To Volunteer

Theo gripped his phone tightly as Aries' anxious voice came through.

"She's at Atlas Medical City, Theo… What should we do?"

His mind raced. Atlas Medical City was one of the hospitals isolated due to the infection. If their mother had been transferred there, she was in danger. The military wouldn't allow anyone in unless he signed up for AMSO.

"Stay put for now," Theo said firmly. "I'll figure something out."

"But-"

"No buts, Aries," he cut her off. "If you try to go there, you'll just get yourself into trouble. I need you safe."

She fell silent on the other end. Theo ran a hand through his hair. His chest felt tight, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

Atlas Medical City… That meant his mother was inside an infected zone.

He clenched his fists. He had to get to her.

Theo didn't waste any time. As soon as the military truck dropped him off in a safe zone, he rushed to a subway station, only to find out that train services had been canceled. Public transportation was in chaos

The streets were packed with anxious people scrambling to get rides, making it nearly impossible to find a cab or book a ride. Buses were already full.

With no other option, he decided to buy a car. He already had enough money to afford one, but he needed a secure place to access his funds. Spotting a gas station nearby, he quickly stepped inside its restroom, locked the door, and quickly checked his gold coin balance.

'145 Gold Coins. That's 14,500,000 Nexa Money.'

Without hesitation, he issued the command: 'Convert to Nexa Money.'

A system prompt immediately appeared.

[Please select the amount of Gold Coins you want to convert.]

He estimated that the car he wanted would cost around two million.

'Convert 70 Gold Coins to Nexa Money.'

A second prompt followed.

[Would you like to make a withdrawal of 7,000,000 Nexa Money? Y/N]

"Yes," he muttered.

The moment he confirmed, a bag materialized in midair and hovered before him. Startled, he quickly grabbed it and pulled it open.

His eyes widened as stacks of Nexa money filled the bag. For a moment, he struggled to believe what he was seeing. But he quickly snapped out of it. Too many things had already happened, and this was something he should be grateful for in these chaotic times. At least now, with the Mutation Abyss System inside him, he had the power to change his situation.

Wasting no time, he rushed outside, making his way to the nearest car dealership, thankfully, only a five-minute walk from his location.

'Panic buying,' he mused, watching people hoard groceries from a supermarket he passed by. He, too, needed to stock up on necessities, but that would have to wait. Securing his mother came first.

As he stepped into the dealership, his eyes instantly locked onto a Hummer EV Pickup. 'This was it.' He could finally afford to buy a car like this, no more struggling with their old, beat-up sedan.

'Ah, the beast I've always wanted.' With everything happening in the world, he needed something that could handle rough terrain, power through disaster zones, and keep running even when fuel was scarce.

The sales rep beside him cleared his throat, looking Theo up and down. The way his gaze lingered on Theo's hoodie and worn-out sneakers made it obvious… he didn't believe he could afford it.

"Sir," the man said in a carefully polite tone, "the Hummer EV Pickup is a high-end, luxury off-road truck. The price starts at 3 million Nexa Money, depending on the trim and customizations."

Theo raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "And?"

The rep forced a smile. "I just want to make sure we're looking at a vehicle within your… budget. We also have used models if you're looking for something more affordable."

Theo didn't even bother responding. Instead, he reached into his bag and pulled out several thick stacks of Nexa bills, tossing them onto the nearest table with a heavy thud.

The sales rep's expression froze. The entire showroom went silent.

Theo crossed his arms. "I'll pay in full. Get me the keys."

The sales rep blinked, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. Before he could recover, the dealership manager, who had noticed the commotion, rushed over, his demeanor completely different from his employee's.

"Sir! Welcome!" The manager gave a wide, practiced smile. "I understand you're interested in the Hummer EV Pickup? Excellent choice! Shall we finalize the paperwork?"

Theo smirked. Now they were talking.

"Skip the sales pitch," he said. "I need it ready to drive… now."

"Yes, of course! We'll have it prepared right away!" The manager gestured for his staff to get moving. Within minutes, they scrambled to finalize everything. Theo signed where needed, keeping things quick. 

Finally, a sleek white Hummer EV Pickup was brought around to the front. A salesperson handed him the keys with both hands, bowing slightly, as if he were some VIP customer.

This was what money could do. Moments ago, they had looked down on him, sizing him up like he didn't belong. Now, with a bag full of Nexa Money, they treated him like royalty.

Theo sighed. People were predictable.

Without another word, he took the keys, climbed into the driver's seat.

"Time to go," he muttered, stepping on the pedal to drive off. 

As he neared Atlas Medical City, his stomach tightened. Up ahead was a military checkpoint. Barricades. Armed soldiers. Heavy vehicles. The road was completely blocked.

Theo slowed down, rolling down his window as a soldier stepped forward. The man's expression was stern as he signaled for him to stop.

"Turn back. This area is under lockdown." Theo's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "I need to get through. My mother was transferred to Atlas Medical City."

The soldier shook his head. "No exceptions. Orders from the higher-ups. The hospital is a restricted zone until further notice."

Theo clenched his jaw. He didn't have time for this. He needed to get inside. 

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. "I'm an Awakened Meteor Survivor from Meta Doctors Hospital," he said firmly, locking eyes with the soldier. "I came here to volunteer in clearing the area."