My Childhood Friend Turned Yandere in the Apocalypse

Chapter 271: Ch 271:Grace Period.

[This is unfair, Rookie. Why are you doubting the system from the get-go? Did I do something to make you feel suspicious?]

The system asked, and Rin immediately felt defensive.

"It’s nothing you did. I’m just feeling a little more sensitive than usual. Don’t worry about it."

Once the system asked Rin this, he felt foolish and decided that he had been far too eager to investigate things. He needed to take things slowly so the system would not become suspicious of him.

[Hmm, if that’s the issue, then this senior understands. I will overlook your doubts and questions about the system.]

Rin nodded and then looked at the core in his hand.

The core was calling out to him, urging him to swallow it. But something inside him was telling him that it was not something he should do. Every time he ate a core, something inside him changed. He no longer felt entirely human.

[Please consume the core and increase your strength. Otherwise, the next few tasks are going to be difficult for you.]

The system warned him, and Rin swallowed the core.

He instantly felt stronger, but he also felt overwhelmingly tired.

His eyes closed, and Rin fell asleep, only to wake up later to see Shelly looking down at him with a concerned expression.

"Rin, wake up!...Are you really awake now? W-Wait here. I’ll go get Reina."

Shelly looked frightened, and Rin felt like he had to comfort her. He tried to move his body, but his arms felt heavy. They tingled when he tried to move them, indicating that they had been unused for quite some time.

’How long did I sleep? I don’t remember being that tired...’

The door slammed open, and Reina entered with a frightening expression on her face.

"Reina, how long was I—"

"You were out for two days. I don’t know what you did to land yourself in this condition, but it is unacceptable for you to collapse like this. Just what did you do? Can’t you stop worrying us for once?"

Reina asked in a harsh tone, but her eyes were soft and filled with worry.

She was scolding Rin because she cared about him, and that made Rin grin as he looked at her.

"Tsk, do you think this is funny? Do you have any idea how frightening it was to see you not wake up while the task was still ongoing? We didn’t even have time to properly look after you. What if something had happened to you? What would we have done?"

Reina asked while covering her face with one hand. She looked genuinely shaken and worried, which caused Rin’s words to die on his tongue. Now was not the time to stress her out any further.

Instead, he decided to tell her the truth.

"My body must have decided that this was the best way to absorb the core I consumed. There’s no need to worry. I’m completely fine now."

Rin reassured Reina, but she did not look convinced. Her eyes told Rin that she had a lot more to say but was holding back her temper.

Luckily, Amelia was with her and decided that Rin had had enough visitors for the day.

"Sister, it’s time for us to head out now. The fight is still ongoing, and we should give Rin some space as well."

Reina looked as though her mood was worsening, but she agreed in the end and left with her younger sister.

Rin held his breath and let it out once the pair was gone.

"Ugh, this is getting messy. But why did I collapse this time?"

He asked aloud, and the system answered him almost immediately.

[Notice: You collapsed because your body has started adjusting to the cores. Please do not pay any attention to it.]

The message felt both concerning and reassuring at the same time. Rin stared at the message for a long moment before dismissing it with a wave of his hand.

"Adjusting to the cores..."

He muttered those words under his breath, but they only made him feel more uneasy. Every core he consumed made him stronger.

That much was undeniable.

However, he had a feeling the ’adjustment’ was not a normal process that everyone went through. The side-effects were also increasing rapidly.

’If this continues...what will happen after the next core? And what changes are being made to my body?’

Before he could think any further, someone knocked gently on the door.

"Young Master?"

Collin stepped inside after receiving permission.

Unlike usual, the butler looked noticeably more tired. There were faint shadows beneath his eyes, and even his immaculate uniform showed slight signs of wear.

"You’ve finally awakened."

"I heard I caused everyone quite a bit of trouble."

Collin shook his head.

"You have nothing to apologize for. However..."

He hesitated for a brief moment.

"The settlement has managed to hold the monster tide so far, but everyone’s stamina is nearing its limit. The monsters become stronger with every passing wave. Even our veteran hunters are beginning to show signs of exhaustion."

Rin frowned.

"So the difficulty really is increasing."

"Yes."

Collin placed several reports on the bedside table.

"Our supplies are also being consumed much faster than expected. We still have about 4 days left, but it is getting harder and harder to hold the monsters back."

Rin immediately picked up the reports despite the heaviness still lingering in his body. He knew that the settlement was good, but the situation was getting too much even for them.

He expected this but to have it happen left him feeling exhausted.

"For now, hold the line. I am sure we will get another break soon enough."

Rin’s hand froze.

A new blue window appeared before his eyes.

[Rookie, is the current situation stressing you out? Don’t worry. This senior has managed to convince the higher-ups to send another calamity. Once you take it down, you can rest once more.]

Rin slowly closed the report in his hands.

"...So the grace period is over already."

It seemed the system had no intention of letting humanity catch its breath.