Mutagen

It was located in the middle of the flatlands and was a central location between three more towns. And to say, it was a place filled with potential to be dug up.

Now, however, this place was a location that most unaffiliated people would not dare go to.

Unaffiliated to who?

Of course, the aggressive faction of the Rebels.

Being in the middle of the flat farming fields served as an advantage for the rebels. It was a strategic place that was hard to infiltrate without getting spotted.

As such, the aggressive faction took the opportunity to secure this place, turning it into their own fortress.

And to say, the aggressive faction did not dilly dally on developing this area. From walls to new buildings and training facilities, this place was packed. Although its development was slower due to lack of heavy equipment, it was not lagging behind. It might even have the most changes compared to the Codon after the outbreak started.

Unfortunately, unlike the Catanduanes Settlement that was built by combined efforts, this one was by sheer forced labor.

Almost all the previous residents of San Pedro, no, it could be even the majority of Viga, had fallen into the hands of the rebels.

Capable men were trained and drafted to the ranks of the rebels, while women and children were put to other necessary things like agriculture and crafts. As for the rest, they were the ones that were made to build the current state of the town.

But of course, not everyone would dare try to join their ranks voluntarily. Thus, those people had some of their family members held by the rebels for assurance, especially for the most capable people.

For the majority, though, they had no choice but to obey. It was not like the survivors could go somewhere else. In this place, only the fortress the rebels own was the safest place. Leaving and venturing to the mountains was suicide. It was the same for living outside.

The only good thing, however, the rebels had some line drawn that they were not crossing.

The NPA wanted a change of governance. They were not bandits. As such, they had their own laws to be obeyed. As such, no women were forced to give their bodies to the rebels. Nevertheless, it was another thing if the women decided to sell themselves for extra food and supplies.

Of course, there were some bandit minded people among the rebels. However, those that broke the laws were subjected to inhumane punishment.

Once, there was a member that molested a child. And then, ended up killing the poor girl in the process. Unfortunately for the guy, he was caught while trying to dispose of the body.

The perpetrator was then hanged naked in the central plaza to be an example for everyone. His confessed deed was posted on a sigh with a small rack containing a stingray tail. Anyone was free to pick up that stingray tail to whip the criminal.

And, of course, the criminal died in that event.

That was why no one would dare break the laws at present.

Why was that? Well, it was because the leader of the aggressive faction was also a woman. That was why.

But of course, being a woman, she did not hold the authority over the whole faction.

And that was why, even though the leader seemed to be a decent person herself, a suicide attack was conducted.

The culprit for that was no other than the in-charge of their military forces. He was called Lorenzo Esperanza, going by the alias Renz.

Renz heard about what was happening a the settlement and sent some strike forces over. In fact, he had been waiting for this chance for a long time. He already deployed his army in advance and could be moved at a moment\'s notice.

That was why the soldiers of the rebels arrived too early during the attack at the Catanduanes Settlement. If they had to deploy their forces from the base, it might take a half-day to traverse the road, after all.

And now, Renz was spending time with his women, waiting for the good news to arrive.

While the giggles and moans of pleasure could be heard from his quarters, the messenger finally arrived.

"Sir! A message from the field had arrived."

The messenger knocked on the door, reporting at the same time.

"Come in."

Renz\'s voice was heard.

The messenger came in, only to see that Renz was still in the middle of playing with two women, unashamed that one of his men could see them.

Fortunately, it seemed that the messenger was already used to this scene and could keep his composure. He could only sigh inside as he stared at the middle-aged man playing with two decades younger girls.

"How is it? Did those the government settlement fall already?"

Renz asked, confident at the fall of the settlement. He already heard that the situation was not good at the infected\'s side. The soldiers of the government were having a hard time defending their walls and port. If their plan to attack succeeded, the government settlement would be destroyed. Even if it did not fall, it would be severely damaged.

Their plan was to send an assault party to ambush the walls. Of course, it was a suicide since it was only a small number of people. But that was the point. When the soldiers thought they won after killing the assault party, the actual ambush would finally start. It would send the government forces in disarray, without a doubt.

"S-Sir Renz..." The messenger stuttered as his attention was now back to the report. "The attack had not begun..."

"What?!" Renz stopped humping in utter surprise. "What time is it already?! Why haven\'t they started?!"

"W-wait, Sir!" The messenger hurriedly said. "They already sent the assault party. B-but..."

"BUT WHAT?!"

Renz roared.

"The assault party strangely vanished after entering the forest near the government settlement."

The messenger explained.

Renz could not help but frown. He turned to the two girls lying on his bed.

"You two, get out."

Without saying anything, the two girls grabbed their scattered clothes and scurried out of the room, naked.

Renz donned his clothes, and it seemed that he was going to take things seriously now.

"We are going to the comms center. Tell me what happened along the way."

Renz said as he went out of his room, followed by the messenger.

"Actually, Sir, there\'s nothing much to report." The messenger said. "Aside from a few noises from the forest, no one noticed anything else. There was no battle that happened either along the walls."

"So, are you saying that they vanished just like that?"

Renz asked, making the messenger fall silent.

With a frown, Renz asked the messenger another question.

"What is the possibility of them escaping or turning over to the military?"

"Very low, Sir." The messenger thought about the answer for a second before replying. "The members of the assault party consisted of people who had relatives under our custody. We also handpicked those that seemed to have stronger bonds to ensure that they will not mess things up."

That was how the assault party, which was obviously a suicide mission, was created. The members could not decline, escape, or betray them. If they did, their loved ones would be implicated.

Then, the assault party vanishing like that was definitely an odd situation.

Renz and the messenger made their way towards the comms center of the base. The place where communications between the deployed armed squads were centralized.

Opening the door, however, Renz could only frown.

"You are finally here, Renz." A woman was already waiting inside. "What is this assault party I\'m hearing about?"

The atmosphere inside the comms center was quite cold. It was clear that it was because of this woman.

This woman, without a doubt, was the leader of this faction, Emellynn Aguillera. She was a woman in her early thirties with a strict looking face. Just a stare from her fierce eyes could shake a person with a weak heart.

Being started by those questioning eyes made Renz feel unpleasant. However, being an older man with a trained body, Renz would not back down from such a stare.

"A plan I made to ensure success in our attack at the settlement," Renz replied, staring straight at Emellynn\'s eyes. "This time, the settlement is under attack by the infected. It is the perfect opportunity to deploy such pla-URK!"

Renz was not able to finish his explanation. It was because, by the time he knew, his neck was already grasped tightly by Emellynn\'s cold right hand.

More than just a woman with stature, she was also an [Evolver] and a [Level 3 Mutator]. That was why, even though she had lesser influence over the rebels, no one would try to confront her face to face. It was especially because of her hot temper in contrast to her cold abilities.

"Calling it an assault party like an icing in a cake even though you just pushed them to suicide. I already told you, Renz. I don\'t want unnecessary deaths in our camp. Our goal is to overturn the government. Not to dispose of people who would be under us after we achieve that."

Emellynn\'s tone was extremely chilling. No, it was not just her tone. Even the surrounding temperature was decreasing.

"I-I understand." Renz tried to reply even though he was lacking air. "I will recall them."

But then...

BAM!

"AGH!"

Renz was slammed into the wall beside the door.

"You really think that I\'m stupid? They are already missing. How the f*ck are you going to recall them."

"Ma\'am. Please calm down."

A few people started to appease the angry woman.

Emellynn took a deep breath and begrudgingly released Renz, causing him to collapse to the ground and release a few loud coughs.

"Recall the remaining soldiers there," Emellynn ordered. "As for the disappearance of the assault group, send someone to investigate it."

"Recall?" Renz argued. "The settlement is under attack at the north and west sides! It\'s our opportunity to take them down!"

"You\'re already late." Emellynn glared. "The people I planted in the settlement already sent a message. Their battle already ended. The government settlement is safe. That is why there is no point in attacking anymore."

Renz was surprised as he turned to his messenger.

"Didn\'t you say that the government settlement is under threat?"

"I-I did, Sir!"

Renz could tell that his messenger was not lying. Then, as he looked at the other people in the room, their expressions showed that something odd had happened.

"I tell you," Emellynn spoke once more. "Recall our forces that you mobilized."

With that command, their cold tigress left the comms center, leaving Renz disgruntled. He was also a Mutator. However, compared to Emellynn, he was weaker. That was why he could only scheme behind her.

"This is not over..."

Renz murmured as he grit his teeth. But for now, he told the people in charge of the communication to recall their soldiers. There was no point in making them attack anymore.

***

Day 147 - 11:26 PM - Abandoned Farmhouse, Catanduanes Circumferential Road, Codon, San Andres, Catanduanes

It should be just an abandoned house near the roadside in a small village northeast of Catanduanes Settlement. Now, there seemed to be human activities at present in the middle of the night.

A shadow of a huge winged lizard could be seen guarding the place, especially a small cottage where several men were tied up inside.

Inside a room in the farmhouse, Michael lay down on a slightly dusty bed. Soon, he abruptly opened his eyes, remembering that they were supposed to be on the way to attack the government settlement. It was a suicide mission, but there was nothing else he could do.

As he woke up abruptly and immediately sat down, he felt a little dizzy. That was when he noticed that he was in an unfamiliar environment. And at the opposite side of the room near the door, he saw a silhouette of a person.

And then, while recovering from his dizziness, he heard the person spoke.

"Hey, you. You\'re finally awake."

In an odd voice.