My Childhood Friend Turned Yandere in the Apocalypse

Chapter 269: Ch 269: Task 13 - Part 1

By the time Collin called the meeting, there was not much time left before the next task started. The meeting room was much quieter than usual.

Everyone present had already heard the system’s announcement, and the atmosphere reflected the pressure pressing down on them. The current leaders of their settlement looked exhausted but worried at the same time.

However, Rin had far more pressing matters to discuss than soothing these leaders...namely Kyle and Mira.

"I was hoping the two of you would stay and help us defend the settlement. I know this is a selfish request, but your strength would make a huge difference here."

Rin spoke honestly, looking at the pair. He really wanted Kyle and Mira’s help.

Kyle looked conflicted for a brief moment before letting out a quiet sigh.

"I expected you would ask. But I have people waiting for me as well. They’re relying on me just as much as your settlement relies on you. If I stay here, then my own people might die because I abandoned them."

He crossed his arms before continuing with a serious expression on his face. There was no hesitation in Kyle’s words.

Rin could understand exactly where he was coming from.

If their positions had been reversed, Rin would have rushed back to his own settlement without thinking twice.

Mira nodded beside Kyle.

"Our base isn’t nearly as stable as yours either. Honestly, I’m surprised we’ve managed to survive this long. I’d love to stay and play with everyone a little longer, but this time I have responsibilities too."

She scratched the back of her head awkwardly before smiling.

Silence filled the room.

Rin lowered his gaze toward the map.

His heart felt strangely unsteady, and he had a feeling that he was responsible for the changes in Kyle and Mira.

They had never shown that they cared about their settlement until now, so Rin had not thought much of it and had subconsciously counted on them for support. And now they were leaving.

He suddenly realized how dependent he had become on outside help.

"...I understand. You have your own people waiting for you. I won’t stop you."

Rin finally nodded and chose to rethink his plans. He would have to deal with the coming situation without any external support.

Kyle looked relieved.

"Thank you. If we both survive this task...then let’s exchange information afterward."

He extended his hand, and Rin accepted the handshake.

"We’ll do that."

Mira suddenly grinned.

"And don’t die before I get back. I still have a lot of experiments I want to do."

Shelly immediately narrowed her eyes.

"You should worry about your own survival first. Actually, it would be better if you kicked the bucket. I won’t have to see your ugly face then."

"See? She’s threatening me already."

Mira laughed before waving her hand.

"Take care, everyone."

The two outsiders quickly left the settlement.

Watching them disappear through the main gate made Rin’s chest feel unexpectedly heavy.

It felt as though a portion of their fighting strength had vanished alongside them. But there was no time to dwell on it.

The system’s countdown reached zero.

[Ding.]

[Settlement Defense has begun.]

The earth trembled.

Everyone instinctively looked toward the horizon.

Dark figures slowly appeared in the distance.

One...

Ten...

Hundreds...

Thousands.

The monster tide stretched as far as the eye could see.

"They’re here."

Rin immediately drew everyone’s attention with his words, and they all took their assigned positions.

"Everyone, move to your assigned positions!"

The monsters closed in around them and started striking the barrier that the support hunters had cast.

The first monsters crashed into it seconds later.

Boom!

The impact shook the entire barrier.

Thankfully...

It held.

"They’re weaker than I expected."

Teressa muttered after slicing apart another wolf-like monster.

Shelly nodded beside her.

"We should be able to take care of them without much trouble."

Even Albus looked pleasantly surprised.

But Rin had a feeling that things were not as they seemed. This was Task 13. Would the monsters really be this weak at such an important stage?

"I think we prepared too much."

The first several hours passed surprisingly smoothly. The monsters continued arriving without pause, but the hunters handled them efficiently.

Every wave was eliminated before it reached the settlement walls.

"I thought this task would be harder."

Albus muttered as he looked at the incoming wave. Taking care of these monsters felt somewhat manageable.

Hope slowly spread throughout the settlement.

Even Rin allowed himself to relax slightly.

’Maybe...this won’t be as difficult as I feared.’

Unfortunately...

The system had been waiting for exactly that thought.

[Ding.]

[Battlefield Adjustment initiated.]

Rin frowned.

"What?"

[The current difficulty no longer matches participant growth.]

[Increasing monster attributes.]

[Humans have shown incredible potential, which has moved this system. That’s why the system has decided that they deserve another challenge.]

[A new calamity will be born among the monsters soon, and it will challenge the Kalos Settlement. Please defeat it to show your resolve.]

"This...doesn’t feel fair!"

Someone complained, and Rin agreed with that sentiment.

It was not fair for the system to spring such a task on them. They were far from ready...

And yet, it did not seem as if the system had any intention of backing away and letting them be.

"Young Master, what should we do now?"

Collin asked with a worried look on his face, and Rin decided to take a deep breath to calm himself down.

"Well, what else can we do? The system is telling us all to die, so we will just have to resist it with all our might."

[Ding!]

[The calamity is the ultimate form of test for humanity. If it is defeated, the settlement will receive a one-day grace period for rest and recovery.]

That was not a fair trade, but it was better than nothing.

"Well, let’s do our best. Albus, Shelly, are you ready?"

Rin asked, and the pair nodded.

"We are ready."

"Let’s take the calamity down and earn some well-deserved rest. I will be counting on you to give me my ’reward’ later for this."

Shelly’s words made Rin shiver, but he had no time to focus on her. Not when he had a calamity looming over his head.