Mutagen

Day 154 - 9:02 PM - Tañon Strait, Matutinao Coastal Area, Municipality of Badian, Province of Cebu

A beam of light pierced through the heavens under the darkness of the night. To those that witnessed this astonishing scene, it looked like a beacon of hope, lighting everyone's path in these dark times. Being shot at an angle, it did not soar straight up the sky. Instead, it flew miles away towards the northeast of the country.

The beam of light illuminated the skies over Central Visayas and Southeast Luzon. The light was even visible in the eastern coastal areas of Central, South, and the southeastern areas of North Luzon.

Their already chaotic night in the Philippines became even worse as people witnessed this phenomenon.

The beam of light might have only lasted a few seconds. However, it was more than enough to shake the hearts of the already dismayed people.

To Mark, on the other hand, it was a beacon of death rather than hope.

It was good that his speed and reflexes were heightened. If he did not manage to evade that attack, he would have been pulverized instantly.

That beam of light was created by the raw discharge of magical energy. It was similar to the magical beams that Diwata Iraya used to fight.

Nonetheless, the strength of the two attacks was not comparable.

Diwata Iraya's light beam was refined, while the crocodile's attack was crude. However, the energy discharge from this infected godly being was, without a doubt, more than a hundred times stronger.

Mark managed to dodge it in the last second. Nonetheless, his already tattered clothes and skin were scorched by the heat that the beam emanated.

The parts of his skin unprotected by his armor had turned black and crusty.

"TSK."

Mark clicked his tongue as he winced in pain. He might be used to feeling pain, but he never experienced having half of his body burned like this. It felt like he was suddenly doused in boiling water fresh from the stove while being grilled in charcoal at the same time.

Frowning, Mark tapped the core of his armor. The armor he was wearing was Crimson in his [Armorized] form. The poor little guy was also suffering from pain as the armor's core was almost scorched. It was fortunate that the armor's core where Crimson's remaining liquified body resided was on the left side of Mark's chest, above his heart, or else, it might have turned out worse.

Slowly, Mark's regenerative abilities kicked in. The crusted skin began to fall off, revealing newly healed skin.

However, even with this [Regeneration] Ability, Mark was sure. He was not an opponent to this giant crocodile.

For the first time since the apocalypse started, Mark found an enemy that he was unsure if he had any chance of winning.

Even though Mark had encountered godly beings before, it was the first time that it was an actual enemy. Furthermore, it was someone that could not be reasoned with.

Mark's instincts were screaming for him to escape. He might be a powerful individual in many aspects and was still growing. However, it was too early for him to contend against something like head-on.

Unfortunately, while Mark was unsure about his chances of winning, there was something else he was sure about.

This giant crocodile who stood on the waters...

It would not let him get away that easily.

After all, even if a person already had a plate of food ready to eat, one would still aim at a more delicious one once it was served.

Being the more delicious food, Mark had been marked by the enemy.

Mark observed the enemy, getting ready for any incoming attack.

However, no attack came.

Instead, Sinogo, or his infected husk, stared in Mark's direction without moving.

It caused confusion towards Mark. Furthermore, he could not read its emotional fluctuations clearly as it was an infected creature even if it was a [King Type]. Not to mention that it was barely inside his range of detection.

'Is it going to attack or not?'

Mark questioned in his mind. If not, he would not hesitate to escape this place. He was not stupid to jump into a battle that could cause his death without reason.

Well, Mark had a reason. Just what kind of [Mutagen Stone] and [Mental Crystal] would he get from an infected godly being? He was curious.

Even so, it was an extremely dangerous case of curiosity. One mistake, and Mark could get vaporized in an instant.

"Nevermind. Let's just leave."

Mark decided.

But before he could make a single move, the gigantic crocodile did.

It slightly opened its mouth, which made Mark thought that it would speak. So far, all [Monarch Types] he encountered knew how to speak human language, albeit most of them were broken.

However, the only sound that this gigantic crocodile let out was a slight grunt.

Mark was confused even more. This [King Type] did not know how to speak? Well, even if the language was different since the infected would only use the leftover memories of their host, it should at least be able to utter an audible word.

But then, Mark remembered.

Humans suffer communication problems after not having any human contact in just several months up to a few years. There was no need to mention Sinogo, who had been sealed for hundreds to thousands of years under this deep body of water.

In the first place, while Sinogo was given breath by a god and had strength comparable to lower gods, he was still not one of them. Gods themselves were imperfect, not to mention their creations.

Within hundreds to thousands of years of isolation, it was very likely that Sinogo's mind deteriorated. There was no need to mention that he was kept with a body of an animal.

If that was the case, then this infected creature had no clear memory to inherit from its body, not even language.

Nonetheless, for a [King Type] infected, language was not always necessary.

Even without talking, they could rule their horde.

And what horde should be talked about this time?

PSSH!!!

"What the hell."

Mark evaded in a hurry once more. This time, however, it was not a beam of light that attacked him.

PSSH! PSSH! PSSH!

Countless sounds of water splashing echoed all over the place. Blurry figures were shooting out of the water, aiming to take down Mark.

Even in Mark's eyes, the speed of these blurry things was too fast.

Without hesitation, Mark's eyes glowed purple. His senses heightened, and the trajectory of the attacks was predetermined.

That was when he saw the actual appearance of these things shooting at him from the water.

"Flying fishes..."

Mark murmured as he evaded another volley of attacks.

Flying fish, scientifically named Exocoetidae. It was a family of marine fish known for their powerful leaps and ability to glide above the water.

Now, commanded by the gigantic crocodile, a school of infected flying fishes as large as cannonballs were shooting at Mark at the speed of a sniper rifle bullet.

Mark had barely recovered from the burns he received and yet, he was being attacked once more.

"Tsk." Mark clicked his tongue. "I really need to leave."

And there, Mark flapped his wings before turning into a surge of black mist that floated away swiftly.

Mark escaped without doing any unnecessary provocations. It was the best decision he could make in these circumstances.

Of course, the infected group was confused as to where their prey suddenly went. Nonetheless, as Mark barely gave out anything for these infected to track him, they were left unable to find him.

The giant crocodile released a grunt as the prey it detected suddenly vanished into the shadows. However, it did not seem to have any notion to chase or find Mark.

It was pretty much like the actual behavior of a crocodile.

Depending on the situation or climate, crocodiles were barely seen actively chasing prey outside their territories. Instead, they would sit still hiding in the water until they were approached by the unknowing prey. That was when they would strike in a sudden attack to hunt.

It was like how the giant crocodile made a surprise attack at Mark the moment he got close enough. And now that Mark retreated and escaped, it had no notion to chase at all. Instead, it concentrated its attention on the water it sent inland. It was waiting for the dead bodies the water would bring back to its mouth.

***

"Gege! Are you okay?! Did you get hit by that beam?"

"Master!"

Mei and Amihan exclaimed, seeing Mark's state as he landed before them.

"Papa!"

"Uncle!"

It was the same for the girls as their faces were filled with worry as they approached Mark.

Of course, everyone in Mark's group was concerned. When they left, the worst he had was his tattered pants. Now, half of his body was scorched and was amidst healing.

"I'm alright. I didn't get hit. I just need a few minutes to heal. If I actually got hit by that, I won't even be here anymore."

Mark said as he sat down.

Those words of Mark, however, made Mei frown. If what he said was true, then he was in danger earlier. And yet, he had the guts to joke around.

"Okay, okay... I won't joke about it." Mark understood Mei's thoughts. "Can you help me remove the burnt skin? It's slowing the healing process."

While Mark requested help, he was already tearing the burnt skin off his right arm. The way he did it, however, made everyone winch in pain. He was literally tearing his skin apart, causing more damage than necessary. Mark was not perturbed about it, though, since it would heal soon enough.

Even so...

"Gege... I'll do it alone."

Mei said, grabbing Mark's left hand. Since she insisted with a serious face, he could only comply. And there, Mei took out a knife and carefully scraped off the burnt skin. By her expression, she seemed annoyed that Mark got injured like this.

As had nothing to do, Mark watched the events still happening at the coast.

Their current location was a small mountain southeast of Matutinao and southwest of Kawasan Falls. This mountain was not a very high one and even had a road going through its flattened top. Still, it was high enough to oversee both the two key locations in the previous events.

Nonetheless, even though it was a mountain, the water from the surge of the water actually reached half its height. That was how devastating the tsunami the gigantic crocodile unleashed.

At the coast, the gigantic crocodile was still waiting like a statue. After all, its food had yet to arrive.

"Boss, are we going to fight that thing?"

Edzel approached Mark and asked while looking at the same scenery.

"What do you think?"

Mark asked.

"I think, we better leave this place. That creature feels too dangerous."

"I have the same thoughts." Mark agreed to Edzel's words. "Depending on the situation, we'll leave immediately after Pefile and the others arrive."

"Depending on the situation? What situation, Boss?"

Pearl could not help but interject, noticing what Mark said.

"Well, that crocodile there is likely to be Sinogo from the Visayan Myths. A messenger of a Sky God Kaptan, who is someone comparable to Bathala. If it's gods we are talking about, then someone will likely arrive here to assess the situation."

"And also look there."

Mark added, pointing at the sky where the beam of light passed through.

"Ah..."

Mei, Amihan, Edzel, and Pearl could only have the same reaction as they saw what Mark pointed at.

At the sky, cracks were present. It was the very same phenomenon the other day in Catanduanes.

It was the scene of the Dimensional Barrier cracking.

If it was cracked like this, then that girl would definitely appear here.

Of course, it was no other than Fourth, the Eye of Amusement, and the one in charge of Southeast Asia.

Nonetheless, before the Eye could even appear, Pefile's group arrived. This time, it was not only the four of them. They had someone else, a woman being carried by Pefile.

But then, time froze.

Edzel froze as he saw the woman. Even if he was small when she supposedly died, he still kept her pictures with him. There was no way he would forget that appearance.

On the other hand, Pefile was also frozen as he saw Edzel. Without a doubt, the expressionless Pefile was shocked at Edzel's transformation.

And lastly... the woman. Amidst the frozen atmosphere, she spoke.

"Why are you two being too dramatic? Seriously... Like father, like son..."

Well, even if she said those words, her eyes were already overflowing with tears of joy.