The next few days were a blur of adjustment for Rey.
He remained in the shelter, a fortified underground structure with thick steel doors, reinforced walls, and sparse but functional accommodations. It was a bleak space carved out of an abandoned subway station, illuminated by dim, makeshift lighting powered by salvaged generators.
The air was constantly heavy with tension and the scent of oil and damp concrete.
The small group living there—nine people in total—seemed to have carved out a semblance of order amid the chaos that had overtaken Earth. Rey was under close watch, especially by Josh, the gruff man who seemed to have appointed himself Rey's personal shadow.
Josh didn't bother hiding his distrust.
Wherever Rey went, Josh followed, his sharp eyes taking in every move.
Tess, on the other hand, was cordial but distant, her attention consumed by leading the group and planning their next moves. The others kept their distance, some offering polite nods in passing but mostly treating Rey like an outsider.
Rey used the time to explore the shelter as much as they would allow. It was functional and minimalistic, with living quarters, a communal dining area, and a room dedicated to storing salvaged supplies.
Tess's leadership was evident in the structured way the group operated, and despite the hardships, there was a sense of purpose that unified them.
Each night, Rey lay on the small cot they had assigned him, staring at the ceiling.
'I'll need to go outside at some point.'
All of his questions about what had happened to Earth were slowly answered as he eavesdropped on conversation and made a few conversations, giving a general idea of what had happened to the world he used to call home.
—The world Alicia had always wanted to return to.
'Now that I understand the gist of this place, the next step is finding a way to regain my former Skills, or at least getting new ones.' He kept his eyes on his Status Window. 'I need to Level Up as fast as I can and get Stats too.'
Mere exercise and training wouldn't cut it for too long.
And he didn't have much time left.
If the Dragon Emperor was truly here, he had to find a way to stop him.
But first, he needed these people on his side.
************
On the fourth day, Tess and her team returned from their scouting mission.
The group gathered in the meeting room—a space dominated by a large, scratched-up table and mismatched chairs. Rey was told to stay in his room, but the thin walls didn't do much to muffle the heated conversation.
"Among other things, we found a cluster of energy-saturated gems," Tess began, her voice firm but tinged with weariness. "They're highly volatile, but if we can safely transport them to headquarters, they might be able to use them as a power source."
"That's a big if," Josh interjected. "We're not exactly equipped to handle unstable resources like that. If something goes wrong, we could lose everything, including our lives."
"We don't have a choice," Tess countered. "We need resources, and this could be a breakthrough for the Resistance. Besides, we've handled worse."
There was a scarcity amidst the shelters, so finding these resources was a big miracle.
Still, it didn't take too long for the conversation to shift to Rey, causing the tone of the discussion to darken almost immediately.
"We need to figure out what to do with him," a woman said. "We don't know who he is or where he came from. For all we know, he could be working for the Dragon Emperor."
"That's a stretch," another man replied. "He doesn't exactly scream 'loyalist.'"
The Dragon Emperor had zealots who served him and acted according to his will. They practically worshipped him like some kind of God, despite not being Monsters but humans who had awakened Special Abilities.
They were a thorn to the side of The Resistance, and vice versa.
It was possible that Rey was one of those Zealots, but the group wasn't sure if that was the case.
"Doesn't matter," Josh cut in. "We're at war, and war means making hard decisions. If there's even a chance he's a threat, we need to find out—by any means necessary."
"You mean by using Inhumane methods?" Tess's voice was sharp, cutting through the murmurs. "We are fighting for humanity. If we abandon our morals, we're no better than the Monsters we're trying to defeat."
Rey had heard enough at this point.
He stopped eavesdropping, instead going straight for the door to the meeting room.
He knocked on the door firmly, silencing the voices inside.
"Come in," Tess called.
Rey pushed the door open and stepped inside, feeling the weight of nine pairs of eyes on him. He stood tall, meeting their gazes with calm determination.
"I've been thinking," Rey began, his voice steady. "You saved my life, and I owe you for that. I want to repay that debt by joining your ranks."
The room erupted in murmurs, some surprised, others suspicious.
Tess raised a hand to quiet them.
"You want to join us?" she asked, her tone neutral.
"Yes," Rey said. "I've seen how you operate, and I respect what you're doing. I know I'm an outsider, and I don't expect you to trust me right away. But I'm willing to prove myself."
"You're awfully eager to jump into danger," Josh said, stepping closer. "Why? What's in it for you?"
Rey met his gaze without flinching. "Let's just say I've got a score to settle with the Dragon Emperor as a human whose planet has been taken over. Your goals align with mine, and I'd rather fight alongside people like you than try to survive on my own."
Josh crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. "And we're just supposed to take you at your word?"
"No," Rey replied. "You can watch me as closely as you want. I'm not asking for blind trust. I'm asking for a chance."
Tess studied him for a moment, her expression thoughtful.
Then she smiled faintly.
"We're called the Resistance," she said. "We're not just survivors. We're fighters. We believe in reclaiming Earth for humanity, and that means going up against impossible odds. It's not a life for everyone. If you're looking for safety, you won't find it here."
"I'm not looking for safety," Rey said. "I'm looking for purpose. And I think I've found it."
"Bold words," Josh said, stepping forward until he was inches from Rey. "If you want to join us, you'll have to prove you're not dead weight—or a spy. Are you willing to fight for your place here?"
"Name the time and place," Rey said, his lips curling into a confident smile.
Josh smirked. "Tomorrow morning. You'll face me in a test. If you survive, maybe we'll let you stick around."
"Survive?" Rey raised an eyebrow.
"You'll see," Josh said with a grin that was anything but friendly.
Tess sighed but didn't object.
"Very well," she said. "Rey, if you're serious about this, you'll have your chance to prove it. But understand this—we don't take half-measures. If you're in, you're in all the way."
Rey nodded, his resolve unwavering. "Understood."
Josh gestured toward the door. "Get some rest, newbie. You're going to need it."
Rey turned to leave but paused at the door.
Looking back at the group, he gave them a confident grin.
"Don't be too surprised tomorrow."
*********
The next morning, the group gathered in the clearing outside the shelter.
The air was crisp, the ground slightly damp from a light rain the night before. A circle had been drawn in the dirt to mark the battlefield, and everyone stood well outside of it, keeping a safe distance.
Tess, ever the composed leader, stood at the edge with her arms crossed. Her dirty brown hair danced as her bright blue eyes intently watched the circle—or rather, on the two figures standing in its center.
Rey and Josh faced each other, the tension between them beyond visceral. Josh wore his trademark smirk, electricity flickering faintly around his fingertips like tiny serpents.
He stretched his neck, the faint crackling sound of static following his movements.
"This isn't just a test," Josh said, rolling his shoulders. "This is about survival. I hope you're ready, newbie."
Rey remained calm, rolling his wrist as if warming up for a casual sparring session.
"You talk a lot," he replied. "Let's see if your fists are as quick as your mouth."
A ripple of murmurs passed through the crowd, some of the spectators already placing silent bets. Tess raised her hand, silencing them all.
"Rules are simple," she announced. "You fight until one of you is down and can't get back up. No lethal force. If I say stop, you stop. Understood?"
Both men nodded, though Josh's grin grew wider.
"On my mark…" She began the countdown.
Everyone held their breath.
"... Get ready…" Tess' tone was drawn, her sharp gaze fixed on the fight that was about to commence
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