Mutation Abyss-Chapter 46: Red Zone B1

Days passed quickly as Theo focused on preparations for the coming weeks. He purchased an extra truck for Aries and a large minibus that could carry all the kids in case of an emergency. He also bought a motorbike for quick solo travel when needed.

While in the city with Aries, they took time to shop for new clothes and gather essential supplies for the kids back at the estate.

One afternoon, while sorting through some of the newly bought supplies, Theo glanced out from his balcony. The sun was beginning to dip, casting a warm orange hue over the distant waters.

"It would be nice if I could buy a yacht too," he murmured, half-smiling to himself. But he knew he didn’t have enough funds for something that extravagant, at least not yet.

It had been nearly three days since the incident at Red Zone H3. Since then, Theo had been intentionally lying low, avoiding unnecessary attention. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Still, his body itched with restlessness. He kept thinking about the other Red Zones, places where no AMSO units had been dispatched yet. Survivors might still be trapped, surrounded by infectees, running out of time.

"Clock’s ticking," he sighed, guilt settling in his chest. He hated the idea of people out there suffering while he sat in relative comfort.

"I should go out tonight. Maybe I can save more survivors," he muttered.

Without hesitation, Theo grabbed his phone and sent a discreet message to Commander Brix, letting him know his plan to infiltrate another Red Zone tonight. A few seconds later, his phone lit up with an incoming call.

It was Brix.

Theo answered immediately. "Commander."

"Theo," Brix’s voice came through the line, low and firm, "surveillance has been tightened since the H3 incident. Cameras are up at all checkpoints now. If you’re planning to move again, you need to be more careful."

"I understand," Theo replied calmly, glancing around before getting into the parked car. "But don’t worry, Commander. Your men won’t even notice I was there."

There was a short pause on the other end. "You’re that confident?"

Theo smirked faintly. "I’ve handled worse. Just tell me where the entry point is, where I can enter and exit the zone without tripping your systems. I’ll take care of the rest."

Brix exhaled. "Fine. I’ll send you the location details. But keep it tight. If this ever leaks, even I won’t be able to cover for you."

"Understood," Theo said. "You won’t hear a whisper of it."

The call ended. Theo let out a slow breath and opened his system interface to check for any available quests and nearby locations.

[Main Quest: Roots of Decay]

Target: Meteorborn - Sapborn (MSapborn)

Location: High School Campus Ruins - Zone B1

Danger Level: Low to Moderate

Description: A stationary Infectee with rootlike and fungal growths. Uses parasitic vines to ambush prey. Lethal at close range.

Note: Avoid direct melee engagement. Best handled from range or with stealth.

Reward: +500 EXP, +50 Gold Coins, +Rootbane Resistance Trait, +Basic Loot Crate

Bonus Reward: +Fungal Sample (Rare Material)

Theo read the quest carefully, eyes narrowing. "This one will do," he muttered. Basic loot crates often contained medpacks, gadgets, weapons, and other survival gear, all things he needed. That trait could also be useful later on.

He closed the interface and stretched his neck. "I’m sure the system will notify me again later if there are new Meteorborn types nearby or if one of them has an active meteorite core."

With that, he chose not to accept the quest just yet. He’d trigger it once he was inside the high school campus.

*****

The sun was setting as Theo finished his early dinner.

"You going tonight?" Aries asked, already grabbing his pack from the table and began checking it. She even added a few protein bars and bandages.

"Yeah," Theo replied. He picked up a black utility vest and slipped it on over a dark compression shirt. "I’ll be back before the twelve-hour to sixteen-hour mark. Like always."

Aries zipped his pack and handed Theo a small radio device and the earpiece. "We’ll monitor you through this. Check on you once in a while. We’re heading out to get you if there’s no reply."

Theo smirked and clipped the radio to his belt. "You won’t have to."

Calix walked in from the hallway. "You wearing that one tonight?" he asked, eyeing Theo’s outfit.

Theo looked down at his outfit: black tactical pants, reinforced boots, a vest, and a black hoodie. Nothing flashy, but reliable. "Yeah, why?" he asked. He had gotten the combat gear from a Basic Loot Crate he earned through quests, along with some gadgets and survival essentials.

"It’s giving serious shadow operative vibes," Calix said with a chuckle, leaning on the doorframe. "Very end-of-the-world chic."

Aries rolled his eyes. "It’s not a fashion show, Calix."

"Doesn’t mean he can’t look cool saving lives," Calix shrugged.

Theo adjusted the earpiece hidden beneath his hair, then reached for the compact shoulder bag Aries had handed him. With a smirk, he joked, "Alright, that’s enough, Aries. You’re making it feel like I’m heading off to day camp."

Aries pursed her lips and muttered, "I know your system has some supplies stocked, but it’s still better to have back-up gear."

Calix crossed his arms and nodded. "Yeah. So far, I haven’t heard of any other AMS with abilities like Theo’s. I think that system of his is one in a million."

Theo smiled slightly. At this point, both Calix and Aries were aware of the strange system inside him, though neither fully understood it. As far as they knew, no other AMS had anything like it. Whatever was embedded in Theo’s body, it was rare, powerful, and mysterious.

"I’m heading out," Theo said, walking toward the door. He paused to grab his keys. "I’ll take the bike, park it a few clicks from the zone, then Shadow Step my way in."

"We’ll stay on the radio," Aries reminded him. "Ping us whenever you can. And don’t forget, not to let your guard down for a second..."

Theo gave a small nod. "I won’t. Promise." With that, he pushed the door open and stepped out.

He mounted his motorbike and took off, speeding through a less-patrolled back route. The road lights faded behind him, replaced by streaks of orange and gray as the sky darkened. By the time he reached the dense perimeter of Red Zone B1, night had fully settled in.