Power and strength are something that every Walker wants, which is an undeniable fact. Mi-Yung and others are the same, while the top of the Federation is in broader terms, Walkers who managed to stand below the countless corpses of their predecessors, or friends, that is.

“Skil sheet?”

“Yea... Everything can be accessed with greater details there. That is what a System is. Yours is probably not any different. Some call it a Status sheet, Status board, and so on. You decide on your own interpretation since the System doesn't do that.”

“I see... Sorry for making it sound like my opinion even matters... I don't know anything better.” William apologizes for his mistake while giving himself a bit of slack.

It's not like Mi-Yung finds his words all that harsh, as the truth that this boy holds is his own. He could be different from her, while she is different from others. As for his Emblem, Mi-Yung looks at it with a questionable gaze, as the swirling matter that is within his forearms seems alive even when deactivated.

Like a bloody token, it resembles quite a different kind of Emblem from what is active. Her's, Luke's, and Kaufman's are what William saw so far, but none of them resembles his own. It is safer to say they don't resemble each other at all. The matter in William's hands is of no glister, nor gem, or crystal-like appearance. Instead, it's of deep crimson, while the many dense and little lines of Vectors are visible instead.

It makes it seem rough, but it still retains the previous shape.

Though, it isn't something his mind has to worry abo..No... it isn't even something that could be called a problem at all. Appearance is subjective, while even the sight of his Vector Claw isn't all that strange. Even when Mi-Yung has her own thoughts about it, she doesn't voice them.

Like this, they spend some time calmly resting.

The end of Awakening ends deep in the night. Willem feels rested, while Mi-Yung has no need to worry about it. Though she wouldn't mind a shared bed with Luke.

“Alright. Now, let me explain to you a bit more details about what is coming next. Your number is 95, so you are in the first bracket to go into the Conference Hall. 100 Walkers like you will come there, while one by one will walk for the Examination. The whole process of choices and deals will go next. The Federation, Academy, and many other representatives are there. Understand so far?”

“I know about that already. The preexisting deals you talked about are some that have already finished their choices. Am I right?”

“You do know about it? True. There were a few dozen who had already premade their choices. It's mostly some affiliates or family members of some Walkers. It goes outside of the usual rules of the Examination. but only about a dozen such Walkers are doing so, in this way.”

“Of course. The official way is better while making some deal out of it isn't good. I made some own research, and Ellie helped with it too. Some of this is written in the library, but Ellie told me more about this since her position in the library changed.” William tells the truth.

“Ellie did? How nice. Alright, I won't be talking in too many details if that's the case.”

“You don't have to, but what about your position as my proxy? You told me something before, but how it goes right at this moment?” William asks in curiosity.

“Me? Well... I will move alongside you to present you as your representative, and the person in "charge" of your fate, I suppose. I am unsure of what others have in mind for you, so I will improvise and make some interesting deals for you. That is at least my plan. What do you think?” Mi-Yung says her honest truth, which in turn leaves William kind of surprised.

“Y-you... You didn't have a plan beforehand?”

“There is no need for plans when it comes to the way of getting recruits. People will fight over the deals for great recruits, while not talented ones will end up with average or cheap choices. That's just how things go, William. I have no worries, though. You did great, so I expect some work for myself. Hehehe. Dealing with those Walkers in the Conference hall is going to be fun since I know them all.” Mi-Yung reassures William's sudden worry.

Only a little bit, since the easygoing personality of Mi-Yung could not be bothered with anything else.

Sighting, he accepts her word, since expecting anything else would be borderline stupid on his part. That, or expecting something else is... stupid considering Mi-Yung.

“Alright then. I am following you to the bitter end. There is nothing that can be done about it. Am I right?” William says from a sitting position on the bed. He no longer feels nervous because the worst has already happened.

“Great. Let's go then, but first, how about a change of clothes?” Mi-Yung asks while looking at the bare-chested William, whose shirt is more or less destroyed.

“A-are there some clothes?” William inquires as he examines himself.

“I think so, but it's not like anything better will do. I think there should be some spare shirts in the cabinets. Your little set got just a little bit destroyed. Nothing crazy, since it happens all the time against the Dark beings. Equipment ar...”

“Let's go, before you will lecture me for half an hour,” William argues, while Mi-Yung shut her mouth with her palm. Opening some cabinets, she finds some sheets, and even a single white shirt. It's a little loose, but William wears it over his half-destroyed beige shirt.

His Emblem still has some strange manner of destruction, so he can't hide it.

“That was close,” she mumbles and opens the door outside. With a bag in one hand, she also receives the papers from before.

The clutter of voices and steps of this part of the institution is the same as always. Many voices, annoyances, and institution personnel are walking past many doors. This is the busiest day in this place, for many reasons.

“Patient number 239 is at it again, brother Lou. Let's check on him together.”

“Again? Bloody Walkers! Can't they wake up normally?”

“S-sir? That is the wrong door!”

“Watch the goddamned steps, you dumbtruck!”

Shouts of anger and chaos ensure this place's appeal. William sees it the same as before, but he follows the unshaken pace of Mi-Yung, who can't be shoved by anyone. Others are.

Even with somewhat wide hallways, people stumble across each other, and not many people are happy about it.

It is a regular place and thing that happens every single awakening where most of the brand-new Walkers experience not-that-pleasant things.

Everyone cares about the patients, which are the future of humanity.

“How hectic. It is worse since I came here in the morning.” William mutters close to Mi-Yung so she could hear him.

“It's more of an annoyance than anything else. Follow me,” she says without glancing at the surrounding people. Even if they bump into her, the one who will fall down will be them, and not her.

Without worry, Mi-Yung walks steadily against the flow of people, and soon enough, she reaches a staircase towards the upper floors. Unlike many, there aren't that many people hurrying here. This isn't like the hallway, which is the prime access to all rooms in 2 stories where patients come and go.

Up and above, the staircase leaves to an unknown length, with an opening to another floor once in a while.

William follows since she told him so. On what appears like the 5th turn, quite a sight occurs in William's eyes.

Quite a bigger hallway with sofas all around and quite a number of youngsters like him are standing there. Few talk to each other, while most rest their bodies, or eat some meal aside on the sofas.

Mi-Yung goes forth while pointing to a big door all the way to the other side of the long hallway.

“That is the entrance to the Conference Hall.”

“I figured,” William mutters without her hearing, and looks around some more.

There are about 100 or so people here, while few had a companion like himself. An older Walker, or someone else who manages them.

“Well, they are like me, so there goes nothing. With my number being 95, I will wait a bit longer anyway.”

“Alright. There is an empty sofa. Let's wait there.” Mi-Yung says while already dragging William by his shoulder away.

“W-why does she do this... I can walk.” William complains to himself before he is tossed towards the cushioned sofa that almost feels better than the one in the Library.

“Oh, nice. You even took the food, so we won't starve.”

“You care about the meal at this time?”

“I do.”

“... I am not one to judge, so let's get this over with.” Mi-Yung shakes her head and takes a seat beside William.

Beside them are more people, but no one pays them attention, apart from some appreciative glances at Mi-Yung, that is.

“It shouldn't take more than 2 hours before our turn.” She says as she is looking at the surrounding Walkers.

“I am not complaining. Not like I waited a small time already. A few more won't hurt me.”

“Those are your words.”

Time goes on, and 10 minutes later, the door to the Conference hall opens up. More people arrived by this point, and it seems everyone who is supposed to be here is here.

An older-looking gentleman in a black suit attire stands there amidst a wide door.

Every single person in the hallway stops whatever they are doing. Glancing at the entrance for their future, they shot their heads at the open door and at this old man.

“Ehm. Ehm.” He coughs to clear his throat. A rather hoarse, but his next words, sounds quite healthy and deep.

“Welcome young Walkers of humanity. It is my pleasure to see you doing well. My name is Samoan Mohammed. I am here in the presence of the Federation as an announcer for your future. As with the past, your number from the morning shall be yours.”

“We don't have the token, though.” A rather loud and chubby man shouts from the crown and interrupts the old man.

“Well, young man. At least you have your mind to remember that number. I assume that much.” He shot a death glance at the youth who shuts up as quickly as he spoke.

“Anyway. The start shall go with number 1, who will walk through this door. Everything afterward will go by my announcements that I will announce when is a need for it. So, the rest of you with higher numbers shell relax and wait for your time. The coalition of many organization's leaders to decide your life is beyond the door, so prepare yourself.” Samoan tells at last with a bow, while shouting with an even clearer voice.

“Number 1. Please come in.”

As with the fate of everything, the chubby-looking youth goes forth with a nervous expression on his face. He is alone, and he makes the mistake to piss this person off within the first moment of speaking here.

“What terrible luck.” he scowls for himself, as he disappears beyond the closing door held by Samoan.

“That was quite something,” William says to Mi-Yung, who is unbothered to voice anything. She is still looking at others.

“Of course. Have you noticed the Emblem on his neck? That man is a Rank 7.” she tells after a few moments of silence.

“Neck? That is quite far. No way I've seen that.”

“Well, now you know. It is never a bad thing to know your friend and Walkers in general. We are all comrades in arms, so to speak.”

“I know. I never had an opportunity to do so, but I am hopeful it will change, as my time in the Federation is most likely over.”

“Over? You don't plan to go with the military of the Federation. Even the Academy has some ground in the Federation, you know?” Mi-Yung asks with a glance at sitting William who is a reach away for her.

“Well... There are no rules for anything, so I will try my luck with the Academy if I have a chance.” William tells her the truth she knows for a long time.

A conversation like this isn't the first Mi-Yung heard from him. It simply leaves her with many thoughts and opinions which she doesn't tell him. She has her own reason for that since the Academy isn't that bad of a place for someone like him for sure.

It will be a different approach from his father Victor, who was with the military all his life.

“I am accepting your choice. Why shouldn't I?”

“That sounded like you have more things to say,” William argues upon her choice of wording.

“Who says I don't? Perhaps you will hear them in a bit, as the people beyond that door are people I know quite well. The majority are Assembly members, while some are from far away.”

“That is not the least bit surprising. Can you tell me even something that will shock me?” William tells her with a calm voice. That kind is a long way from a conversation between a senior and a beginner Walker.

“At this point... I have nothing to add.” Mi-Yung sights, while resting his hand around her temple, with an elbow on an armrest.