Leave The Monster Alone

The sound of the gunshot was loud and it echoed through the empty space around them all with a bang. Mark felt his attention being diverted toward that shot and as did everyone else, now realising that the other had a weapon.

Finally, they all seemed tense but quiet and Mark could try talking with them.

"Stand down please, the monster is an ally from our base and she'll not harm you" Kuro growled which made some of those people flinch but otherwise seemed content not to do anything. 

The others did not seem convinced at his words, their weapons still aimed at the feline and Mark decided it was the best time for Kuro to appear harmless. He signalled the feline to appear harmless which got him a feeling of irritation but the feline did as asked.

A dozen or so people matched with curious eyes as the huge feline no longer retained her huge form but now seemed content to make a home in the speaker's arms. Her small growls were still aimed at them though but they no longer sounded as threatening.

Size really did make a difference after all.

"Who are you people?" the man in the front of the group asked, now no longer pointing his gun at Kuro. Instead, his gun was now aimed at Mark which made the group tense. Everyone except Mark had their own weapon aimed at the leader which caused a chain reaction.

"We're from the base, the one near the mining caves led by officer Liam. We were hoping to run into you here" Mark almost cursed right there when he realised that he likely did not know his base's name.

It had just never seemed to be that important when other bases were not going to come into play for some time but hopefully, this information would be enough for them to trust him. Behind them, Alan and Rika seemed to let out a small laugh before the female stepped forward.

Mark focused on Kuro while the female provided information because, unlike him, she remembered those details and could actually make herself useful.

"I understand the situation. Please follow behind me so that we can reach the base safely. Unfortunately, we do not have enough resources currently so we will not be able to look after you hospitably" the dozen or so soldiers who had ambushed them did look exhausted and a little pale.

It was clear that they did not have enough to sustain them currently and that should be expected given the current circumstances. Of course, even these places were getting short on food and supply if their own base was.

And they had Liam as well as the protagonist to sustain them currently.

"It would be our pleasure. Our leader Liam wanted to talk about supplies and other important stuff with you all" they looked relieved at his words. The quiet forest finally seemed peaceful enough before it was engulfed by the loud roar.

The team in front of Mark seemed to be shaking a little and they finally began leading them.

"I'm sorry for this hurry but I don't think we are safe here. This monster is not something we can handle in our current state" the leader seemed apologetic enough that Mark felt bad. But even he had no intention of meeting this monster recently.

They were led to the side of a few boulders where the people in front seemed to be pushing some large boulders. A hole emerged from behind those with a staircase and people hurried inside.

Mark made his way inside too but he saw two or three people stay behind.

"Aren't they going to come too?" Alan asked, his eyes moving to the other too and Mark could sense his desire to help them. Rika almost took a step too before their guide pulled her back, his arms stopping her from taking another step.

"It's best we hurry back. They will cover our tracks and lead the monster astray before making their way back here" those people were as good as dead then but no one said the obvious fact.

"Do you do this every time you go out?" Mark asked, now feeling sorry for this base. Were conditions really this bad here to resort to such a tactic?

"Not always but it is necessary to not lead the monster here. We have been successful so far but we do not know how long we will last. Our workforce is limited after all. But that's beside the point. Please come inside" Rika and Alan did not look happy at that decision and it could cause some issues.

It made Mark realise that these people did not have any idea about these places. They still thought monsters were a huge threat and would kill them all if they found this base. Just how many people were lost this way?

HIgh-level monsters could enter the base but they could not kill anyone outside the special permissions. However, small monsters could not enter at all but how were these people supposed to know?

"Tell them to come inside and I'll camouflage this entrance so that it is not found by the monster. It works in our base so it would help here as well" the other still did not look convinced at all at his words.

Thankfully, they had Rika with them who could bullshit their way out of this mess.

"I developed this technology which can hide all our scents and signals but if even one person is out then the monster will be led here anyway. Besides, I can stay back here to make sure everything stays alright" Mark knew that she was just following his lead but can she not put herself in danger?

Was she even listening to half of the bullshit that came out of her mouth? 

On her side, even Alan looked determined to stay back which caused Mark to heave out a tired sigh. Why were these people so difficult to understand?

"Alright. I'll call them back for now but I'm not sure how beneficial it would be. If we all die then it's on you" the other called the checkers back who looked far too hesitant. Mark would like to say that it was his words that convinced the other but it might as well be Kuro's small growls that made him agree.

After all, there was already a risk in having one monster here so what was another risk. 

But the lack of resistance did put Mark off a lot. The other was not complaining or fighting back at all, almost as if they were his last hope. It just highlighted the fact that things had come to such a low point here.

"Please wait here while I go and inform my superiors" the person left them in an empty hall with a few people who seemed far too tense at their arrival. Most of these people had at least one eye on them and they seemed to be evaluating them.

The atmosphere was cold but the lack of people made it even worse overall. It felt like they were in hostile territory all of a sudden.

"Please follow me to the centre. The captain would like to have a few words with you" the person came back far too soon, his face almost hopeful now that he saw them unharmed.

They followed them through the long corridor to another empty base. No-one stopped them and they saw no guards along the way. It was a weird experience, a contrast to what Mark had believed would happen. 

But he could not deny the cold and gloomy air the place emitted and every step felt far too difficult to take. The lack of any noise also made it unnervingly haunting.

They passed through a hall, empty of any residence and what could have been a dining hall once with a shop stand deserted by anyone.

The one leading them stopped too, his gaze moving toward the empty shop.

"We never got a chance to open it since we never had enough. We had to turn so many people away as well and I regret it all now. Please do not stop on account of these places or we'll be late" the person led them further inside the haunting place.

Alan and Rika looked far too uncomfortable but Mark could not help but notice other details here. Most people were fit and working-class, hardly any elderly here. Did they turn such people away or did they all die?

Or was there another reason there was no elderly here? A gaming function since the base was a minor one and would not get any interaction? 

Whatever the reason might be, it was not any of Mark's business, was it?

"We're here" the room they were led to was located at the end of their present corridor and Mark saw that it was the end of the base as well. Finally, Mark entered the door and faced the leader of this base.

He needed to have very important words with the leader today.