The camp was calmer once everyone finished talking with me. They were more unified than ever.

I even told them that once we were out, they could leave their guilds and join mine once it was fully established.

These people had survived a Tower Echo. Even though most of the work had been done by me, it showed that their survival instincts were higher than average.

"Big Brother." Hai-Min approached me, her expression serious.

"What is it?"

"I…" She paused, searching for the right words. "I heard what happened. I just want you to know—you don't have to feel guilty. Those people were dangerous, and you were only protecting yourself."

I almost laughed. Guilt was the last thing I felt after massacring those guys. Then again, it also meant my acting was solid.

"Thank you. That means a lot." I patted her head lightly.

And with that, life in the camp went back to normal.

However, the longer we stayed, the more we realized we needed things to keep us entertained and make life more comfortable. That was when I remembered my plan to head to the upper floor.

A team of seekers waited near the stairs. When they saw me walk toward them, they straightened up.

"We're heading to the upper floor. Stay behind me unless you want to die."

They nodded and followed.

Seeing the upper floor again made me miss the lower one. This place was shrouded in eternal darkness, and the smell of burned wood lingered everywhere.

Things would get better if the boss of this floor was gone, but even with all the power-ups I gained so far, taking that risk wasn't worth it.

crack!

One of the seekers stepped on a can, and we all stared at him like he was an idiot.

He scratched his head and muttered an apology.

I ignored him and focused my attention ahead.

According to the info I got, there was a mall on the eastern side of the city. It had everything we needed.

A few seekers tightened their grip on their weapons when they spotted a group of monsters.

"Leave them to me."

The first flaming monkey launched itself from a burnt bus, fire trailing its arms.

One strike from my spear cut through it. It fell, sparks hissing as it hit the ground.

But that was just the start.

Flaming monkeys launched from the rooftops, embers trailing behind them.

Next, Granado monkeys crashed through walls and windows, fists smashing anything in their path.

One block alone was packed with countless monsters, their numbers almost overwhelming.

"Ekkkkkk!"

Their cries and shrieks merged into a thunderous roar that filled the streets.

The seekers behind me didn't panic—their experience fighting the boss had already hardened them."

"Don't break formation, no matter what," I shouted.

The spear felt right in my hands. I braced, focusing a little bit of energy.

"Moon Needle Thrust—Wind Shadow!" I yelled, driving my weapon forward.

A spinning cyclone of air erupted around the spear, cutting through the crowd of monsters. They were tossed aside as remains scattered in every direction.

The dark cyclone didn't stop. It kept spinning, cutting through everything until it reached the crossroad, leaving the path ahead clear.

I wasn't done yet.

With a twist of my wrist, I changed stance and readied myself.

"Moon Shattering Impact- Wind Shadow " I shouted, driving my spear into the ground.

Using the wind and the rotation of my strike, rocks shot upward faster than bullets, forming a hailstorm that tore through the sky.

Monsters gripping the walls were thrown clear, their screams echoing as they tumbled to the pavement.

More tried to ambush us as we moved deeper into the city they decided to throw ball of fires toward us.

"Moon Reflector!" I spun my spear, redirecting the attack toward them and setting off explosion after explosion in rapid succession.

Soon, the area opened enough for my team to move without danger.

"Spread out. Check every store. Bring back anything that can help the camp."

The group split up and ran into the mall. They pushed open wrecked doors, checked rooms, and fought off smaller beasts hiding inside.

A pair of seekers shouted from a supermarket. They dragged out two sacks of snacks, water bottles, and cooking oil.

Another came out of a pharmacy holding medicine and bandages. Someone else found batteries, cold packs, and small gas canisters.

Then there were those who grabbed alcohol—because, apparently, it was a priority in an apocalypse.

With each item they carried, the group grew more sure of themselves.

I stayed on the street, clearing monsters that wandered too close.

"Gather everything in one spot. We leave once the carts are full."

They moved fast. Supplies covered the road—food on one side, medical items on another, comfort items stacked in the back. They tied everything with ropes and torn cloth from curtains.

All the shopping carts were lined up like a train—almost twenty of them in total.

"Time to go. Move out."

The carts rolled behind me as we marched. I walked in front, clearing anything that got too close.

We shouted warnings to each other. They moved supplies between carts and kept their formations tight. Even in the chaos, the line stayed steady.

Each step forward cleared more of the street. The seekers had just enough space to maneuver, and the convoy kept moving steadily.

Soon we reached the forest. I used my shadow to secure most of the supplies, tying them down so they wouldn't move. Then I headed back to the stairs.

Monsters poured in relentlessly as we retreated. The attacks never stopped, and even I felt the exhaustion mounting.

We finally caught our breath once we reached the stairs. Behind us, the monsters no longer pursued. They were bound to this floor and couldn't leave it under normal circumstances.

"We did it!" They cheered and laughed, relief written all over their faces.

Their excitement was more about the haul we'd brought back than the fact that they survived.

"Yes, we did! Tonight, we celebrate! It will be a party! " I raised my arm, joining in their cheers.

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Authors Note:

Bonus Chapter 3/7

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