Universal Sign-in: Ascending to Godhood With My 10x Rewards!-Chapter 43: Richard’s tale

"You seem terribly ignorant of the kind of place that this world has turned into under two days. Although I doubt you are, you’ve witnessed it with us, after all."

I nodded, affirming Jericho’s words.

"You still speak of assault when the police no longer exist? When there are literally walking nightmares in the streets, Mark?"

Marcus breathed out in resignation. "It’s not fair. I always lose anytime I’m in an argument with you both."

"It’s only natural," I shrugged.

Jericho nodded.

We all exchanged a brief moment of silence.

Then, breaking the silence, our low chuckles erupted.

As the chuckle subsided, Marcus spoke calmly, saying, "But really, Duz, I never want to see you like that again. It felt like a whole different version of you was released. That feral grin and all. Your whole vibe and energy were weird. And when you held him... it felt like you were gonna–"

"Kill him." Jerry completed. "It felt like he was about to kill him."

Silence, once more.

"No need to fear," I smiled. "It won’t happen again."

"Are you guys always–cough–like this?" One of the wounded soldiers spoke with a weak, cracked voice.

The three of us glanced at each other. And, simultaneously, we asked the soldier, "Like how?"

"Like that." He said, "all friendly and mushy. My boy Mark is even more smiley than usual around you guys."

Jericho shrugged, "Well, I guess we are? And to be honest, I’ve only known Marcus for what, two days?" Jerry looked at me to confirm.

"Yeah," I nodded, "two days. Same with me."

"But it feels like we’ve been friends with each other for years." Marcus completed.

The soldier raised a brow. "I see."

Another soldier coughed, sitting up straight as he clenched his bandaged ribs. His uniform lay beside him, and he wore no shirt, like Marcus and me.

"No, wait!" Marcus cautiously raised a hand to put the soldier back down, "You might open them up again."

The soldier raised his hand, waving Marcus’s hands off. "Don’t worry, I’m okay."

Both the first soldier and the shirtless one moved and sat with us.

We all sat beside each other, forming a small circle.

The shirtless one spoke, "Your little conversation reminded me of my friends." He chuckled, clenching his ribs tightly, "It was exactly like this with us." The man’s voice turned sour and bitter, "We’d only known each other for a few months, yet it felt like we’d been friends all our lives. And I must say, they were my greatest comrades and even better friends. It’s a shame they’re all dead now, though, haha."

Way to kill the mood, man.

"How did he die?" Marcus asked, holding his knees.

The shirtless soldier looked up at Marcus, then down at the floor as he forced a smile, "They died just yesterday, during the nighttime. I can’t even bury their bodies now. You see, we were lucky. While following the command of our superior, we came to scout the surroundings of our city and report the monster types to procure any kind of attack method, but none of our guns worked. We could only deal with the smaller monsters using melee force. But then, while navigating the ruined streets at night, we came across a large, black, shapeless monster with eyeballs around its body. The thing could fly, and we couldn’t outrun its speed."

I leaned in, narrowing my eyes. Jerry just covered his mouth with his palm as he listened attentively with focused eyes.

"I don’t know how it did it, as I didn’t turn back to look at the source, but somehow, that large thing shot out raging green flames. And those flames engulfed and disintegrated my friends, not even sparing their ashes."

I pursed my lips.

Oof.

Yeah, that’s bad.

Should I tell him sorry? Try to console him?

I contemplated.

Nah,

I looked at Marcus.

Marcus is here for that. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Marcus tapped the back of the soldier softly. "I’m sorry."

The first soldier chuckled, "We’re okay, at least we’re alive. The only ones left in our troop, yes. But it still counts for something."

"Speak for yourself." The shirtless soldier said, "I’ve been running around the streets since yesterday night, and I lost my best friends. I’m not okay."

"I... I’m sorry." The first soldier uttered.

The first soldier lay back down on the floor, next to the snoring third soldier, with a low grunt, "It’s okay. I mean, you are right. I should be grateful I’m even alive, haha."

You’re wrong.

I know how it feels to lose someone.

It eats you. You’re not okay, Mr.

"So... you," Said Jerry as he gazed at the first soldier who had a sympathetic expression, "how do you know Mark? I’ll assume you’re familiar with each other, as he recognized your voice. And you even called him, ’your boy Mark,’ which shows a level of familiarity."

The soldier’s eyes opened wide. "Oh," he said, looking at Marcus.

Marcus shrugged, smiling as he shook his head.

"We went to college together. Back when I hadn’t yet decided to become a soldier. You know," he smiled, " Marcus was actually the one who told me to go for it. It has always been my dream to serve my country. My dad was a soldier and all, and I admired that about him, but now... I don’t even think we still have a country left to protect."

The moment Jerry heard the word ’father,’ he frowned.

Oh. I always forget Jerry and his father are–

"Should’ve just answered my question straight up. The first line was enough. Didn’t need your whole character motivation." Grumbled Jerry inaudibly, or so he thought.

I agree. This whole ’father’ talk makes me feel a certain type of way.

I’ve not seen my dad since I was what, 10? 11? I don’t even know. I don’t even remember what he looks like; all the old pictures were lost.

"Oh, sorry then." The soldier awkwardly chuckled.

Jerry gazed at Marcus. " What’s his name?"

The first soldier outstretched a hand, cutting in, "Richard,"

"Oh, I like that," Jerry muttered, shaking his hand.

"Now, Richard," Jerry leaned in, "Marcus’s friend, you’re going to give us some information."

I leaned in.

Finally, the nitty-gritty.

Marcus leaned in.

"About wha–?" Richard looked absolutely stupefied.

"First of all," Jerry cracked his neck, "the safe zones."