I walked downstairs and returned back to where Mia was. As she waved at me, I could see that both Leo and the little boy had woken up.

"Aksel!"

Leo had a concerned look on his face, as if he was worried.

"What's up?"

"My sword! It's gone!"

I thought for a moment before remembering. I had brought Leo's sword with me in self defense as I may had been involved in some conflict. I explained the situation to Leo.

"Oh... I see. In that case, you should've woken me up! I'll be your sword, Aksel!"

[Your understanding of the Incarnation 'Leo Collins' has increased.]

[The Constellation 'She Who Brings Victory' admires the comradeship.]

[You have been sponsored 100 coins.]

I then glanced at the little boy who still maintained the dazed expression. Maybe he'd cheer up a little if I brought him some food. I whipped out a piece of the ground rat we cooked a while ago and gave a piece to the boy.

"Eat up. I know you're hungry."

The boy looked up at me, hesitated, but ultimately dug into the food. I saw his expression lit up slightly and heard a little burp erupt from his mouth. I didn't like kids very much, but this little guy had a bit of a hold on me. I smiled on him then focused on the task at hand. A green zone.

Currently, the group consisted of me, Mia, Leo and the little boy. So in total we would need a green zone that could hold four people.

"A room? Why do we need to get one of those?" Leo asked.

"I have a feeling that it'll be used for later scenarios. The green zones protect you from monsters, so that's also another good reason to occupy one."

But that was the problem. How could we occupy one of those without paying? The landlords group was scattered all over the place, maintaining and keeping order with the green zones. If I were to overtake and grab a room, I'd be subject to danger. It'd most definitely be suicide to take them all, even with our stigmas and skills, the majority just had great stats that would overwhelm us in the long run. Not to mention I haven't even found out what the landlords skill was. My only option was tackle the source of the problem itself, that meant a revolution.

----------------------------------------

[There is 1 hour before the third scenario is activated.]

The message popped up onto each of our windows. This meant that there was only 1 hour left until my plan was put into action. I discussed my plan with the other members.

"Akselll! But that's so boring! Why don't we just go in there and slay them all into pieces. I got a new skill you know!"

Leo was bummed that this method didn't involve any violence. In fact, if we were to engage we wouldn't make it out of there alive. Although, even I wasn't sure if this method would work, but it was worth a try anyway. I would feel guilty if I led a group of 3 unfortunate people into their demise.

[The Constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is moved by your plot.]

[You have been sponsored 500 coins.]

"Don't worry Leo, there might be a time to have some fun. Just keep working on your swordsmanship."

Leo nodded and continued with his strenuous work regarding swordsmanship. He and his kendo was a vital asset to this plan. If he failed, then we all failed. I couldn't achieve this plan alone as I needed to save up on my coins and upgrade my stats. There's also the fact that Leo's explosive power was much more greater than mine and that he'd complete this task with ease.

"What should I do, Aksel?"

I turned over to Mia Becker. Although she wasn't a vital asset to this plan like Leo, she still was needed if things went south. There's no guarantee that the exchange would go smoothly as I hoped so if we were to get injured, Mia could back us up with her skills.

"Just keep doing what you do, Mia. I'll call on you when the times ready."

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

Mia looked at me and nodded with a happy expression. Just like monitoring my companions stats, it was also important to monitor their wellbeing and their connection. Things wouldn't turn out well if my companions morale fell. Each one of them needed to feel complete and wanted. That's the only way we can survive this apocalypse.

I then turned to the dark brown haired boy, he was close to my leg and tugging onto it lightly. I pondered for a moment. Would children like these be useful in such scenarios? He still looked traumatised from whatever he saw, and didn't really talk much except for a few low mutters. I questioned myself a little, did I even need to keep him? I didn't really like kids, and there's no guarantee that he'd be useful in these scenarios. Maybe he would continue to be a burden until the end. I thought about what to do with him when the scenario message arrived.

[There are 30 minutes before the third scenario is activated.]

It was time.

----------------------------------------

My group and I slowly came upstairs to the Landlord's quarter. Gazes could be sensed as we walked through the corridor.

"It's that guy from before."

"Who are those people with him?"

"He looks like trouble."

Damn, did I really leave an impression everywhere I went? I never experienced this much before in the old world, most of the time I went unnoticed or only became noticed because of my clumsiness. I glanced back at the group whilst walking. Mia held the little boy's hand whilst Leo changed stances continuously, kind of like a spy movie where they'd check every corner to make sure the coast was clear. Anywho, we finally reached the green zone.

[Green Zone 47/50]

The landlord rose from the side off the bench he was sitting on, it seems as if he expected my returnal.

"Its you again.. I don't believe I caught your name. What was it?"

"Aksel."

"Aksel! Right, yes, I had forgotten it."

Someone told him? Or did news travel fast again?

"My name is Atticus Aran, and as you know, I'm the landlord here and I run these green zones."

The soothing voice travelled into my ears..

[The Incarnation 'Atticus Aran' has used Voice Manipulation Lv. 4!]

[The Exclusive Skill 'Capture Lv. 4' has nullified the effects of Voice Manipulation!]

"So if you want a room, Unfortunately you'll have to pay. And for the troubles you gave me yesterday, I'll have to charge you double..-"

"That won't work on me, Atticus."

The dumbfounded expression was plastered all over his face. I now figured out how he had the whole station under his grasp. Atticus must have been voice manipulating everybody to be his pawns and to do his dirty work.

"Leo, we're ready."

Leo dashed forward inside the green zone and unsheathed his blade.

[The Incarnation 'Leo Collins' has used the stigma 'Divine Heaven's Strike Lv. 1'.]

Leo Collins was bathed in lightning bolts as he raised his sword. The air crackled irregularly and he dug his sword into the ground. The ground started to shake and everyone stumbled, losing their balance. One of Atticus' manipulated followers ran for Leo but was zapped by the lightning. The lightning bolts enwrapped Leo's sword and he drew a semi circle in the ground.

There was a great vibration and the ground erupted into debris, the green zone started to collapse.

[The green zone has been destroyed.]

[The Constellation 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband' is fond of the lightning!]

[The Constellation 'Gracious Judge of Thunder' is amazed!]

[The Constellation 'Dreamer of Justice' likes your revolution!]

[You have been sponsored 200 coins.]

I watched as Leo stood their triumphantly, its clear his energy was exhausted but he still managed to stand. I watched as all the members of Atticus' group hauled themselves out of the debris. Atticus had moved out of the destruction just in time and watched the scene with rage.

"H-how dare you! You can't do this!"

Atticus moved forward with rage.

[The Incarnation 'Atticus Aran' has used Voice Manipulation Lv. 4!]

"Kill him! Kill him!" He ordered Leo.

Leo turned to my direction slowly and moved slowly , he looked at me with eyes that had no soul. This was bad. Leo was already extremely prone to mental skills, so of course he would've been prone to the voice manipulation. I should've been more careful. I barely dodged out of the way when Leo dodged forward and threw his sword my way. I kept being pushed back when Leo advanced forward, I now realized how dangerously powerful he was.

"Yes!! That's it! Keep doing that! Kill him!"

Leo did as Atticus said and kept moving forward. Leo went faster and struck my abdomen with his sword. If I didn't move back earlier, I surely should've been sliced into half. I leapt back and clutched my stomach, it was bleeding heavily. Things really did go south.

[1,200 coins have been invested in agility.]

[Agility Lv. 12 -> Agility Lv. 15]

Fortunately, due to the coins I managed to save, I quickly slipt past Leo and subdued him by hitting him at the back of the neck once again. I got worried for a second wondering if I hit him hard enough, fortunately it was enough.

I grabbed Leo and placed him onto the ground beside me and fell onto my knee.

"Aksel!"

Mia Becker ran over to me with the little boy slightly staggering behind. She dropped down beside me and started healing me, thankfully the temporary danger was over but that didn't mean all of it. Atticus looked over to his followers.

"What are you waiting for? He's hurt now. Go kill him!"

The men were put into a trance and started obeying his orders. I was too vulnerable to fight right now and Mia was too busy healing me. Nobody could save us here. Atticus started chuckling like a madman.

"That's right! Kill him! All of you! Rip him to shreds!"

One of the men extended his shabby sword toward us ready to pierce me. Suddenly, Mia Becker slipped my knife from out of my pocket and the man's arm fell off.

"Arghh!"

Another man came running and Mia stuck the knife into his stomach.

"This bitch is crazy!"

Mia looked up at the man as she dug the blade in deeper.

"You should watch who you're messing with."

[Evolution of Incarnation Mia Becker's Attribute is approaching.]

[The incarnation ‘Mia Becker’ has acquired a hero attribute.]

[The incarnation ‘Mia Becker’ has become 'Combat Physician'.]