บท 80: Exaggerated Rumors
As we moved through the road, my team and I followed a very simple tactic.
We walked 10 meters apart from each other and moved forward in a line.
This way, we covered a total of 60 meters between us and the one who were at the end of the lines were able to scout more than 40 meters in the forest and able to tell if there was any danger or not.
If, and when we came across small number of abnormals and mutant beasts, we would try to wipe them out on our own. If one of the team member was not able to deal with them alone, then the ones who walked beside him would aid him.
This way, we dealt with the small number of enemies and cleared the path for the people in the camp.
When we came across large number of enemies, we would make a new plan based on their strength and numbers.
If we feel that we won't be able to deal with them then we'll take a detour and send the information to Rahul.
If we feel that we are strong enough to deal with them then we'll make further plan to attack and kill the enemies.
With such a strategy, we were able to cover 18 kilometers by the end of the day.
All in all, we made three detours, cleaned up 6 small villages and defeated many small groups of mutant beasts and abnormals.
A good result if I say so myself. Though the fear that my team members radiated around me only increased as I effortlessly mowed down 1st and 2nd tier abnormals and mutant beasts.
They became especially fearful of me after I singlehandedly tore apart 2 3rd tier mutant beasts who tried to ambush me.
And by tore apart, I meant I literally tore them apart.
They were two 3rd tier snakes who ambushed me and tried to suffocate me to death.
Jasvinder really taught me well. Otherwise I doubt I would have seen through the ambush.
"They are tired." Raka said as we moved at a leisurely pace through the forest.
"You mean you are tired and want a break." I said and rolled my eyes at his antics.
"Cough… cough… That might have been the case." He said and I could practically feel his embarrassment.
"Hmm… Don't worry. The sun is about to set and not everyone in the team has 'Advanced Vision' skill or any other skill which will help them see at night. We'll spend the night at the next village."
"Thank you for the mercy kind leader." He said and we shard a laugh.
After a bit of silence, I finally asked the question that had been bugging me the whole day.
"Why are they afraid of me?" I asked.
"Huh… I don't…."
"Don't deny it. I know they are afraid of me for some reason. It was fun at the beginning since it kept them in line, but it's getting annoying. Mind telling me what all this is about."
After a moment of silence, Raka sighed "It seems like I cannot hide it from you any longer."
"Hide what from me?" I asked.
"Well, you see… There are rumors about you in the camp."
"Rumors?"
"Yeah. Rumors. And not the good kind of rumors."
"And what does these rumors say?"
"You sure you want to know?"
"I'm sure. Now tell me."
"Ah… well. There are various kinds of rumors about you. The ones that I heard the most about are the ones that describe you as a bloodthirsty crazy guy who was a murdered before the apocalypse even begin. And that you feel right at home in this apocalyptic world."
"There are the other rumors that say that your brother keeps you out of the camp because of your murderous tendencies."
"There are even rumors that you eating abnormals and mutant beasts to gain your strength." He said
"These rumors…" I said "Aren't they are bit too…"
"Exaggerated?" he asked
"Yeah. I mean… how can anyone believe in such things."
Raka just shrugged in response. "After looking at what you did with the guard, it's not really that hard to believe that you're a bloodthirsty crazy guy. Plus, since there's no Internet, these people don't really have much to do except gossip around each other. And as they say, a lie said for a thousand times becomes the truth."
"Plus, even if someone doesn't believe in these rumors, after hearing them for so long, they'll have a certain mindset toward you. So do you understand why these people are so afraid of you now."
"A bit." I admitted. I really had no idea that people were so afraid of me in the camp.
"It is a good thing." Raka's words took me out of my thoughts and I looked at him incredulously.
"Care to elaborate what you mean by that" I asked, a bit angry at his words.
"Of course. These rumors are a good thing. They make you out as someone who is to be feared. People are afraid of Abnormals and mutant beasts. But once they start living is safe condition, they take it for granted."
"Your brother is a good leader, but if he gets injured someday, there are people who won't blink an eye before trying to take over the camp."
"Your presence acts as a deterrent for them. As long as you are out there, they won't even think about trying to usurp your brother."
"You brothers can play the 'good cop, bad cop' between each others and keep everyone in line."
"After all, the smart ones might not believe in the rumors, but they will always be wary of you."
"Thus, as long as you remain a mystery to the people and show your immense strength once in a while, the people in the camp will remain subservient to your brother." He said.
"That's… you've really put a lot of thought in this, haven't you." I said
He shrugged in response "I was a businessman before everything went bonkers. And even though I might not have been very successful, I understood one thing about it." He said
"And what is that?" I asked.
"Business is about people." He said "If you understand people, then you'll be successful in business. It's as simple as that. I mean there other things involved but that's the main part. Understanding people."
"So you can understand people very well?" I asked and he shrugged in response.
"Not very well but… I've a thing for it. Before I met you and your brother, I had the ambition to become the leader of the town. But after I met your brother and understood him properly, I changed my ambition. Do you know why that is?"
"Why?"
"Because I understood your brother. And from what I've seen so far, I know that he treats his subordinates very well. I'll go far in this world as his subordinate than I'll on my own." He said
"Is that so. I don't know if I should be wary of you or not now." I said.
"Of course you should be wary of me. And him and him and her." He said as he pointed to the three people of our group excluding Neha. "They are not your family. They don't have your best interest at heart. Just like me. If you ever give me the option of saving my own life or saving your life. I would choose the former in an instant."
"So be wary of me. Be wary of anyone who doesn't have your best interest at heart." He said.
"I'll keep your words in mind." I said and we both went back to silence as I contemplated his words.
After walking in silence for a few more minutes, as the sun fell down the horizon, we arrived at the next village.
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