Alaric definitely heard the banging sound at the door, but he was so stuffed and full that he eventually found himself drifting off. It wasn't intentional — no matter how hard he tried to stay awake, sleep pressed down on him like an invisible weight on his shoulders.
The banging didn't stop. It was still as loud as before, but to Alaric, who was slowly slipping into unconsciousness, it began to sound like it was far away in the distance.
He forced himself to keep his eyes open, but the heaviness grew worse, almost oppressive. Meanwhile, the floating notification board was still hovering in front of him. He read its last message again:
[ Daily Quest: Completed ]
Then another notification appeared.
[ Rewards: 10 Exp ]
But before he could process it, the knocking returned — louder this time.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Alaric was fully aware of the noise. If he wanted to open the door, he could. But in his mind, he already assumed who it was: his roommate. The guy was always the life of the party, and whenever he came home drunk or distracted, he'd either lose his key or forget it. Then he'd knock endlessly until Alaric finally opened the door for him.
Normally, Alaric would put up with it. But today was different. After everything that had happened, he wasn't in the mood to play babysitter. He was tired, worn out, and the last thing he wanted was people.
Still, the banging grew more violent. Whoever was on the other side was hitting the door so hard that it shook on its hinges, dust falling from the nails as the frame squeaked and threatened to give way.
Finally, the noise got to Alaric's nerves. As stuffed and sluggish as he felt, he forced himself up and staggered to the door.
"What is your problem?" he snapped as he swung it open.
But his irritation turned to shock. The person standing there wasn't his roommate.
"Now who do you think you're talking to, boy?"
A large man stood in the doorway, his frame blocking out the sun. Muscular and towering, he wore black-and-grey camouflage and a cap that shadowed his eyes. On his chest was a name tag: Lt. A. Stagg.
Alaric's eyes widened. "I—I'm sorry, sir. I thought you were someone else."
Lt. Stagg didn't acknowledge the apology. "Why is your behind still standing here and not inside the bus?"
Alaric blinked, confused. What bus? What was this man talking about? Soldiers, firefighters, doctors — first responders of every kind had been wiped out early in the war by the Leach. Seeing someone in uniform was… strange. Alaric thought maybe this man had lost his mind from the war.
But then Stagg read from his clipboard. "Boy, aren't you Alaric Xavier Grey?"
Alaric froze. "…Yes, that's me."
"Then stop your foolishness. Get your things and be out here in sixty seconds tops."
Before Alaric could even respond, Stagg turned his back, hands clasped behind him with military composure. That's when Alaric noticed the crest on his uniform.
A bird with four wings. Stars surrounding it. Standing over a planet.
The emblem of V.I.R.U.S.
Alaric's heart nearly stopped. This was the organization he had dreamed of joining — the elite military force fighting back against the Leach. But… how? His envelope had said Minus Negative. He wasn't eligible.
Panic rose as his eyes darted to the crumpled envelope on the floor. If Stagg saw it, everything would be ruined.
Slamming the door shut, Alaric scrambled to hide the evidence. He flushed the envelope and results down the toilet, shoved the opened cube box under the sink, and grabbed the key, chest, and cube instead. His clothes didn't take long to pack — he didn't own much beyond what fit in his school bag.
Taking one last glance around the room, he muttered, "Seems like everything's here." Then, steadying his breath, he opened the door again.
"Okay, I'm ready, sir. Sorry for taking so long."
Stagg didn't reply. He just checked his watch and started walking.
"Well, what are you waiting for? An invitation?" he called, already heading down the stairs.
Alaric couldn't contain his excitement. His face lit up in a smile, though he tried to hide it. "Oh, sorry, sir! Coming!" He hurried after the lieutenant.
This was it. His chance. He was going to join V.I.R.U.S. It felt unreal, like a dream he never wanted to wake from.
Stagg walked at a brisk pace, and Alaric struggled to keep up as they descended the many flights of stairs. By the time they reached the first floor, Alaric's foot had barely touched the ground when a notification appeared before him:
[ Sun exposure detected ]
He ignored it. Nothing was going to ruin this for him.
But as they walked under the blazing sun, a weakness crept over him.
"Huh? Why do I feel like I'm burning up?" he whispered, wobbling on his feet.
At first, he thought it was just from being indoors too long. But the more they walked, the weaker he became. His steps slowed. His breath grew heavier.
"What… is happening to me?"
Finally, he collapsed, staring up at the scorching sun overhead. The message appeared again.
[ Sun exposure detected ]
[ Warning: Host is spending too much time under the sun ]
[ Everything will be drained by half ]
[ Tip: Avoid the sun by any means necessary ]
His eyes widened in disbelief. Was this some kind of cruel prank? His body begged for strength, but he couldn't even roll onto his stomach to crawl.
Just as darkness threatened to swallow him, a shadow fell over his face, blocking the sun.
"Why are you lying there, basking in the sun, boy?"
The voice cut like a blade through his ears. Alaric forced his eyes open — and saw Lt. Stagg looming above him.
[ Sun exposure avoided ]
[ Host must rest to return to normal ]
Alaric groaned. "Seriously…?"
"Well, boy," Stagg said, "why are you lying there?"
"I'm sorry, sir. I—I haven't eaten in a while. I'm weak," Alaric lied.
Stagg gave him a look but didn't question it. "Time waits for no one."
He hoisted Alaric onto his shoulder as if he weighed nothing more than a sack of potatoes.
[ Sun exposure detected ]
[ Warning: Host is under direct sunlight ]
[ Everything will be drained by half ]
[ Tip: Avoid the sun or face death ]
Alaric felt the sun burning into him. His breath quickened. Sweat drenched his body.
Finally, Stagg boarded the bus with him. The chatter inside immediately died. Every student turned silent under the lieutenant's presence.
Stagg set Alaric down by a window seat. Even out of the sun, he still felt drained, fighting to stay awake.
"Here, boy," Stagg said, handing him an energy bar. "This won't do much, but it'll help."
"Thank you, sir," Alaric said, forcing himself to eat it.
It didn't make much difference, but he pretended it did. The last thing he wanted was questions he couldn't answer.
The bus rolled forward, filled with students from different towns and schools, all staring at him. The sun's effect lingered, messages still flashing.
[ Sun exposure detected ]
He dismissed them, enduring the long, painful ride until the bus finally drove into a place shrouded in thick fog and cool breeze.
[ Sun no longer detected ]
[ All drained energy restored to normal ]
Relief washed over him.
Eventually, the bus stopped. Everyone was told to grab their belongings and step out.
When they did, their eyes widened.
Before them loomed a massive military cruise ship, its enormous structure rising from the mist and ocean waters.
Lt. Stagg marched aboard. "Well? Get on. We still have a long way to go."
The students, mesmerized, followed him one by one into the ship.