Chapter 224 - Multiple Outbreaks

Bonnie continued watching the news about the multiple Outbreaks.

Although it was previously announced that they are already in a new era, she still couldn't believe that this is all happening.

Another five hundred thousand people have been reported to have died during the Outbreaks.

This is just the reported number but everyone knows that the number of casualties is higher than that. It is even continuously increasing up to this date.

Every Arcane Explorer is looking for a strong guild and better compensation. Aside from that, the military had also conducted another large-scale recruitment. They even announced that as long as you are C-Rank B-Rank or A-Rank Awakened, you will immediately get promoted to a high military rank.

"Haa~ I wonder, where did Cyril recruit these bodyguards?" Bonnie muttered as she looked at the window.

Currently, their house is being guarded by three more Awakened that came out of nowhere. Cyril just introduced them and handed them the task of protecting her and their house.

On the other hand, there is even another team working to protect their Timeless Store in the city.

"Bonnie… There is an outbreak not too far from the Subdivision. Cyril ordered us to immediately deal with the outbreak and clear the monster roaming around."

Amaris said as she abruptly entered the house.

"What? I didn't even hear any news about it."

"Of course, it just opened a few seconds ago. They are only some lizards but they might reach this place if we didn't act now. The police in this area are quite busy dealing with other outbreaks after all."

Amaris said as she gave the hint that she's capable of locating an outbreak that is not too far from them.

"Alright, who will be left to protect this place?"

"Me and the other guy with a big mouth. I don't know his name. Anyway, the other two should be more than enough to deal with this." Amaris replied but in truth, there are several more demons who did not take a human form guarding the house.

It is simply because Cyril thought that it would be too much if there are over 10 security personnel guarding the villa.

This is why there he ordered them to just return to their original form and alter their sizes to a smaller one.

***

"We need to leave this place, Karen." Melody spoke as she looked around the city.

There are several Wyverns in the sky and a few Harpies attacking a tall building.

Right now, they are only interested in the attack helicopters and people who can be seen within the skyscrapers. They don't seem to be interested in the people on the ground.

However, it's only a matter of time before they will be targeted by these monsters.

"Where are we going? I don't want to go to the Shelter." Karen said in a really worried tone. It seems like she even has a phobia as she spoke about it.

Melody nodded as she understands her sister. Although the shelter is extremely sturdy since it was strengthened by a Rank-S Artifact, Karen just doesn't like the feeling of being trapped there.

"Haa~ We'll go to Cyril's place. He mentioned to me to visit that place in case I needed help."

Melody answered.

"What? Is he even there? Can he protect us?"

"No, he might not even be there. However, that place is the home of an S-Rank Awakened. He guaranteed me that his home is probably the safest place here in the country and I will count on that." Melody said confidently as she looked at her sister with a determined gaze.

"Alright, sis. It's your call. I will trust you. I also want to meet this S-Rank Awakened."

"Good… I'm sure you'll like him."

Melody said as they activated their Artifact's Haste Gale to speed up their run.

Since this is an emergency, they can no longer care about the non-Awakened and triggered their Artifacts. The police and other military personnel should be taking care of these people anyway.

Soon, the two arrived at the Subdivision… They even noticed that there is a commotion not too from it which made them nervous.

"Is there a new Outbreak?! There isn't even a guild in that direction. Perhaps another Entrance Crystal privately owned by an Arcane Explorer? Urgh… They should really let the Association handle them…"

"It's no longer surprising, sister. Besides, several undiscovered Entrance Crystals are being triggered because no one is looking for them anymore. They should also make a better Crystal Hunter."

The two can only shake their heads as they headed to the Subdivision. Because Melody has been here several times already, she easily managed to enter the place considering that she's also a powerful Awakened.

As soon as they got close to Cyril's house, a familiar elegant lady approached them.

She greeted the two and didn't even ask why they were here. It shows that she already received instructions from Cyril or perhaps Bonnie.

"Miss Amaris, may I ask if Cyril is inside? Oh—Was he sent out to deal with the outbreak?"

Melody asked as soon as they are about to enter the villa's gate.

"Sir Cyril went to the Association for a High-Class Arcane World Exploration. I'm unsure when he'll return but he gave instructions that anyone he knows who decided to come here must receive the best treatment possible until he returns."

Amaris replied as she opened the gate and guided them inside.

Melody thanked the lady as she saw Bonnie waiting for them.

"Melody, right? It's dangerous outside. It's good that you decided to come here. You can stay here as long as you needed."

"Thank you, Miss Bonnie. It's indeed a bit too dangerous. I even notice that there's another commotion not too far from here."

Bonnie knows Melody since she has been teaching Cyril every weekend regarding her spear or aura technique. Previously, they were only exchanging pleasantries since Cyril didn't want to waste time whenever she visits their house.

"Ahh… Some reliable Awakened has been sent there. They should be returning soon, right Amaris?"

Bonnie replied as she glanced at Amaris for confirmation. Since the latter only sent two Awakened to deal with the Outbreak not too far from here, it means that it is quite easy to deal with.

"That's right, Miss Bonnie. It is only a low-class Arcane World, the two I sent out were stronger than average A-Rank Awakened so there's nothing to worry about. Oh, I will prepare some snacks for our guests."

At this time, Bonnie looked at the other beautiful lady who came with Melody.

"I'm Karen Claude, Melody's younger sister. Thank you for accepting us, Miss Bonnie. We don't really know anyone here in the capital so we are really at a loss where to go."

Karen then continued explaining why they did not decide to enter one of the many shelters in the city.

The three chatted for a long while and as soon as they finished the snacks and tea Amaris made, the two bodyguards had finally returned.

"Oh, they're back!"

"Ma'am Bonnie… The outbreak has been dealt with. However, there is still a crack and some other creatures may come out until it was closed. In the meantime, the Association already sent people to deal with the crack so we returned here."

"That's good to hear. Please, have a rest for now. I'm sure that both of you are tired."

Melody just listened to their conversation while observing the two mysterious Awakened that she had never seen before.

It must be said that the top B-Rank or A-Rank Awakened are all some kinds of celebrities. It's easy to recognize them especially if they are capable of clearing Arcane Worlds on their own.

However, she swear that she had never seen those two… As a matter of fact, she also noticed the other bodyguards who are exuding a terrifying aura.

'They are definitely not simple… Are these people guards he hired in the Black Market? Or perhaps from the Merchant Union which Cyril mentioned in passing?'

Melody muttered but she didn't dare to ask their secrets. That would just be so rude considering they are using this place to keep them safe from the recent Outbreaks.

On the other hand, Karen was just looking at Amaris like she was attracted to her cold beauty. Not only that, she can tell that Amaris is also a powerful Awakened just by how she carries herself.

Time passed quickly as the two sisters decided to sleepover here as Bonnie insisted. After all, even if the nearest outbreak was settled, there are other outbreaks that have occurred within the city and there are many flying monsters that had escaped from the army's encirclement.

Soon, they learned that they have made a very good decision as, during the same night, another High-Class Entrance Crystal broke open!

This time, a horde of Orcs started coming out and even their subdivision was under attack!

"This is bad… Is this place going to be safe?"

"Orcs' physical strength is bad news. I'm sure they can smash a house with their bare hands."

As Melody and Karen started worrying, they suddenly saw Bonnie's bodyguards take action!