Plundering in the Apocalypse

""" NO """

Reina's suggestion was firmly rejected.

Reina frowned at everyone's reaction. Only then did she notice her mistake.

"No guys. I didn't mean we eat here. We should find a good place and then eat." Reina quickly explained herself.

Everyone sighed in relief. They were worried for some reason. Reina pouted at their reactions.

"What do you guys think of me?"

Shin sighed seeing his mom act like that at her age.

After some discussion, they decided to have lunch at some nearby public place or at least so clean and closed space.

James suggested that they go to a nearby cafe. He knows that place and it might be clean too.

They thought it might be locked but there's no problem checking it out. After all who had the time to lock anything after yesterday's incident.

Everyone agreed.

Outside the Aston Krat Mall. The group of six headed toward the direction of the cafe which James suggested and was the one to lead them there.

The road was deserted. Not a single soul could be seen. There weren't even any monsters there. The only common sight they came across was dead bodies from time to time.

Shin felt a little creepy and decided to do some small talk with Mr. James.

"By the way Mr. James," Shin said getting James' attention.

"Yes?" James asked as he got attentive.

"Where do you guys live?" As Shin asked that Alfred and Reina also got interested in their conversation. After all, they forgot to ask for their address when they said they will help them get him.

"Oh, It's near MSR Hospital," James replied casually. But his words made the change in mood for Shin's parents. They suddenly had grim expressions on their faces.

But others didn't notice it.

Soon they reached the cafe James suggested. By some luck, it was not locked but there were some bodies on the first floor.

"Ughh, let's check the second floor just in case," Alfred said as he started making his way upstairs.

The second floor was clean and the smell still didn't reach there. So it was fine to have lunch there.

Reina took out lunch boxes from inside her and Alfred's backpacks. She also made extra food as she packed them together in another box. Don't know if that was her gut feeling or if it's the same with all moms but it was a great help.

p James and Jenny were a little shy but their stomachs answered at their place. After all, they haven't eaten much since yesterday. So it was obvious they were hungry.

After some persuasion, They finally agreed to eat with us.

***

"Haah that was good," Jenny said with a satisfied smile.

"It sure was." James agreed as he was also full after having lunch.

After lunch, everyone was taking some rest and talking to each other.

Shin was sitting with his eyes closed in a meditating pose.

He was circulating mana inside his body. He still didn't increase his mana stats. After circulating his mana last time. Shin had a feeling that by doing that continuously he was getting efficient at controlling mana.

Maybe if he focuses more on it. He can get some good benefits.

Unbeknownst to Shin what he was doing would be a lot more beneficial than he thinks. After a few months, every mana user out there will use this method or try to develop it.

As Shin sat there circulating his mana. Alice continued to observe him in a daze. She wanted to talk to him but restrained herself after seeing him focus on something.

As others were busy talking Alfred suddenly asked James.

"Me. James. Where would you guys like to go next? We had planned to go to MSR Hospital and Flamingo Amusement park. If you would like to go home. We can go to MSR Hospital first and return you home safely.

If you want to continue level up with us we can go to the amusement park first. Then we can clear the Hospital. It's your choice."

Just as Alfred said it was James and Jenny's choice if they wanted to follow them and continue to level up or return home.

James went into deep thought after hearing Alfred's words. He knew leveling up and getting stronger is a must. After seeing Shin and Alice's strength he was certain it was a very good opportunity to get stronger.

He and Jenny had been already close to death. He didn't want to feel that hopelessness again. The only option left is to get stronger.

He looked at Jenny as she nodded her head. The answer was obvious. Getting stronger.

"We will go to the amusement park first."

Alfred smiled at James' words and nodded his head.

Soon everyone came out of the cafe and started moving in the direction of the amusement park.

The distance wasn't much. But with the speed at which they were going would take them 30 minutes. It was because they need to slow down to let James and Jenny keep up with them.

Alice who was excited in anticipation that she will be carried by Shin again felt her heartbreak. She was devastated. She felt James and Jenny were to be blamed but she soon dismissed those thoughts.

'Sigh, I guess I'll get more opportunities in the future.'

But she was still a little frustrated at them.

On the way, they came across some monsters which James and Jenny fought in coordination and defeated.

Their skills were improving. Even though they were mostly a few goblins and Corpse eaters. James and Jenny still didn't have it easy.

Alfred and Reina who had been observing them all this time had some thoughts in their minds.

'If all of them are awakened and they were all normal people just yesterday, why is the difference between them so big.'

They turned to look at Shin and Alice.

'At first, they didn't have anyone to compare them with. But now that they see the difference is massive.'

'Are they an anomaly?'