Chapter 46

"So, how was the experience?" Cleaving open a squirming zombie's skull, Jay turned to Jericho and asked lightheartedly.

"It was special," Jericho grinned, showing a pair of shallow dimples. "I liked it. It was fun."

"Best activity?"

"I can pretty much guess which activity he's going to choose," said Esther as she sorted pouches of soul fragments by the pool bar.

Hearing this, Jericho laughed with glee. "I have to give it to bowling. Or darts. Or the foosball machine. They're repetitive, but I find it very rewarding when I beat you, Jay."

"Damn, you didn't have to attack me like that," Jay sniffled while retrieving a soul fragment hidden within the zombie's brain. A black veil tainted with the pungent stench of blood flapped in the wind.

"Rate this experience out of ten! 1 for meh, and 10 for flawless!" He continued to chop open the skull of another humongous, amputated zombie before taking out a dazzling, light blue gemstone.

The severed tongue of the rancid Category One zombie flopped lifelessly on the stained floor. Who knew how many humans it had been cold-bloodedly fed for it to transform?

Exploring and clearing the facilities of the Utopia as if they were on a family vacation, Jericho could feel the palpable bond between them strengthen. And he thoroughly cherished every process.

Now, they were at none other than Elita's unethical zombie farm, harvesting the yield of the atrocities she had committed.

Though these soul fragments collected were the work of a devil, they'd rather end the suffering of her livestock and utilize the existing soul fragments than let them go to waste.

"I'd say 9 out of ten. The disrupted water system deducted a point. Kind of disappointed because it ruined the fun of the water slides, but overall, it ended on a good note."

With his dagger raised above his head, Jericho delved it into the vulnerable brain of the final squiring zombie. Grey brain matter oozed out as the zombie reduced its movements, eventually perishing.

But before Jericho's weapon sank into flesh, the clean blade of his dagger gleamed in the continuous light spectrum of a rainbow, catching his eye.

Huh? Is it here already?

Above, fiery meteoroids shrouded in a cacophony of colors pierced the atmosphere, dispersing the cumulus clouds while an invisible, sustained ripple surged through the planet.

Beautiful dancing aurora embellished the dull sky, balancing the horrors of incoming asteroids.

The second wave of disaster that Jericho anticipated had arrived on time.

The heavy rumbling of Utopia's engine died down as a potent, invisible ripple made contact with the steel shell of the cruise ship.

This time, however, the meteorites obeyed the laws of physics, unlike the initial shower.

Sustained thunderclaps slashed through the air, declaring the presence of the second wave. The glass barriers lining the top deck shattered. Lingering, the thunderous roar accompanied the meteorites raining from above.

Several rocky and metallic bodies, ranging in size from grains to fist-sized objects, pummeled into the ebbing ocean, creating phenomenal splashes that spewed meters high.

While Utopia endured the few measly meteorites attempting to cause chaos, the ship's tenants seek shelter under coverage. Utopia had by then docked ashore, or else this downpour might have hindered its sail.

Just as Jericho had speculated, in spite of entering the octopus monster's territory, Utopia's sheer size was enough to intimidate it and cruise towards the mainland safely.

"This should be a sign for us to leave this cruise ship," Jay muttered as he witnessed 3 or 4 grains of meteorites embedding into the wooden floorboards.

Jericho nodded, accessing the vague knowledge of the second wave of disaster from his past life.

While the first wave of meteors was a mere warning of what was to come, the second round of meteoroids symbolized the true beginning of the apocalypse.

Whatever energy existed in Terra and wherever you were, power had now completely run out.

Other than preexisting batteries, no modern technology would operate from now on.

Just man versus the apocalypse.

"Captain!" The energetic voice of a young man emanated from behind.

"Oh good, Zhehai is here! Report back to the others, will you?" Jay exclaimed as a figure traversed up the stairs and approached them, and he whispered a series of commands and orders into the young man's ear.

The young man was none other than the friendly athlete whom they had encountered on Kujil island. He was now clean and more confident, his sharp eyes reflecting his witty personality.

"Man… I just got here… But a crew member should never defy the Captain's order!" Joking about, Zhehai scurried off to the lower decks to make the announcements.

With Elita's initial terrorization and the addition of Jericho's sweeping through every nook and cranny of the ship, every survivor on Utopia could roam around boldly.

Utopia was a literal, floating utopia, free from the threats of zombies.

"Let's go make our preparations."

As Jericho blossomed his balled fists, a holy light emitted from his palms to banish the lurking darkness.

He made his way down the winding stairs, encountering many of the survivors he had saved. The survivors whom Elita had entrapped were now residing within the empty cabins of their preferred choices, scattered all across the various decks of the ship.

Few survivors who experienced severe trauma isolated themselves in more remote cabins of Utopia to mourn their losses; some sought privacy; while many others clustered together, forging bonds and relationships in order to fight through tough times.

But despite their differences, they all shared one thing in common— respect towards the golden-haired boy whom they nicknamed: The Phantom of Utopia.

Jericho's boots clamored down the lowered platform that connected Utopia to the cruise ship port, his strident footsteps eliciting a sense of security and responsibility.

In front of him, a group of meticulously selected survivors had gathered, including Jiro, the short superhuman who Jericho defeated in one punch.

His broken arm, wrapped in a cast, dangled before his chest. Although having experienced severe blood loss, his skin was encased with a healthy flush.

Succumbing to Jericho's strength, Jiro basically surrendered himself willingly and was eager to follow in his footsteps in a pursuit for power.

Though he would traditionally be classified as a 'villain', he was nowhere close to being immoral like Elita and her delusional cult.

Earlier, Esther had spared him a small soul fragment, which was widely used on Earth to stabilize wounds and accelerate healing.

Jericho's wounds were also tended to through similar measures, ensuring him a quick recovery.

Soul fragments were essential in the apocalypse, the fundamental basis of superhumans. Like Earth, they were destined to be the currency of Terra.

"Establish the respective stations, Zhou. I'll leave Utopia in your hands while we venture."

Jay temporarily passed his position and exchanged a few words with a man dressed head to toe in flowery beachwear.

The three luxury yachts that departed from Kujil Islands were managed respectively by Jericho, Zhou, and his rival, Donald.

Unfortunately, while operating the cruise ship, Jericho's yacht had to be left behind, stranded lonesomely in the middle of the vast ocean. On the other hand, when Zhou and his followers alighted their vessel and boarded Utopia, Aristaeus hijacked their yacht unexpectedly, resulting in his escape.

This left Donald's yacht as the unlucky plaything for the tentacle creature.

While Jay and Esther sorted out the technicalities of Utopia's management, Jericho stared blankly at the nub that replaced his hand.

The group of survivors they had briefly assembled was either superhumans or people who displayed growth tendencies.

This was Jay and Esther's ploy to inaugurate a capable line of defense for Utopia, a temporary home for survivors.

Jericho went along with their insightful plan, though he had no ambitions.

His only goals were to restore his hand, and follow wherever they went, for he had the mindset of a puppet.

As the army of survivors marched towards Palican City's centerpiece under the leadership of Jay and Esther, Jericho couldn't help but wonder.

Would a killing machine like him, ever be happily accepted as family?