New recruit, strange sensation

The man kept writhing, his body tensed in unbearable pain. His breath was ragged, sweat pouring down his forehead. But amid his agony, his eyes locked onto his two children. His gaze was empty for a moment before his body slowly calmed. His groans weakened, then silence.

Adam and Amel watched him cautiously. Seconds passed, and then the man moved his fingers, trying to sit up. He opened his eyes and took a deep breath, as if he had just returned from the brink of death.

"I did it, Sir!" he gasped, his face lighting up with excitement. "I achieved evolution—Adamantium Bastion, Rare grade!"

Adam's expression remained calm, but he mentally noted the information. Adamantium Bastion? An interesting evolution. The man seemed eager to test his new power. With enthusiasm, he activated his first skill.

Instantly, a transparent golden barrier formed around him. The energy pulsed, creating a protective zone that gradually expanded to a three-meter diameter.

[Entering area (Aegis Fortification), defense +10%]

A notification appeared before Adam, making him slightly surprised. He glanced at Amel, who also looked astonished.

"Boss, I got a defense boost notification! Did you see it too?" Amel asked excitedly.

Adam nodded. "Yeah."

He turned his attention back to the man, who was now grinning widely, clearly satisfied with his newfound power.

"Good. With this, you've successfully evolved," Adam said, feeling slightly relieved.

"Congratulations, Mr. Ucok!" Amel cheered happily.

Ucok deactivated his skill and immediately crouched down, pulling his two children into a tight embrace. "I did it, kids. You don't have to be afraid anymore," he said, his voice filled with warmth and gratitude.

He then looked at Adam and Amel with deep appreciation. "Thank you so much, Sir. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have known about this. I truly owe you."

Adam waved his hand casually. "It's not a big deal." He paused for a moment before asking, "By the way, do you have an alliance?"

Ucok frowned, clearly not understanding where the question was leading.

Adam recalled the requirements set by Captain Rio for everyone. Ucok, a man who had been surviving alone, had to collect 30 crystals per day to stay in the city. The only viable way for him to do that was by joining an alliance or the government.

However, seeing how Ucok was still holed up in this small shop meant he hadn't chosen the government's path.

"An alliance, huh?" Ucok murmured, his gaze shifting before he looked back at Adam. There was a hint of sorrow in his eyes, but he quickly nodded with determination. "I'm willing, Sir."

Adam gave a slight smile and extended his hand. "Good. Welcome to the Death Angel Gang."

Ucok shook his hand firmly. There was some hesitation within him, but the choice had been made.

Amel, who had been listening to their conversation, tilted her head. "Mr. Ucok, why didn't you join the government alliance? Didn't they offer you a spot?"

Ucok fell silent for a moment, his eyes distant before he finally answered, "I wanted to, Miss. But the second military arrival only accepted those who had already evolved."

Adam frowned, then glanced toward the ruined streets marked with signs of battle. "So the military base is full, and they're only taking the strong…" he murmured.

He took a deep breath and shrugged. "Well, no point dwelling on it. Let's focus on what's in front of us."

Adam straightened up, looking at Ucok with a serious expression. "Your main task as a member of the Death Angel Gang is to guard the main base from any threats. Understood?"

Ucok nodded firmly. "Yes, Sir!"

"Call me Boss Zero," Adam said with a slight smirk.

Ucok was momentarily surprised but then smiled faintly. "Understood, Boss Zero."

Adam continued, "You don't have to be there all the time. But if someone tries to approach my base, your job is to protect it. Don't let anyone in without my permission. Got it?"

"Understood!" Ucok immediately saluted, his posture straight, as if used to following strict orders.

Adam nodded in satisfaction, then turned away. "As a member, you'll receive benefits beyond your expectations. So do your job well."

Ucok watched them leave, still processing everything. But when his two children ran up to him, he quickly crouched down and hugged them tightly.

"We'll be safe from now on," he whispered, clenching his fists. He could feel his newfound strength coursing through his body after evolving.

The sun slowly rose, its rays piercing through the thick mist in the sky. The once-bustling city, once the backbone of the nation, now stood no different from a dead city.

***

Factory - Land Room

Serina walked slowly among the farmland plots, her eyes carefully scanning every corner. The moment she saw the dry soil, she lifted a watering can and poured water with gentle but precise movements. The droplets fell, soaking into the cracked ground, quickly absorbed by the thirsty earth.

A faint smile appeared on her face. "They're growing so fast…" she murmured, looking at the rows of green wheat that had shot up taller than they should have.

Her mind raced. As far as she knew, crops like these took months to harvest, not just a few days. "Where did Boss get these seeds? Are they the result of genetic mutation?" she wondered, her brows slightly furrowed. Serina had farmed before, so she immediately noticed the oddity.

Her gaze shifted toward the entrance of the farmland area. "It's just past nine… Where are Amel and Boss now?" she whispered, her voice almost swallowed by the silence.

She wanted to believe that Adam would keep her daughter safe. But the world was no longer the same. Danger lurked around every corner. Her heart clenched at the thought of the worst that could happen. Her hands unconsciously balled into fists, the urge to contact them growing stronger, but she knew it was impossible. The communication networks had been dead for a long time.

Serina took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She recalled her first meeting with Adam—how, for no apparent reason, he chose to help them survive. Without Adam, she and Amel might have long since fallen victim to this chaotic world.

"Amel…" she whispered softly.

Her throat felt dry. "You have to make it," she continued in a quiet voice, filled with hope.

For some reason, she felt deep in her heart that Adam was no ordinary man. Her motherly instincts told her that he would become someone important in the future. If Amel could stay by his side, their future might be much brighter.

Serina shook her head, pushing her thoughts aside. Daydreaming wouldn't solve anything.

Her gaze returned to the farmland. The wheat was already starting to turn golden, a sign it was ready for harvest. Without wasting time, she quickly stepped toward the tool rack, grabbing a sickle and a neatly folded sack in the corner of the room.

Returning to the field, she crouched down, gripping the base of the stalks tightly before swinging the sickle with practiced ease.

"One..." she whispered, slicing through a stalk of wheat.

"Two..." her hand moved again, gathering stalk after stalk.

She kept counting in her mind—a long-standing habit she couldn't shake. Every time she harvested, she counted, whether to keep track of the yield or simply to calm herself.

As her sickle cut through the last stalk, a sudden chill ran down her spine. It was as if an unseen current of energy coursed beneath her skin, seeping into her body.

Serina froze.

Her heartbeat quickened. She glanced left and right, searching for the source of the strange sensation. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary—no sign of danger. Just the stillness of the Factory's farmland and the damp scent of freshly watered soil.

She placed a hand over her chest, trying to recapture the fleeting sensation.

"What was that...?" she murmured, confused.

Finding no immediate answer, she let out a long sigh. "I'll have to ask Boss about this later."

Shaking off the thought, Serina refocused on the pile of wheat beside her. With practiced efficiency, she began stuffing the stalks into a burlap sack. Despite the wheat's light weight, its sheer volume forced her to use both hands.

"Phew..."

She wiped the sweat from her forehead and adjusted the sack before lifting it. It weighed around a kilogram—manageable, but its awkward size made it tricky to carry with just one hand.

With renewed determination, Serina hoisted the sack onto her back and walked toward the warehouse door. Each step felt lighter, her mind now filled with hope. She could only pray that Adam and Amel would return safely soon.