains nearly a hundred people,of which only twenty are awakened. Also you have to help out in the tasks in the camp like farming and stuff since you're not an awakened.”
Pausing,he looked at the latter’s expression only to see him nodding in agreement. Satisfied with Ethan's sensibility he continued
“ However,a certain someone here insisted to have you on his team so you get to stay with the Stinging Nettles as their logistic manager. How does that sound huh? ”
Hearing Tyson's suggestion Ethan felt ecstatic. It was just as he would have wanted considering that he was already used to the nettles already.
“Great! I couldn't ask for more!"
Smiling,Tyson was about to continue when a lady that seemed like his secretary came over.
“Boss, the generals on the line.”
“Oh!"
Forming an apologetic expression,Tyson stood up from the seat.
“Aiyah..am sorry but duty calls,catch you guys later and Thomas come along with me. I told the general your be arriving today."
“No problem boss!"
Watching the two leave,a smile crept up Ethan's face as he watched them go before joining the other Stinging Nettles in dining.
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
Chapter 44
Demon fang mountain Countless military trucks and armoured tanks with the AADAF central military base logo could be seen making their way over the rugged mountain terrain. Despite how bad the road was,the vehicles hardly shook all thanks to how well designed they were. At a single glance there were about thirty vehicles here! “Halt! Where here." Inside the drivers compartment of each of the vehicles General Lebronsky's voice could be heard causing every car to come to a stop. “Fall into formation now!" Giving the next order,the soldiers in each of the trucks quickly rushed out of the vehicles before falling into neat formations. Clearly they had practiced this for a while now. Walking out of the military jeep that he was in , General Lebronsky along with the other powermasters from the volunteering camps made their way over. “Men…were here. This is the lair of the Xenogenic Alpha blade. I'm sure that your leaders have already explained the situation to you so I won't
Chapter 43
Afternoon. The time of the day when the sun was at its peak. Due to the special geography of Barnes city and it's environs it received a lot of sun daily. The highest temperature recorded in the day had once reached a staggering 41 degrees Celsius! While today's temperature wasn't that high it was still hot enough to cause one to sweat bullets. With how hot everywhere was the best thing to do right now would be to sleep and that was what the sentrys of the AADAF base were currently doing. While you might accuse them of slacking off on duty they couldn't really be blamed. Furthermore,the probably wouldn't have anything to do since the monsters that were supposed to attack them would be busy battling the Hellstrike expedition force so they really wouldn't have much to do. The strike force had left the camp over two hours ago and by now they should just be approaching the mountain range,the battle that would decide if humans could continue settling around this area would soon begi
Chapter 42
Inside the AADAF central base. The sounds of equipment and artillery being moved around could be heard in the base. Countless personnel were on ground to direct and coordinate the activities currently ongoing. WOOSH, WOOSH, WOOSH! Over a dozen armoured vans wheezed by as they drove towards a mini parking lot where they halted while military grade trucks reversed so that the ammunitions and supplies could be placed in them. Operation Hellstrike commenced today! Well technically not today as it had started ever since General Lebronsky first tabled the idea. However,in a sense it was still right as this was the first time that something tangible would be done. Previously the only thing being done was just preparations,today was the day that they would really advance to put the operation in motion. “Today finally came!" Standing at the edge of the window of the finally completed command center general Lebronsky muttered under his breath as he watched the proceedings bel
Chapter 41
On the highway leading out of Barnes city,a truck could be seen rushing past the buildings . There was a black motorcycle in the back while four people consisting of three men and a lady sat surrounding it. Inside the truck there were two men,one driving while the other was well not really doing anything bringing the total to six. Suddenly from one of the abandoned houses on the side of the road a tiger like monster suddenly jumped out with the intention of ambushing the truck. However,before it could even step on the asphalt,there was a bang and it fell on the spot having received a bullet to the head. Blowing the smoke off the tip of the gun,the shooter proceeded to place the weapon by his side while watching the number faces of his co travellers. As you might have guessed,the group was none other than Ethan and the five man group from earlier in the day. They were currently travelling together to the AADAF central base. Concerning the event that happened in the morning,
Chapter 40
“Here this should be the place right? Looks like a nice spot.” Followed by the rumbling sounds of an engine dying off a black a motorcycle stopped at the entrance of the Freetown convienence store. Taking off the helmet,the rider turned out to be none other than Ethan. “Luckily I was able to get here before nightfall.” By now the sun had just fully set and everywhere had gone dark. He really was lucky. After removing the key from the ignition and ensuring that everything was set,he started to make his way into the store but not before grabbing his weapons. Pushing the double glass doors open,he entered with utmost caution while gripping the saber with both hands,the sniper rifle on his back. Taking slow steps to minimize the noise from stepping on the shattered glass he soon fully entered. There was no way anything would catch him off guard like this! After entering though it seemed like there was nothing to worry about as there was no sign of a monster in the vicinit
Chapter 39
On a free express highway a dumb looking monster that looked like an dodo but with four legs stood in one of the bushes by the side of the road while glaring at its own reflection in a puddle of water. Today was the fourth day since it had last eaten and right now it was not an exaggeration to say that it could eat anything. While it could go out hunting,it dared not to as most of the monsters out there were stronger than it. It was just a rogue tier,venturing near them would be just like offering itself up for dinner! Thus it had devised this method of lying in wait by the roadside just to ambush it's unknowing prey and it was working out pretty fine as it git more food to eat. Ever since it had started this method it couldn't help but feel continuous pride in itself for devising this method. And it's prey you might ask? Humans of course!Since it couldn't hunt other monsters since they were stronger than it humans were the only meal it could affor-cough hunt!The
