Mutagen

Day 197 - 10:21 AM - New Infanta Settlement, Infanta, Province of Quezon

Seven days after the barrier vanished, the military settlement of Infanta, Quezon, was now in a better state.

Using the information that Major Bautista brought back from Mark's base about the barrier and the [Mechids], the General pushed military efforts to the maximum. General Faustino wanted to ensure that there would be at least a barricade between the threats and their people once the day no one looked forward to came.

But the time they had, even if the duration was extended by a few extra days from the estimated date, was not enough.

There was no need to mention that the settlement was now lacking in construction materials. It was the second time that the military had to build a settlement, with the first one getting destroyed by the storm surge. They managed to salvage materials from the ruined settlement and transported them. However, it was already used up in making walls and houses in the new location.

Unfortunately, all those new walls and structures all went down during the earthquake a month ago, even taking the lives of more than a thousand people. Large amounts of their food and water supplies were wasted along with all the destruction, making their situation even more difficult.

A good thing was that they had their scientists monitoring the radiation levels and were knowledgeable enough to know the tolerable level that humans could endure. They also had doctors to help treat the symptoms and protection gear that was still intact. Due to this, they were able to dispatch people to gather materials way before the barrier vanished.

The group was just small, and going outside was dangerous. However, it was way better than doing nothing and regret when the worse came.

Still, with the whole country... No, the whole world changed for the worse. It was impossible to gather construction materials, especially those used in modern structures.

Modern materials might be impossible to gather, but there was one material abundant nowadays. Trees, to be exact, wood.

The dimensions fused, and all the untouched forests in the [Spirit Dimension] were transported into the new Earth. There were trees, literally everywhere. Furthermore, these were not just regular trees. These were trees at least hundreds of years old. Some even might be in their thousand years, seeing how towering they were.

With all these trees, it became possible to at least build palisades around the entirety of the settlement. Of course, it would not be easy. In the least, they had to prioritize the east and southern areas of the settlement, considering that the north and west areas were backed into the Agos River.

It was not like the current Agos River was free of danger. In fact, it was even more dangerous than before. It was also still unconfirmed whether the mechanical shark from before was dead or was just in hiding.

At least, it did not make any appearance since the time it was shot down by Mark. The soldiers that fought the mechanical shark that time wished that it died for good. Still, the military was not letting their guards down, keeping their eyes at the river 24/7.

Despite the danger, the river also provided the settlement with fish. The kinds of fish they caught looked nowhere like the fish they knew before the apocalypse, however. The fish were too large, with the smallest ones sized around an adult's forearm.

Furthermore, the fishes looked unappetizing, having horns, thorns around their bodies, and some even had fangs. Even so, the scientists confirmed these ugly fishes to be edible, solving the issue of food slightly.

And now, with everything planned by General Faustino and Major Bautista, the rest of the time that the barrier was still up was spent in logging and constructing the palisades.

Getting enough manpower was not easy, however.

At first, all the work was done with the construction workers and the soldiers.

General Faustino decided to disclose some information about the barrier, especially the estimated time it would last. The announcement was led by Major Bautista.

However, it did not go smoothly.

Although not everyone, many people knew that Major Bautista was not present in the settlement during the catastrophe. Some even saw it when he returned with Mark's group riding on the back of a dragon.

And looking at the Major's state and comparing him with everyone here in the entire settlement, he was in a completely fine state. It was the same state that Mark's group was in when they visited. No wounds, clean, and wearing decent clothing.

It was as if they knew that the disaster was coming and was prepared.

This made a rumor spread that Major Bautista and the other people that came with him left to save themselves. It was not really something that they had proof to justify. But people in peril were good at putting the blame on anything just to make them feel better.

The announcement was not received positively, and Major Bautista was even doubted about how they managed to get the information they were disclosing.

With all the doubts and rumors, it was not wrong to say that the announcement was a failed event. Even the credibility of the information was questioned. Some did not believe the barrier that they could not even see.

Still...

The people might have doubts, but it was true that they needed to move and help the military at this moment.

With the settlement all ruined, they were all prone to facing danger without any protection.

Thus, from one person, it slowly grew. With the remaining number of people, it would not be too hard to build the palisades that General Faustino and Major Bautista wanted to build.

While it was true that the credibility of the military was getting low, it was also proven that people would move as long as there was someone to lead them.

With the return of Major Bautista, the only military officer left together with the injured General Faustino, things were getting back on the track to survival, albeit slowly.

Furthermore, with the strange tribe beginning to work with the military, getting manpower became easier. There was no need to say that the magical tribe could move outside the barrier despite the radiation. They became the main manpower cutting trees for the palisades.

Still, despite the work being done, many people questioned the existence of the barrier.

It was until they saw the cellophane-like dome that appeared a few days ago. The dome covered the entirety of the settlement, enveloping everyone in fear. It was when they remembered the announcement about the existence of the barrier.

That was the first time they believed the military.

However, it was already late. That event was the time the barrier vanished. Everyone felt it when the air of danger blew all over the settlement once more.

Fortunately, the palisade on the southern side of the settlement was already finished, and the eastern side was halfway done. The settlement was still not completely safe, but these huge wooden stakes should at least hinder enemies, allowing the military to have more time to prepare against threats.

Major Bautista stood on the southern side of the settlement, watching the newly built walls. He could only sigh. These walls would not last long, especially against the [Mechids]. However, it was the only thing they would build for now.

In his eyes, he could not help but compare these palisades to the walls of the Mountain Base.

"Damn it... Our walls cannot be compared to that..."

Major Bautista whispered, trying to erase the unnecessary thoughts in his mind.

"Compared to what?"

All of a sudden, a familiar voice was heard from behind him.

Major Bautista turned around. It was his daughter, no, daughters.

"Dad!"

Karla yelled, running towards the Major and hugging him.

"Compared to what, Dad?"

Karlene asked, repeating her question.

"It's nothing." Major Bautista shook his head, returning Karla's embrace. "What are you two doing here?"

It was a surprise to the Major. After all, it had been a while since he chose to stay here and separate from his daughters. He did not expect that they would just appear here all of a sudden.

"We came to visit," Karlene said with a suspicious smile. "I was worried, but the place looks better than before."

Karlene panned her eyes on the palisade. People were working on the new walls diligently, making sure that the walls would not just fall instantly.

"Things are getting better." Major Bautista nodded. "But if we want this place to be safe, we need to do more than just this."

It was not only Major Bautista. All the people involved in building the walls knew that it was just a temporary measure. They need to more and develop further than this.

"By the way, the General is calling for you," Karlene said. "Mark is with him right now."

p "Let's go then."

Major Bautista said as he called for another soldier to temporarily take his post.

Walking back from the construction area to the military camp did not take too long. The military camp was on the south of the settlement now, after all.

This time, however, instead of the infirmary, they went to a separate tent. The tent was quite large, but it did not only serve as the General's private quarters. It was also the current meeting place for the planning they were making for the settlement.

The three entered the tent and saw several people inside.

Mark was there, together with Mei and Spera. Alana was also present, and so was the rest of Joash's group. It was the group that went to the Mountain Base together with Major Bautista because of Mark's request to borrow Professor Chervil Sandoval.

"Why are all of you here?"

Major Bautista could not help but blurt out, seeing the group supposed to serve as Professor Sandoval's bodyguards here.

"Ask that later and come in."

It was not anyone from the group that answered the Major but General Faustino.

Together with General Faustino was, of course, the mercenary Jones Galley. In the middle was Artenaris, the leader of the tribe of [Magical Races] in the settlement.

Major Bautista came in with his daughters and heard about the reason they were here.

Apparently, there was no reason for them to stay in Mark's base any longer. Professor Sandoval's safety was not an issue in the first place, and they only came for formalities. The Mountain Base sure was a good place to stay. However, they were needed more here in the settlement where they came from.

Surely, General Faustino and Major Bautista were touched by that thought and were definitely happy to welcome them back.

Professor Sandoval and Emika's family decided to stay in the Mountain Base, however. It was not an issue considering their safety was a priority.

"Actually, I'm also staying here with Alana and Karla for a while. Is that alright?"

Karlene said to her father.

"Are you sure? You know the state of the settlement. The people might not welcome you here too."

Major Bautista asked Karlene. After all, the New Infanta Settlement was not like the Mountain Base. There were a lot of things missing here. Not to mention the current state of the settlement.

"Who cares about them?" Karlene replied. "You already said it. The settlement is not safe. Your job is to keep the people safe, then it will be our job to keep you safe."

Major Bautista could not reply to that. His daughter was being resolute at this time for him to deny it.

However, there was another reason as to why Karlene and the others chose this time to return.

"This is the best time for them to go back here," Mark said. "I plan to go to Bay City to check on the situation there. I will take some people with me, including her."

Mark pointed at Spera, who some of them knew was capable of opening portals.

Those words from Mark explained the reason. With both Mark and Spera away from the base, there was no way for these people to go back here. It was really the best time, as Mark said.

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