Dark Warlock in the Apocalypse

Chapter 18: A New Alliance Part 2

"How many do you think will survive until the later stages?"

Ethan Cooper's mouth shut tight again. Any attempt at answering would likely have resulted in me asking, "And on what grounds?"

Anyone with any awareness would keep quiet at that point.

"I figured that it's better to focus on surviving the early stages rather than gambling on making it to the later ones."

"Y-yes, I understand."

"So, what exactly brings you here? I doubt you came just to confirm that I'm a Beta tester."

"The truth is, I have a proposal for you."

Having regained his composure, Ethan leaned forward and spoke with a serious expression, as if ready to present a life-changing offer.

"Would you be willing to join me in rescuing people?"

I stared at Ethan in silence. For someone to make such an absurd proposal, they must have a reason.

"Why?" I asked.

"Too many innocent lives are being lost. It's too cruel..."

"Okay, got it. Goodbye now. What was the command for 'kick out' again?"

"N-no, wait! Besides the moral reasons, there's also a very practical one!"

Ethan , who had tried to set a noble tone, quickly switched gears, sweating nervously.

He should've started with the practical part. Trying to play the hero wouldn't work on me. Even if he had been sincere, I was ready to turn him down, but with such an obvious ulterior motive? Definitely not.

"Alright, let's hear the practical reason then."

"To put it simply, we don't have enough people. There's not enough population."

World Breaker is a game where the goal is to rebuild civilization. But how can you do that without people? You can't be a leader if there's no one to lead.

"In the game, the objective was to find a small village in the early stages and develop it into a thriving city. But we're in the real world now. There aren't any pre-existing towns like that."

"That's true. Besides, we're in a city already, and people are scattered around everywhere."

"Exactly. I believe the system wants us to use the people gathered in these safe zones to rebuild civilization. But what can we possibly achieve with just fifteen people?"

It was a brutal, but necessary process. After all, if the monsters didn't kill people, it would be humans killing humans. Just like that old man earlier who nearly got himself murdered by Gavin Park for throwing insults.

I opened my mouth to share my thoughts with Ethan .

"What you said wasn't wrong, but what I'm trying to say is—"

Suddenly, a bright light flashed before my eyes.

"Savior of Lives"

Category: Side Quest

Details: Due to the monster wave, many lives are being lost. Rescue those trembling in fear from the undead threat and bring them back to the village. A minimum of ten people must be rescued, or the quest will be considered a failure.

Reward: Beginner Equipment Set (based on class)

"...that talking about this is just a waste of time!"

"What?"

"There's no reason why people should need a reason to save others! If those of us with strength don't act now, what will become of the world?"

"Wait, weren't you just saying—"

"Come on, let's go! People are waiting for us to save them!"

With my chest burning with righteous fire, I stood up energetically. Maybe, deep inside, there was still a spark of humanity left in me after all the madness I'd seen.

Yes, this warmth filling my heart—it must be compassion.

It definitely wasn't greed for the quest reward.

Definitely not.

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