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"We've got four floors here," Liza began.
"The firstfloor is for newcomers."
"There used to be two large exhibition halls down here. Housing a few hundred people isn't a problem."
"The second floor is the cafeteria. You'll be called up when it's your turn to eat."
"The third floor is where the Awakened live."
"We've got over forty Awakened in this camp."
"So don't worry. You're completely safe here."
"As for the fourth floor…"
"That's where the camp's leaders stay. If you ever make it into the leadership circle, you might get to go up."
Liza gave a brief overview of the museum-turned-camp.
Of course, the thing Julian cared about most, how these Awakened came to be, she didn't mention at all.
That alone told him everything. Whatever method they used, it probably wasn't exactly… legit.
Still, he had a rough idea of their strength now.
More than forty Awakened…
If they were all average level, then even forty of them wouldn't be impossible for him to handle. Just exhausting.
But the leadership's strength was still a mystery.
And the way they created Awakened… still unknown.
No way he could act recklessly yet.
Liza led him to a corner of the hall.
The floor was covered with straw mats.
"You'll stay here for now."
"The Awakened upstairs have much better living conditions."
"Hope you awaken soon."
"Oh, right. Your number is 388."
There was a faint, suggestive look in Liza's eyes as she glanced at Julian.
He was way more handsome than the others who had come before.
If he became Awakened, with enhanced stamina and strength… then playing around with him would be a lot more fun…
After quickly going over a few basic rules, Liza swayed her hips and left.
Only then did Julian finally let out a breath.
Damn it. He was here undercover, not to climb the ranks with his body.
And more importantly… she was way too ugly.
Not even remotely interested.
He sat down on one of the mats and started looking around the hall.
There were about a hundred people inside.
Some were sleeping. Some were playing cards. Others were watching videos on a large screen set up in the hall.
With so many people packed together, the air was pretty bad.
Every now and then, the smell of sweaty feet drifted through.
Yeah… this place was rough.
Nowhere near as good as Donghu Island.
But for most people, having food and safety already felt like heaven.
"Hey, man!"
"New here?"
A chubby guy waddled over.
"I got here yesterday. Name's Katsuo."
"What should I call you, bro?"
The guy seemed friendly enough.
"Nanami Kento."
Julian answered flatly.
He wasn't here to make friends.
"Brother Kento, let me tell you…"
"This place is freaking amazing."
"At my last camp, we had twenty people. Got wiped out by a few dozen regular zombies."
"But here? Totally different. I saw them take down a mutated zombie with my own eyes when I arrived."
Katsuo's face was full of admiration.
"Wow. That's incredible."
Julian replied with zero enthusiasm.
"Are they really that strong?"
A young couple nearby moved closer, clearly interested.
They had just arrived too.
Newcomers tended to stick together, so they were looking to make a few friends.
The chubby guy and Julian both seemed approachable, so naturally they gravitated toward them.
"Of course!"
"If they weren't strong, could they take in so many people?"
"I heard they can even help unlock your potential here. You might become Awakened!"
"Once you're Awakened, you're seriously powerful. Out there, you can walk around like you own the place. Zombies? Easy kills."
"And if you do awaken, you get to move up to the third floor."
"The treatment there? Totally different from this dump."
"I heard they even drink red wine and eat steak!"
Katsuo said it all with a straight face.
Julian smirked to himself. What a waste. This guy would've been perfect for pyramid schemes.
The young couple, on the other hand, were clearly tempted.
Awakened…
Did they really have a chance to become one?
Just then, Liza appeared in the hall.
"351 to 400, it's mealtime!"
"Gather at the entrance. I'll take you to the second floor."
She spoke through a portable mic like a museum guide.
"Food time! Let's go!"
Katsuo instantly perked up, scrambling to his feet and rushing to the entrance.
The young couple licked their lips, clearly starving.
"Rationed dining, huh?"
"Interesting…"
Julian walked over calmly and joined the back of the line.
Liza led the group upstairs.
Julian took a quick look around.
At the staircase leading to the second floor, four people stood guard. Probably Awakened.
And at the entrance to the "cafeteria," there were two more.
The hell… just for a meal, they needed this kind of security?
Something was definitely off.
And with his heightened hearing, Julian could faintly pick up a strange sound.
Like fingernails scraping against a wall…
Weird.
"Everyone, line up and follow me in," Liza said at the entrance.
Numbers 351 through 389, a group of around thirty people, followed her inside.
It was a large square hall.
Several long tables were arranged inside, covered with red tablecloths.
Around them stood more than a dozen people.
Waiters?
No… they looked more like security.
"Sit wherever you like."
"The food will be here shortly."
Liza greeted them warmly.
Julian picked a random seat.
Katsuo plopped down next to him with a grin.
The young couple sat across from them.
They'd only exchanged a few words, but in this kind of environment, people instinctively stuck close to familiar faces.
Before long, several young women pushed food carts into the hall.
The smell of meat instantly filled the air.
The carts were piled high with roasted meat, steaks, and giant bones…
Some people started drooling on the spot.
"Please help yourselves," Liza said with a smile.
The newcomers surged forward like a pack of zombies.
They had been starving for who knew how long. Even plain steamed buns would've been enough to break their restraint, let alone meat.
Luckily, there was plenty of food.
Katsuo grabbed a few steaks and even pushed a plate toward Julian.
"Hurry up and eat. Then we'll grab more."
He immediately started stuffing his face, grease all over his mouth, looking like he was having the time of his life.
The young couple across from them were no better, wolfing down their share of roasted meat.
Julian glanced at the steak on his plate.
Through the gaps, he could see streaks of red. It wasn't fully cooked.
He lowered his head and took a sniff.
There was a strange smell to it.
Didn't seem very fresh…
"....."