Bab 48: To Intervene Or Not To Intervene

"Either you go out and scavenge for supplies... or you're out, that's it." The guards by the Ironlock Stronghold entrance were kept from the sinister plan that the higher-ups devised.

In hindsight, it still needed to be conspicuous what the higher-ups thought since it hadn't been a month since they implemented the laws about scouts and scavengers. Then again, their intentions were plain to the populace since they planned to send inexperienced scouts and scavengers for supplies.

This time, the party sent to roam the outside was comprised of young men in their early twenties. They were in no way weak. They could even be considered one of the few capable men who could become expert scouts or scavengers if given adequate training.

Nevertheless, that didn't stop the higher-ups from sending them to their deaths. They were, after all, additional mouths to feed in the Ironlock Stronghold, and if push came to shove, they were the ones who could rise against the higher-ups to reform the rulership of the stronghold.

Long story short, they were considered a threat to the shaky foundations of their stronghold. That's why they were sent to their deaths. With the number of hybrids and infected lingering around the city, there was no way the group could get back alive.

Even if they managed to gather a couple of supplies, the return trip would be far more dangerous, and there was no way they would survive that, given that they were lacking in experience when it came to their assigned roles.

In total, there were four people in their party. Their assumed leader, a twenty-three-year-old blond who goes by the name Sander, cautiously led them through the city, trying to locate certain abandoned buildings where supplies could possibly be obtained. He was at the vanguard, with the other three behind him in a triangle formation.

While this was the first time they were given the absurd task of gathering supplies, it wasn't their first time roaming the outside world. Before they were enclosed in the confines of the Ironlock Stronghold, they survived the hellish place that is the city filled with the infected. They've been hardened outside, and that experience was etched in their minds even when they were staying in such a safe and peaceful stronghold.

Needless to say, Sander and his party were not in the least bit frightened when they were asked to secure some supplies. There was a certain feeling of uncertainty since Hybrids tend to roam around the area. But as long as they watched each other's backs while avoiding overextending, they would get out of their predicament unscathed.

"Where should we go? Shouldn't we check these buildings first and then get this over with?" Robert, who was a year younger than Sander, suggested with shakiness in his voice. He wasn't nervous, but he couldn't help but feel a tad bit jumpy. After all, a Hybrid or an infected could jump at them at any moment. They were easily avoidable, but they sure do love their surprises.

"Our aim is the abandoned mall in the middle of the city. We'll be going over to the Underground Stronghold's territory, but I figure it'd be fine. It's not like our Stronghold is monitoring our location. Based on my sources, that place is a surefire way of getting supplies."

"Whatever you say, leader," Aya, the Japanese girl in the group, spoke under her breath. As the scout of the party, she brought up the rear. From time to time, she would separate from the group for reconnaissance. This wasn't her first time being assigned as a scout, and that's why she was good at her job.

"If it weren't for my sick mom. I wouldn't have done this." The fourth person in the group was named Tanaka; he had a buzzcut and was the shortest person in the group. He certainly looked generic unlike the other three, and the only reason why he was sent outside was that her mother was a burden. He couldn't expect the Ironlock Stronghold to look after her mom without anything in return. In the end, he was given the ultimatum— either he goes out and gets supplies, or he and his mom would be banished from the Stronghold.

Every couple minutes or so, Aya would separate from the group. She usually wore a calm expression on her face when she got back. The lightness on her feet was what enabled her to get in and out of places without getting detected.

This time around, though, her expression was somewhat tight. She was pursing her lips as she leaped from one building to Sander's side.

"What is it, Aya-san?" Sander whispered.

"Hybrids, they're gathered on the other street, spying on us. There's at least a dozen of them." Aya said. Her news was bad on all sides, but she didn't let her panic slip out of her mouth.

"What do you mean they're spying on us? Do they know we're here? Are they hostile?" Sander asked. The other two who were bringing up the rear also heard the conversation, and they tensed up.

"I'm not sure. But from the looks of it, they're probably targeting us. They might just be observing us... or maybe we've crossed their territories, and now they're after us. Whichever the case, we have to get out of here." Aya advised.

"Either we go back the long way or proceed to the next city and get supplies. It's your call, leader. We're going to follow you." Robert added. "Besides, we don't really have that much of a choice aside from those two options."

"We press forward. Aya, they probably haven't detected you. Continue monitoring their movements. Could you do that?" Sander requested. While he was concerned for Aya's well-being, he was also well aware that she was the only one who could pull it off.

Aya nodded.

"If they started increasing their pace... get back to us, and we'll make a break for it." Sander continued.

With another nod, Aya separated from the group so she could further watch the party of Hybrids who were surveying them. She grabbed the edge of a nearby roof and flung herself upward. Since the group of Hybrids was just on the other street, this was the best way for her to go unnoticed.

Her composure didn't last very long. The moment she caught sight of the other street, the Hybrids were nowhere to be found. Instead, they were already in front of her party, looking down on them while blocking their path to the next city over.

"Wha— " Aya exclaimed, cutting herself short before she attracted the presence of nearby infected. Before she could regroup with her party, however, another man walked into the middle of the two groups, scratching his head.

"Uhm, can't you guys leave them alone?" The man asked, addressing the group of Hybrids who were clearly irked by his presence.