Chapter 25 One more trip – Cassis

As soon as Cassis, Arianna, and the others stepped out of the archive room, they were met by Terrence, who stood in their path with his arms crossed. His expression was serious but not unfriendly.

“I don’t want to be an asshole,” Terrence began, his gaze flickering between Cassis and Arianna, “but I think we all deserve to know—how the hell are you two so strong?”

Cassis smiled, sensing an opportunity. Not just to satisfy the survivors’ curiosity, but to spread her name. He had no idea what would happen if Arianna—no, Sapphire—became more famous, but he was certain there had to be a reason why, in the other timeline, some Awakeners practically shouted their patrons’ names from the rooftops. And, if he was being honest, the thought of Arianna’s reaction made it all the more tempting.

She would get flustered. Her cheeks would turn pink, her eyes would widen slightly, and she might even—yes, there it was. She was already looking wary, sensing something was up.

He fought back a smirk and turned to address the group.

“Actually, we had some help,” he said, his tone carefully casual. “When Arianna and I killed our first monsters, a deity called Sapphire took an interest in us and offered to be our patron. Accepting her offer gave us certain advantages—faster level progression, more strength, access to knowledge about the apocalypse that others don’t have.”

A murmur rippled through the group.

Cassis continued smoothly, “For example, you all saw the system message after the battle, right? It called this attack the first wave. What you don’t know is that the wave has a time limit—forty-eight hours. That means it’ll be over soon. After that, most of the monsters will disappear, most heading to newly formed dungeons. Only the mutated animals and plants from our world will remain, except for a few stragglers.”

Terrence frowned, considering this. “How do you know all that?”

“Sapphire told us.” Cassis gestured vaguely upward, as if referencing some higher power. “She sometimes gives us items, like our weapons and defensive gear. She can’t do everything, but without her, we wouldn’t be as strong as we are now.”

Now, he did smirk—because he was watching her. Arianna’s face was burning red. She shot him a sharp look that very clearly said, What the hell are you doing? Then, as if realizing she was being too obvious, she stuck out her tongue at him.

His smirk widened. Adorable.

Terrence, however, wasn’t done. “This patron of yours—does she have a mission? A goal?”

Cassis shrugged. “I don’t know.” That much was true in the sense that he didn’t think Arianna had any kind of goal right now, and it was also the safest answer to give. The less people knew, the better.

A few more questions followed, most of which Cassis dodged with variations of I don’t know or She hasn’t told us.

But the important thing? People were listening. And the name Sapphire was spreading.

And if Cassis had learned anything from his last life, it was that power wasn’t just about strength. It was also about influence.

He hadn’t been like this in his last life. Maybe he had been too angry, too depressed, too much in his despair to care about influencing others. For some reason he had had this drive to survive but beyond that he often had felt empty.

As the conversation continued, Cassis took note of the changes happening among the survivors. Some of the stronger fighters in the larger groups had reached Level 5, either from their kills during the battle or simply from surviving the first wave.

From what he could gather, their rewards weren’t as generous as what his own group had received. Was it because they had helped? Did that factor into the system’s calculations?

The survivors had all gained a level, the title Superior Survivor, and another title that seemed tailored to their individual contributions. It wasn’t too different from what Cassis and his group had received after this second large battle—one level up, and a personalized title.

Arianna’s new title was very useful.

[Helping Hand]

Given to an awakener who turns around in extreme situations and offers those slower than themselves a helping hand.

Bonus: Support and healing spells cost 10% less mana.

It suited her. It wasn’t a combat-related title, but it reflected the way she kept putting herself at risk to help others. Whether it was dragging injured survivors to safety or healing those in need, she never hesitated. The mana reduction bonus was small, but in the long run, it would add up.

Then, he checked his own title.

[Steadfast Leader]

Given to an awakener who leads a group of 20 people or more and keeps their cool even in dire circumstances.

Bonus: People will be more inclined to listen to your opinions and orders.

Cassis frowned slightly. He wasn’t quite sure how to feel about it.

He had never received a title focused on people before. His previous life had been all about strength, fighting, surviving on his own terms. But now? Now he had a title centred around leadership.

Sure, he had been leading, but only because there was no one else who knew what to do. He had the knowledge, the experience—if he didn’t take charge, people would die. That didn’t mean he had ever wanted to be a leader.

And yet, here he was. The system itself seemed to recognize it.

His fingers twitched slightly at his side. Was this a sign that he was heading down a different path this time? One where survival wasn’t just about himself but about the people around him?

His gaze flickered toward Arianna. She had changed things. Maybe, in this life, he wasn’t meant to walk alone.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

After checking in on his own group, Cassis turned back to the gathered survivors. “We’re heading out,” he announced, his voice carrying through the hall. “We’re going to check the school and the surrounding neighborhoods. There might still be survivors who need help.”

At that, Ben immediately perked up. “I’ll come with you.” He straightened, determination clear in his eyes. “I haven’t picked a class yet, but I’ve hit Level 5. My friends live near the school—I need to see if they’re okay.” His mother started to protest but then looked at the blood still sticking to her son then at her own hands stained red. She bit her lips and remained silent.

Cassis nodded to her in understanding. Ben wasn’t a fighter, but he had a good head on his shoulders. With the right class, he could be more likely to survive. Cassis would take care of him. “Fine, but you should pick a class before we head out,” Cassis advised. “Maybe a mage.”

Ben hesitated, but before he could respond, others began stepping forward.

Luke Bristol volunteered next. “Count me in. Can’t sit around while people out there are still in danger. You saved my Nadine and Violet, now I’ll pay it forward and save other people.”

Max and his wife, Susan, exchanged a glance before Max nodded. “We’re coming too.”

Helen stretched with a lazy grin. “I could use some fresh air. Let’s go.”

Most of the volunteers were already experienced fighters—those who had managed to hold their own against the first wave and consequently reached level 5. The rest of the survivors, however, looked exhausted or unwilling to set foot outside again. Cassis didn’t blame them. The first time he had lived through this, he had felt the same way.

“I’ll stay behind,” Terrence spoke up. “Someone needs to make sure the rest of the group stays safe.”

Cassis inclined his head in approval. Terrence had chosen the Warrior class upon hitting Level 5 and had the makings of a solid frontline fighter. Having him stay behind would keep the others safer. Just because there weren’t any monsters in the area now didn’t mean some wouldn’t wander in in the next few hours.

Helen, on the other hand, was already a Level 5 Ranger. Cassis was willing to bet she’d take the Thief’s route when she advanced her class—exactly the kind of thing she would do. He smirked at the thought.

In the end, the group was set. Two rangers: Helen and Susan, one mage: Ben, and five warriors: Max, Fiona, Boris, Juliano and Tim, joined them.

Before they left, Cassis made sure everyone was properly armed. He handed Max his old basic sword, watching as the man tested its weight with an approving nod. Arianna followed suit, giving Ben her old baseball bat.

Then, she turned to the rangers. With a flick of her hand, she pulled out a set of bows and quivers from her inventory—basic weapons, but more than enough to get the job done.

“From Sapphire. It’s to make you more effective in a fight. The arrows will refill automatically by using your mana,” she informed them, handing them over.

Susan turned the bow over in her hands, looking both awed and slightly overwhelmed. Helen, of course, took hers with an easy grin, already testing the drawstring.

The other warriors would have to use what they had as Arianna’s CP wasn’t endless.

With everyone armed and ready, Cassis turned toward the doors.

“It’s time,” he said. “Let’s move.”

And with that, they stepped out into the ruined streets, heading toward the school.

The streets were eerily empty at first, the only sounds their careful footsteps echoing against the abandoned buildings. The absence of monsters was good—Cassis knew that would only hold for about a kilometre, just like the system had said.

After walking over a kilometer from City Hall, the first groups of creatures started appearing. It began with small clusters of two or three, easily dispatched, but as they pressed forward, the numbers increased. Soon, they were facing groups of up to fifteen monsters at a time.

This time, however, the fights weren’t nearly as desperate.

Cassis had instructed the new fighters to form their own party since each group was limited to ten members. He brought Ben and Helen into his own party, while the rest formed another with Susan as their leader. It was a good setup—both parties worked together smoothly, covering each other’s backs as they pushed through the streets.

The more they fought, the better the newcomers became. Their strikes were more confident, their teamwork improving with every encounter.

Arianna, still low on mana, had taken to fighting purely with her mace, bashing in skulls with surprising efficiency. Cassis smirked to himself—her [Chaotic Healer] title was proving to be quite fitting.

Ben seemed to be following her and his father’s example. Rather than relying on magic, he mostly used his baseball bat, swinging with all the force he could muster. Smart choice—saving mana now meant he’d have it when they truly needed it.

The fights continued as they carved their way toward the school, and soon the exhaustion began to set in. Cassis could see it in their movements—the slight hesitation in their attacks, the heavier breaths between swings. Even his own group, experienced as they were, wasn’t immune to the toll of continuous battle.

By the time they reached the school, Cassis made the call to stop.

“This way,” he said, leading them into a narrow alley they had just cleared. It was a defensible position, with a single entrance and enough space for them to sit and catch their breath.

As they slumped against the walls or sat on the ground, the only sound for a moment was their collective panting. Cassis took stock of their condition noting exhaustion but the will to continue.

He exhaled, glancing toward the school.

Cassis checked the time. It was a little past noon. The monster wave would only last a few more hours, but there was something he hadn’t told the others yet—something critical.

For the last hour of any monster wave, the creatures would enter a frenzy.

It was as if they instinctively knew this was their last chance to kill and feed before they were forced back into their dungeons. During that final hour, monsters would become more aggressive, more unpredictable. They would roam further and attack at the slightest sound or smell, even going so far as to enter houses on their own. That meant they didn’t have much time left to find the survivors and get them to a defensible location before the chaos erupted.

Cassis knew that the school’s janitor, Sinu, lived in the house right next to the school with his family. In the previous timeline, most people in this area had managed to survive—until the frenzy. Then, one by one, they had fallen. Sinu and his family had been among the victims. Many of Cassis’s former students and colleagues had died as well.

He clenched his jaw. He wasn’t going to let that happen again.

But they didn’t have time to go from house to house convincing every survivor to band together. They needed a plan.

Switching to their private party chat, he reminded Arianna of the frenzy. She cursed over their chat. She had forgotten about it.

“We don’t have much time before the frenzy starts. We need to warn our group, clear out as many monsters as possible, and find a stronghold.”

Arianna was quiet for a moment before responding.

“The school would be ideal, but we don’t know what’s inside. Sinu’s house might be easier to defend.”

Cassis nodded to himself. “Agreed. We should check his house first. If it’s secure, we can use it. If not, we push for the school.”

“Alright. What about the other survivors? We can’t just leave them scattered in their homes when the frenzy starts.”

“I know. That’s the problem.” Cassis hesitated before adding, “I have an idea. But I don’t know if it’s possible.”

Arianna perked up. “Go on.”

“Can you buy some kind of megaphone from the patron shop?”

“Wait a sec. Yeah, they’re called amplifiers and cost only 20 CP. Are you thinking of…?”

“Yes, once we’ve cleared most of the monsters in this area, I’ll use it to broadcast a message. We’ll say it’s a revelation from a deity—Sapphire—warning about the monster frenzy and calling survivors to the school.”

Arianna was silent for a moment. Then, she snorted. “That’s… actually kind of brilliant. Play up the divine knowledge angle, get them to listen.”

Cassis smirked. “Exactly. If people think a deity is giving them a direct warning, they’ll be more likely to believe us and move quickly. Plus, we can spread your name even further. Maybe you can then finally use the FP for something.”

“Alright. I’ll buy the amplifier now. Let’s warn the others and get moving.”

Cassis ended the chat and looked at the group. He had no idea how many people they would be able to save, but one thing was certain—this time, he wasn’t going to let history repeat itself.