Chapter 180: Zombie sighting
The winter period lasted for more than one month. Contrary to Ember and Aiden’s expectations, the enthusiasm in the base didn’t die down. They weren’t sure whether it was the games or having felt the cold, but Ember had noticed the CL was growing more and more each day. She was giddy at first, but then it became the norm.
It was only after some time that she learned the reason the CL was growing was because of the dark room they used in the game. Since it was recommended, Ember had it left in the garden of knots. She hadn’t expected so many people would be willing to use it.
She purchased more than one from the mall, just because of the phenomenon. Then there was another factor: those who used it were happier during the day, providing her with AB as well as CL. People got closer to each other by having orgasms together.
The days in the base were filled not only with sensual pleasures but also with the churning of daily life. Each person was required to use the ghost protocol to enhance their fighting skills. Aiden didn’t want to see everyone lose their edge. The base might be safe, but that didn’t mean the world was.
And as a new world did, it surprises people.
This day was like any other. A perimeter check to ensure their safety. The sun was just appearing over the horizon. Ember and Aiden were checking the surveillance from the comfort of their room, while the other base members walked around the perimeter.
Aiden furrowed his brows when he saw what appeared to be a person running towards the base. They were still some distance away. Aiden zoomed in, and his face turned ugly. What he thought was a person was actually a zombie.
Before he could send out a notification, Ember received a message from the CE. Apparently, Valentina’s Dominion Lust System had been upgraded. The CE was in the midst of fighting it. And while it hadn’t lost, a variety of circumstances caused the location of their base to become visible.
It gave the DLS enough time to lock on to their signature. So now, Valentina was aware of their location. One other thing the CE found was that the DLS had something to do with the zombies.
"What?!" Ember exclaimed. She sat up from her comfortable position in Aiden’s arm. Her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open. She stuttered for a moment before taking a deep breath to calm herself.
Aiden saw her jump up and thought she was looking at the surveillance. He patted her back, comforting her.
"Don’t worry, we have enough manpower to take care of a few zombies."
Ember didn’t hear what Aiden said. She was still probing the CE for information.
According to what it found, the DLS has something to do with the doomsday, as did her previous Lust System. Their task was to prepare humanity. Becoming stronger and faster was a side effect they engineered.
The CE noted that their version of faster and stronger was limited. The drones in Valentina’s base are actually what they need. Mindless machines that are only good for breeding.
Ember couldn’t help laughing when she heard what the CE said.
"Who are they?" Ember asked. The CE remained silent. "You’ve told me everything else. Why can’t you tell me who they are?"
[You have not reached the threshold to be able to access such knowledge.]
Ember sneered. She already knew everything else, so why couldn’t she know who the mastermind was? Or was there another aspect she knows nothing about?
If they can control zombies, then what about other things? Plants, animals? Is everything on Nesphera controlled by them? Then what does that make humans? Lab rats? They’ve finished one experiment and decided to do another?
The questions kept coming, but Ember had no one who wanted to answer. After giving the information, the CE went quiet. Ember wondered if this thing was really trying to help her. Besides giving a few rewards in the beginning, it didn’t do anything else.
No. She couldn’t think like that. The base is running so smoothly, not just because of the directorate. The CE is doing a lot behind the scenes, too. But that didn’t make her feel any better. What else is there she couldn’t know?
Aiden, beside her, saw she didn’t respond to his remark. He watched her face change from sneering to blank. The surprise in her eyes changed to scorn, then something akin to reluctant acceptance.
This wasn’t about zombies, he noted.
He waited until she came to terms with whatever it was before saying anything.
When she finally relaxed into his arms again, she closed her eyes. She was controlling her breathing. He could feel how rigid she was. Only when she calmed down did he speak.
"What’s wrong?" He ran a fingertip across her cheek.
Ember sighed. "A lot is wrong. So much is wrong. I don’t even know where to start."
"Take your time. You don’t have to tell me everything. How about I tell you my news? It might not make you feel so bad."
She shuffled, sitting up straighter. "You have good news? I need good news right now."
Aiden hummed. "I’m not sure this qualifies as good news. But I’m sure it’s not worse than whatever has you upset."
At this point, Ember couldn’t bother glaring at him. She felt he was right. Anything he said would be better than what the CE had told her. Someone was toying with their lives, and she didn’t like it.
"There are zombies close by. We can have everyone go out for some training. I don’t think it’s the ones that Marcus saw last time. These are scattered."
At the mention of zombies, Ember pursed her lips. She didn’t want to hear about zombies. First, their hidden location is no longer hidden, and now zombies are coming their way. But she had to admit it was good training. Even if the Ghost Protocol trained everyone. There weren’t many times they could use the skill in the real world.
