System Of The Undead

Chapter 167: Are You Ready!? Aye Aye Captain!

The morning came and Jason didn’t realize how much he needed that rest, he didn’t know what the effect of consuming the fragment was as he wasn’t prompted about any changes.

He knew it would increase his strength but he didn’t know by how much.

"I need to check my skills..." Jason thought and a prompt screen appeared.

He scrolled down until he saw his skill tree and checked The Nexus skill.

"Hm..." Jason muttered.

[[Skill name: The Nexus]]

[Upgradable: Yes]]

Requirements for next upgrade: ¼ Fragments]]

Jason understood why his body didn’t undergo any drastic change like the first fragment, he had yet to get the required amount for that change to be noticeable.

Jason knew he couldn’t use this skill carelessly because it also speed up his infection if he didn’t balance it out with the fragment consumption.

He didn’t want to know what would happen should it ever reach 100% but he had an idea of it.

He would lose his self-awareness and become a mindless freak who feasted on anything living.

Jason would rather be dead than endure such a fate but he hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

"Knock knock," A voice said before entering his tent, it was Franklin.

Jason recalled the conversation he had with Clementine but he wanted to know what Franklin told Andre.

"You’re still in bed?" Franklin asked.

"I had a rough day yesterday," Jason said and Franklin could only imagine what Jason’s body was going through right now.

"I can tell, you deserve the rest. We’re getting ready to get this thing done and return, get ready," Franklin commanded, taking back authority and control of his team.

Jason had no problems with this and got to his feet and Franklin noticed the wounds on his body. He was shirtless but he didn’t say anything about them.

He chose to excuse himself instead but Jason quickly grabbed him gently by the shoulder.

"What is the meaning of this?" Franklin asked and Jason quickly let go of his shoulder just as quickly.

"My bad, I just wanted to ask a question," Jason said and Franklin turned around to face him, giving him his full attention.

"That is?" Franklin questioned and Jason got right to it.

"What was the thing that you told Andre last night?" Jason asked.

"It is not important," Franklin responded and Jason knew he couldn’t press further.

If Franklin didn’t want to spill, there was nothing that they could do to make him do so.

He did outrank them and Jason didn’t want to leave any bad impression that might affect him back in the community.

"You’re right, we should focus on the task at night. I’m sorry for asking," Jason apologized.

Franklin appreciated that he showed him his respect but he was uneasy being around Jason.

Jason did kill one of his men with no hesitation and Franklin wondered what would make him any different from Elliot.

However, he understood a core principle as they didn’t hold it against him when he tried to sacrifice Clementine.

Did that mean that it was fine to do whatever it took to complete the task at hand even if it meant sacrificing one of your own?

Franklin walked out of the tent but he could feel Jason’s gaze on the back of his head.

"That man... He is hiding something," Jason thought to himself, realizing that things weren’t as they seemed.

Franklin wasn’t straightforward and he was going to figure out his secret.

-

Clementine was getting ready, packing things and making sure the weapons were in pristine condition seeing as he weapon had a habit of jamming.

She couldn’t risk it as something told her they were entering a territory abandoned by humans.

"Hi.." A lady greeted her, she looked over her shoulder to see Shantel.

What did this woman want with her? They weren’t friends nor was Clementine interested in being friends with her.

"Hello, can I help you with something?" Clementine asked but the lady shook her head quickly.

"No, I just wanted to wish you luck," Shantel said with a smile, Clementine wasn’t expecting this.

"O-Oh, thank you," She responded, not knowing what else to say.

"You’re welcome," Shantel said before reaching into her pocket and handing Clementine something.

"What is this?" Clementine asked and Shantel said with a broad smile.

"My good luck necklace,"

This made Clementine even more confused as she didn’t know why she was being given this by someone she hadn’t even spoken to.

The only thing she knew about her was that Jason was fucking her and that was all she was willing to know.

"Are you sure you want to give me this?" Clementine asked as she observed the necklace.

There was no doubt that this was a valuable necklace and would have fetched quite the price in the old world.

"I’m positive... You people saved this camp, we were once living to die but now we live with hope. It’s all thanks to you all," Shantel said.

Clementine couldn’t contain her smile, she was glad that she was making a difference.

This was all she ever wanted but she was sad that she wasn’t doing it with Sam.

"Are you packed up?" A male voice said, his presence made Shantel excuse herself.

It was Brayden and Clementine was surprised that these people were all so young.

"I’m giving the guns one more test," Clementine said.

"That is a smart move, I don’t know how to thank you," Brayden said and Clementine was confused as to why everyone decided to show their gratitude today.

Brayden was all dressed, he had armour on even so he was joining them on this little excursion so why couldn’t he save his thank you until after they were successful?

"It’s nothing," Clementine quickly brushed it off.

"No, it isn’t... You have freed Andre of his burden, he can no longer run away and that’s because of you," Brayden said, brushing past Clementine as he placed a grenade among her belongings.

"What’s that?" Clementine asked and Brayden said with a smile.

"It is your way out, I don’t know what awaits us out there but I know, you would want to die an honourable death should it come to it," Brayden said.

This implied that he gave her the grenade as a last-ditch effort to go out as a warrior.

This would have been frowned upon in normal circumstances as it could mean that he expected her to die but Clementine appreciated this gesture more than the average person considering her military background.

"Thank you..." Clementine said, pausing as she didn’t know what to call him.

"Brayden, my name is Brayden," Brayden officially introduced himself.

"Thank you, Brayden," Clementine was all smiles as she thanked the man.

"You’re welcome Clementine, let’s go kick some zombie butts together!" Brayden exclaimed.

They were a lot different from when they had their mask on, it was like the mask not only concealed their identity but it robbed them of any individuality that they possessed.

They felt more human without it and Clementine was glad that she made him take it off.

"You bet ya!" Clementine matched his energy.

Andre watched the mood of the camp, it was a lot brighter than he had anticipated considering the journey they were about to embark on.

It was like they had forgotten how terrifying zombies were but Andre wasn’t about to kill their buzz. In a world with so much death and sorrow, one needed to find a way to be happy even if it was just for a little while, that was what made life worth living.

Andre knew he had to do this because they too could use some of that food.

If Franklin and his crew were capable of doing the impossible then what was to say that they couldn’t pull off another miracle?

Franklin walked out of Jason’s tent but Jason followed suit a couple of minutes later.

Andre could only imagine if he had put a bullet through their heads, would they have ever witnessed this change?

The answer to that was a resounding no, Andre didn’t know how he could be so fortunate.

It made him believe there was a higher power at work but he needed that higher power one more time.

He needed to survive this journey and he knew that they couldn’t do it without the help of all the deities that they could conjure.

"Oi Andre! Quit daydreaming and get your ass over here!" Brayden shouted from afar.

Andre rolled his eyes, he didn’t know why Brayden was speaking that way but this was what he liked about him.

Andre noticed that they were all ready, the vehicles were ready to go.

There was a total of three cars, Andre allowed Franklin and his crew to stay in one car as a token of his trust with only Brayden and another in that car with them.

It took another five minutes for everyone to be settled, Shantel didn’t speak to Jason throughout. It was like she was avoiding him but this was part of her not wanting her relationship with him to go public as it would make Andre even more suspicious of her.