n

n

nViktor and Jessie stood next to each other on the deck of the ship. The view of the frozen sea from where they were standing was beautiful, and the sea breeze gently blowing their skin added to the tranquil feeling.

nThe journey before would take them about 8 hours. But now that the ice had been shattered, they were able to go at double their speed, hence requiring half the time.

nJust as the afternoon sun was starting to set on them, the people on the ship could already spot Arkhangelsk City in the distance.

nAlong the way, the girl felt the need to express her regret to Viktor. After all, it was his first time joining them, yet they had to go through such a harrowing experience of a narrow escape.

nJessie explained how almost all the northern areas were swarming with the undead and abyss creatures.

nThere were almost no surviving communities or towns established in such secluded places, and as a result, there were more of these creatures roaming freely within the area.

nThe group was fully prepared for such a risk. However, the last trap they fell into was due to an entirely unexpected matter.

nAfter recalling the things that happened, Jessie was sure that it was because they had done the same tasks with the exact same path before, and she had failed to realize that the white zombie had taken notice.

n“That’s why we fell for such a trap! It was a miscalculation on my part, I’m sorry,” said the girl, genuinely feeling guilty.-.

nHearing such a sincere and thorough explanation, Viktor could not find it in himself to be angry at her.

n“Well, fortunately, we are still in one piece…” Viktor tried to reassure her. “Also, I don’t mind at all as long as I still get what I was promised.”

n“Of course! Don’t worry, I always keep my promises,” Jessie quickly responded.

nShe then gave it a little thought before continuing to speak, “Just give me a few days to finish the town defense barrier and I will go with you.”

n“…Excuse me?”

nViktor was startled. Did he hear that right?

n“Go with me?” he asked to confirm.

nSeeing Viktor’s lost expression, Jessie could not help but chuckle and patted his shoulder.

n“Of course, silly! Like I said before, I need other parts to make another barrier, and the first important part is the monolith.”

nIf Viktor remembered correctly, the monolith was the 2-meter stone with strange markings that he had seen inside Jessie’s lab.

nIt was the alien artifact that had been used to create the energy barrier, with spirit stones serving as fuel for it.

nIt seemed that he needed to obtain the one monolith first before Jessie could start making the alternative energy using the nuclear microreactor.

n“So where are we going to get this monolith?”

nThe young lady answered with an awkward smile that also had a hint of unease.

n“Where else? The pillars, of course! The Doomsday Pillars!” she exclaimed.

nAfter all this time, this was the first time Viktor heard the name of the alien constructs. As he had only recently learned about it, this caused the girl to be surprised once again.

n“You really have been hiding for the last two years, huh? If that’s really the case, then it’s important for you and your companions to go there as soon as possible.”

nThis was something Viktor had been planning to do for quite some time, and now with Jessie accompanying him, it would certainly be much safer.

n“All right, so I will wait for you and we will go together in a few days?” he asked to make sure.

nThe girl initially only nodded, but her gaze suddenly became mischievous once again as a thought came to her.

n“Yes, that is… if your girlfriend won’t mind me tagging along.”

nJessie only said it in a casual manner, but Viktor seriously thought about it when he heard those words.

n“Eva? No, she wouldn’t mind,” Viktor said with confidence.

n“That’s great! It’s a date then,” she joyfully responded.

nNot long after, the group finally arrived at the Arkhangelsk Port. Just as they arrived, Viktor asked Roman about the situation of a certain island near the city.

nViktor thought that as a fisherman, Roman would know very well about the area, and he was certainly correct. Not only that, but the eye-patched captain was even kind enough to offer him a ride to the island. It appeared that their mission together had resulted in the man becoming more friendly toward him.

nHowever, given the fact that it was a secret bunker that contained various precious items, Viktor decided not to take the offer. Instead, he asked the man if he can use one of the smaller boat.

nThe eye-patched captain explained that although they managed to fix a few of the smaller fishing boats to work last year, they were no longer safe. When the winter came, these smaller boats did not have a strong-enough hull to get through the ice.

nMoreover, being the ordinary fishing boats they were, they would not be able to last long if mutated creatures were to attack.

nThe man went on to explain all of the possible risks they would face if they insisted on going on one of those small boats, but Viktor only gleefully smiled as an idea came to him.

n‘I might have a solution for that.’

nHowever, for the time being, he opted to stick with his ideas for a while longer.

nAll of them soon disembarked from the ship and went toward the town with Viktor joining them.

nHe had been gone for a day and a half; it was time to check on his companion.

nAfter a long walk, the group finally arrived at the town. As soon as the people saw that they had come back, they immediately started to welcome them.

nEva, Barry, and the two bodyguards were also there waiting for him.

nUnfortunately, Jessie did not have time to join in on the merry talk. Without wasting another moment, she quickly brought her two crew members to work on the town defense barrier.

nOne thing that felt very clear was the contrast in how the townsfolk treated him. Unlike when he first came, the town now treated him and his friends very well. Even Mayor Walsh personally came to introduce him and his companions to the people of the Arkhangelsk.

nViktor was currently unsure between staying in this town and not, but having a welcoming and safe community was certainly a plus in a time like the apocalypse.

nHe then thought of how it would be better if he showed himself as a good part of the community. At the very least, he should accept the hospitality of the mayor, who had greeted him.

nAfter hours of chat, Viktor returned to the house where he had a long nap to pay for the all-nighter he had last night.. For the time being, he needed to rest himself and recharge his energy before going to the bunker the following day.

n