As the military personnel shouted and signaled for him to stop, Harley continued to drive past them, maintaining a steady speed. The sight of him, an infected individual, behind the wheel was surely a cause for concern for the soldiers, but Harley ignored their calls and kept moving.

With determination etched on his pale face, Harley continued to drive, his mind now focused on one goal: survival. The notion of living life anew, in spite of his altered state, fueled his resolve. He steered the car through the deserted streets, the hum of the engine the only sound breaking the eerie silence.

As Harley approached the gas station, he noticed a group of zombies stumbling towards him. In a swift, almost robotic-like movement, he engaged them in combat. He dispatched the infected with brutal efficiency, his stoical expression never faltering.

Harley unscrewed the gasoline lid and filled his car's tank, the gas station pump humming as the fuel poured in. He glanced around the abandoned surroundings, the silence almost deafening. Once the tank was full, he replaced the lid and prepared to continue his journey.

As he sat back in the driver's seat, Harley pondered his next move. The question 'what will I do now?' echoed in his mind, the weight of uncertainty hanging in the air. He was on his own now, a changed being in a world torn apart by chaos. But he was determined, and with a steely resolve, he revved the engine and set off once more.

Harley was taken aback as a sudden, sharp voice echoed through his mind. It was unexpected and somewhat unsettling, breaking the silence of his solitary journey. He gripped the steering wheel tighter, trying to understand where the voice was coming from.

A holographic screen materialized before Harley, the vibrant blue glow adding an otherworldly dimension to the inside of the car. The system seemed to be assessing Harley, stating that the requirements were met. The scene had a surreal quality to it, as if Harley had stepped into a video game.

It was as if the hologram was sizing up Harley, analyzing his condition and whatever it needed to know. The process was swift and efficient, with the system seemingly ready for the next step. Harley sat silently, taking in the situation with a mix of wariness and curiosity.

Without warning, music began to play in the car, breaking the strange silence of the holographic system assessing Harley. The sudden sound, a stark contrast to the quiet solitude of Harley's journey, created a surreal ambiance within the vehicle. Harley's eyes widened momentarily, taken aback by the unforeseen intrusion of music.

Harley's eyes scanned the holographic screen, and he noticed a chat box with multiple odd names of different people. They appeared to be watching and commenting on him, an audience to his situation. The sensation was uncanny, as if he was an actor in some strange play with a hidden viewing gallery.

Harley heard a calm, almost robotic voice within his mind, the system introducing itself. "Greetings, Harley. I am the system," it said, its tone devoid of any emotion. The introduction carried a sense of authority, as if Harley was now under the system's jurisdiction.

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"Please don't be alarmed," the system continued, as if reading Harley's thoughts. "I am here to assist you " it reassured him. The words were somewhat soothing, yet Harley couldn't shake off the feeling of being observed.

The system further explained to Harley about the peculiar spectators who were currently watching and commenting on him. "The viewers you see in the chat are known as eternal entities," it said, its words matter-of-fact. "They are beings of a higher order, observing and guiding human events from their own plane of existence."

Harley couldn't help but think that these supposed 'eternal entities' were just enjoying the spectacle of human suffering. In his mind, they were likely observing and commenting on the chaos and death around him, finding it amusing or detached in nature.

"Harley, you have been selected because you are an ideal vessel for this project," it explained. "Your condition, your stoic demeanor, and your willingness to adapt to change makes you the perfect candidate for what we need."

"Why me?" Harley demanded in a cold tone, his voice filled with a mixture of frustration and resignation. "What makes me so special that these eternal entities chose me for their 'project'?" He looked up at the holographic screen, as if addressing the system directly, his eyes filled with a mix of skepticism and annoyance.

"Out of all the people left in this world, why me? Do I look like I'm capable of fulfilling your 'project'?" he continued, his tone hardening with each word. "Or am I just another pawn in your cosmic game?"

The silence that followed his scathing question hung in the air, as if even the system was taken aback by Harley's direct and defiant attitude. Nevertheless, the system responded, its tone unchanged. "Harley, it is not a matter of being special or capable," it replied, its words coming across as oddly soothing. "You simply possess the qualities that align with our needs."

"You must understand," the system continued, seemingly trying to placate Harley. "There are many humans left in this world, but not all of them possess your unique traits. You are strong, unyielding, and capable of adapting in even the most dire circumstances."

The system went on to explain to Harley that he had a unique advantage in dealing with the virus. "As an infected individual," it informed him, "you have a certain degree of control over the virus within you. Whereas the virus would normally take over and turn others into mindless creatures, your mind and consciousness remain intact, albeit altered.

The system explained that the virus infecting Harley was not just any ordinary pathogen. It had a specific name - Sero-1. "Sero-1 is a highly advanced bio-engineered virus," it stated, its words matter-of-fact. "It was developed by a secretive organization with the intent to create a biologically self-sustaining and adaptable organism. However, the virus quickly slipped out of their control, spreading across the globe and causing a pandemic."

Frustration and anger surged within him as Harley considered the possibility that these eternal entities were merely watching the chaos unfold, completely detached from the suffering and loss of life. In his mind, he imagined them as beings sitting comfortably in a celestial plane, observing and commenting on the human race like spectators at a gladiatorial event.

Harley's irritation grew as he glanced at the chat screen, seeing the chat users enjoying and mocking the situation. Worse still, some were taking the comparison further and calling humans mere 'ants' in the cosmic scale. The casual tone and insensitivity of the comments only served to further fuel his anger.

Harley's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles whitening with frustration and resentment. The image of these beings sitting in their realm, detached and aloof, while the human race fought for survival, was almost too much to bear. He hated being a pawn in their unknown game, a character in their twisted entertainment.

end of chapter 9