Night passed, and dawn broke…
"Big bro! Big bro, you have to wake up!"
Seth's brows furrowed as a distant voice rang out.
His eyes snapped open suddenly as he lunged upward, startled.
Eyes still clouded with confusion, he glanced around, seeing Brandon and the two others before him.
Brandon chuckled lightly on meeting his gaze. "Hehehe! You're a deep sleeper, aren't you? Well, with all we went through yesterday, you definitely deserve a good rest."
Then he continued, "Sorry for waking you up so abruptly, but the gathering is about to begin, and the Vice Principal has given instructions."
Seth, meanwhile, was in a daze, his mind distant as an influx of memories from last night rushed back.
His gaze narrowed grimly, remembering the last exchange with the Oracle.
Can you find a Corruption zone?
[You're sitting in one…]
This is bad. Our situation is more dire than I hoped. Going by what the Oracle said, we need to evacuate everyone.
He turned his gaze to Brandon, keeping his composure in check. "What did the Vice Principal instruct?"
It was Uriel who replied. "Apparently, only those who have vital information to offer can step into the meeting room for the information exchange. Which is why we woke you up. We figured you'd want to offer the info you shared yesterday yourself."
Seth pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "No. It's best if it comes from your mouth. Aside from information on my skill, you're free to relay the rest…"
Recalling something, he added, "Remember to include the fact that gene lineages can resist the contamination of Corruption."
The three froze, eyes widening in shock.
"What!" Elaine blurted out uncontrollably. She asked in a flurry, "How did you figure this out? How can you be so sure? Have you confirmed it?"
Seth tilted his head, replying to all her questions with one of his own. "Well… I'm still alive, aren't I?"
Her delicate face stiffened as she stared at Seth incredulously. "This guy…"
Meanwhile, Brandon observed the exchange, squinting his eyelids as he studied Seth.
Then he chuckled to himself. Yep… this guy's definitely hiding something. I can't tell if it's the same as what I have or different.
He glanced at a system prompt in his vision.
[Congratulations! Bestowed with the inheritance of the King of Myriad Flames!!!]
He muttered to himself, "I have to be sure before making any moves… lest I expose myself."
Uriel remained silent, staring at Seth for a minute before finally nodding. "Understood."
He was about to leave with Elaine when Seth called him back.
"Wait up. I never said I wasn't following." Seth rose to his feet.
Uriel went silent, a glimmer of surprise flickering in his eyes, then he nodded.
Elaine was even more shocked internally. Don't tell me this guy has even more info…
Most people had barely made heads or tails of their current situation, but Seth was pumping out insights like it was nothing.
She eyed him suspiciously. Could it be he knew about all this before it happened?
Pausing, she shook her head. On further thought, there was no way that was possible.
With that, all three made their way to the meeting room.
---
In the seminar room connected to the auditorium, the Vice Principal sat at the head of the wide conference table, listening as a youth spoke.
"You have to understand what I'm saying — systems, EXP, zombies… it's just like in the novels! We seriously need to start planning for dungeon gates!" A slender boy with bright eyes explained passionately, addressing the room full of people.
Vice Principal Cromwell stared at him for a minute, letting him finish before speaking.
"We understand. We'll keep that in mind, young Sir Tevin…"
Before the boy could continue, Cromwell hurriedly waved his hand. "Next person, please."
Disgruntled, Tevin sat back down, muttering under his breath. "Tsk… if you all don't listen, when it's my time to shine, it'll be clear who the MC is… me!"
Vice Principal Cromwell shook his head, massaging his forehead as though trying to banish a headache.
Staring at the room full of people helplessly, he sighed inwardly. So far, everyone had just been relaying conjectures and assumptions.
Some spoke of towers, others of dungeons, but none had offered anything substantial that could help predetermine their way forward or figure out how to survive this madness.
The door swung open as three figures stepped in.
Seeing the trio, Cromwell quickly recognized two. His eyes lit up as he sat straighter.
"Welcome to our little gathering. Young Mister Uriel, young Miss Elaine — please, have a seat." He gestured.
Though a Vice Principal, most of these students came from absurdly powerful families and corporations.
Which was why he had to tread a thin line between respect and strictness — a frustratingly hard balance.
Sigh… I hate my job. Just two months. Two months till I retire, and the end of the world couldn't wait till then, he vented inwardly, though his expression remained placid.
Smiling, he offered before another conspiracy theorist could speak, "I take it you have information to offer?"
Deep down, he desperately hoped they wouldn't just spit assumptions. Even if they did, he prayed it would be based on careful analysis and observation.
Uriel nodded, standing as he began to relay everything Seth had informed them — not beating around the bush.
The more the staff and students listened, the more shocked they became. From the layered ranking of gene skills and weapons to a brief explanation of gene lineages and their perks, it was the first substantial information they'd received.
Finally… something I can work with. Cromwell let out a sigh of relief, pondering Uriel's explanations.
The room remained silent for a minute after Uriel finished speaking. Then someone asked a question.
It was Mr. Harold. "You said something about drops. Where's the proof?" he inquired seriously.
If loot drops were real, they had truly underestimated the value of zombies and monsters.
Uriel glanced at Seth, who promptly summoned the gene skill crystal and passed it to the Vice Principal.
The elderly man's eyes widened at the system prompt.
Everyone stared curiously at him and the object.
Then he announced incredulously, "It's a gene skill crystal of the Elite grade."
His expression cloaked with excitement, he continued, "With this, everyone has a chance of getting a skill! We can mobilize everyone and sweep the entire school clean of monsters while we wait for the government's rescue!"
He smiled. Finally, he could see their next moves. As for why he was so sure the government would send a rescue?
It was obvious. This wasn't a normal school. Every single soul here was an elite — an asset the government, having just survived an apocalypse, would desperately need.
Seth frowned at the man's statement. Then, out of nowhere, he spoke.
Every pair of eyes in the room turned toward him.
"I don't think that is a wise move…"