Chapter 163: Setting Humanity Back On Track
Billard Dorn was the holder of one of, if not the highest, commands over the military.
His jurisdiction was the whole nation. His role was broad: national security, troop training, logistical missions, and so on.
But since he had gotten to his current post after the great reshuffling that happened due to the apocalypse, he was ashamed to say he was a failure.
He had failed to save a lot of citizens, failed to protect the nation, failed to create more safe zones for the people.
He had sent hundreds of thousands of soldiers to their deaths with nothing to show.
And even though no one blamed him due to the absurdity and brutality of the new reality, Billard’s heart was still weighed down by his inadequacy.
Which was why, when he heard of Seth’s team — Apex, individuals that could clear corruption zones like it was a walk in the park — he was optimistic.
And indeed, they were efficient. So far, around nine new safe zones had been created thanks to them.
But he still had a problem. In his eyes, Apex were powerful indeed, but they were too few.
He needed more soldiers like these figures with that much power. If he could do that, the problem of corruption zones would be gone and America would be whole again!
Which was why he needed to know: what was their secret? What made them this overwhelmingly strong?
He tapped a finger upon his table as he sat relaxed on his recliner, examining Seth with bright eyes.
To him, this was an opportunity — a chance to meet with the spearhead of Apex. Probably he could get something useful...
Seth’s brows creased tighter as he also silently observed the elder on his end...
’Hm? Let’s try this first.’ Seth decided to cheat a little, sending out waves of his will. He tried to scan the map, but his will suddenly diffused the moment it got close.
The fuck? He stared at the elder, suspicion brewing in his eyes. He tried again and failed.
Forcing down a scowl, alas, he could only oblige the elder.
"What do you want to know?" Seth suddenly spoke up, asking. He didn’t have time to waste — every second counted to him.
The elder’s smile stretched. He had imagined countless scenarios of him confronting Apex.
He had a thousand questions, but he knew he could only ask one. Plus, he had to tread the thin line.
He couldn’t afford to offend these guys, so he phrased his question delicately.
As much as he was dying to know their secret, he wouldn’t be asking about that today.
"I want your advice on how I can make my soldiers stronger." He stated frankly, causing Seth to be taken aback.
Seth blinked, staring at the elder in mild confusion. This was the last question he had expected to be thrown his way.
Here he was, preparing to hear something exaggerated, something that he would blatantly turn down and leave.
Billard continued to speak. "It’s been five weeks, and apart from Apex and Alpha, no other soldier squad in my command — not a single one — is able to clear a corruption zone.
If given time, I am confident that we will get there eventually. But that’s the issue — we simply don’t have time!
A war will be breaking out soon, one that can send our race into extinction as we know it. And the only battle-ready soldiers we have are Apex and Alpha. The rest? Cannon fodder. I can’t let that remain so."
Billard paused, letting out a heavy sigh, his broad upright shoulders drooping as though a layer of heavy straps had been burned upon them. He continued staring into Seth’s eyes.
"You have experience, you have power. If you can share means, humanity stands a greater chance..."
Seth listened silently, his eyes flashing. He squinted as he found himself agreeing internally. ’True...’
Humanity was talented. They were a race with limitless potential after all.
But therein lay the problem. Though the growth of humanity as a whole was fast, it wouldn’t be enough for the war to come.
Not to add, he had been recently enlightened on how terrifying other races of Earth were.
In this war, humanity’s talent might give them an edge, but that was only if they could withstand the initial pressure of their foes long enough to adapt.
But after witnessing the raw brutality of the Bloodborne firsthand, and their terrifying abilities, Seth had met ancient humans awakened — and he had to say... they stood zero chance.
True, humans had stars like Trisha foresaw, but they also needed time to grow.
And that was the point. Growth was personal. He couldn’t really give advice on how to make others stronger.
The only thing he could say was for them to engage in more near-death battles frequently.
But that was the thing — these blood-hardened soldiers did the same. It was just that their results varied.
And everyone grew at their own pace...
Seth stared into the desperate eyes of Billard, and he could see the hope beneath his gaze. Seth couldn’t bring himself to crush it.
So he spoke. Since the elder asked for a means, he’d give one. As for if they could implement it, that was up to the government.
"Humans didn’t dominate the Earth, becoming hegemons by being the strongest, nor the fastest, nor were our skins the toughest...
We dominated because of one crucial factor."
Seth suddenly fell into silence, staring at the elder, waiting for him to get his meaning...
The elder’s gray brows creased. "Because of intelligence?" he attempted a reply.
And Seth shook his head. "Intelligence was the means, but it wasn’t the factor that led to the outcome."
The elder’s eyes sparkled, instantly realizing where Seth was going... "Weapons!"
Seth smiled, slapping the desk in confirmation. "Yes! Exactly!"
"But now the origin descended. Humans have awakened to become Evolvers. We can now grow drastically stronger than previously thought possible.
Powers beyond comprehension now lay at our fingertips. And it’s precisely because of this that we have begun to err in our path."
The elder raised a brow, leaning forward to clasp his hands on his desk. "How so?"
Seth found himself a chair and sat. "We now focus on individual strength. Firearms are not as effective, so now people prioritize drop loot items.
While they are effective, it is slowly dulling our edge. So far, though humanity hasn’t completely abandoned technology, we’ve set our sights too high instead of starting where it matters."
The more Seth spoke, the brighter the elder’s eyes became as he comprehended where Seth was going with this. This boy was a genius!
He was right!
Humanity truly had erred. The government had pushed towards infrastructure and focused on various crafts and technologies, but they didn’t put mind to weapons.
This was a tiny detail that even the higher-ups themselves didn’t think of.
Well, it wasn’t their fault. Everyone had subconsciously defaulted to think origin items and weapons would be better.
Flaming swords that could cut from distances and armors that could repel elemental damages — that all sounded cool and all.
But if one paused and thought about it for a moment, it provoked the thought...
What if humans, studying these origin items, began to slowly enhance their own weapon craft?
Instead of adapting another’s, what if they assimilated it?
Guns powered by essence! Bullets inscribed with effects that let them fold space!
Grenades that spat mini black holes... the possibility was endless!
Chills crawled across Billard’s skin, not from fear but from excitement at a breakthrough.
He stared at Seth, his gaze carrying a deeper level of newfound respect.
This lad had silently and objectively analyzed everything and pointed at a flaw where he saw one.
Honestly, if Seth hadn’t spoken, how long would they continue like this before realizing? What was for sure was that by then it would be too late.
The elder rushed to his feet, tossing the map towards Seth. "Boy, I can’t thank you enough. The government — no, humanity — owes you once again."
Seth smiled and was about to reply when his eyes suddenly caught sight of something on the elder’s left wrist. A familiar-looking silver watch sat.
His gaze narrowed. ’Tsk tsk, no wonder I couldn’t scan the map in his grasp no matter how I tried. As I thought, the government also has awakeneds.’
The elder, oblivious to Seth’s discovery, remained giddy, escorting Seth as he left the office, stunning the guards.
Once he was done with this, he rushed back into his office, preparing to implement Seth’s advice.
Unknowingly, this little stray encounter of Seth’s had unwittingly put the humans on the path to becoming the most feared creatures in the cosmos.
Figures that crafted weapons that made even gods toss in their sleep.
But before they could reach this level, they first had to deal with the dark calamity that was looming...
