Chapter 8: The General

Sarah had learnt a fair bit about how all the survivors had progressed these past few days from the group she travelled with. It seemed when killing monsters in a group, the experience was split between them. Most humans were not willing to risk their lives, especially considering the monsters were inconsiderate to MMORPG players everywhere by not walking around at least 20 meters apart from any of their companions so they could be picked off nice and easily. Add this onto the intelligence that all the beasts seemed to have, killing anything was an achievement in itself.

This led to the general consensus not to fight anything above your level, and to move around in groups of three or above. The younger survivors quickly formed groups and began their hunts, with the majority around level 3, but the general population that found it difficult to risk their lives still sat around level 0. It seemed most of the guns had been taken away from the survivors and given to the surviving military and police force that ran the base. However, these were then abandoned in turn due to their general inability to pierce the hides of the monsters, meaning a flood of bullets would be needed to slay even one of the beasts.

While you can say a lot of negative things about humanity as a whole, there is one undeniable truth. No matter the circumstances, humanity could adapt. As Sarah approached the base camp, she could see a clearing that she was sure was not previously part of the city, and within lied walls that stood around 4 meters high, built from slabs of concrete from the collapsed buildings that now littered the city. These thick walls spread for almost 300 meters, making the whole camp a 300 by 300 meter square. Wonder how they managed to build these so quick. Got to be magic right?

Sarah couldn’t help but be confused as to some of the buildings and junk that littered both the city and roads on her way to the camp, as much of it was very clearly in a different language and did not fit the city she previously knew. Having asked the ever-talkative Billy, she learnt that when the earthquakes happened the world seemed to have changed immensely. From what he learnt before he left the camp, there were people of many nationalities within, who were previously from as far away as Australia before suddenly finding their house moved to the middle of an American city after the earthquakes.

With the group leading the way, she approached a small gate that stood out from the southern side of the compound’s walls. Several guards stood on the walls, dressed in a military camouflage and armed with both rifles and what looked like machetes. Before she could walk though the gate two of them approached their group.

“Any passes?”

The group of 6 reached into their pockets and took out what looked like a purple piece of plastic with their names carved into it and a stamp signifying the American military. As the two guards turned to look at Sarah, the only one who was not holding a pass, their forthcoming questions were quickly interrupted by Thomas.

“She’s gotta go meet the general, she was at where that explosion happened, so we’d assumed he’d want to meet her.”

A subtle straightening of the back at the mention of the general, followed by a sudden shift into a more defensive stance upon hearing where she was found, showed to Sarah that these guards were not the professionals that their uniforms made them out to be. Looks like they’ve just pulled up random people to fill the ranks. Clearly more nervous than experienced, the guards asked for her name, and after hearing she was called Sarah Rose one of them pulled out a piece of purple plastic and with a wave of his hand formed her name upon it.

“Pretty neat, what magic is that?”

“Earth magic, bit mana consuming but it can also be used on stuff like plastics and concrete. Its how we got this wall up to shape.”

The group finally managed to enter the base, and the first thing to make an impression on her was the smell. With a glance around she could see the reason for the sewer like stench, with hundreds of people walking around or simply just lying there. The whole compound was practically filled with these survivors, and many didn’t seem to be putting any effort into their sanitation. The second thing to hit her was the atmosphere of the group. They all just seem dead, she thought, while looking at them all unmoving and lacking any motivation. She was willing to bet that this was the group that had no levels, and they didn’t seem to be making any effort to change this.

Proceeding another 100 meters into the compound, she finally arrived at a more active area with tents pitched up and groups of both military and civilians moving with a purpose. Pushing past these groups, they eventually arrived at a small building that stood in the center of the whole base.

“Well here’s where we’re leaving you. If you survive, come say hi to us later! We will probably be around the northern side of the base” said Billy.

The whole group seemed to avoid eye contact as they practically ran away from the building. This general seems to be quite the figure, with the way everyone is reacting. Feeling a bit more apprehensive, she approached another two guards that stood at the entrance.

“We’ve heard who you are, head inside.”

They clearly weren’t there to have a chat. Wondering how they could possibly know why she was here when no one had left the group, she figured that it must be some kind of magic.

Or maybe they just had a walkie talkie. Not everything needs magic.

But she had been surprised by the ability of earth magic, able to build such a compound so quickly, who knows what other forms of magic could bring. Finally mustering the courage, she pulled the door open in front of her and walked in.

She was greeted by the sight of about 7 men standing around a table, all dressed in a much more formal military attire with a plethora of medals stuck to their chests. At the head of the table stood a man who could only be the general. She felt something inside her soul react at the sight of him, as if her inner demon was repulsed at the sight of him.

The whole group had already turned to face the door. Feeling like a kid about to get slammed in their parent teacher interviews, especially considering her mother never bothered to turn up to them which made them all the more intimidating, she approached the table. The whole scene started to look a bit funny to her. Seven military dudes surrounding what she could now see was a big map with some chess pieces scattered around on it, it couldn’t get more stereotypical. But I guess there’s a reason for some stereotypes.

“Keep in mind we know if you are telling the truth or not” one of the minions spoke out. “So, you were at the explosion, what happened?”

Being picky with her words, Sarah replied “Don’t know, I was in the area and was knocked unconscious. By the time I woke up it was all over.”

“What level are you.”

This got a pause. She knew her level was out of the norm and didn’t want to reveal her strength to these strangers without a better idea of what was going on. “Don’t think I need to tell you that.” She finally answered.

“Now listen here-“ The man was quickly cut off as his leader began to clear his throat.

“Do you know what caused it?” The man asked in a raspy voice.

A chill ran down her spine as she could see the man had realized she knew more than she had revealed. Come on, I’ve got 68 points in intelligence, surely that counts for something.

“There was a half-giant in that area, I think its like level 30 or something and it had been smashing down buildings over there.”

“How can you tell its level 30, you can’t [Identify] something more than 15 levels above you.” The general quickly followed up.

Feeling like she was in an interrogation, she had started to sweat a little.

“I didn’t use [Identify] on it so I’m not surely exactly” She replied. Her excuses were coming quick, and none of her anxiety showed on her face. Maybe the intelligence is coming in use here.

The group turned away from her, and he could see one of them put a rook chess piece down at an area in the south where she had come from. This couldn’t help but make her worry, If that half-giant was only a rook, what would be a queen or a king?

“Your class.” The general then turned back to her and asked.

“It’s a summoner variation.” She replied.

The whole group seemed to lose interest with her from that reply, obviously not finding much use in such a class. With a wave of the general’s hand, she found herself dismissed. Eager to leave, she quickly exited the building and took a breath of the fresh air. Now that she was away from the general, the weight on her mind eased. She had realized when heading towards the base that she herself released some sort of pressure, which they described as a difference in stats, adding to their wariness of the girl. But for the general to place her in that much pressure, it must have been an ability of some sort. She simply couldn’t believe that his stats would be above her, especially far enough above to pressure her as he did.

Taking more deep breaths, she hurried away from the small building. Standing near the center of the compound, with no clear path of what she should do, she decided to head north and reunite with the group to gain a better understanding.

After that, it was time for her to get back to gaining some levels.