Just outside of a military base, a group of four men and a woman was currently in an argument with a group of military soldiers.

“Please stop! This is my wife,” a man in a white tank top with a face red with anger said.

“I’m just checking to see if your wife has any illegal weapons or items,” A bald muscular soldier dressed in green military uniform explained. He was currently rubbing the woman bottom.

The woman face was filled with displeasure as she tried to get away but the muscular soldier had a tight grip of her waist.

“I haven’t heard of any inspection needed for scouting.” The man in white tank top said, trying his best to contain his anger.

“Are you questioning me?” the bald muscular soldier asked. His voice turned cold and his eyes flared up.

“Please disregard my comrade offense,” a man with a goatee said as he rushed up to the bald muscular soldier. He quickly slipped a small bag of something into the soldier hand.

The bald soldier smiled as he put the bag into his pocket.

“At least some of you still have common curtesy. You can learn something from him.”

The husband raged in silence as he pulled his wife away.

Go down and make a right. You will find a green barrack. The bald soldier said.

The group quickly departed without saying another word.

“Captain, you are not really letting her off right?” the soldiers asked the bald man while drooling at the sight of the departing woman round behind.

“Of course not you idiots. Give her tent number 21.” the captain said.

“You don't mean? The one near...?”

“Yes how else are we going to visit her?” the captain said with a lascivious smile. “We'll give her the time of her life, tonight.”

The soldiers gave each other a knowing look as they imagined the scene.

“Reporting captain!” a soldier ran up to the bald man. The trackers we placed on scouters 16 and 18 stopped at that building floor again.

The captain paused to think before saying, “If this keep going on we won't have any more subhuman to send.”

“Isn’t it very strange that we lost signals of them in that underground floor?” One soldier asked.

“Do you think we should call the rest back,” another said.

“These are subhumans why should we care if they die out?” the captain retorted. “They just need to do their job and find out what is there in that damn underground floor. There has to be something there or else how did twenty of our soldiers just disappear?”

“Have all the neighboring villages sent their people?” the captain continued after a small pause.

“No there are two villages that haven't reported to us yet.” A solider responded.

“Then send Big Green to their villages,” the captain said angrily. “Let's see if they will continue to ignore their summons.”

“Shouldn't we ask the higher up first?” A soldier asked warily.

“We have over a hundred of these villages. Losing one or two does nothing,” the captain said. “Hell, we would be doing the human race a favor. Ridding those trashes from the gene pool.”

“Another group is arriving!” A soldier abruptly said noticing the silhouettes in the distance.

Seeing a young girl and a small boy in black walked out of the darkness, the captain said in amusement,

“What is this? A cripple and his sister? What are you two doing here?”

“We're here to represent our village for the scouting," Zoe said a bit cautious.

“What number is your village?” the captain asked.

“62.” Zoe responded.

A soldier looked at a piece paper and crossed out number 62.

“You’re lucky we thought you weren't coming. So we were about to send Big Green to your village for a visit.” The captain said with a smile.

Zoe face turned white. “We’re here now,” she quickly added.

The captain looked at Zoe then to Regis.

Seeing Regis black mask, the soldiers didn’t find anything wrong with it. Wearing a mask was quite common around here. Some wear them for the sandstorms and some wear them because of radiation.

“Only you two?” The captain asked. “You need to have at least five people.”

Then taking another look at Regis, the captain continued with a smirk, “And for a cripple like him, he counts for half a person. You will either need to have at least 4 more people or 3 and another cripple.”

Zoe heartbeat quickened as she replied, “Our village is exempted from that regulation. Because our residents are all children, we can send fewer people.”

“Is that true?” the captain asked the soldier beside him.

“I'm not sure captain,” the soldier responded, “Old Jenkins might have done something of that sort.”

“Well it’s too bad old man Jenkins is no longer here,” the captain replied. “So we can’t verify that any more. Unless you can summon a few more right now, I'm afraid Big Green will have to give your village a visit.”

Zoe trembled a bit. Her face became ashen.

“W-wait,” Zoe said hastily as she put her hand into her pocket and withdrew a small bag, “I have this.”

Using two hands, she offered the bag in front of him. “I hope this much is enough,” Zoe continued.

“What do you take me for?” the captain said with anger. “A corrupted officer?”

He brushed the bag off Zoe hand making it fall onto the ground.

“Trying to bribe me in front of my fellow soldiers?” the captain asked.

“Girl, are you stupid who openly bribed like that?” a soldier asked in amusement. “At least sneak it in. Is this your first time bribing someone?”

“I'm sorry...” she said, her head lowered in shame. Zoe wanted to do it in a respectful manner but it backfired. Alan had always been the one to deal with this kind of situation. It was only now that she realized how little she knew.

She quickly picked up the small bag. This time she covered it with her sleeve before handing it to him.

“Ahem.” the captain said as he indifferently took the small bag and put it in his pocket.

The soldiers on the side snickered at their captain action.

“Well I can excuse you for being late.” the captain said.

“Uh I'm sorry?” Zoe said, surprised. “What about our lack of people?”

“You can't expect such a small amount to cover four able bodies now wouldn’t you?”

“But you didn’t say anything before about any repercussion for tardiness.” Zoe explained a bit heated.

“Just because I didn’t say it doesn't mean the rule isn't there.” The captain replied in a louder tone scaring Zoe. “But this matter is small. If you happen to have a bit more…”

“I don't have any more right now…” Zoe said with pleading eyes. “But if you could allow me to go back, I would be able to collect more.”

Seeing Zoe meek expression made the captain thought, ‘This girl ain't too shabby. Her chestnut colored skin really make her hazel eyes stand out.’

Looking down at Zoe’s body the captain noticed that it wasn’t that well developed yet but it isn't bad.

Seeing the man lascivious stare made Zoe extremely uncomfortable. But she didn’t say anything.

The captain said with a friendly smile. “How about we discuss this more in detail in the tent over there. We could get to know each other better.”

“Jesus Captain, you won't even spare a kid.” The soldiers said laughing.

Ignoring them, the captain continued, “It’s fine if you don't want to come. I won't force you. But rules are rules. I can't disobey it for someone I don't know. The higher up would kill me. But if it’s for someone I know… then I won't mind.”

The captain tugged at Zoe’s hand pulling her.

Zoe face paled and her mind was in chaos. But she still followed him in a weakly manner.

The surrounding soldiers rowdily jeered at the captain in a teasing way.

“Shut up,” Captain said, “We are just going to talk.”

The captain felt some force hindering him from pulling the girl.

He looked over his shoulder. The boy in black was holding onto the girl’s hand.

“Be a good little brother now,” The captain said. “And stay outside with those good brothers. Your sister and I we need to have a grownup talk.”

Ignoring the captain, Regis asked Zoe, “You do understand what he will do to you in there right?”

“I do…” Zoe nodded her head a bit listless.

“Are you fine with it?” Regis asked.

“The village and my brother-” Zoe said.

“I'm not asking about them,” Regis said. “I'm asking about you. Are — you — fine with this?”

Zoe bit her lips. Her face contorted and she had a frown thinking about what he would do to her. Her lips seemed to whimper.

“That settled it then,” Regis said his eyes flared with killing intent.

Zoe eyes widened. But before she could say or do anything Regis had disappeared before her.

“What…?” The captain said in surprise as the boy in black appeared in front of him.

Abruptly, the boy let out a punch drilling into the captain’s stomach. The captain’s body rose up a few feet and flew backward slamming on the military base fence making a large dent.

The captain pulled himself out of the dent fence while holding his stomach.

“You bastard…” the man said as he clutched his stomach. How can a level 5 brat punch be so hard?

Regis looked at the captain with amazement. He felt something strange happening when he landed the punch. The captain’s body suddenly hardened itself. It should be a skill, Regis thought.

The surrounding atmosphere turned tense and quiet. All the soldiers couldn't believe what had happened before their eyes. Did a kid just send their commanding officer flying back?

“Regis please,” Zoe said pulling his sleeve. “You agreed to let me handle everything.”

“It will be fine,” Regis responded. “Dead people can't talk. I'll make sure not one of them leave here alive.”

Zoe’s body shook. It was like the time when he killed the soldiers at the village. He seemed to be only 14 of age yet he was so indifferent to killing. Like it was something he was used to.

Regis had been observing the soldiers. Except for the captain who was level 20, the remaining few soldiers were somewhere between the level of 11 to 14.

Seeing that they were still in a state of disbelief, Regis quickly rushed at the Captain.

Suddenly, a dark bur flashed right in front of Regis blocking his fist and deflecting him backward.

Regis eyes widen with shock as he stabilized his footing.

A big man with a full grey beard stood in front of the captain. The big man was currently wearing silver gauntlets on his hands, a copper nasal helmet on his head, and black plate armor on his body with a brown cape hanging around his neck.

He looked extremely bizarre and out of place with his mismatched armor pieces.

Major! The soldiers cried out seeing the appearance of the man.

The major stared deeply at Regis. His eyes flashed with a mysterious light.

Regis glared back at the major. He couldn't see the man level. Instead, above the man’s head at the place where his level should be, Regis could only see “Lvl ??”. That wasn’t the only strange thing about the man. For some reasons, Regis could feel power emanating from the man armor pieces.

The major suddenly said, “We are in the wrong. You don't need to be on guard.”

He turned to the captain and said, “What did I tell you about abusing your position?”

The captain gave the man a confused look.

“Quickly give the girl’s money back her to her.” the major said.

The captain gave the man another confused look but he quickly took out the bag. Standing up with a groan, he approached Zoe, under the watchful eyes of Regis, and gave the bag back to her. He quickly moved away.

“Girl. As their superior, I must apologize for their action. As long as I'm here, I'll make sure this doesn't happen again.”

Zoe couldn't believe what was happening. Everything was happening to fast. She could only stare blankly at the major.

The major turned to Regis. “With your strength how about joining us?”

The soldiers and captain all stare at the major in shock.

The major ignored their looks and continued, “Your leg…If you join us. We will help heal your leg. You also get to live in the city and will be awarded a high rank. Not to mention, you won't have to live out here anymore”

Regis didn’t know what the man was up to. His offer came unexpectedly.

Denying it outright wasn't a good idea. With the major’s appearance and his mysterious strength, fighting him would be extremely bothersome. At the same time, accepting it without knowing the full details and the major’s intention was bad as well.

“I need time to think about it,” Regis finally said.

“If you agree to join us, I can void your scouting mission.” The major added.

Regis felt even more suspicious. “My answer is still the same.”

“Fine, think about it,” the major said. “Donald, go brief them on the scouting mission.”

“Yes major!” a soldier rushed forward and said.

“What is your name boy?”

“It’s Sig,” Regis replied.

“I'll be waiting for your answer Sig.” the major replied.

“Follow me,” the soldier said gesturing Regis and Zoe to follow him.

Zoe expressed her gratitude to the major in a hesitant and confused manner before heading off.

When Zoe and Regis were a few feet away, the captain asked in displeasure, “Major why…?”

“Even with my equipment on, I had to use my full power to push him back.” the major replied.

“You're kidding?” the captain said, his face in an awry smile.

Seeing the major grave expression, the captain’s face paled. “Then is he a Hero?”

“How would a Hero have such power at level 5?” the major asked.

“Then… is he above that…?” the captain asked not believing the words that were coming out of his mouth.

“Yes, He is mostly likely a Rebirth.”

“Rebirth?!” the captain exclaimed, his eyes twitched. It was beyond what he had expected.

“Go find out more about him. We need to get him on our side at any cost,” the major said.

“What if we can’t?”

“Then there is only one choice.”

The major stared ominously at Regis’ departing figure.

---

Inside a brown colored barrack, the soldier Donald gave Zoe and Regis black armored military vests.

Receive Armored Military Vest

.9 Defense

Donald said looking at Regis, “Usually only soldiers get to wear them. But we stepped out of line before. So as compensation, I want to give you these.”

Seeing Regis who was currently musing about something, Zoe quickly took the vests and said, “Thank you.”

“You really should agree to join us. You won’t have to worry about food or living expenses.” Donald added as he handed Regis and Zoe black metal badges. “And these are tracking badges, which send out a signal showing us where you are.”

Donald quickly took out a printed map.

“This is a digital aerial illustration of the ruined city. We need you to enter this building and report back to us if you find anything out of the ordinary,” Donald said as he handed the map to Zoe.

“Is that all?” Zoe asked.

“Yes that is all you need to do.”

Zoe couldn’t believe how easy it was.

Suddenly, Regis asked. “Can we start the mission right now?”

“It’s passed mid night. Don’t you want to rest first?” Donald asked.

“No,” Regis replied curtly.

Donald wasn’t afraid that Regis would run away unless he wanted to risk his village getting destroyed and even if he did where would he go?

Donald quickly gave them everything they needed and showed them out the gate.

Seeing Regis leaving so quickly, the captain who was still outside the front gate said nothing except nodded his head.

Regis became more confused. Why weren’t they stopping him?

Before he knew it, Zoe and him were a few miles away from the base.

The entire time, Zoe didn’t get a chance to say anything. Regis was still currently in deep thought. There were so much she wanted to say and ask, but couldn’t.

Regis abruptly asked, “Do you know if there are more people like the major?”

“What do you mean?” Zoe asked.

“I mean as strong as or stronger than the major,” Regis replied.

“I don’t know how strong the major is but there are many people with higher ranks than him,” Zoe replied. “And ranks usually correspond with a person’s strength.”

Regis frowned under his mask and went quiet.

Seeing Regis wasn’t in the mood to talk, Zoe looked ahead. She could see the ruined city a few miles away.

Suddenly a voice sounded in their heads.

“Leaving safety zone.”