Aiken’s stride was wide and his gaze was aloof, but Eldon noticed, just for a moment, a slight hesitation in him.

What is it? Eldon focused on Galen, who was trailing behind Aiken. Is it because of…?

When Eldon saw Galen last, he was a complete mess, unable to think straight. However, the stalwart man who allowed him on the roof, despite being rivals, had now returned. The anxiety that allowed Eldon to trick him so easily was nowhere to be seen.

‘Someone whose strength is based on weakness.’

However, before they could cross the cavern and reach their group, a deep rumble echoed, stopping them in their tracks. The stone doors in the cavern’s wall, before which the Campers were waiting, were opening.

The Campers collectively rose as it swung open with slow, grinding sounds, allowing them to see what lay inside.

Mouth-watering treasures appeared before them. Glittering jewels, shining weapons, glowing orbs, and ominous-looking scrolls were only a few of the countless attractive resources Eldon could see.

Camper or not, any abnormal would lose their minds upon seeing so many useful resources. They didn’t recognize the treasures themselves, but they could easily sense how useful it would be to them.

Eldon alone was unaffected by the treasures’ allure. Just a day ago, he would charge in without caring about consequences. Not anymore. Even if there was an elixir that could magically elevate a D-rank level abnormal to S-rank, as he was, it would merely be a relaxing drink for him.

But in the end, he couldn’t help but wonder.

What if there’s something in there that can...?

Eldon doubted that it could exist. He doubted anything could reverse the complete destruction of an abnormality. The Government’s efforts to investigate the nature of the abnormalities through the Revolution Operations never paid off, leaving the true nature of what humans called ‘abnormalities’ unknown. Without understanding it, how could the Government possibly have a cure for losing it?

However, the government held numerous secrets. How certain could one be that they lacked this miracle cure?

The Campers were one instant away from charging in mindlessly. Despite being in the Quartermaster’s Store, they wouldn’t hesitate.

Just as they were ready to charge, the cavern walls suddenly lit up with patterns. A formless pressure descended on the Campers, forcing them to stay still.

A series of footsteps echoed in the ensuing silence. A hooded figure entered their view, draped in a black coat, its face covered by an eerie mask. The mask was plain white, with red lines drawn across the eye slits and around its edges. Green, ghostly flames rose from it, and the figure’s entire person exuded a debilitating aura.

Seeing the figure, only one name appeared in Eldon’s mind.

The Quartermaster.

The Quartermaster was less renown than other S-ranks, but it was not because of his lacking strength. It was that nobody could find out much about him. Not even Eldon knew much of him, besides the fact that he was one of the Spire’s S-ranks.

However, from the suited woman’s words, it was clear that the Quartermaster was omnipotent within the scope of his duties.

“Now that I have your attention, allow me to explain the present situation.”

The Quartermaster’s voice was raspy. He raised a hand. Green energy rose from it, floating to the passageway behind him, filling it up with green fog. In an instant, the doorway was transformed into something similar to the Alohad devices’ interface, with floating, three-dimensional icons.

“You want supplies,” said the Quartermaster. “You want resources. You want these glittering elixirs, sparling gems, and gleaming swords, but you are not the only one who wants them. Five thousand Campers, a million legion soldiers, and countless more abnormals would love to get their hands on them. Should we give it out to everyone, then? Distribute it evenly for universal happiness?”

He paused, as if to give them a chance to respond. Then he continued. “Of course not. Equality itself is a paradox, one that relies on its antithesis for resolution. Yes, indeed. True equality lies in inequality. Only those who are useful will be rewarded.

His hand waved once more, causing all but one icon to fade into the background. It grew larger until it was clearly visible. It was a golden shield, glittering and pulsing with an otherworldly aura. Behind it, there was a sword, a spear, and an axe. In the center, letters Eldon recognized were emblazoned.

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Leader, he read.

“To this end, the Spire has designated a fair ranking system within each team. This ranking system takes everything into account; your strength, your resourcefulness, and your contribution to the team. You all have already been assigned a ranking, but note that it is liable to change. Once the operation begins in full swing, expect to see changes.

“On their own, these ranks offer many privileges and benefits. The leader holds the ultimatum within any team, and anyone who goes against them is liable to death. The second rank holds the ability to invite or remove team members on behalf of the leader. The third rank has access to the team’s stats and abilities.

“It continues, beyond what you need to know now. However, one of these privileges is most important to you right now.”

As he spoke, the golden badge faded into green smoke, which then reconstructed itself into a counter whose numbers constantly increased. In moments, it reached the hundreds, and soon it was in the thousands.

“Team points,” said the Quartermaster. “Team points are the total contributions your team has made to the war effort. Currently, all teams have the same points, but that will soon change. The more your team contributes, the more points it will receive.

“These team points will then be shared among the team members. You ask how? Of course, it will naturally be divided based on your rank!”

The Quartermaster’s face was hidden, but Eldon shivered, thinking of the smile that could be hidden underneath. “Teams compete against each other, and within themselves. This is how equality is achieved—through intense rivalry.”

The icons disappeared in a puff of smoke, and even the shimmering interface disappeared with it.

“Team points will serve as your rewards and the currency. Each resource has a price tag. You can go in and choose as you wish as soon as you’re ready.

“But you only get fifteen minutes. In fifteen minutes, you’ll be teleported back here, regardless of your remaining points. You can only re-enter when the Store reopens.

The Quartermaster spoke of teleportation, a power difficult to find among any abnormal, but Eldon felt nothing odd about it. It was the Spire, after all.

“However, if you don’t wish to waste your time and efforts, then I will help you. I’ll guide you to the section with your desired items. You will avoid aimlessly wandering in the Store for long, only to leave empty-handed or with incompatible resources... all for a small price.

The Quartermaster split the air with his palm. “Half of your team points will belong to me. To clarify, you’ll receive only half the value you would have otherwise. A fair price, wouldn’t you say?”

He snapped his fingers. The glowing runes on the wall dimmed in response, the stone becoming normal again. Eldon loosened his shoulder muscles as the pressure disappeared. The pressure hadn’t been too much—just enough to keep him perfectly restrained.

The Campers had regained their freedom, but they didn’t move recklessly. The Quartermaster, having completed his exhortation, left the doorway and stood by the side.

“To take your chances or to seek my help, the choice is yours,” the Quartermaster said. Then he fell silent, still as a statue.

The Campers, still wary, made no moves until several moments had passed. Only after that did they check their Seekers’ points.

Eldon did the same. The Seeker’s interface remained unchanged, except for a new ‘Wilder Team’ icon. Upon opening it, several fluctuating meters, numbers and icons popped up before him, but he sifted through them, looking for something specific.

As expected. When he found it, he wasn’t surprised. Unlike what the Quartermaster showed them, his rank shield was not golden, but brown, the color of wood. The sword, spear, and axe were rusty, lacking any semblance of sharpness. The badge displayed the rank he expected.

‘7th’

Eldon glanced at it briefly before swatting it away. He soon found the other one, the icon depicting how many points he had.

It was also nothing surprising, a measly fifty points.

The Campers who had taken stock of their standing began entering the Store one by one. Few even glanced at the Quartermaster where he stood. Being Campers, they relied on themselves. Losing half their points was an unaffordable price. The optimal choice was clear to them.

Eldon touched his chest, feeling his throbbing heart, then looked at the points again.

Fifty points.

Eldon wasn’t sure if the Store held a miracle cure, but even if it did, fifty points wouldn’t be enough to purchase it.

If he had not lost his strength, he might have gained more points, but weak as he was, he barely contributed to the team’s ability, therefore he barely received any points. The Quartermaster had said the ranking system was fair, and Eldon agreed. It was a bit too fair.

“Eh?” Logan’s puzzled voice sounded. “I’m… sixth? Did I make a mistake? We’re just seven in our team, aren’t we, Senior Zachary?”

“I suppose so…” Zachary also sounded confused. “Wait, if you’re sixth, doesn’t that mean…”

Eldon didn’t wait to hear their conclusion, and neither did he turn to see their expressions. He stepped forwards, towards the giant double doors, along with many other Campers.

“Eldon, wait up!”

He didn’t look back. He headed straight for the Store’s entrance—specifically for the masked figure that stood by the side.

Eldon stopped before the Quartermaster, who slowly raised his head, looking deep into Eldon’s eyes.

“Boy,” he spoke in his raspy voice. He cocked his head. “Are you here to request my help?”

Looking into the mask’s slitted eyeholes, Eldon nodded.

Others could not afford to lose half of their points, but Eldon could.

Fifty points? Twenty-five points? There was barely any difference.

If he went by himself, he’d surely fail to find anything useful. Even if the Store had the miracle cure somewhere, and his measly fifty points were sufficient to purchase it, where would he begin to search for it?

Others might not even entertain the thought of losing half of their points, but he understood it clearly. The Quartermaster described the Store as ‘boundless’. Its scope was sure to be beyond his imagination. In addition, the fact that this alternative option was available indicated its viability.

Therefore, Eldon’s choice would remain the same, regardless of whether he had fifty or five thousand points.

The Quartermaster observed Eldon briefly.

“A wise choice,” he finally said, before smacking his palm on Eldon’s forehead. A strong force thrust Eldon into darkness, yanking him through the void.