Universal Sign-in: Ascending to Godhood With My 10x Rewards!-Chapter 44: Safe Zones

Richard’s eyes widened as he adjusted his posture, muttering, "The... safe zones?"

Jerry nodded. "Exactly as I said."

Richard blinked, his neck moving as he took in the sight of all three of us calmly staring at him, poking holes in his forehead with our gaze.

The young soldier let out a tensed chuckle, gulping as a lone sweat slid from his temple.

The shirtless soldier whistled as he whispered, "They’ve got you now."

"What exactly do you want to know about the safe zones?" Richard finally asked, breaking the awkward ice that he himself seemed to have built.

"Well, you know," I raised my arm, flicking my wrist in a rolling motion as I grinned, "everything?"

"Right," Richard breathed out, "of course." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Marcus calmly tapped Richard’s shoulder, "Come on, go ahead."

Richard hesitated for a while, then gazed down at the lying, shirtless soldier, as if waiting for an approval or order.

"What?" The older man growled, "Don’t look at me. Tell them."

Richard’s eyes finally lit up as he surveyed all our gazes with brightened eyes and a warm smile.

"The safe zones are, as the name implies, zones where civilians can find safety," he interlocked his fingers, "they’re solid and large bunkers that exist within the five major army barracks of City H. All cities have a safe zone, or so we were told. Honestly, the underground bunkers of the safe zones weren’t even made until five months ago, and according to the general, they were expecting something. I’m unsure if that something was... the apocalypse or not."

I narrowed my eyes.

Interesting.

"I digress. So, there’s a safe zone to the East, West, South, North and the middle of City H," Richard explained, "I think an announcement was made city-wide for all civilians to evacuate to a safe zone yesterday?"

Were there any announcements?

"Didn’t hear anything," Marcus cut in.

"Same," I supported.

Jerry nodded, "Me too."

"Well, uh... maybe you guys missed it?" Richard scratched his cheek. "Anyway, there in the meticulously crafted and maintained safe zones, the military will protect the civilians and ensure they never lack resources."

Marcus scoffed. "It all sounds too good to be true."

"Yeah. I keep asking, what is the catch?" Asked Jerry.

I nodded.

I want to know too.

"The catch? Uh... I don’t think there’s any catch. The government and the president just want to save as many people as they can, to preserve humanity. I even heard that if they throw a nuclear bomb in Australia, which I– wait. Do you guys know Australia is a no-go area now? There are literally no humans there anymore, only monsters."

"Mn hm." Marcus hummed.

"Old news." I spouted.

Jerry relaxed his chin on his palm. "Just get on with it."

Richard cleared his throat, "Well, if the nuclear strike doesn’t wipe the monsters that engulfed Australia, then all hope is basically lost. And a rumor I heard says the president plans to take everybody in every safe zone in the country to Mars."

"Tsk. Damn rumors," the shirtless soldier grumbled.

Pfft.

Damn rumors, indeed.

"It’s just what I heard," Richard frowned at the older soldier’s words.

"Sure. Go on."

"But I — like you guys — don’t believe the whole flying to Mars stuff. I think they’re finding a way to combat these monsters. A friend of mine who’s a low-ranked lieutenant in a safe zone — way before the apocalypse — told me that their only mission there, apart from protection, is to detect anyone who has any ’strange dreams or nightmares.’"

At this point, I leaned backward. A tentative smile on my lips.

"Bingo." Jerry whistled.

Marcus sighed. "So we were right after all."

I shrugged, "Makes perfect sense, we’re not the only ones."

"This proves that my whole ’new age’ monologue is really valid." Said Jerry.

"Great."

"Really great."

"What are you guys talking about?" Richard asked, confused.

The shirtless soldier replied to him, "I wonder the same myself."

"So... our plan to go there is still valid?" I asked.

"Of course it is," Jerry smiled, "and judging from the fact that the government is actively seeking people like us out, it means we even have leverage. We can make use of their desperation."

"The world’s desperation," Marcus muttered as he looked down. "It feels kind of... wrong."

Jericho tapped Marcus’s shoulder and raised his head, locking eyes with him. "It is in the time of extreme desperation that the greatest men are born. The men who rise above others, the men whom others follow. Kings."

So ambitious.

"One thing, though." I asked, "How did they start preparations for the safe zones five months ago? Did they know the apocalypse was coming?"

That’s around the time I died, is it not?

"I... I don’t think it’s impossible. The safe zones preparation was part of the reason why the government dissolved all criminal organizations in City H after all."

Jerry’s eyes grew colder. "I see."

I sighed.

"Richard, one week from now, you’re going to lead us to the safe zone closest to us. How long would it even take us to reach there?" I asked.

If everything is still functioning by then, that is.

"It’ll take about two hours on foot. The Northern safe zone is the closest. But I don’t think it’s a good idea to leave this place... It’s safe, there are monsters out there."

"No," Marcus said bluntly. "This place isn’t safe at all. And you don’t need to worry about the monsters. We’re strong."

Richard’s eyes widened, but narrowed back immediately. "Fine. But why one week? Why not tomorrow morning?"

As Richard asked this question, Jericho and Marcus gazed at each other, then at me, and then we all looked at him together.

"Because we need to get stronger. To ensure the smoothness of our little journey." Jerry uttered.

"I’m coming with," the shirtless soldier said.

"Sure," I replied.

As long as you don’t die.

"Alright then, guys, let’s sleep. Tomorrow’s another day." Marcus declared as he immediately hit the hay.

"Yeah."

"Goodnight, Unc."

"Don’t call me that!"

"Night, Mark."

"Night."

As they all slept, I gazed at Katie from afar. The little girl was fast asleep, next to her mother.

A bitter smile curled my lips.

Should I bring her with me? It’ll be better than leaving her in this place, doomed for destruction. Very soon, those gates will no longer hold monsters out.

But if I bring her with me, it’ll hinder my Exp grind, and she might even get traumatized by those monsters.

I shrugged.

It’s for her own good. I’ll bring her and her mother.

But for now...

I lay down on the ground.

I’ll sleep.

I slept off. And after that, the next few days passed by like a breeze.