Chapter 414 - The Champ - Shit.

It should have been obvious from the get-go.

We weren't sure what he was doing since it began but everyone in my house was happy seeing him on TV once more. Everyone was silent when he was about to speak and we were all curious about what he was about to say.

"Hello everyone, this is Senator Manny speaking. I know I should've been in one of these broadcasts since it started but I was busy defending my hometown. It could sound really selfish to some of you but after our president allowing me to do that behind the scenes, not only do we have Davao City as a stronghold, we also have General Santos City as an upcoming stronghold as well." Manny started.

"Two cities? Well, shit. Don't tell me he punched them to death or I'd f.u.c.k.i.n.g lose it!" Oscar was surprised.

"SHHH!!!" everyone shushed him.

I was shaking my head in amus.e.m.e.nt when Oscar shrunk down but Manny continued after a pause.

"It was a difficult time when it started but now we could say that we're rebuilding again. There are mountains and another city separating us but one of the ways we could safely travel is by using our boats. We've secured a pier in the coastal areas and not only that opened up a safe way of travel, but it also opened more options for stability and sustainability like the production of salt and making use of our fishing vessels for food." Manny continued.

"We made use of the seas to get a direct route but we will soon open up a path for our land vehicles after claiming Digos City and Sarangani. As of now, our numbers and allies are once more increasing due to the fact that people from neighboring islands came here to offer goods for trade or to just move here permanently. It would be a good thing to hear from other cities as well in this island group but we're still trying our best." Roque added.

"There's more I wish we could tell you about but if you're hearing this and need help, you could try and reach our cities and we wouldn't hesitate to do so. We also have soldiers roaming along the road and please, do not hesitate to approach them. In any case, if you approach them with malicious intentions, they will fire back. Follow their orders and you will be soon delivered to our cities for a place to stay permanently." Rod mentioned.

They continued to speak about more updates about their island group and they mentioned that the next broadcast will be right before the end of the year. The research on the virus was still not making enough headway according to their scientists but deep inside, I was having doubts from that statement.

The broadcast ended shortly and Oscar excused himself to have a little talk with the president. They exchange information that couldn't be said in the broadcasts and I trust Oscar with handling that job. It would be busy by the end of the year and I'm sure it wouldn't get any easier when 2020 comes.

Some of us were still lounging in the living room then Zeus sat on my lap. He was acting like he was still a puppy but I never minded that sort of behavior.

"Bro." someone tapped my back.

I leaned my head backward and saw Jared.

"In the future, do you think we could get an island of our own?" Jared asked.

"Well, technically we're living in one of the largest islands, Luzon. If you don't like this island, there's 7640 more to choose from." I chuckled.

"No, I mean like a smaller one perhaps? Something like Mr. Beast would give away on a video." Jared waved his hand around.

"Hah! Then it's not a bad idea. You might start looking in the Visayas Island Group because there's a lot to choose from those. If it's me, I think I'll go to the Last Ecological Frontier, Palawan. I'd start anew if I could and in a few year's time, Kaley and I would be on our third child- Ow! Hah! Hit me if you want but I'm not taking it back! HAHAHAHA!!!" I started cackling when Kaley attacked me.

"Hmph! Palawan sounds really nice though… I've been there a lot and the forests and the seas are always kept clean by the residents. It's an amazing place to be in if this is all over." Kaley was faintly smiling.

"Heh, so you two are leaving us all alone eh?" Tatiana chuckled while Rin and Cynthia glanced at us.

"What? F.u.c.k no. I'll be taking you all with me! Well, we'll be living in separate houses but I'd like you all to be there, it wouldn't be the same." I was brightly smiling, looking at all of them.

"Oscar wanted to retire in that place too..." I thought to myself.

We were soon called to the pool area for dinner and we were served with egg rolls with either meat, fish, or vegetables inside of them. Different dipping sauces were also made and it was eaten with rice as always. Kaley and I took one of each and we picked a gravy-like sauce to dip them in.

As usual, Tatiana was voraciously eating her triple portion and I could bet all my guns that Rin and Cynthia were cursing her inwardly because she never got fat from eating like that every single day. Looking at Kaley, it seemed that she was doing the same thing in her head.

After finishing our meals, we started our own meeting.

We discussed the daily upkeep and we would be lying if the number of sacks we received from Jomarro's store wouldn't keep us fed for a long time. Our increase in number made us consume more food but the other projects being completed at a much faster rate was enough of a trade-off. The crops and our animals were being taken care of and they were all growing nicely because more people took an interest in growing crops and taking care of animals.

We then went into the topic of clearing out another City Hall. I showed them the footage and everyone was slightly relieved that it wasn't like the City Hall that we cleared before. It was roaming with mostly normal deadheads but we still need more extra hands if we wanted to finish clearing it in a shorter time span.

"You said you'd be needing more people, right? Bring Mikhail, Lois, and the other soldiers from the DDR Camp with you. Tomorrow, I'd be taking a few from our outpost in Meycauayan since they're getting free supplies without doing much. Brian and Carlo volunteered when I called earlier but I'll bring more people from that place." Oscar suggested.

"Oh! I'd like to shoot for once. Are we just clearing the place out and taking the hard drives after?" Lois asked.

"That's the idea but from our trip earlier, we discovered that most of the places there weren't even looted. After doing what we're supposed to do, we'd be hitting each store with valuables and I've marked them all in this map. Other gasoline stations were also untouched and we could bring a tanker or two to fill those up and come back for more." I explained.

"Isn't there a hostile group from the city right next to it?" Johnny asked.

"Yeah, there is. However, a huge commotion occurred earlier and we didn't even see a glimpse of them. They could be dead for all we know and from the report from the outpost where Lawrence is staying, there was also no presence of them there. Assuming from a group such as that, they would be actively looting every place they could get their hands on but they weren't." I replied,

"Hmm, then still keep an eye out. They could just be waiting for the right opportunity," Johnny concluded.

We discussed more topics but I had one last topic to discuss, "No more questions? I don't know about you guys but seeing our champion on the TV got me excited. Let's have a simple knockout match and I'll give a reward to those who could reach the end! Three 3-minute rounds each match and everyone is welcome to join."

"Boxing only?" Chris asked.

"Yep."

"How about weight class?" he asked once more.

"We'll give a handicap with the gloves."

"Can I use the Dempsey Roll?" Russel asked.

"What? N- you know what? Go ahead if you wanted to get knocked the f.u.c.k out in the first round."

"Cheh, you'll see." Russel scoffed.

Then he f.u.c.k.i.n.g saw.

Russel didn't even manage to complete a rotation when my right hook exploded in his face. He sprawled on the mat and our referee who was Mikhail just gave him a moment of silence.

"Who's the next one? Come on up!" I was making each of my bones crack as I was taunting each one of them.

It was then when Mikhail wore gloves and removed his shirt.

"I'm the next one, boss!" Mikhail exclaimed.

"Shit." I muttered.