Mutagen

Day 376 - 3:29 PM - Port of Gilimanuk, Gilimanuk, Melaya Subdistrict, Jembrana Regency, Bali, Indonesia

One absurdity after another. With the exception of the members of Evernight and Moon Chasers, the rest were baffled by the current situation.

Who was that goddess?

Who were those two excessively-eyed females?

What were they talking about?

Questions without answers entered the minds of the lost witnesses.

The worst part was that their existence seemed to poke the craziness of Dr. Willis.

With eyes that seemed to sparkle in curiosity, Dr. Willis was about to approach the little girl surrounded by the female leaders of the Moon Chasers.

"Don't. Don't be stupid at this time."

"Stop, you crazy."

But from behind, Devon grabbed Dr. Willis' shoulder, and in front, Kana blocked the crazy scientist's path.

"Let me go!"

Of course, Dr. Willis tried to struggle.

"Hah."

Devon sighed as he raised his right hand and hit the crazy scientist's neck, making him fall unconscious.

"Sir. Farel."

Devon called out to the leader of the Fire Fighters.

"Huh? Ah, yes?"

Farel, who was frozen stiff by the unfathomable situation, awkwardly reacted.

"You are the most normal among us here, so it would be difficult for you to comprehend the current situation. Their presence alone should be suffocating for you. I suggest you return first and bring this idiot with you before he causes a disaster. Also, do not let anyone approach this place. Not until we come out."

Hearing what Devon said, Farel looked back at the situation in front. And as the merchant had said, his body felt heavy and suffocated whenever the little girl with many eyes entered his sight.

"I get it. I'll return first."

Farel accepted the suggestion and went out of the tent while carrying the unconscious Dr. Willis on his back.

There were times like this when normal people better not know anything.

"Who are they?"

Estia approached Kana, who appeared to know what was happening, as she asked with a soft whisper.

But in a strangely serious behavior unusual to Kana, she answered Estia's question.

"Just listen silently for now, and you might understand. If not, I'll explain later. Not now."

"O-okay..."

A confused reply came since both Estia and Kela were taken aback by Kana's unusual behavior.

Kana's words also entered General Wijaya's ears, making him turn to the other person who could know. Devon, receiving and understanding the meaning of the general's gaze, shrugged and pointed at Kana while nodding, prompting the general to follow what the blue-haired girl had said.

While the audience was in confusion, Thirteenth began fulfilling her current duty and answering Mark's question at the same time.

"The next phase is about to ensue."

Thirteenth declared.

Luna's group and the rest of the audience were surprised and scared by Thirteenth's declaration. The audience might know less, but it was easy to understand what the scary little girl was saying.

The next phase of the apocalypse was about to come.

"We just got a problem to face, and a worse one came about."

Mark grumbled with a frown. His mental problems had just started to intensify, and they had yet to start thinking of a proper solution. And now, the [Eyes] arrive to announce another problem.

"Just because you have a problem doesn't mean the world will stop and wait for you to resolve it first."

Thirteenth snidely remarked. She might not be showing it blatantly, but it seemed that she held a bit of a grudge towards Mark. It was pretty obvious where that grudge came from.

Seeing Mark stare with a frown, Thirteenth smirked as she continued her announcement.

"The territorial rifts are starting to dissipate. It is expected that, within more or less a month, the territorial borders will open once more."

The spatial rifts that separated the countries after the Second Wave and the Fusion of Dimensions would soon vanish. Some would think that it was a good sign. After all, other countries would become accessible once again, allowing them to escape theirs if they wanted to.

But in hindsight, it could also be a bad thing.

"Can I ask a question?"

Mark interrupted.

"You can, but whether I can answer it or not depends on the question."

Thirteenth nodded.

"What percentage of the human population before the outbreak is still surviving currently?

"

Mark asked.

Thirteenth paused for a bit. And as if she received permission, she answered.

"8%."

The answer made Mark tap his temple before responding.

"That's bad..."

"What's bad?"

Luna chimed in to ask.

With a deep breath, Mark answered.

"With the rifts gone, access between countries will be restored. But it also meant that whatever was imprisoned within the countries that had already fallen would be released to the rest of the world."

That answer made everyone freeze.

In a month, the [Infected] with unprecedentedly high levels of mutations would start roaming freely.

Countries that still had humans or any living creatures would be in grave danger.

With only 8% of the human population left, just how many countries still had humans in it?

"That's also the reason why the rifts are vanishing, right? The population decline."

Mark asked Thirteenth.

"Correct."

Thirteenth nodded.

It had already been explained to Mark and the others before. The existence of the rifts that separated countries within the [Spirit Dimension] was caused by humans as they divided territories and shared beliefs about it. But with the human population nearly gone, territorial boundaries became a thing of the past. Without the belief and humans to support its existence, it should not be surprising if it vanished like this.

"But before worrying about the dangers behind the rifts, there are more urgent things to focus on."

Thirteenth interrupted everyone's thoughts.

"The dissipation of the territorial rifts will cause the space occupied by the rifts to return to normal. The space will stabilize and the chasms will be filled. However, the automatic restoration will cause strong tectonic movements near the affected areas. This would not matter much within inland locations, but considering Luna's entourage would settle in this coastal area, I believe it will be important to inform you all."

Thirteenth began spouting one problem after another.

Strong tectonic movements likely meant earthquakes. Like Thirteenth had said, it would not affect inland locations too much. However, it would mean differently on territorial borders that were encompassed by bodies of water.

Strong tidal waves should be expected in coastal areas.

It was not just an issue here in Gilimanuk. Anything near the coast would be affected by it. It would be much worse than a normal tidal wave caused by a regular earthquake. There were countries surrounded by water, like the Philippines. Since the tidal wave would originate from the territorial borders, countries surrounded by water would be besieged by tidal waves from all directions.

Tidal waves also happened during the Fusion of Dimensions. However, at that time, a barrier protected the human settlements from utter destruction.

Now, however, there was no such barrier.

"Do we have to move somewhere else?"

Luna could not help but ask her friends before asking Thirteenth.

"We're not getting help this time, right?"

"Unfortunately,"

Thirteenth shrugged.

"This time, your survival will be up to all of your efforts."

"I see."

Luna replied, looking determined.

"But it's not all bad news,"

Thirteenth then smiled.

"Unlike countries that shared borders, countries surrounded by water will have extra preparation time after the territorial rifts are gone."

"What do you mean?"

Mark asked.

"As you surmised, there are monstrous creatures lurking behind some of the rifts,"

Thirteenth answered.

"However, while those monsters on land would just need to walk to cross the borders, it will still take time for the ones underwater to come ashore. While the duration might vary, Mark and Luna, you two will have more time to prepare your countries against those monsters."

It might not be much, but that sure was better to hear.

"Singling us like that... Does that have to do with those cringe title thingies Nineteenth mentioned earlier?"

Mark could not help but ask.

"To call those cringe You should be proud to be given such a title, Chaosbringer."

Thirteenth smugly replied, making Mark's eyebrows twitch in annoyance.

"That's right. What are those titles about? And why are we called Saviors all of a sudden?"

Luna also had the same question as Mark. After all, she was just called Moonlightbearer earlier.

"Alright, let me answer."

Thirteenth's tone sure was different as she responded to Luna's question.

And there, Thirteenth, the [Eye of Excitement], explained.

Mark and Luna were, obviously, no longer candidates. Both had survived the candidacy period.

What candidacy period?

That candidacy period was not just about time but also the survival of other countries. New candidates could appear in countries where one had yet to be chosen. On the other hand, selected candidates could also die within that period.

The candidacy period ends when all remaining countries with humans have a candidate selected. This could only happen due to two circumstances. It was either a candidate was selected in all of the remaining countries or all other countries without a candidate had already perished.

According to Thirteenth, the latter happened. And, as those countries fell, it also triggered the dissipation of the territorial rifts.

Since the candidacy period ended, Mark and Luna were now recognized as Saviors. They were the expected leaders to lead their countries towards survival. Of course, it did not mean that they had to. It just meant that they were the ones most capable of doing so.

For now, Mark and Luna were among the best-case scenarios among the Saviors. Both of them were leaders and were recognized by their people.

When asked about why Mark and Luna were among the best cases, it seemed that there was a candidate without a following in a different country, and there was another candidate who was betrayed and overthrown by the people they led. There was even another who was just a member of a community and not a leader, giving them almost no authority at all.

While Thirteenth mentioned those failures, she looked a bit elated. Thirteenth only had two candidates, the least of all the remaining [Eyes], except Nineteenth. Yet, the Saviors under her supervision were among the best.

"Then, what about the titles?"

Mask urged the smug-looking Thirteenth.

"Actually, it's not us who chose that,"

Thirteenth shook her head.

"Those titles were the result of your affinity, actions, abilities, and achievements during the candidacy period. You should understand why, right, Chaosbringer?"

It looked like Thirteenth managed to find something to get back at Mark.

But, then again, Mark was unable to refute.

Wherever Mark went after the apocalypse, something chaotic would happen. It did not matter whether he created one, but if he did not, someone else would, and he would be involved in it.

"What the heck..."

Mark complained as his eyes turned to Luna, the Moonlightbearer.

A light in the dark. It sure suited her in many ways.

"So, what do you think, Moonlightbearer?"

Mark suddenly asked Luna.

"Wha-ah-" Luna blushed in embarrassment. "C-can you not call me that? I know I'm a weeb and all, but it's making my spine shiver!"

It looked like the two Saviors were not ready to receive their titles.

"Anyway, that's all I have to announce. If you two still have questions, ask quickly."

Thirteenth told her two Saviors.

"Are you leaving immediately?"

Luna could not help but ask.

"Leaving?"

Thirteenth tilted her head. It would have looked cute if she had a normal number of eyes on her face.

"I just got released. I would rather stay for a while. I just want to end my work time faster."

Thirteenth said as she sat on Mark's bed by his foot. Stay connected via mvl

"So, you did get punished."

Mark commented, only to receive an annoyed glare from the [Eye of Excitement].

"Now, now. Don't tease her too much."

Luna complained to Mark as she patted Thirteenth's hair.

"And you should stop doing that."

Thirteenth also complained, but she did nothing else to stop Luna.

That sight sure surprised two people. Kana and Devon.

Kana was surprised, but that was it. It seemed she knew about the [Eyes], but her knowledge was limited.

On the other hand, Devon had deeper thoughts. The [Eyes] were not beings mortals could easily interact with. Yet, Mark and Luna could tease and argue with them like equals or even friends.

Devon decided to change his views about Mark and Luna. They might be far more important beings than he initially thought.

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