Apocalypse: Inhuman Ascension

Finding Sylvia wasn't hard. He didn't have to call for her. Instead, it felt like he could always sense her location. Currently, she was at her family's house.

Standing before their door, he didn't even have to knock before the door opened.

"Boss?"

A head with silver hair peeked out, a bit of surprise in her eyes.

Leon nodded, his face devoid of any expression, and turned away. That was his signal for her to follow.

The young lady quickly followed him, clad in a simple white dress with flower embroidery. They walked through the streets in silence, seemingly admiring the view of the surroundings. Although the Red Wings territory wasn't as beautiful as before the apocalypse, it was far better than the wretched world beyond those towering red walls.

"You saw it too, right? Monarch."

Leon suddenly said, his hands clasped behind him. Dressed in simple black clothes he had changed into, he looked like a noble.

Sylvia tilted her head, then nodded in realization.

"Mn. I did see it. Am I linked with you now?"

Before, despite their connection of Leon being her turner, she wasn't linked to him. Now however, the system claimed that they were linked.

"More or less." Leon hummed, then suddenly bolted towards the walls. "Follow me."

Sylvia blinked in surprise, but immediately followed. Although she couldn't beat him, her speed rivaled his.

Very quickly, they had scaled the walls and gotten to the outskirts of Night Veil City.

"Boss? What are we doing here?"

Despite hearing her question, Leon didn't answer. Instead, he crouched down, then placed his fingers on the ground.

"Have you ever wondered, Sylvia?"

As if sensing the solemnity in his voice, Sylvia paused, glancing at him in confusion. She didn't say a word, letting him continue.

"Have you ever wondered the reason why humans strive to live?"

His finger calmly traced the fine curves of a blade of grass. A mundane act, yet, seemingly so philosophical.

Sylvia pondered deeply, then answered. "I'm no longer sure. We aren't humans again, after all."

Leon shook his head. "We were once humans, Sylvia. Even now, we are still humans at heart—mentally."

Sighing, he plucked a blade of grass and stood up. "We are just like this leaf—detached from our source and unable to find an anchor."

"Humans strive to live, because of the pleasures they enjoy. If a human's life is no longer pleasant, they want to give up. Why do you think not many people survive the apocalypse? Only because they suddenly lost all their anchors—the things that please them."

A light wind blew past, making his hair flutter. Sylvia continued to stare in a daze, trying to understand his words.

"I made us what we are, Sylvia. Whether a mistake, or out of desperation, it was my responsibility."

A slight, forlorn smile appeared on his face.

"That is why… I'll ensure to find a reason we live. Our kind, Undead Devourers. You, me, and every single person I turn in the future."

"Perhaps, I might even find the true nature of the Code 408D?"

Sylvia looked at his smile, an indescribable emotion stirring within her.

"Boss, are you feeling… responsible?"

Although she had good intellect, the sudden change of race had affected her deeply, just like it had affected Leon in the beginning. Therefore, she still felt a bit naive. Leon didn't answer her question, only ruffling her hair. Although she was older than him, he still treated her like a kid.

'Wait a minute. Apart from Anna and Cassie, every female I know is older…'

He frowned slightly, then shook off the thought.

"Perhaps I didn't care before… but now I realize even peace should be cherished."

He shook his head, maintained his indifferent expression, then turned away.

"Alright, that's enough. Let's go around for a bit."

Before he could move, two delicate arms wrapped around him, and he felt a cool face pressed against his back.

"Is there something you want to say, Sylvia?"

The silver-haired girl remained quiet, seemingly asleep. When Leon wanted to turn around, she spoke softly.

"Although I don't understand most of what you said, I'll still support you. In the end, you're the one who saved me."

Leon chuckled lightly, then turned to her. "Is that so…? I thought—"

The next moment, his words were sealed into his mouth by a pair of luscious lips. His eyes widened subtly, genuinely caught off guard.

However, Sylvia didn't seem to care. Her hands coiled around his neck, pulling them much closer. Her fangs bit into his lower lip, drawing blood which she sucked hungrily.

'This girl… sigh.'

Leon closed his eyes, feeling a faint sting from the bite. As if sensing his discomfort, her tongue slithered over the wounds, softly caressing them.

Finally, she released him, then stepped back. Her face was flushed, and his blood dripped from the corner of her mouth.

'Hmn?'

Leon paused, feeling an unexpected twist and heat in his core. It felt like the last time Nurse Sofiya had administered a potion to him.

'Hah… do I have a thing for kisses? I didn't expect that…'

He smiled wryly, then wiped the corner of her lips.

"Next time, don't just bite without warning. If you're that hungry, there's plenty of meat back at the shelter."

Even he himself hadn't tasted that monster's meat. If it were before, he would have rushed to go eat it, but not anymore. Although it would boost his evolution, he doubted he would be able to advance into the Fourth-Level with it.

"But, you said no meat for two weeks…"

Sylvia's light voice reached his ears. He blinked in surprise, then remembered the punishment he had given her previously.

"Ahem. Well, you can have meat, then. You did well in today's hunt after all."

Her previously depressed look disappeared, and her head snapped up to look at him.

"Eh? Really?"

"Really."

A minute of silence followed, then Leon's voice, tinged with exasperation, echoed.

"I already told you not to bite without warning. Do you want my lips getting swollen?"

"Sorry, Boss. I was just excited."

"Sigh… let's get back, it's already getting late."

Unknown to them, a pair of beautiful crimson eyes watched their figures fade into the distance. Shrouded in darkness, the figure's voice lightly echoed.

"Strange… they reek of death. Just like me, yet not."

Soon, the pair of red eyes disappeared, unseen by anyone.