The Beginning of The End

  After a few hours of talk, John seemed quite pleased and distraught at the same time. Pleased with the information I've given him, but at the same time worried about all of what is to come.

  Anyone wouldn't have believed me if I had spoken to them, but what I showed John and his recovery with complete muscle function thanks to the potion was enough that I was someone worth believing and taking a shot on.

  It would be an expensive and very dangerous ordeal, and probably, any sane man would think that I was actually planning to bankrupt them with the amount of stuff I asked John to prepare and make sure that they're ready when the time is right.

  However, he trusted me and decided to stop all meetings with the board so they didn't start harassing him on how he was doing something that shouldn't be done and wasting money.

  However, he had to use some of his own personal funds to buy a few items which weren't really that cheap, and it was for the best, this way no one can have a say on why would a multi-billionaire is buying used tanks, and some prototype military service vehicles.

  Looking at his watch, John said, "I guess you missed university today." He said.

  I shrugged, "I only wanted to see someone, and I did, it's okay now. I can still go there tomorrow." I said.

  "Right, anyway, I'll send you back home, there is a driver waiting for you outside. Tomorrow, I'll send you details on the matters that I could acquire and we can work on the production of the potions."

  "Yes, that would be for the best. Today marks the end of the fourth day before the integration," I said.

  "Right, we should have a month to prepare, but I'm sure I can handle the bulk of the more important stuff in just a few days," John said.

  "I thought bringing heavy objects from over long distances would take a long time," I said.

  "Not if I can get air carriers, I should have a majority of the vehicles in less than a couple of days,"

  "The power of money, huh," I smiled.

  "Yes."

  "Well, that would be for the best, since some of the vehicles could get delayed in case one of the breakouts happened on the roads."

  "Yes, that's why I thought of getting them here as soon and as fast as possible. Also another thing," John said.

  "Yeah?"

  "Your family, what are you gonna do about them?" he asked.

  "I'll protect them."

  "I know you will, but I think it would be safer if they too can come over. With my personnel guarding the main company building they shouldn't be in any danger for the foreseeable future." John said.

  "Hmm, it'll be hard to convince them. But I think I have an idea on how to handle that." I said.

  "Right then, keep in touch," he said.

  I nodded and then left.

  As John said, once I left the building, there was a car waiting for me at the building entrance.

  It took me all the way back home and once I left I dreaded the moment I'll need to explain things to dad.

  But, just as I got in, he was sitting on the couch next to mom, watching TV and casually talking.

  "Lucas," Dad said.

  "Yeah," I answered back.

  "Everything good?" he asked.

  "Yep, all is good."

  "How was school?" mom asked.

  "Like always, boring," I said.

  Then dad never brought up the topic again.

  I smiled at how understanding he was and went upstairs.

  Once I was in my room, I opened up my status screen.

Status Screen

Name Lucas Newman

Race Human

Job N/A

Potential S Class

Current Awakenings N/A

Skills:

[Feast] -Untapped Potential-

[Redacted] [Redacted]

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[Redacted] [Redacted]

Titles

[First Among Many] +15% EXP

[He Who had Seen the End]. Reduced pressure effect from all foes that are under level 800

[He Who Devours Monsters]- SSS tier Skill, {Feast}

  Nothing seemed to change from the last time I checked it, and my stats window is still disabled. Right now, I'm still a 'human'. And once the Integration comes in, we'll all have HP DEX STR Stamina and the like of the substrates, which will aid in growing our power.

  For now, I can't do anything besides wait. I've done all I could, and have to wait for that damn day.

Since I had nothing to do, I went to sleep, waiting for an ugly day to come.

…

…

  Today, was the day of reckoning. Nothing happened in the last couple of days besides John asking me to come over and check up on the new toys he got.

  I was surprised to see him able to procure more than twenty functioning tanks, and more than a hundred military trucks, fully armed and loaded with sharp and jagged blades on the sides along with machine guns loaded on the top.

  The trucks were all stored all over some of the largest private underground parking lots I've seen.

  I also helped him 'Hone' the blades on the trucks, and many, many swords, spears and battle-axes that he procured.

  It was the same as I did with the swords I got from old granny back in Old Town. Since guns and bullets are going to be useless, swords are the best way to deal with monsters.

  However, I still asked John to get firepower, and when he asked why, my answer was simple.

  "When in chaos, humans can become the real monsters… just keep some guns on the ready, you'll know what I'm talking about when things get ugly," I said.

  However, the most surprising information I got from John was the fact that the CIA was keeping close tabs on him. There was no way that national security will allow a person to own so many military gadgets even if labeled under 'Collectibles.'

  However, they won't make a move on him yet. Especially since something big happened this morning.

  Looking at the skies, it was clear as day, that all I was talking about wasn't just bullshit.

  The first sign of integration, a massive aurora phenomenon happened all over the world. All news was talking about it, and even a few people were claiming that doomsday has come, it's ironic how right they are and how many people only think of this as a 'natural' phenomenon.

  "Dad, mom, we've been invited over," I said.

  "Hmm? what do you mean?" Dad asked.

  "Someone is asking to see you guys, a good friend of mine, he owns a big company and wants to hire me, however, he is a family man and wanted to talk with you guys first."

  "Oh, you got a job already? But you're still studying."

  "It's a well-paying job, you guys have to go, make me look good in front of him, alright?" I said.

  "Of course!" Mom said, she then went to her room to look for good things to wear.

  Dad on the other hand, wasn't too convinced.

  "You have a very bad tell when you lie, Lucas," he said. You always look down when telling lies… what's going on son."

  I sighed and said. "Something very bad is going to happen. I want to take you both to a safe location that's it."

  "You're worried about the aurora thing?" he said.

  "Would you just humor me this once? If things turn out okay I'll make sure to make it up for you." I said.

  "But I have work, I can't just skip it," he said.

  "For me, just once, just one day, call in sick," I said.

  Dad took a few moments before he pulled his phone.

  "I caught a bad case of the flue, I won't be coming over, you can tell the guys that today they have a day off," Dad said.

  Soon he hung up.

  I nodded to dad and thanked him for understanding.

  "You've been acting strangely for a while now. But I guess you have your reasons. If you're not feeling that it's the right time now, no pressure But one day, you'll have to come clean and tell me everything."

  "Of course. I will."

  Soon, mom came out wearing a nice dress and some light makeup, dad on the other hand wore his usual shirt and trousers and the three of us walked out of the house.

  Dad took note of two cars near our driveway. One of them was the SUV that usually picked me up, and another was a large carpentry company truck.

  "Someone getting a renovation in the neighborhood?" Dad wondered.

  "Probably," I shrugged, then we got into the SUV.

  Soon, we arrived at the company where John was. And once we entered, we received a warm welcome from the man himself.

  Mom was extremely surprised to see one of the richest men in the world greeting them like they were old friends and was slightly flustered, dad on the other hand was unfazed and just shook the man's hand.

  "Firm grip!" said John.

  "Well, I'm a handyman so it comes with the job."

  "Good, I guess Lucas told you of the reason for this visit."

  "He said that you asked us over to have a talk about his future in this company," Dad replied.

  John opened his mouth then closed it, "Yes, please follow me. I'm very glad to have met Lucas, he is a very promising young kid." John said as the three of us were moving up. Once we arrived to John's office, he started talking but immediately was interrupted.

  A light earthquake happened which made mom scream in panic.

  However, Dad calmed her down, and the shake ended immediately, John looked me in the eyes and understood.

  However, what surprised me the most, what shook me the most, and what terrified me the most, was the fact that I was more than sure that Michigan won't be hit in at least a month however, the mass panic and screams that filled the street immediately afterward meant one thing…something changed.

  Because Michigan looked like it was on fire.

It has begun.