Mutagen

Day 156 - 11:42 PM - Barangay San Jose, Municipality of Mauban, Province of Quezon, Philippines

Leaving the island of Marinduque as early as possible, Mark's group flew straight north towards Infanta.

Compared to yesterday, it was not a comfortable journey, however.

Flying across the sea had its shortcomings. The air was humid, especially around noon, even if the whole world had cooled down after a few months in the apocalypse. Other factors made the journey uncomfortable too.

One would expect that reentering the mainland of Luzon would be a bit more comfortable.

However, it was not the case this time.

The seemingly strong eruption of the Taal Volcano caused a wide area around it to be covered in volcanic ash. And even though Mark's group already flew far from the volcanic clouds, the wind still carried some ash. It was uncomfortable in many ways.

It was lucky that Amihan was here to reduce the problem. Mark also used the [Wind Manipulation Mental Crystal] to cover everyone with a [Wind Barrier].

Looking at how far the afflicted areas of the Taal Volcano's eruption made them think that the apocalypse must have been the factor that severely affected this situation.

At this time, everyone was quite tense. It was not hard to know why. The aforementioned catastrophe was already coming close, and everyone was running out of time.

Among the group, however, someone was uncharacteristically troubled. It was Emika. From time to time, she would look at Mark, seemingly hesitating about something.

One would not notice it, given her lively attitude. However, it was no surprise that she was worried about something.

Once more, she glanced at Mark in front of her as she sat behind him on Chaflar's back.

At this time, however, Emika flinched.

Mark was already staring at her.

"Out with it already." Mark sighed. "You really think I won't notice?"

"Eheheheh..." Emika awkwardly laughed as everyone on Chaflar's back turned to her.

Taking a deep breath, Emika smiled bitterly.

"Uncle... It's... I have a request." Emika spoke. "You're dropping me back in Infanta first, right? I'll convince Mom and Uncle Chervil, so can you take us to your base?"

Even Emika's request was not surprising.

She already knew that the world would face an inevitable change a day from now. It would not be strange if she wanted to secure the safety of her family. Or, in the least, have a better choice in facing that cataclysm.

At Emika's request, Mark shrugged. Nonetheless, there was a smile on his lips.

"You're late," Mark replied. "I already thought up of a reason to "invite" your uncle and family, you know that?"

Emika was already sure that Mark would agree to her request. After all, although Mark could be considered evil towards his enemies, he did value his allies. Not to mention that she also had an amicable relationship with him. Even so, Emika was still troubled. She did not know how she would convince her mother and uncle to come to Mark's base. Her mother might agree after some urging, but convincing her uncle would be hard. Chervil was working with the military and was receiving their benefits.

But hearing what Mark said, Emika's eyes grew wide. If it was Mark that would come up with a way to bring her family to his base, it would definitely work.

"UNCLE! YOU'RE THE BEST!"

Emika exclaimed as she threw herself and hugged Mark from behind.

"Hey! Be careful!" Mark reprimanded her since what she did actually shook Chaflar and everyone riding on its back.

"Sorry! Hehehe!"

Emika apologized, but her expression did not seem like she was repentant about it at all. It showed the extent of how happy she was about what Mark had said.

Mark sighed. Sometimes, Emika was mature compared to her age. But there were also a lot of times that she behaved like a five-year-old kid.

And then, Mark spoke, glancing at Emika's face resting on his right shoulder.

"You better get off now."

"I... I know."

Emika immediately agreed as she noticed three pairs of eyes looking at her strangely.

As Emika said down, she smiled bitterly.

"You three... Don't look at me like that. I'm not stealing your Papa or anything..."

That was right. It was the three daughters of Mark, who was looking at Emika. Even the really mature Iola seemed to be wary.

Sitting beside Mark, Mei was smiling at this scene. As it appeared, the three girls that became Mark's daughters did not want another one to get a share of his attention.

"Seriously..."

Mark did not know what to do about this.

***

Day 156 - 2:30 PM - Mount Malabito, General Nakar, Province of Quezon, Philippines

Another two hours passed. They stopped a little for lunch and continued on the way.

Different from what Emika thought, however. Mark decided to stop by the base first instead of dropping Emika at the Infanta Military Settlement.

And as the group approached the location from the sky, Emika, Berrak, Geronimo, Padua, and Celine, the new members of the group, gazed upon a magnificent sight.

A black-walled fortress veiled by the leaves of a gigantic red-leaved tree.

None of them would think that such a place existed in this country.

"B-Boss... This is your base?"

Berrak's voice echoed from the radio. The shivering in his voice told everyone that he did not expect that Mark's base would be a sight to behold.

It was totally unexpected. After all, if a person was told about a base in a zombie apocalypse, it would likely look like a place build from scraps. Metal sheet walls, and hardly built watchtowers, even unkemptly made houses would be what a typical civilian base in the apocalypse would appear to have.

That thought was not exactly wrong. Many safehouses, bases, and settlements made by people in the apocalypse were made of things they managed to scavenge and built in a hurry. Not everyone had enough time and resources to build a huge, secure place in one go. Even some military outposts were the same. What they would do was scavenge more building materials and slowly secure the perimeter of their safe-havens.

But Mark's base was different. One could see that all the buildings and the walls were made with the same materials. Some structures might have wooden or cement walls, but their foundations and frames were also made of that black metal-like thing.

Not to mention the towering tree at the center.

"What? You have an issue with it?"

Mark replied to the radio.

"Issue? No! It's just..." Berrak's voice continued to shiver. "It's unbelievable... And that tree, is that a Spirit Tree?"

"Yeah," Mark replied to the question. "A pure one."

"Sh*t..." 

Berrak could only curse at the pile of unbelievable things that Mark had. Just how many surprises would Berrak see from Mark and his group? It was regrettable that he lost three pets due to the initial conflict between him and Mark, but now, it did not matter anymore. He just wanted to see more.

The arrival of Mark's group did not go undetected. Starting with the leaves of Chiyo, the Night Everred Spirit Tree glowing gleefully, the people keeping watch of the surroundings saw the familiar silhouette of Chaflar from afar.

As Mark's group landed near the southern gates of the Mountain Base, almost the entirety of the base was there to welcome them home.

"Master. Miss."

Odelina led the greeting as one of the two leaders left in charge of the base while Mark was gone.

"Boss! Ma'am!"

Huey followed suit.

After the two leaders in charge greet Mark and Mei, the other people followed suit.

"Wow... What a reception..."

Padua exclaimed, speechless.

"It's as if Boss is a country president coming back from a foreign meet."

Geronimo muttered, feeling like a country bumpkin that had his first steps into the city.

As for Berrak, he just fell silent. He looked at Mark. Who would have thought that this ruthless person was highly respected by his people?

"Do you all have to do this?"

Mark complained. This scene was definitely not something he was used to or would not want to.

Nonetheless, this kind of scene reminded Mark of something. This made his eyes fall on Aephelia, that was hiding behind Odelina.

"It's your idea, isn't it?"

Mark asked, making Aephelia hide even more.

This scene was similar to how Freed was received when he returned after a great battle. That was why it looked too familiar. It was also a tradition that started in Eriellis, especially when a member of the Royal Family arrived home from a long journey.

Aephelia approached, looking down, guilty.

"I'll talk with you later..."

Mark sighed and turned to the others.

"You all should all go back to work. We don't have much time."

That was a simple sentence, but it was received with silence. Everyone knew that they were going to face a disaster soon. With Mark saying that there was not much time, it might be sooner than they expected.

"Boss, is it happening soon?"

The muscular Ed stepped forward to ask.

"I'll make an announcement later. For now, all of you should go back."

Mark ordered, making the people follow. Of course, they all felt anxious about what Mark would announce.

"Elder Brother!"

Suddenly, a yell came with a figure rushing towards Mark with another person chasing after her.

"Elise! Don't run!"

BAM!

And there, Elise embraced Mark because of his several days of absence.

Mark could only look troubled while looking at the man chasing Elise. Roan, her real brother.

Normally, Mark would tease Roan about how Elise saw him as her elder brother than him. But Mark was not in the mood to do that right now.

"Are you causing trouble for your parents and siblings again?"

Mark asked Elise.

"I-I didn't..."

Without a doubt, Elise was trying to lie her way out of the situation.

Mark shrugged. This girl had her mental age regressed, so this could not be helped. In the least, she was doing better than before. Back then, she was akin to a time bomb that could explode any time. Now, she looked calmer, albeit more childish.

"Stop hugging me. We still have important things to do." Mark said, patting her head.

"B-but..."

"We still have things to do outside later. I'll take you with us. Is that fine?"

"Okay..."

Finally, Elise agreed to stop hugging Mark. She was still holding onto the hem of his jacket, though.

"Sorry about this." 

Roan apologized for the whims of his younger sister.

"It's fine," Mark replied, ignoring the stare of Emika, Berral, and the two soldiers. Even Celine, who was carried by Pefile, was looking at Mark strangely.

"Smelly Uncle..." Emika could not hold it anymore. "Are you building a harem? There's a lot of women around you."

It was a straight question.

Berrak and the two soldiers did not understand the word harem, but they agreed that there seemed to be more women around Mark. Not to mention the groups waiting for them that were composed of mostly women.

It was not a surprising one. One of the groups that were left was the one led by Odelina, together with Spera, Aephelia, Jaeya, and Hannah. There was also Alana, Karlene, and Karla. Karla also wanted to rush towards Mark but was currently held by Alana and was now flailing around. There was also, Huey's group, that had Nicole and Halley. Felicia also arrived, chasing after Roan and Elise. Not to mention that there were more women in the base than men.

And to Emika's question...

"I'm not," Mark answered without hesitation. "I'll only have one wife in this life, and she's standing here."

Mark caressed Mei's hair, making her blush. It was a declaration in front of everyone, after all. Mark and Mei received some teasing, but it did not matter. He was serious about it.

"Anyway, let's stop the useless chatter." Mark flicked Emika's forehead. "Don't you want to bring your family here? We still have to prepare some things."

Hearing that, Emika nodded.

And there, the group entered the base.