Amazon Apocalypse: Chapter 43 (Patreon)

The faint scent of ash and rust filled my lungs as I dashed through the ruins of Crownhill. Marcus went off to get the Sheriff, and the others spread out to contact the other minor factions. I decided I should do the same.

My Warp Step ability allowed me to cover ground rapidly, causing my surroundings to blur as if I was a ghost. Crownhill, once a thriving and bustling town, was now reduced to a graveyard of shattered buildings and desolate streets. The integration with the Arcadia Multiverse had left a devastating mark on our world, and the remnants of that cataclysm surrounded me now.

As I wove through the skeletal remains of what used to be my place of work, I recalled the small cafes and shops that lined the streets. Now, those places were nothing more than crumbling ruins, their windows shattered and their walls scarred.

I stopped for a moment to catch my breath, leaning against the charred remains of an old oak tree. The damage was a sure sign of a fireball. The damn fire breathing rodents were true terrors in the streets before I’d killed them off. More would no doubt find there way into the city again given half a chance.

The wind whispered through the charred leaves, and the once vibrant greenery was now a dull, lifeless gray, a stark reminder of the world that was lost to the system apocalypse.

The sounds of my footsteps echoed through the desolate streets. As I made my way through the wreckage of Crownhill, I steeled myself for the challenges that lay ahead.

When I’d come here, I’d done so because it was a relatively quiet place somewhere between city and town. Rich enough to earn enough income to fund my farmhouse, but country enough to steer clear of the trouble that was likely to hit the major population centers.

I’d thought to use Crownhill for my own ends. To make a place to ride out the Apocalypse I’d been forewarned of and nothing else.

But now? With the friends I’d made here and the responsibilities I’d picked up since the apocalypse? I felt like I owed something to the place and the people in it.

I would see this city had a bright future ahead of it. I had to promise that much.

As I continued through the desolate streets, I spotted a survival group in the distance. They were holed up in a housing complex and was likely made up mostly of the place’s original residents and their immediate neighbors.

They were far enough into the city that they’d gone unnoticed by the Wolfmen, but now they were plagued by minor monsters. While nothing to me, these creatures were plenty strong enough to be a terror to ordinary humans, given sufficient numbers.

Evolved Killer Roach (Level 8)

Mutated Sewer Rats (Level 9)

I felt a pang of guilt surge through me. I’d been scouring the area, and I wouldn’t have been surprised to learn monsters had emerged from the sewers in search of me and my Death Curse.

Without hesitation, I rushed in to help the beleaguered survivors. My fingers danced through the air as I channeled my magic, and a flurry of Mana Bolts shot forth. The magical projectiles found their marks, piercing through the chitinous armor of the Giant Cockroaches and the mangy hides of the Mutated Sewer Rats, leaving them writhing in pain before succumbing to their injuries.

The remaining Giant Cockroaches and Rats scattered, leaving the survival group to catch their breath and stare at me in awe. A pang of guilt shot through me, but it didn't lessen the gratitude that shone in their eyes.

As the dust settled, someone opened a shattered window and stuck their head out to look at me. I waved him over. He was a middle age bearded man who looked like he knew a thing or two about surviving through rough times, which was probably why the others listened to him. He approached me cautiously, then extended his hand, a mixture of relief and gratitude in his voice.

"Thank you for your help, stranger. I'm Jack. My neighbors and I have been holed up in there all week. We fended off the last few monster attacks, but we really thought this one was going to finally do us in. We owe you our lives." He looked around at the remnants of the battle, his gaze lingering on the carcasses of the fallen monsters. "You think those rat things are edible after whatever it was you did to them? And if they are, you mind sharing one or two with us to fry up? We've been struggling to find food and shelter since this apocalypse began."

I shook Jack's hand firmly, my grip strong and reassuring. "My name is Carter Smith. I know a place nearby where a large survival group has taken refuge. They have plenty of food and resources to share. No need to resort to rat meat, though you’re certainly welcome to give it a try if you choose.”

Jack's eyes widened with hope. "Really? Where is this place?"

I pointed toward the east. "Not too far from here, there's an Obelisk surrounded by a makeshift shelter. That's where you'll find them. I've been working with the group to help protect and provide for the survivors. We’ve got a council system in place. There are rules, but nothing too onerous."

His face broke into a weary smile, the weight of his burden visibly lifting. "Thank you, Carter. I’ll talk to the others, but I think this scare finally shocked the last of us into packing our things and looking for shelter elsewhere. It’s just too dangerous to remain on our own."

I nodded, adding, "When you arrive, just tell them I sent you. They'll know who I am and should be more than willing to lend you a hand."

Jack clasped my hand once more, his voice filled with appreciation. "You've given us hope, Carter. I can't thank you enough."

With a warm smile, I watched as Jack and his group gathered their belongings and set off toward the Obelisk.

As I left the scene of the battle and continued my journey through Crownhill, I stumbled upon a small family huddled together in a hidden alley.

They were all wearing hooded sweatshirts despite the afternoon sun and walking through an alley, and at first, I thought they were up to no good, creeping through the shadows as they were.

They could be thieves, murders, looters, or something else. But who brought their children along for that kind of thing?

Not smart criminals. These people didn’t give me the vibe of stupid opportunists, which made me suspect there was more to their story.

So I followed them from a distance. The father was wary, and more than once I sensed him turn in my direction. But he was only level eight, so my vastly superior stats let me overcome his senses despite his keen senses.

Eventually, I caught a glimpse within the hood. The mother, and their two children all had inhuman grayish-purple skin. Only the father was human.

More than that, I saw the faintest hint of a tail sticking out from the smallest child’s rear, much to the anger and fright of her mother when it was discovered.

Who were these strangers? And why were they here?

I would have tailed them quietly for a while longer, but the difference between us in levels meant there was no need for me to hide. If I was curious, I’d just ask them.

So I jumped off a building and landed in front of them with a thud. The father jumped back and drew a knife while the mother herded their two children away.

“Get back!” the man demanded.

I gave him an easy smile in reply. “Careful with that knife. I wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt.”

I kept my hands to my side, but the threat in my tone was clear. If it came to a fight, I wouldn’t be the one to get hurt. Though in truth I would warp away if it looked like we were actually going to come to blows.

“Don’t come any closer!” the father threatened. I Examined him, but he was human, just as he looked.

Human Ranger (Level 12)

“I’m content to stand right where I am.” I showed him my open palms. “I just want to ask you a few questions, if you don’t mind.”

“We don’t want any trouble. We’re honest folk,” the father said. “Just because we look different now doesn’t mean we’re demons or something!”

Now that I was up close and personal, I finally was able to land a solid Examine on the woman and her children.

Tiefling Thief (Level 10)

Tiefling (Level 3)

Tiefling (Level 1)

My eyebrows rose. “You’re Tieflings!”

“What’s it to you?” the man growled.

I chuckled. “I just didn’t expect to see tieflings around, that’s all.”

“That’s my wife and kids you’re talking about!” the man scowled.

“I intend them no harm. I’m just curious. Well, I also want to make sure you mean others no harm. Tell me your story.”

“W-we changed into this after the integration completed,” the wife said, speaking up.

I ran my hand over my chin. “Hmm… I figured. So you were human before the integration?”

“Of course!” the man snapped. His wife looked a little more skeptical.

“Well… mostly. There are a few family legends that my great grandfather wasn’t from this world. I didn’t take it seriously until now,” the woman replied.

“Very interesting. I have a friend dealing with a similar issue.” My mind went to Sakura and her horn. She’d developed it upon selecting her new class, though there had been hints of the race change before.

I stared at the woman and her children as much as I could without drawing the ire of the father. Yes, those were definitely Tieflings, characterized by their demonic features. Horns, pointed tails, and red or purple skin. They had the full set.

Most humans had maintained their original form after the Apocalypse, but I figured as people gained levels we were going to be seeing more and more of these other races. Little hints of the worlds beyond Earth, waiting to be encountered when the integration finally ended.

Despite their odd appearance, it was clear that these people were just as lost and frightened as the rest of the survivors. Their eyes were filled with sadness, and their jittery behavior was a clear indication that they had been shunned by other humans who feared and distrusted their new race.

"My name is Carter. I know a place where you and your family can find shelter and support," I told them, thinking of the Obelisk and the shelter I had helped build.

The father looked at me skeptically. "Will my family be welcome there? Others have turned us away because of what my wife and kids have become."

I nodded with conviction. "I promise you, you will be welcome in our shelter. Everyone there is just trying to survive and rebuild. We're all in this together."

Inwardly, I hoped introducing a few people of different races into my group would pave the way for others. I wanted Sakura to feel welcome, after all. Fear of going through what these same people were dealing with was the whole reason she left Crownhill to join me in my Farmhouse.

And thinking even longer-term, I worried that we’d eventually encounter races too powerful for us to defeat. A wiliness to sign a treaty with them that would make both of us stronger would let us satisfy the demands of the System. It would be best to root out any brewing inter-species racism and deal with it early. Maybe I was dreaming thinking of peace after running into those ogres and now the Wolfmen, but I still had some hope left in me.

The mother, cradling a small Tiefling child in her arms, offered a grateful smile. "Thank you, Carter. We were beginning to lose hope. I’m glad there are still good people in this broken world."

***

Over the next few hours, I rescued several small survival groups. Each one struggling against minor monsters, just like the first. I directed them all to the shelter, offering hope and guidance.

I couldn't help but think that a more power-hungry person might exploit this situation. It would be easy to lure them all in with the promise of safety and grow my shelter until it encompassed half the city. That’s probably what Sheriff Drayton thought I was doing.

But that wasn't me. I genuinely wanted the best for everyone in Crownhill.

I encountered a few self-sufficient groups, and I left them be. Those that would talk I spoke to and told them of the Obelisk and the shelter, but most kept their doors tightly shut to monster and outsiders alike. That didn’t bother me. It was their choice to join us or not.

Word would spread about our welcoming community. I felt proud, knowing I was building a haven for everyone, including those no longer fully human, like Sakura and the tiefling family.

As I continued my journey through the remains of Crownhill, I came across a group that seemed all too familiar. They were reminiscent of the people who used to work for Craig -- muscle-bound, gun-toting tough guys.

I had my suspicions, but they were confirmed when I heard a few nervous voices echo out from within the gun store they were holed up in. I recognized one of them, more so when the people inside shoved the man in question out the door.

Michael emerged from the group, his eyes widening when he saw me.

"Carter!" Michael exclaimed, shock evident in his voice. "I... I didn't expect to see you here."

I raised an eyebrow, my suspicion clear. "Yeah, well, here I am?"

As much as I would have liked to be the kind of person who could forgive and forget, I couldn’t help but hold a little grudge over him getting me killed, even if he’d thought he was doing the right thing at the time.

He hesitated before speaking, "I know we have a rough history. Y-you’re not going to do anything rash, are you? I heard about how you wiped out the Wolfmen. I know I’m no match for you. None of the guys here are."

I shook my head. “I’m not here to cause trouble. I’ve just been looking for survivor groups. I’ve been telling them all the same thing.”

Michael looked at me askance, waiting for more.

I decided it wouldn’t be fair to hold back information I was giving everyone else of their qualifications just because of my own personal biases. Craig’s former subordinates did have high levels, and they could be useful if they were aiming those guns at my enemies instead of me.

Besides, I’d already given Michael his punishment when I kicked him from the group and set Margaret on his tail. He didn’t dare show his head anywhere near the center of town, and likely wouldn’t so long as she held any position of influence.

So I told Michael the same thing I was telling everyone else.

"I'm calling a meeting with every survival group across the city. Consider this your invitation. It’ll be by the old town monument about half an hour from now."

Michael's expression softened, and he nodded. "I’ll tell the guys. If that’s all…?”

I nodded, then used Warp Step to depart as quickly as I’d come.

I found a few more groups, but none with high enough levels to bring in on the meeting. I still told them about the Obelisk, and a few of them seemed interested.

In the end, I turned back for the meeting. After calling everyone there, I couldn’t allow myself to miss it.

Sakura and Margaret were already there waiting for me at the foot of the town monument when I arrived.

It wasn’t anything special, just a bronze statue of some crazy settler four hundred years ago who found this region empty, decided to crown himself king and then plotted to steal the English throne. After which he was promptly executed by his own followers after forcing them to work in the nearby silver mines through the winter. It was an inauspicious example of what often happened to those who sought absolute authority.

As I prepared for the meeting, doubts nagged at me. What if nobody showed up? Perhaps running around the city had been a waste of time, and I’d need to make do with the forces I had anyway.

How many levels were the Wolfmen gaining? Would my time have been better spent trying to get my existing followers more levels?

But as the minutes passed, relief washed over me. Despite his animosity, Sheriff Drayton showed up. Not long after, so did Michael. As had a dozen smaller groups, each with a few people whose levels were high enough to have a class.

"I want to thank all of you for coming," I addressed the crowd.

“Alright, now what’s all this about?” Sheriff Drayton demanded, arms crossed and glaring. “It better be important.”

I took a step upon the platform that held the bronze statue and used it to get a little extra height. “As I'm sure you've all heard by now, there’s a horde of hungry wolf people at our doorstep who want to eat our souls.”