Chapter 2722 - 1840: Impressing Forced Conscripts (This Weather Is So Unpredictable)

Chapter 2722: Chapter 1840: Impressing Forced Conscripts (This Weather Is So Unpredictable)

After this little incident, the survivors calmed down. Of course, they didn’t have much choice in the matter. As everyone just saw first-hand, they had to admit that now with guns in hand, they felt more confident. However, reality soon reminded them that this was merely an illusion.

Although the weapons in their hands were far more powerful than they had imagined, it was clear that the Tribunal people didn’t even give a glance at these things...

Of course, what made them obedient was the silent figure trailing behind them—the unfortunate man from earlier had now been completely transformed into another form. Most of his body was covered in machinery, and his amputated hands were replaced with devices resembling mechanical claws.

The man had a dull expression, resembling a puppet devoid of self-awareness, quietly following the crowd with some miscellaneous items, like a diligent porter.

Just seeing this scene sent a chill down everyone’s spine, but more important was the Tribunal’s attitude.

"This is my first modification, don’t expect too much, after all, I’m not Maria with such advanced modification skills."

Lumiaire explained to Duanmu Huai, who shrugged his shoulders.

"It’s fine, as long as it’s useful, at least it wasn’t a waste."

Listening to the casual conversation as they walked, the survivors felt a chill in their hearts. The two were calm and unfazed, as if discussing something routine and expected—considering they had just modified a living person, it was hard not to overthink it.

"Don’t worry."

Duanmu Huai turned his head and gestured to the survivors behind him.

"Only those who defy the Tribunal and criminals will be turned into Mecha Servants, as long as you obey and don’t cause trouble, I won’t transform you into these things."

"Why do you have to do this?"

The short-haired woman behind gathered her courage to question.

"Can’t you just kill him?"

"With humans facing extinction in this world, everyone is valuable; simply killing someone would be too wasteful."

"Can’t you use those zombies?"

"They’re already contaminated, impossible."

Duanmu Huai shook his head, though he could destroy the plague spread by the Corrupted Foil and heal others, it only worked as long as they were still alive. Once dead, they essentially became Demons under the Corrupted Foil’s control, equivalent to being completely invaded by a Subspace Demon occupying a mortal’s body. Hence, Duanmu could never turn zombies back into humans.

"But isn’t this too cruel?"

"Cruel?"

Duanmu Huai looked at the short-haired woman in surprise.

"Is it not a problem that he used the weapons I gave him to threaten our people?"

"That’s not what I meant, I just think your methods seem a bit too..."

"This is the Tribunal’s way of handling things."

Duanmu Huai straightforwardly interrupted the short-haired woman’s protest.

"Behave or suck it up."

".........."

The short-haired woman closed her mouth and retreated silently. Honestly speaking, she really didn’t want to continue following this mysterious group, but the short-haired woman understood that at least for now, following them was the only way to ensure her survival. Though she had initially regretted joining the group while on the bus, she had now changed her mind. While Duanmu was indeed tough and cold, it’s precisely because of this that everyone feared him and chose to obey his orders.

To the short-haired woman, being able to do this was good enough; she knew well that a group needs a leader, especially now, when a strong leader is very necessary. Although the Tribunal’s methods were quite ruthless, they were, at least, for dealing with enemies. As long as she stayed on the Tribunal’s side, there shouldn’t be a problem.

Probably...

"Uh, excuse me..."

As the short-haired woman pondered, another man nervously asked.

"What are we supposed to do next...?"

"Hold on... Mary, is everything registered?"

"Yes."

The short-haired woman looked up to see a blonde girl approach Duanmu Huai, handing over a notebook. She seemed to be foreign and was quite beautiful. Earlier, when that unfortunate man was being modified, this girl had been asking each person’s occupation, age, and experience with a notebook... though it was unclear what she intended to do with this information...

"Hmm..."

Duanmu Huai took the notebook, examined it carefully, then looked at the survivors.

"How many of you can drive?"

"I..."

"And I..."

Including the bus driver from earlier, two men raised their hands.

"Come over here, go there."

Duanmu Huai casually pointed to a direction, and the two men obediently moved over, guns in hand.

"Then... who’s the plumber?"

"Ah, it’s me, I’m here!"

A man in work clothes hurriedly stood up.

"Can you fix cars?"

"Ah... no, I can’t..."

"Better than Xiao Bai, go with them."

"Yes..."

The man in work clothes obediently followed Duanmu Huai’s orders and headed over to the two drivers.

"And then... a white-collar worker? Foreign financial sector? Not much use."

Duanmu Huai flipped through the pages, then curled his lips.

"All of you whose names I call, stand over there."

Quickly, Duanmu Huai called out names, and although those he called didn’t know what Duanmu Huai was planning to do, they obediently followed his instructions and stood where he directed.

Soon, the group was divided into three teams: two drivers and an electrician formed one team, others formed another, and the remaining team consisted of minors, two students and two children.

"You are now organized into three teams."

Duanmu Huai stared at these survivors and began to speak.

"Each team has different tasks, but you all must follow my orders, you...!"

Duanmu Huai pointed directly at the bus driver from earlier.

"You will be in charge of the driving team."

"Huh? Me? Alright..."

"Then for the assault team... You handle it."

Duanmu Huai pointed at the short-haired woman. Earlier during the commotion, Duanmu Huai observed the reactions of the survivors; most were puzzled and panicked, except for this short-haired woman who seemed quite composed, at least a person with strong mental fortitude. Moreover, even though she knew there was danger, she dared to ask him questions, quite courageous indeed.

Of course, people like her generally have their own opinions, but Duanmu Huai wasn’t worried about that. People with opinions are more likely to understand that surviving is better than being turned into a Mecha Servant. Although the short-haired woman was quite attractive, Duanmu Huai didn’t care about such trivialities, as once transformed into Mecha Servants, they all looked the same.

"What’s your name?"

"Mikazuki Ken."

The short-haired woman stared at Duanmu Huai, answering in a low voice.

"Alright, the assault team is now under your command."

"...Understood."

"Next is..."

Duanmu Huai turned his gaze to the group of minors. Feeling Duanmu Huai’s gaze, the two children hurriedly hid behind one of the girls.

"Do you know each other?"

"Ah, yes."

The girl seemed surprised that Duanmu Huai was asking her a question, hurriedly lowered her head.

"They are my brothers... I’m Fujino Fumiyuki, this is You, and this is Rongsi..."

"..."

Duanmu Huai scratched his head. Children are the most troublesome, not only difficult to manage but also prone to causing problems. Moreover, these two brats seemed like elementary school kids, entirely useless as any combat power...

"Lorena, I’ll leave them to you. I remember you did something like this in the Church?"

"Yes, Sir Knight."

Upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s words, Lorena nodded.

"In the Church, I often took care of children, so I’m quite used to it."

"That’s settled then."

After distributing the tasks, Duanmu Huai wrapped things up and took another look at the notebook.

"Hmm... There’s someone named Tanaka... come over here."

"Ah, yes, it’s me..."

Stepping out was none other than the office worker uncle who was previously trapped in the supermarket with three flight attendants. He nervously walked out, looking at Duanmu Huai.

"Do you have any instructions?"

"You work for the municipal government?"

"I’m just a junior clerk..."

"Junior clerk is good."

Duanmu Huai waved his hand and then took a map.

"Come here, I want to ask you something."

"Alright..."

Even though Tanaka-san was just a junior clerk, Duanmu Huai knew that for many things, these lower-level staff actually knew more than those at the top. Not to mention government events and such, the errands are all run by them, so for detailed inquiries, consulting these clerks is far more effective than asking those at the top.

Duanmu Huai pulled Tanaka aside and asked him a few questions, then marked a route on the map, before standing up and looking at the others.

"Alright, let’s head out."

"Where are we going?"

"First, we go find some vehicles."

Duanmu Huai said as he glanced at the bus, which after being surrounded by zombies had been wrecked beyond use.

Fortunately, Tanaka said that just a few days ago, the construction team received a batch of transport vehicles and heavy machinery, mainly intended for renovation work. Duanmu Huai had set his sights on these vehicles, as walking would just exhaust everyone to death.

"We’ll follow this road to the construction site, passing by the school and the shelter on the way, to see if there are any survivors. Of course..."

At this, Duanmu Huai sneered, looking at the people in front of him.

"Take this chance to experience what fighting really feels like."

Their faces turned pale upon hearing that sneer from Duanmu Huai and his words.

Even though they were mentally prepared... were they really going to fight zombies?