Universal Sign-in: Ascending to Godhood With My 10x Rewards!-Chapter 38: A warm gesture I’ll definitely regret
Having gotten the goods we came for, we headed back and resolved in our hearts to come back the next day. Because for the next few days, this was going to be our training/farming ground.
As we walked back, we suffered no attacks from the Ferins as they all retreated. They had suffered enough loss.
I slung the duffel bag over my shoulder, holding my steel pipe with one hand as we walked back to the station.
"Why did you even do that anyway?" Asked Marcus in a low voice.
I furrowed my brows. "Do what exactly?"
"Decide to fight those things like a mad madman." Jerry cut in.
I relaxed my brows, smiling as I shrugged.
Jerry sighed. "The mall’s entrance was supposed to be our choke point where we’ll resist the monsters."
Is that so?
Didn’t know. And you know why?
"I can’t read minds." I uttered, adjusting the duffel bag.
And that’s exactly why planning exists.
Jericho remained silent for a while before saying, "You’re... right."
I nodded.
Thank you.
"But you want to know the real reason I attacked them?"
"That’s why I asked." Said Marcus.
"I need more experience. I need to grow stronger. And the only way to grow stronger is by continuously facing an obstacle and overcoming it. In this case, the obstacles are these monsters, and I need to overcome them to grow."
Jerry nodded, "Hmm."
Marcus sighed, "Makes sense."
That should shut ’em up.
After that quick exchange, we didn’t converse much again as we walked back to the station.
The duffel bag was a bit weighty and uncomfortable, and several times, I contemplated just opening the Ashgrove and dumping it inside.
But I didn’t want to reveal all my cards yet, so I just bore with it.
Finally, we arrived at the station again.
At the gate, we were met with another guard, different from the last one.
I got a better look through the bars.
There were two guards.
One whispered into the ear of the other, "It’s the guy that bent the bars with his bear hands."
I raised a brow.
"Really?" The other me replied.
"Yeah, boss said not to mess with these people."
The guards both nodded, and immediately, they opened the gate.
We walked in, and the odor and heat combo attacked us immediately, causing me to scrunch my nose as we headed toward our corner at the far end of the station.
Upon reaching our destination, we slumped on the ground immediately, letting out exhausted sighs.
I dropped the bag of goods on the ground beside me.
"Ugh, my bones ache." Marcus cried out, rolling his shoulder as he groaned.
"That was a bit exhilarating," Jerry said, lying down on the ground.
"Let’s eat," I said, immediately opening the bag.
Marcus adjusted his position. Jerry sat up immediately, leaning in.
"Sure thing."
"I’m all in."
I smiled, bringing out the canned foods.
My belly rumbled the moment my eyes made contact with the food.
Hunger...
My worst enemy.
We divided every single thing in the bag into three places. Equal portions for the three of us.
The moment I settled down to eat the food from my portion, a scream echoed.
The scream was shrill and pain-filled. Furthermore, it sounded like it belonged to a child.
I moved my neck, scanning with narrowed eyes to catch the source of the scream.
In a certain corner, where a group stayed separate from the other groups, a young girl, one who looked no less than ten, shivered on the ground, holding onto the cloth of a man as she cried and muttered incoherent words.
I frowned.
What’s going on?
The man kicked the girl away, trying to work away, but the girl stubbornly held on, still crying.
"How is it my fault that you have no one in your group willing to take the risk to secure provisions and resources?!!" The man yelled out as the girl clenched his legs tightly, refusing to let go.
Finally, the girl’s words were audible. "Please, I’m.. I’m hungry, Mr."
My eyes widened at that moment.
Suddenly, a skinny woman dragged the girl and curled her in her arms, looking up to the man and apologizing.
The man clicked his tongue and walked away as the woman began comforting her daughter.
I didn’t know why, maybe it was because I had dreamt of her earlier, but as I stared at the little girl who cried in the arms of her mother, the image of her face overlapped with that of Margie’s.
I.. the girl strongly reminded me of Margie.
Immediately, I brought my food down.
I know all too well what hunger is capable of doing to a person. I’ve experienced it myself.
I began to pack my portion of food into the duffel bag.
But no child should ever experience that miserable feeling of hunger.
I regret day and night not being able to properly take care of Margie.
I stood up, raising the duffel bag immediately.
For me? I’ve endured hunger for a long time. Hunger and I know each other all too well now.
"Uh, Dustin? Are you okay? What’s wrong?" Marcus asked. His voice came out roughly as he had a full mouth.
Jerry swallowed. "I think I know."
"I’m coming," I said, walking toward the young girl.
The moment I reached the area of their group, a particular tension enveloped the place.
All the injured and bandage-wearing adults glared at me with wary eyes.
"What do you want?" A female asked.
I located the little girl, wrapped in her mother’s arms. And I walked toward them.
The mother flinched slightly as she gazed at me with trembling eyes.
"W–what is it?" She asked.
Suddenly, the little girl turned, eyes focused on me. "Mom?"
The girl’s eyes were clear, wide and innocent. They were devoid of fear. Clearly, these were eyes that hadn’t seen the dangers that this world had to offer.
This child wasn’t someone who belonged to this rough, pain-filled apocalypse. She was someone who needed love, care and the utmost treatment one could offer to a young child.
I almost felt bad for her.
Staring at her face, I realized it.
She really looks like Margie.
"What’s your name, kid?" I asked the girl with the most gentle voice I could muster.
The girl looked at her mom, a confused expression on her face, and she turned, staring at me with wide eyes as she blinked.
