He turned toward the students surrounding the corpse, his voice calm but firm.
"Use the crack I made," he instructed. "Work along it carefully. If possible, remove the hide in perfect form. We need it intact."
Eira stepped closer, arms crossed, her eyes still wide with disbelief. "Perfect form?" she echoed, almost incredulous.
"Yes," Garret said evenly, his gaze sweeping the group. "The hide is too valuable to ruin.
"Reinforce the vehicles," Garret replied. "Buses, trucks, anything we can fortify. You don't actually think we can stay at the university forever, do you?"
Eira's brow furrowed. "That… actually makes sense." She glanced at the students, who hesitated only briefly before moving to follow his instructions.
By sunset, the students had already salvaged some of the meat. Which was transported to the gym for storage in the freezers. Garret had asked Eira how she would test if the meat was edible but she brushed him off saying she would take care of it.
The gym doors groaned as they closed behind the retreating team, shutting out the dying light and the restless ruins beyond. Inside the gym, the survivors moved quietly, some tending to supplies, others arranging bedding, and a few whispering among themselves. Garret's sharp eyes scanned the room, noting the subtle differences. He saw others moving with purpose, their bodies alert, their minds focused. And then he noticed them, the lazy ones. Those who lingered near the food, who expected protection and warmth without lifting a finger. They shuffled about, watched others work, and murmured complaints when tasked.
Garret didn't speak. Not yet.
Eira moved silently along the walls, checking supplies and making sure the area was as safe as possible. Kael followed, setting up makeshift sleeping areas, fortifying weak points, and arranging food and water. The gym doors creaked open, and Leah, Dave, Aria, and Marcus stepped inside, their movements purposeful, measured, and strangely confident. Immediately, a shift in the atmosphere rippled through the room. Eira's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing the subtle pressure from. She felt it, acknowledged it, and yet remained outwardly composed. Kael and Darrius, however, couldn't hide their reactions. Their muscles tensed, breaths catching subtly. The aura around the newcomers, Kael swallowed hard, recalling Garret's words from before:
"Your naivety will kill you in this world."
The memory burned in his mind. He felt both fear and a spark of determination ignite inside him. Darrius, too, felt the pressure, though differently, part envy, part the raw drive to surpass. He clenched his fists, jaw tight. They exchanged a glance, silent but loaded with meaning. Kael whispered under his breath, almost to himself:
"We need to get stronger… faster."
At the center of the gym, the main fighting force gathered around the makeshift table, tension and focus hanging thick in the air. Eira stood at the head, her posture commanding, eyes sharp as she scanned the campus map. Even Garret remained silent, letting her take the lead. Eira's gaze then shifted to Kael.
"You'll scout ahead. Take your bow and keep your distance. Look for any threats. Report back quickly, we need accurate intel before moving toward the girl's dormitory the day after tomorrow"
Kael swallowed, a mix of apprehension and determination in his eyes. "Understood," he replied.
"Marcus, Aria and Leah will continue clearing the path toward the north, toward the gate." She added, her voice calm
Leah nodded, while glancing towards Garret for approval. Marcus's expression remained stoic, though his grip on his weapon tightened slightly, ready for action. Aria didn't reply. She didn't have to
"I together with Darrius will clear the south, look for any survivors and supplies. Tiffany, a staff teacher who had proved to be adept in management, you will supervise the dismantling of the monster while preserving the meat in coolers." She added while looking at Garret.
She knew the dismantling of the monster's corpse would be long, she didn't want to waste more man power on it. There was a lot to do. Garret had other things in his mind. He had already discussed it with Eira. He planned on taking a couple of capable people who had knowledge on engineering, mechanics, electrician. He wanted to assemble a couple of busses, reinforce them using the beast hide. She had placed importance on his expedition knowing its importance.
With that, Garret retreated to his 'room'. Before he left, Leah had offered to treat his wounds. She had gotten stronger and she could use the skill Lesser Healing two times a day.
"Let me treat that," she said softly, "It hasn't closed properly yet, you'll get an infection."
Garret glanced at her hand, then at his palm. A faint grin tugged at the corner of his mouth shaking his head.
"Save your energy. We have a long day tomorrow"
Leah frowned. "You shouldn't…"
He cut her off with a low chuckle. "Tomorrow's more important. I need you at full strength. The northern path won't clear itself."
For a moment, she wanted to argue, but something in his tone stopped her. There wasn't arrogance in his voice just certainty, and the quiet weariness of someone who had already decided what pain he was willing to carry.
Garret sat alone in his makeshift room. His sword leaned against the wall beside him. He stared at it for a while, then past it — at nothing in particular. His thoughts drifted to another world, one that already felt like a dream.
"Before the Weave descended," he thought, "there was laughter here."
Students running late to class. Cafeterias buzzing with noise. His younger sister calling to tell him about some new book she'd found. His mother worrying too much. His father pretending not to. Now, there was only the hum of silence and the cold pulse of survival. He rubbed his healing palm absentmindedly. The skin itched as it knitted itself back together, but the ache in his chest was worse.
"Are they still alive?"
He closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the wall. The memories came in fragments, his sister's shy grin, the smell of their mother's cooking, the sound of rain hitting the window at home. Each one sharper than any blade he had wielded.
Outside, he could hear faint murmurs — guards changing shifts, tired laughter, the sound of someone crying quietly. It was a reminder that, for now, this fragile peace was all they had. He sighed, a low, tired sound that barely left his throat.
"Tomorrow, north. Then after, the dorms. Then maybe… I'll find her."
Feeling sleepy, he called his status screen;
{Name: Garret Morte
Level: 20
Status points:4
Race: Human
Path: Abyss Walker>>>Incomplete
Distinction: None
Attributes; Strength:52(10) Agility:51(25) Health:32 Stamina:75 Mana:120(20) Magic:130(20)}
Skills: Darkness Manipulation lv 1
Adapt lv 1
Soul Pact: Shroud of The Grieving Soul}
He had really grown in three days.