The presumed base of operations for Breakpoint was nothing more than a street with row houses on each side. It was a short street with two groups of four guards capping each end, with single intermittent sentries down the sidewalks. There were tents set up down the middle of the street with dozens of people congregated, most were either eating or conversing with others. The closer we came to this headquarters the more people we saw, still a block away we started hearing the beautiful sound of actual civilization once more. It was a surreal experience, actually noticing the hum of people interacting once more. As we arrived and beheld a group of people more than 10 strong for the first time since initialization, we all breathed a sigh of relief. I knew internally we weren't the last humans out there before arriving, the sheer amount of people I could feel with my Energy Control skill proved it, not to mention the constant flow of patrols along the streets as we neared, but there was something to be said for actually seeing people acting like people again instead of crude barbarians killing everything in sight.
The first thought I had after my inner sigh of relief was that I wanted a damn shower, though I instantly discarded that thought as I doubted these people had electricity let alone running water, not to mention warm water. As I banished my fantasy of a hot shower the guards posted on this side of the street blocked our way, gathering in front of us and speaking with the patrol group that brought us here, they never let their eyes off of us once. They whispered in low tones with each other, presumably relating the situation to the guards and potentially getting orders. The guy who I assumed to be the head guard here stepped forward to speak with us. He was a few inches taller than big axe guy but had a slimmer build, though that still meant he looked like a buff dude who went to the gym every day.
"You will give us your weapons and wait here for someone to come speak with you." Head guard guy said in a decent imitation of someone who had authority.
My immediate thought was Fuck No ha ha ha, but as I turned to my group, they seemed far too willing to accept this absurd request. To my immense relief I found a mirror of my unwillingness in Rick's usually easy-going expression that was now showing what I considered to be the proper amount of distrust and skepticism. My next look was to Gideon to whom I sent a miniscule head shake in the negative as soon as he caught my eye. His eyebrows rose and he sent me a questioning look and mouthed "why not". I somehow stopped myself from facepalming, I truly did not know I possessed such willpower and self-control, truly I must have been receiving stats in those areas too. I internally snorted. I sent him a glare trying to impart my desire to smack him upside the head and scream fuck no. This all transpired within about two seconds, at the end of which I simply asked the guy if we could have some time to talk about it first.
"There's nothing to think about boy, you will either give us your weapons of your own volition or we will take them from you." Head jerk face guard said to us.
This time I actually did snort out loud before I could stop myself. Suppose I need more of those invisible self-control stats. It wasn't my best move but honestly, fuck this guy if he thinks he can take shit from me. Before the guard could say anything, Gideon jumped into the conversation.
"Look we don't know you guys, at least give us some time to consider giving up our weapons." He gave the head guard a pleading look.
Honestly, I wouldn't even lose my real weapons and there was still no way I was giving up my knife.
"Listen you really don't have-" Guard guy started, but apparently, we had attracted enough attention for someone with some pull to notice.
"Austin, it's fine I'm sure we can refrain from taking their weapons if they just stay outside the HQ, right?" The new guy said, he acted important, but didn't speak like he was giving orders. A lieutenant maybe?
"Grover, we can't just let armed combatants sit outside of headquarters." The guy I now know is named Austin says back, annoyance in his voice, though he kept it under control.
"They will be kept under watch the entire time, it will be fine, let them keep their weapons." I liked Grover more already.
"I'll send a runner to get the boss, I guess they can stay here until he decides otherwise." Austin says with a sigh.
"Nice to meet you Grover, my name is Reaper." I shoot a smile at the man, and nod to show my appreciation.
"Ah of course, it's good to meet you as well." Grover turns his full attention to our group,
Gideon introduces our team, and the tension slowly disperses. Gideon engages in small talk as we wait for the man in charge of this operation. While he's doing that, I keep my eyes on the guards and my Energy Control skill pulsing every other second. It only takes another minute before I spot a six-foot tall broad shouldered blonde man striding down the street with two escorts. On his left, my right is a five-foot five brunette with impressive curves and a coldly beautiful face. On his right, my left is a five-foot nine inches guy with a swimmer's body.
On their approach I looked for the different reactions the people around them gave to each individual. People's reactions to the assumed leader were respect and a little awe, which was about 180 to the reactions to the swimmer, which were fear and contempt. These reactions told me a few things, one, the blonde was almost certainly the boss Austin sent for. Two, he had probably accomplished some pretty decent feats of either combat, leadership, or both. Third, the man to his right was the guy who did the leaders dirty work, taking care of anyone who didn't conform or needed to be taken out on the not so down low.
The most interesting reactions to me were the ones given to the curvy brunette, the salacious looks she got were, naturally expected, the interesting part was that they never lasted longer than a second before they looked away. This told me she was either extremely respected or feared, probably both to be honest.
Surprisingly my complete thought-out considerations were finished before they arrived within speaking distance. I wonder if stats make me think faster as well, maybe Intelligence or Wisdom.
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"Sir." Austin gave a salute to the blonde. It was sloppy but I was pretty sure that was just because he didn't know how to salute, not that he didn't respect the man to which it was sent.
"At ease Austin." The blonde responded, though Austin wasn't at attention.
The interaction told me these guys were not military, and were just trying to look official, which I honestly didn't mind, they pretty much were official considering the circumstances.
"Hello Jax." Grover didn't salute and used his name, though he gave a respectful nod.
"Grover. So, what do we have here?" Jax asked to no one in particular, which I consider a mistake, in my opinion, you should always address someone in situations like these or an awkward pause will follow like it just did while everyone tries to guess who you were speaking to.
Again, not an important detail, but one I noted in the column for supporting evidence these guys were rookies, which is completely to be expected. After a solid four count Austin cleared his throat and explained the situation. I know I'm harping on these guys a lot, but it was a major mistake for the boss to not already be informed of the situation by the runner, this Jax guy should have been planning on his walk out to meet us. O well.
"Sir, these seven were brought in from the southwestern edge of our territory, they approached one of our clearing squads and made known they wished to find new people. They claim to be from the city and deny being a part of or having knowledge of the Kontrix association." Austin explained the situation rather succinctly in my opinion, and he didn't put a sir on both ends of his report which gave him some points back.
Jax paused for a second before looking to our group.
"Is this true, are you claiming you're from the city to the southwest." He asked our group.
I glanced at Gideon and gave him an imperceptible nod. In most stories I read, litrpg cultivation or any type of adventure story, the MC always had to be the person to lead the group, and answer questions. I found this pretty ridiculous, while sure the mc is powerful and probably making decision, that doesn't mean they have to always be the one to take the lead in conversations or look like they're in charge. I was totally fine with Gideon taking the lead in negotiations because one, I doubt he would make any rash decisions without at least a glance back at the rest of us to see our reactions. And two, there was no way anyone on their side would go directly after me except maybe Austin if they decided to attack us, and he would only do it because I kind of made fun of the guy earlier. I was just some dude with a dagger at the edge of the group. That misconception would give me plenty of time to slaughter half of their entire force before they even knew what hit them, exactly how I like it. And yes, I do indeed consider myself the MC because I am the main character of my head, thank you very much.
"That's exactly right Mr. Jax, we came from the city looking for more people." Gideon responded.
"How have you survived so long, any group we send inside for longer than a day, doesn't return." Jax asks Gideon.
I had a pretty good idea why they didn't come back after spending a night in the city, but I was curious to see how Gideon would respond. He takes a second and looks back at his group with an awkward expression.
"Well, it might be because of the monsters that come out at night. We're not really sure what they are or if they're just the normal monsters powered up during the night, but whatever they are they're fast and practically invisible in the dark. I assumed you would know about them." Gideon explains what he's seen of the Night Stalkers.
"Powered up monsters that come out at night? I think I would know about those if they were real." Jax snorts, unconvinced.
That comment confirms it for me, anyone who had witnessed a Night Stalker wouldn't scoff about them. There must not be any in this zone, which explains why there are still so many people alive.
"They're real, there's no doubt about that, we've seen a few move past the building we sleep in, the only thing visible are their blood red eyes." Gideon states with deadly seriousness in his voice.
A few of the people gathered around had started to laugh with Jax, but stopped when they heard Gideon speak. The rest of our group nods at the Breakpoint leader, all with the same level of seriousness. Jax looks skeptical, but as he studies our faces, his slowly morphs into an expression of apprehension.
"You're serious? There are actually higher leveled monsters that come out at night in the city." Jax asks, looking between us as if trying to catch one of us laughing at the joke we just pulled on him.
"Deadly. If you don't believe us, go into the city after dark, you'll probably see something before they kill you." I tell him.
"Shit." Jax mutters, looking towards his people.
"Alright, fine I at least believe that you aren't with Kontrix." He says, looking back to us.
"Who are these people anyways" Gideon asks a good question.
"Kontrix is a group led by a priest named Peter. He had a church in this part of town before everything happened. They think this is revelations, and everyone left needs to be killed before they can ascend to heaven." Jax explains with disdain in his voice the entire time.
I'm honestly not surprised, it's inaccurate from what I know of the book of revelations, but I'm sure Vatican City has turned into a holy army ready to march against the demons coming forth from hell to invade Earth. To be entirely fair I'm 99% certain there are indeed demons out there somewhere, though I'm glad they aren't invading Earth currently, or who the fuck knows maybe they are invading somewhere.
I just nod at this revelation ... yes that was a pun, no I'm not a father, yes dad jokes are the best. My group, however, expresses far more surprise than is really warranted in this situation.
"Yes, they are cruel, and kill everyone they see that isn't one of their own." Jax nods solemnly.
While Gideon nods and thanks Jax for the information, I'm not entirely sure this group is as bad as they sound, I won't be surprised if they are, but I'm not taking these guy's word for it. The two groups are obviously in a conflict with each other, and I'll save judgment (yes maybe another pun, yes they're still funny) for after I meet them.
After the conversation about Kontrix dies down, Jax finally decides to introduce his two friends that have been silently staring at us the entire time.
"This is Vivian, my second in command, and this is Conrad." He waves to the brunette first, then the swimmer, who I notice he doesn't explain the occupation of.
"It's nice to meet you." Gideon says before introducing all of us.
"Let's head inside, we can speak further once everyone has had some food." Jax announces.
It's a bit early for dinner, though I imagine with so many people they have at least two shifts for dinner if not more. Before I can wonder about where their food supplies come from, Austin interrupts our forward progress.
"Ahem, I'm going to need your weapons before you enter." He glances at me with a sneer as he speaks.
This time Gideon is on board immediately.
"I don't think that will be possible." He calmly states. I'm impressed, I would have played it similarly.
Jax stops at this, looking back at us. I see surprise and annoyance on his face before he hides it behind casual interest.
"Andy why's that?" Jax asks, he tries to feign mild interest, but I can feel the annoyance leaking through.
"We have no interest in going anywhere without our weapons." Gideon explains like he's telling the other man we have no interest in going somewhere without air.
"I see." Jax calms himself before continuing.
"Very well, you can keep your weapons, you're not a threat with so many of us around anyways." He sniffs in disdain before turning back around.
Right... not a threat my ass, I chuckle to myself.