The initial sight of the station’s surroundings was just as unsettling as the scene they had previously left, perhaps even more so, as the zombies corpses were being piled up, forming a small mound that was continuing to be added to.
Noah’s eyes scanned the area, his expression unreadable. With his enhanced perception, he quickly spotted three points of interest. Before the team of people would toss the corpse onto the human hill, they would first dig through the zombie’s chest, each person holding a small bag that they would place their collected item into.
Besides himself and zombies, Noah had no clue what other uses the people could have to collect their mana cores. His curiosity was piqued as he believed that maybe he was missing something, a key point to discover that could lead him to acquire a better use for the cores besides increasing his abilities level.
His gaze then proceeded to observe the people, the ones carrying guns in particular. He felt odd watching the people sporting weapons that should be the personification of safety and death. Instead, Noah felt like scoffing at the reliance of such things, especially when guns were inferior tools when fighting against evolved creatures. Inwardly, he chuckled, wondering what their expression would be, or if their faith in their guns would remain the same when the average monster becomes impervious to the average firearm.
Although his observations were able to catch his interest, the two figures ahead were who alerted him the most. Their aura was, at best, the same as Raven, if not a little bit inferior. Their demeanor, bordering on confidence in their own ability and not just their authority, was a clear indication for Noah to assume that the two were also awakened.
His alert was by no means centered towards them being a threat to him. Honestly, he was surprised; despite his disdain for firearms, he believed that amassing experience points should be particularly easy when using them. However, seeing that their group only had three people capable of awakening was a bit sketchy. But when recollecting the fact that their group was assembled with more than just a select handful of people all using guns, Noah began to make sense of the incosistentancy. There were just too many people to share in the experience.
While Noah was busy within his thoughts, the people awaiting Raven’s return watched with trepidation as the group arrived. Initially, there was a sense of relief, but seeing the three monstrous creatures in tow behind them, with one towering wolf holding a similar wolf within its jaws, the scene almost incited the others into a state panic.
Peterson and Levi also noted the monsters, but seeing Raven’s lack of vigilance towards the creatures led them to believe that the creatures were friendly. However, that in itself raised some concerning questions.
"Levi...what do you think of them?" Peterson inquired, his usual bitterness when addressing Levi nonexistent.
"I don’t know," Levi replied, even addressing Peterson without his usual sarcasm. "But I can tell you this much...it’s not the creatures we should be worried about." His gaze lingered towards the creature’s direction, more specifically to the mysterious person adorned in a completely black attire.
Peterson followed Levi’s gaze, his expression scrunching into a scowl. "Levi, I’m being serious here....even if that man is their tamer, three monsters of their threat level should be considered more than just one person. I thought someone like you would understand that much.
Levi glanced toward Peterson, deciding not to add anything more to the conversation. His thoughts were ones of loathing towards Peterson’s "primitive" way of thinking.
Peteerson, despite his capabilities as a leader, often had a narrow view of the world, a perspective that Levi found increasingly tiresome to deal with.
’If the monsters don’t signify a tamer’s strength, then why don’t any of our followers have such monstrous creatures under their command?’ Levi scoffed inwardly, his stare returning towards Noah, his thoughts reflecting what secrets Noah may hold so he could increase his own strength.
Raven was the first to approach Peterson and the others, with Noah still staying in the rear, preferring to avoid any more annoying misunderstandings.
Raven noticed the pensiveness in both their expressions, deciding that she should be open about Noah’s situation first before explaining further about anything else; lest they may behave in the same manner as she did.
"Peterson, Levi, don’t ask any questions until you hear what I’m about to say."
During their small group discussion, both Levi’s and Peterson’s expressions changed more than the yearly seasons; Peterson’s face more exasperatedly so. Raven made sure to include the actions and rumors associated with Noah, filling in any loose ends so they wouldn’t be blindsided by the students’ overzealous stories. She also included their heated discussion and her rash behavior that almost led to a battle that would’ve inevitably ended with one side losing their lives. By the time she finished, Peterson looked visibly disturbed, while Levi’s thoughts were unknown.
Peterson was the first to speak, his emotions spiraling into an anxious frustration. "So, you’re telling me we have to let ’him’, a supposed monster, use the shop and then just hope he leaves without causing any more trouble?"
Raven sighed, resignedly nodding her head, understanding how crazy she must sound. "It’s the only way. There’s no reason to put everyone in danger just because our ideals don’t align with his."
"And what assurance do we have that he’ll keep his word and leave after he’s done?" Peterson continued to press. His question caused Raven to hesitate slightly before his eyes narrowed, her eyes holding a subtle rage. "I’ve already told him that if he plans to go against our deal, then I wouldn’t hesitate to kill him, I still stand by what I said."
Peterson nodded, satisfied with this result, understanding that they held the higher authority in this situation relieved some of his worries. Levi, on the other hand, ever the pragmatist, considered the unspoken parts of her words carefully.
"But the fact still stands, the only reason you felt the need to cater to a ’monster’s’ whim is also due to the fact that you don’t have full assurance of beating him."
"Who says that I’m unable to?" Raven quickly rebuked, regaining her regal bearings she’s earned as a ruling faction leader. Fresh chapters posted on NoveI★Fire.net
Levi was prepared for such a response, revealing only a wry smile. "Then let me ask a question: if you’re clearly stronger than him, would just the three of us be able to fight and easily win against him and his monsters?"
Despite the unsettling question, Levi didn’t necessarily care about the answer; he knew the answer already. He could tell that Noah was strong, unimaginably so. If not just based off of his and his monster’s demeanor, then by Raven’s story alone. He knew how rash Raven was, and he was even more aware of how irrational she could be. Based on what she said, after she made her own assumption about Noah’s character, she would have attacked without any regard for the others’ truth. That could only mean there was something about Noah, something she gleaned that would prevent her from fulfilling her urges.
Noah was clearly stronger than her, even if just by a small margin. But Levi still proceeded to gander in his thoughts. His gaze drifted towards the three monsters by Noah’s side. Each one alone seemed more monstrous than the evolved creatures that would take two or all three of them to put down. And they still were unaware of how powerful Noah was compared to his creatures. Instead of fear, Levi felt jealousy rousing his desires. Noah’s power is what he truly desired. If he was stronger, as strong as Noah, then he could potentially shape his own society and rules in a world that is no longer in the hands of tyrannical power.
Raven was oblivious to Levi’s inner thoughts, still perturbed by his question that she wasn’t aware was rhetorical.
Her disturbed thoughts were unable to be hidden; her furrowed brows and restless eyes proved that she couldn’t definitively say without a doubt that they could defeat him. Her hesitance to answer made her instinctively glance up, and that’s when she noticed Levi’s small smirk, barely recognizable.
"Levi, what’s your point?" She asked, frustration seeping through her tone.
Levi’s smile widened, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "My point is, maybe your deal was rigged from the start. We all know the sorts of trinkets and powered items within the shop. He gets what he wants while we gain nothing. It’s not like we can force him to give us any of his belongings, but information....Information on how he was able to become so strong, information on how he raised such fierce creatures, and even the process of how he became....a monster. Learning any of these points could prove beneficial to us as a whole."
Raven’s eyes narrowed at Levi’s insinuation. "And how exactly do you propose we get this information without provoking him?"
Levi’s expression became more serious. "You can leave the talking to me, there are ways to discuss it with people without talking from a higher authority."
Peterson stepped in after observing with an apprehensive frown. "In moments , having a shrewd negotiator could be the best thing for us. I also think we should let Levi handle this. Raven, let’s take in the others that you said are willing to join us. With the amount of time they spent with that person, I’m sure they have their own source of useful information, and they could also prove to be invaluable soldiers.
Though at first aggrieved that Peterson and Levi both declared that she wasn’t fit as a negotiator. Her mood improved with how Peterson addressed it; she didn’t consider herself to be a shrewd person after all, so it’s fine that Levi was better than her in this ’one’ area.
With their matters decided, Raven and Peterson had their followers welcome the students. Amidst the clamor, stifled cries and small cheers soon followed. The students’ tension dissolved all at once now that they had successfully reclaimed a sense of safety and stability. The small army of armed guards, mixed with the attire of police units, further brought about the image of a civilized structure, helping many of the students reclaim a small semblance of lost hope.
On the other hand, there were only a few students who didn’t share the same budding emotions. Those students were currently observing one of the three faction leaders, Levi, approaching Noah and Ailetta.