Chapter 30: Ambush

Inside the diesel storage room, there were racks that were filled with jerrycans of diesel.

Alex figured that it might be enough to keep the equipment of the research lab running for a few more days, but not any longer.

They might have to figure something else if it ran out before Teresa could have some breakthrough on what is happening.

Alex turned around, glanced at the others and said, "Well, time to get started."

Riley, Terry and Brian groaned but they began to pick up some of the jerrycans from the racks.

As they did so, Brian mumbled about money as usual, while Terry and Riley tried to one up each other, trying to show off who was stronger to Alice.

Alice, who spent much of her time in the research lab, wasn’t used to such attention, and she didn’t know what to do. ℯℯ𝑙.

She could only lower her head while she helped carry two jerrycans in her hands.

Contributing with the work.

Alex also did the same and when they got to the backup generator room, the fuel level had nearly run out.

They quickly topped up the fuel tanks with the jerrycans and when the jerrycans were emptied they went back to the diesel storage room to get some more.

This went on for around half-an-hour before the fuel of the backup generator was topped to the max.

"Let’s go back to the research lab and check on Lin." Alex said and the others nodded their heads.

It was dark and eerie in the underground car park.

They’d rather be in the research lab where it was better lit.

Alex and the others secured the entrance to the generators and the diesel storage room with whatever they could find, like the vacant cars that were still parked inside the underground car park.

When they were done, they left the underground car park to head back for the research lab.

The way back was uneventful without any encounters, which provided a welcomed respite for all of them.

It was only noon and they already had to battle with so many mutated beasts.

They didn’t mind though.

It was a way for them to get stronger and they knew it.

With the encounters of the Stage II mutated beasts so far, it also made them know how urgent it was for them to do so.

Either you become strong enough now to battle with the mutated beasts or be torn apart by them in the future.

Alex thought about the encounters with the mutated beasts earlier and he figured that the small arms like the pistols Alex’s SSS Level Storage ability gave might not be good enough in the future.

The pistols were more of a distraction by now, and when all the mutated beasts advanced to the next stage of mutation, they would be useless.

He could only hope that when he got to the 200 kill target, the ability would reward him with weapons that had a higher caliber and fresh food and vegetables.

So far, it appeared to him that the more kills he got, the rewards became much more varied, and it wouldn’t hurt for him to hope.

It didn’t take them too long and they finally got back to the entrance of the research lab.

"We are back." Alice said and there were movements from inside it.

Alex and the others got into the research lab after the entrance was cleared and opened from within.

Teresa stopped what she was doing and came over to Alex and the others.

"Anything happened along the way?" She asked and Alice began to brief her on their encounters.

Teresa’s face became more worried as she heard about all the different types of mutated beasts that were out there.

When Alice was done, she gave out a sigh and said, "I’m sorry that I can’t help."

"Your work in figuring things out is much more important than what we are doing." Alex stepped forward and said.

She shook her head at him and replied, "Well, the only thing that I figured out while you were away is that the mutagen is making those that are affected by it become more efficient.

"It was weird to me for the mutated beasts to become so much larger than they were.

"For it to happen, the oxygen level in the atmosphere would need to be so much more to support them.

"But it is not the case.

"The mutated beasts are for the lack of a better word, ’perfect’ in making use of the oxygen intake from the atmosphere.

"I believe it would be the same of those who have Awakened an ability."

Alex pondered on what the new discovery meant.

It sounded great for those who were affected by the mutagen? He thought but moved on to check on Lin.

Fortunately for Lin, with his physique as an Awakened, the fracture had healed well enough for him to be standing on his own.

"Good enough for you to get back with us?" Alex said and Lin nodded his head.

Those that were back in the dorm building were still waiting for them and Alex was worried if anything happened to them.

There wasn’t much for them to do here in the research lab any more.

"We will fly the drone here tomorrow morning again to check on you." Alex thought about it and said.

That was the best he could do for now.

Teresa nodded her head at him.

He proceeded to leave the school of Bio-science with the others.

...

Meanwhile, near the cafeteria, Joe together with his friend, John, and Felicia with a few of her friends hid in the building that was beside the cafeteria.

"Are you sure they will come? Why don’t we take out those mutated beasts roaming around in the cafeteria ourselves." Felicia asked.

Joe stared at her and said, "Hmph. Ourselves? You could do it yourself if you want to.

"I wouldn’t stop you."

She lowered her head and tried to get closer to him, but he nudged her away.

"Shhh... There they are." John interrupted them and pointed into the distance.

A few figures got closer and it was Alex with the others.