Chapter 64: The Monster Is a Transmigrator?!

"Uncle, what did you mean by gathering monsters?"

Ethan asked, as according to his memories, only Lord-class and above monsters could command others.

If what his uncle was saying was true, then they were dealing with a true C-class monster.

’Even though I heard that monsters increase in strength at a rate much faster than us humans, isn’t this outrageous?’

’The apocalypse has barely started and someone’s already C-class?’

’In a world where most monsters haven’t even absorbed enough mana to form a core, this kind of speed is absurd.’

Talking to himself, Ethan didn’t want to believe it; a C-class at this time was completely unheard of.

Instead of it being the bloodline control that came with Lord-class monsters, Ethan inwardly hoped that it was just some kind of intimidation,

or perhaps the monster possessed some mind control abilities.

Because of this, he needed to understand just how the monster did it, and what the monsters following it looked like.

Luckily, by this time Adrian had calmed down, making the mood in the room somewhat settle.

"For this, you would have to ask Pierce over here. He was the scout leader who found that out for us,"

said Adrian as he pointed toward a blond-haired, spectacled middle-aged man beside him.

Even though he held a map in hand and lacked heavy muscle, Ethan could sense a certain sharpness about this person called Marcus Pierce.

"Good day, Patriarch. I am the scout leader, as Adrian has said. If you permit me, I will begin to explain all our information."

With his eyes slightly closed, Marcus bowed toward Ethan before opening up the map,

a scene which made Ethan nod in approval.

"Permission granted, but a quick question before you start."

"Isn’t your name the same as the guy who attacked Grandpa? You both are Marcus."

"I hope, unlike your counterpart, you don’t plan to harm us today. Hahaha!"

Thinking of the first Awakener he had faced in this life, Ethan couldn’t help but crack a joke to lighten up the mood.

Even Alfred and Christian smiled slightly at his words, and Adrian, who was still in partial hysteria, looked at Marcus with a hint of suspicion.

Now feeling the gazes of everyone, the poor scout leader unknowingly scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

"No, no, I wouldn’t dare, Patriarch! What a joke!"

"I’ve been a member of the Smith family security for years now. I wouldn’t even dream of betraying you."

"Also, my wife and children are in this shelter. For them to be safe, I, more than anyone, want that monster gone from here."

Mentioning his family, Marcus held onto the locket hanging around his neck before speaking:

"Although that monster has been guarding the exit, the ten people who died didn’t die in vain."

"Using their deaths as distractions, a select few of us were able to leave the shelter."

"After which, we hid and monitored that beast’s movements."

"It was only then that we discovered that every day, when it’s not patrolling our entrance, it goes around beating all kinds of beasts into submission, forcing their packs and other members under it."

"Just from the way it acted, a few of us even thought it was human based on how intelligently it acted."

"Sometimes it would make its beasts line up and practice formations as if it were conducting an army drill."

Listening to this, everyone in the room was stunned.

This was the first time they were hearing this. Before, Marcus had only told them that beasts were gathering and preparing to launch an attack.

What was this about military drills and tactics?

Bang!

"Marcus, are you being serious?! Do you know what that means?!"

"If that beast is really as intelligent as you say, then do you know what that implies?!"

Slamming his hand on the table, Christian looked at him in shock.

What was he hearing?

However, even then, Marcus didn’t alter his testimony, as his eyes remained firm.

"Former Patriarch, I swear on my life that these words are true and no falsehood has been offered!"

"That monster possesses no less intelligence than a human. Not only that, but it seems to know a lot about us!"

"Because of this, after making sure it had gone back to its lair, I rushed back as soon as possible to report it."

"We absolutely cannot give it time to develop!"

Hearing this, everyone fell silent.

Even Ethan, who had begun to think he had an idea of what monster it was, was completely confused.

’Impossible! Perhaps higher-level monsters can possess that level of intelligence...’

’But even Lord-level monsters, at the end of the day, are still beasts!’

’How is this possible?!’

Lost in thought, Ethan could barely wrap his mind around what was going on.

Where the hell did such a monster come from, and if it was so intelligent, why was there no mention of it in his past life?

You must know that even before the apocalypse, humans were neither the strongest, the fastest, nor the best at healing.

Among the animal kingdom, their physical stats could be said to be among the worst.

However, through their intelligence alone, humans managed to rise and become the overlords of the planet.

Now, if you gave that same intelligence to a monster who possessed superior physical strength...

How were they meant to counter such a thing?

For a long moment, everyone was silent, as the severity of the situation seemed to have escalated severalfold.

"Ethan kid, it seems like we need to think carefully about how we act."

"Although I don’t want to rely too much on my grandkids, I have no choice but to ask:"

"How strong is that magic of yours? Can everyone learn it as soon as possible?"

"Right now, that might be our only hope."

Looking at his grandson, Christian spoke with a tired sigh.

It seemed his own plans had to be scrapped, as most of his demolition and bombing strategies relied on the animals’ lack of intelligence.

..........

Meanwhile, while the meeting on the fate of the Smith shelter was in full swing...

The beast in question was struggling to open a can of cola with its giant paws.

"Damn system! Why the hell did you let me transmigrate into such a beast?!"

"Now I have to hunt and kill for these damn evolution points!"

"Hopefully, I can evolve into a human soon enough, because right now I can’t even drink cola in peace!"

Patting the can with full force, the can exploded, splashing cola all over its wings.

"Damn it!" he cursed.

Yes, the beast in question wasn’t a natural monster at all, but rather a transmigrator named Lucian Cross!