Chapter 16: Chapter 16. Treacherous Couple
I told them about what I found in that last supermarket. Davi and Traikun were there too, so they could confirm it. All of them were intelligent people and, right away, knew the reason why it happened.
"Those dead people, their outfit seemed to be uniform. So, I think they probably worked at the same place. Some factory or something like that. They might be friends before," I stopped for a little while, letting the fact sinked in. "I won't dictate your choice. Just... be careful."
Understanding what happened out there in that last supermarket, and then my sharing with them the information about the marbles, the four of them were in more gratitude to me than ever.
Well, I had my reason to choose them. During our short interaction, they looked like good people. At least that's what I think. I just wished that they didn't end up killing each other later on, or be killed by others they let know about the marbles.
When Traikun, Davi and Seo Daho finally left my room they were leaving with such happiness on their faces. Jeong Yewon stayed behind.
"You're not leaving?" I wondered.
Jeong Yewon looked at me with an amused expression. She was really beautiful. Whatever her expression was, she still looked amazing. "Tell me, why did you want to exclude me before?"
I had no ulterior motive so I told her the truth. "Good people, like you, with such power will be inclined to jump into fights. The danger you face will be constantly much higher than other normal man."
"But my survival chance will also increase at the same time," she argued.
"True. But, call me old fashion, with the constant high danger lingering, I prefer we the male do the fighting."
"I see. So you don't like me to be in danger," she smiled amusingly.
"Ah..," I stammered slightly, but since it was probably easier for her to accept her own deductive reasoning then I just nodded slowly.
"Hm, thank you for acknowledging that, Phineas Shi, even if it's not completely honest," Jeong Yewon grinned.
Before I could argue anymore, Jeong Yewon rose to her feet. I, naturally, followed her movement and wanted to stand up too. But she put her hands on my shoulders, stopped me from getting up and then she bent forward. Her perfect smooth face hovered on top of mine and then her lips landed on my mine.
I was stunned. I didn't know what to do and what to say. The kiss was not a lighthearted one. It was a french kiss. I was perplexed and could only follow her lead. It lasted for a long time before our lips parted because she fell down on my lap.
Her knees must've suddenly lost the strength. I voluntarily held her fragrant, soft body in my embrace. I thought she looked a bit thin, but now I found that she actually quite meaty at all the right places.
She didn't say anything, she just grabbed my neck and opened my mouth with her tongue again. While we continued our kiss my hands became dishonest as they roamed without obstruction. It went for a while and our breathing became ragged. We had to stop for air.
When we stopped the union of our mouths, both of our faces were already burning hot. Even as an Acolyte, I was gasping for air, as was she. This beautiful woman must've guessed that I would react this way. She giggled while wiggling away from my embrace and then she left my room.
What did she just do to me? Was this a reward or punishment for me? Thank goodness Davi and the rest didn't have the same idea.
When Jeong Yewon was getting out and closing the door of my room, someone saw her. Jeong Yewon tidied up her long hair and clothes which had been a mess. She was smiling happily and went back to her camp.
The person who saw Jeong leaving my room was looking with cold stare. I didn't think much about what I saw. After the door was closed I lost my sight of that person.
It wasn't late into the night, but I thought I'll call it a day. Many things happened in one day and I needed to rest for my plan tomorrow.
Just as I was laying down on my bed, I inspected my wrist and sighed. I didn't like what I see. I had taken the marbles from the yellow-eyed and ate them. As for the rest, the marbles from the ordinary purgers, I gave all of them to Jeong and the others. The faint yellow lines were raised a tiny bit. My guess was right. The improvement on the yellow bars was more visible compared to when I took the marbles of the ordinary purger.
This was a headache. I had trouble fighting one yellow-eyed, I simply couldn't imagine how to gather those hundreds of yellow-eyed's marbles I needed to level up. I might have to resort to taking the lowest level marbles, instead. Sigh, there's simply not enough of them.
Thinking about the difficulties of obtaining those tiny translucent marbles reminded me of what happened at the last supermarket. This was one of those time when I hated when my gut was proven right. A bit scared, I got up, wanting to barricade the door and windows.
It was at this time the door was knocked. I thought Jeong Yewon came back for more, so I opened it. But it was not her, it's someone else.
I didn't know why this girl was here. I remembered her name because Seo Daho once told me, but since we were never introduced I just pretend I did not know her.
"Do you know who I am?" Min Songhee asked, in English.
"I saw your face before. You must be famous," this was not a lie. I didn't have the habit to know entertainment celebrities. For someone like me to recognize an entertainment personage meant that that individual ought to be famous.
She smiled and extended her delicate hand, "Min Songhee."
"What can I do for you, Miss Min?" I asked politely.
"Aren't you going to invite me in?" she said, smiling sweetly.
"Uh, sure, come on in," I parted the door wide and let her in. When she walked pass me, our bodies touched. I thought I opened the door in full, apparently it's not wide enough for her. Her sweet scent assaulted my nostrils. Unlike Jeong Yewon's calmer scent, this woman's was fiery and passionate.
After she came in, I closed the door. She walked slowly, and looked around, as if she was appraising the room.
"Nice room. A bit too big for one person, isn't it?" without me being able to do anything about it, she right away sat on the bed. I just realized that she wore a skirt, which although not terribly mini when she was standing but short enough to show a whole lot of skin when she sat down and crossed her white flawless legs.
"It's ok," that's all I say. I sat on the couch near the desk. "Well, Miss Min, do you have something in mind?"
"So straightforward. I like that. Anyway, Miss Min sounds so old. Just call me Songhee. Then how should I call you? Big brother? Are you older than me? I'm 28 this year," Min Songhee kept talking without stop. She was pretty cheerful. I could understand why many people found her charming.
"I'm older. You can call me any way you feel comfortable," I told her.
"Then I'll call you big brother," she said, playing with her tone, "I have a proposal to you, big brother."
"What is it?"
"You know, our world has ended. Our family, our friends, gone. All gone. Our lives changed completely. Do you agree, big brother?" She said.
I nodded. Those were facts.
"I think lingering on the past isn't a good thing. I want to strive forward and create a new future. Do you want that too, big brother?" to this question I gave a simple yes.
"So, I think we should create new friends and new family," Min Songhee said that with bright alurring smile.
"I like making new friends," I replied.
"I'm glad," Min Songhee reached her blouse and started unbuttoning.
"Whoa!" I was startled and hurriedly stopped her from continuing. One button was already off and, since she wore a low cut shirt, showed enough skin to tempt a man's heart. She had fuller front compared to the slimer Jeong Yewon.
What was wrong with this girl? This was her idea of making new friends?
"What are you doing?" I demanded answer, while my hand still held hers.
"Older brother, why are you being shy? I want us to be friends, good and close friends. I will become your woman and you will become my man, okay?" she said coquettishly.
"I think there's been a misunderstanding. I'm not looking for a relationship," I told her.
"Oh, are you talking about feelings? Feelings will develop once we get more intimate," she smiled and pulled her hands from my grab. She, again, resumed unbuttoning her shirt.
Seeing that this woman had no wish to stop. I walked to the door and opened it wide. At this time, Min Songhee, with her determination was fast enough and managed to take off her shirt. She sat on my bed with nothing on top, showing an unblemished upper body that made her able to become one of the top celebrities in South Korea.
I said to her, "If you have nothing else to talk about, I'm tired. I need rest."
Min Songhee's face suddenly became stiff. I didn't know what went in her mind right now and, quite frankly, this big brother didn't care. She was obviously holding her anger while putting her shirt on again and left without saying any words.
I didn't approve what she did, but I could understand the reason. People were looking for a way to survive this new savage world that they went to do crazy things. Just like how some people would kill for the marbles, others would do what Min Songhee did just now. In such a world, power meant everything. And I, evidently, provided enough proof my strength. Her attitude was a total opposite from when she saw me hitchhiking their bus this morning.
Well, I decided not to dwell on it and went to sleep. It had been a long day.
When morning came I went to meet Jeong Yewon and the others. I found them at the meal area where they were having breakfast. Jeong Yewon saw me and had a fresh smile on her face.
"Morning," we were all greeting each other. I sat with them and had my morning meal. They were in a good mood. I guessed they were still in the euphoria of the new power they now possessed. The power upgrade was really amazing so it's understandable.
This breakfast would probably be the last hot meal for me for a long time. I didn't think I could make a meal like this on my journey. That was why I devoured what I can.
"Is the food that good?" Seo Daho watched with amusement as I finished the meal in no time.
I stood up, rubbing my stomach in satisfaction.
"What's with the bag?" Davi asked when he saw me carrying my backpack.
"I'm going back to my home," I broke the news. I told this to the commander before coming here, he was very reluctant but there was nothing he could do to stop me.
There was silent.
"Are you guys alright?" I still asked, even though I kind of knew that something like this might happened.
"Well, I should have expected that, shouldn't I?" Jeong Yewon softly said.
I nodded, "I have family there."
"We understand, brother," Davi stood up and gave me a hug. Traikun did the same thing. So did Seo Daho.
Jeong Yewon came close to me and said, "You.. are you coming back?"
"I highly doubt that."
"I see. This is good bye then," after saying that she hugged me and gave me a kiss on my cheek.
"Where will you start?" asked one of them.
"North Korea." I made this decision yesterday, when I knew that airplane was out of question.
"Safe journey, Phineas Shi," Jeong Yewon said with soft sound.
"Safe journey, brother."
I said my goodbye to them and then head out. We only knew each other for a little more than a day. Although our feelings were not deeply connected but we made a bond when we were facing life and death together. It was a bit sad but I had to go.
Five minutes later I was walking out of the camp when I met someone I didn't think would want to speak to me. It was that handsome and masculine guy, Choi Doowon. He was accompanied by Min Songhee.
"Are you leaving?" Min Songhee talked to me. She did not looked upset at all about last night.
I nodded. News traveled fast.
"Going back to China?" she continued.
"Yes."
Choi Doowon said something which Min Songhee translated to me, "Are you planning to go through North Korea? He got some information that might help you. He found out about it yesterday. I think it may help you."
Information that can help me? I was intriqued. I already knew about the physical change happened in our world. Did he have other information? I doubted that. But, no matter what doubt I had, I still wanted to be sure.
"What information?" I asked.
"It's better if you see it for yourself," the actress said.
"Where?" I wanted to know. Every information was important at such time, the time when we didn't have access to internet and phones.
"To the east, past the airport. Come with us," Choi Doowon said and my reaction was to follow them.
We were walking pass the refugee camp. I saw thousands of people were lining for breakfast. Even though they survived yesterday ordeal and for a moment it seemed like they had hope, but after a night rest they were faced with a harsh reality. They were still in a refugee camp and they still had to queue for a simple hot meal. They weren't on their dining room or nice restaurant.
After passing through the camp we arrived at the airport. The once beautiful and sophisticated Incheon now was filled with refugees. Various kind of people were there. The airport was capable of handling a lot of people but that was when it was supported by many staff. Now, many people were still wallowing in their own suffering and did not have any will to do anything else.
Although the water and electricity still ran, not sure for how long, no one was taking care of cleaning up the restrooms. With so many people using them, the restrooms soon became dirty and unsightly. Trash was also everywhere to be seen.
The appearances of both Choi Doowon and Min Songhee, famous actors, would usually garner many attention but not today. They were not the only famous people amongst the survivors. At such time, being famous meant little. Actually it was more harmful to them.
Choi Doowon was famous for playing heroic and manly characters. But yesterday he was running and hiding furthest to the back of the airport while at the same time people saw that Jeong Yewon and Seo Daho, which were also famous people, fought at the front line. This event had kind of damaged his image.
"It's there," Min Songhee pointed to the far end of the airport.
"It changed?"
I was here some days ago. I got a good look of the landscape because it was nice. I even took some pictures. But now it had changed. I should not be too shocked since I saw the satellite picture but, still, to look at it with my own eyes was something else.
"You'll be more surprise later. Let's go," they beckoned to me. I followed them. We walked hundreds of meters outside of the runway before finally stopped. What I saw was breathtaking. And scary as well.
In front of me, the land descended at least a few hundreds of meters. It was like a canyon. It spread so wide I could not see either end from where I stood. It was probably as wide as the island itself.
The view was amazing. The new land was formed of red scorched earth. The landscape was hilly with some large weird plant patches and pools. The red soil was like blood on earth. In peaceful times, this could be an interesting tourism venue.
But it was not what made me scare.
On the new land I saw the purgers. Thousands, no, tens of thousands of them. They were swarming the land like ants. I could not see their level from this distance. They were grouped on the nearest cliff. There maybe thousands of tents of various size. The tents were circling a round shiny platform.
There were simply too many of the purgers down there. On the far horizon I could see some fires from the other camps. They probably did not know we were up here. If they knew, we would be overrun since yesterday. And we being on a much higher cliff really helped hide that fact.
"Look at that," Min Songhee pointed somewhere in the near camp.
"What is it?" I did not know what she was pointing at.
"There. Near the middle," she continued.
I squinted my eyes, trying to see what she saw. Then suddenly I was falling down the cliff.
Someone pushed me!
I turned my body mid air and saw Choi Doowon and Min Songhee were both looking at me with smug looks. Satisfactions were plastered pretty clear on their faces. I could not believe it! Why the hell did they do this?
The fall was fast and within a blink I already went down hundreds of meters. I could not think of anything else. Was I going to die here? What about my grandparents?
Titan Armor! I activated it at last moment before hitting the ground.
Sharp pain entered my mind. I couldn't move. I saw my surrounding. The purgers camp was in commotions. My fall must have created a loud noise. I saw movements from the camp. I was sure some of the purgers were running toward me. I couldn't see clearly, everything was blurry.
I passed out.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone