Mutagen

A strange cube made covered in ice and frost was how would look like to others. Inside the cube, however, was a structure that most humans in the world would not imagine.

It was a strangely magical structure, while at the same time, it appeared to be constructed by futuristic science.

The gray walls were clean as a hospital\'s corridors. Tiles as shiny as gems. And lights as bright as day. The phosphorus tubes that lined the walls showed a mystical aura filling the place. No one would think that such a structure like this would exist in one of the most unexplored places on Earth.

Now, however, two people entered the widely opened entrance that, strange enough, blocked with some an invisible barrier that did not allow ice and water to enter. Even small animals like strange-looking crustaceans and fishes could not enter.

"We finally arrived."

The man said as he let down the gorgeous woman he was carrying and protecting in his arms.

"Master, is your body okay? The water in these depths is very harsh. You also had to protect me."

The woman said as she worriedly grasped the man\'s large hand.

"Don\'t worry, Illia," The man smiled while caressing the woman\'s hair. "You know what my body is. This much won\'t harm me."

"But Master still used up a lot of energy. You also had to fight all those monsters while searching for this place. It\'s better if we rest here at the entrance first before entering. Who knows what the Creator had left here."

Illia insisted.

"Then, as you wish."

The man, the anti-god chimera, agreed with the woman\'s proposition.

These two were no other than Chimetrice and Illia that went to the icy arctic region in search of their place of origin. The laboratory of the Creator, the mad researcher that wanted to contend against the gods of that time.

Chimetrice might be something made to be powerful. However, he was not invincible or omnipotent. To find the place they wanted to go, they had to spend a lot of time and struggled quite a bit. He had to fight and kill monsters that were unfathomable to humankind. Kinds of monsters that were not even listed in any form of literature in the past and the present.

Furthermore, Chimetrice\'s body was not made to withstand the pressure in the deepest depths of the ocean for too long. That was one reason that they took too long to find this place that they had just entered. What was more was that this place was not something built steadily on any surface but floated, drifting under the icy sea of the arctic.

Finally, they managed to step into the place of their birth.

The place that many unfathomable creatures were born. This structure went by the ingenious name of [The Ice Cube]. It would sound funny, but it was not given by the Creator but the people of the past. Of course, it was because the whole structure was made to be a perfect cube that was covered ice, but not only that. This structure had defenses that would use the icy energy within the surroundings to destroy enemies.

In fact, it was one of the things that Chimetrice was afraid of. Even he would get harmed by these defenses that were mercilessly designed by the Creator. The Creator was aiming to go against the gods. And, of course, the defense weapons of [The Ice Cube] were also at that level.

When Chimetrice was looking for this place, he came alone and was cautious about everything. Fortunately, when he found [The Ice Cube], it seemed that the defenses did not activate as he checked. He did not know why. Maybe, it was broken after thousands of years without maintenance.

And now, Chimetrice brought Illia with him, thwarting all dangers, just to explore more about what happened in the place of their origin.

"It\'s good that we finally found this place."

Chimetrice said, looking at the surroundings.

"That\'s right. It took us many days just to find this place. It drifted too far from its original location after thousands of years." Illia sighed in tiredness. "Just my did our Creator make this thing drift following the northern magnetic pole?"

"Don\'t complain too much." Chimetrice shrugged. "By the current Earth\'s standards, it was already too fast for us to find this place."

That was right. It might have taken several days for them to find it, but compared to humans that did not even know about its existence, it was already fast.

And now, after a quick rest, they would explore the remains of their place of origin.

***

Day 144 - 7:31 AM - Bay City Settlement, Parañaque City, Metro Manila

With the Philippine Military, its people, and the Superhumans, the Bay City Settlement was still standing strong. Though for the most part, it was the Superhumans that was keeping it that way for the most part.

Superhumans, the term had not been used until two weeks ago. It was the term categorizing both Mutators and Evolvers as a whole. Of course, the difference in strength and abilities were still there between the two. However, the terminology had to be used as there was a sudden increase in Evolvers from the general populace. And for the most part, soldiers that were always participating in battles held the majority of the numbers.

At the moment, the effects of Mutagen on people became apparent for the populace. Their bodies were stronger than before the outbreak, with some exceptional people. It was the best circumstance considering that the infected were growing stronger for every single day that passed.

And, of course, it did not come without any trouble. Having more power than in the past made some people gain confidence, well, in a negative way. They became unruly, and some, making more uncontrollable groups that tormented other people while the military was not looking.

In fact, just this week, dozens of instances were reported, and they had to exile ten people for disregarding the rules. Not to mention some that they had to kill on the spot as they tried to kill people for the meager conflicts they had.

Looking at this situation, it was quite apparent that the stress of surviving in the crumbling world was already getting affecting many people. For the worst part, receiving more power was a trigger for them to release it.

This situation was not really helpful, considering that the scope of the military\'s activities was getting wider and wider. Resources in the close vicinity of the settlement were getting scarcer and scarcer. To gather more supplies, they had to move further away from Bay City. Not only that it would pose more danger to the soldiers, but it would also weaken the defense of the settlement.

The situations where scavenging groups, private or military, had to spend a day or two outside was also increasing.

But as if this was not hard enough to survive, today, Randy Rando- ahem, the world decided to add another hurdle for everyone.

Ashes brought by the wind covered the sky. The ash fell like snow, together with the smell of burnt cement in the air.

It was not a good thing as not only visibility was affected, but it would also pose respiratory inflictions to many people.

All of these were coming from the south.

And from what it looked like...

Taal Volcano had erupted.

Currently, the higher-ups of Bay City were in an emergency meeting to conduct measures to the current situation.

"Just what in the world is going on... Does the god really want to kill us all?"

An officer could not help but complain as he slumped on his seat. It was quite obvious that this man did not have enough rest due to the eyebags under his eyes.

"General, should we recall all the scavenging groups?" Another officer suggested. "Continuing with the current situation would be dangerous."

"I also have that notion." General Perez nodded. "It is better to tighten our supplies a bit than to lose people. Still, just why does Taal had to erupt now?"

Everyone was disgruntled at that question. It was when Professor Co spoke.

"You all can\'t blame anything for the eruption. It would happen sooner or later. In my opinion, it\'s already late. The Earth\'s temperature had gone down a month after the apocalypse. With global warming getting addressed, it will also affect the volcanos, delaying the eruption."

They all stared at the Professor. Of course, no one could refute him. It was a natural calamity, and no one would be able to blame nature.

"We really can\'t do anything about the falling ash. Instead, we should focus on the people. I don\'t think that the tent city will be able to endure the ashfall."

Captain Dela Rosa interjected.

That was also another problem. Everyone could not help but give a deep sigh as to how problems were piling up one after another.

At this time, they could not help but envy the New Infanta Settlement. Although they had experienced a disaster not long ago, their situation was getting better compared to Bay City.

In the latest report that they received through the radio, the New Infanta Settlement was already cultivating mutated crops and herding mutated animals. In the future, their state would just become more and more stable.

Still, there was also another problem they did not know whether to believe or not. Also, from the New Infanta Settlement, the intel that the second wave of the apocalypse would come. It was quite serious if it was a joke. However, in the current situation, it was doubtful if General Faustino would allow false information to go through just like that.

And the most important part, it seemed that the root of information was someone they knew and could not ignore, Mark. Of course, it did not come directly from him but from someone in his group. It was from Karlene Bautista, a rather famous actress in the past and the daughter of Major Bautista, which was one of the important foundations of the New Infanta Settlement.

The day was still early for Bay City Settlement, but they had a lot of hurdles to face for survival.

***

Day 144 - 8:11 AM - Island Cove, Covelandia Rd, Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite

At the same time, ten kilometers southwest of Bay City, there was a settlement of about two hundred people.

Being seven kilometers closer to Taal Volcano than Bay City, they experienced the ashfall much earlier.

Iland Cove was a resort hotel in Cavite surrounded by waters with only a single hundred-meter bridge leading in and out of the compound. It was a strategic place to hold out in the apocalypse as long as they had enough supplies.

And to say, they were in the same dilemma because of the ashfall.

Even so, it seemed that their scavenging group was still preparing to head out.

"Leader, are we still going to scavenge in this situation?"

A man from the scavenging group asked their leader.

"It\'s better to scavenge now while the ask fall is still thin. We should get as many supplies as while we still can."

The leader replied, making everyone understand. Well, even if they did not want to, their leader would still go out alone.

After all, he had a deep grudge towards the infected that he would kill any infected on sight. The stronger the infected, the stronger their leader also became. At the same time, the more bloodthirsty he grows until he defeated the enemy.

It was quite a strange ability. However, it was the same ability that kept the people here alive. After all, the road was too dangerous for them to travel to Bay City anymore.

Still, their leader was a strange one. From what they knew, he came from Bay City but left.

"Leader!"

Suddenly someone called out, entering the room where the scavenging group was preparing.

"What is it?"

"A horde wandered by the other side of the bridge."

"Good."

The Leader replied, not even asking the number of infected as he rushed out immediately.

And there, their Leader, Joseph Macaraeg, made another bloodthirsty massacre.