CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 49 – DIFFERENT APPROACH

Chapter 49 – Different Approach

As Jack stood with his group, the general approached him and nudged him to talk in private. The boy nodded and walked with him to a corner where they could speak.

"What is going on outside? What the hell is that?"

"No need to worry yet, General. The world is undergoing many rapid changes, and this is most likely part of that. It doesn’t seem to be affecting us—yet."

"Yet, you say?" The man rubbed his forehead. "What makes you so sure?"

"As I said, yet. That won’t be the case for long, if I have to guess. We can’t really hope for things to remain stable."

"You’re... right..."

"That’s why it’s time to take drastic measures. See all those people?" Jack gestured toward the fearful masses. "We need to turn 80–90% of them into fighters capable of killing monsters."

"... What?" Hermann looked at Jack as if he had just told a bad joke. "That’s insanity. Nobody would want to put their lives on the line to fight! Even my men are barely keeping their wits together against these creatures."

"We don’t have choices here, General. Either they fight or they die. You know very well you won’t be able to protect them or provide for them—there are too many people here," Jack replied. "Unless you’re ready to bear that responsibility yourself now."

"..."

"The world now is unforgiving. Gone are the days of civilization. Now, if you aren’t strong enough, you simply won’t survive. I only needed a single day to see that with my own eyes." The boy’s tone was cold and harsh—no sugarcoating, no comfort. He knew how brutal things were, and how much worse they would soon become. "Even you, General, should be awakening and getting ready to fight."

"... I know. I am aware of all that. But... how am I supposed to convince these people to kill creatures who were once innocent humans? Let alone convince them to put their lives on the line?"

"When faced with survival or death, most people choose survival, General. You’ll have to do three things: make them understand the reality of the situation, give them two options, and finally... lead by example."

"Hm." Hermann blinked, a bit stunned. "Where did you even learn how to lead a crowd, boy?"

"There’s no point in answering that. In any case, I’ll leave that to you."

"Wait—you want me to tell them now?"

"Of course, now. When people are this afraid, their fear can turn into determination very quickly." Jack explained. "You know what to tell them. When morning comes, I hope you’ll have a good number of volunteers ready."

"... Hey, wai—"

Ignoring the man’s hesitant call, Jack walked away and left him with his thoughts.

"You did that on purpose, didn’t you?" Liliana asked with a smug look.

"You noticed that?"

"Of course. But why don’t you just do it yourself? I’m sure you’d be more convincing than him."

"True. But... I want him to face that reality." Jack replied coldly, closing his eyes. "If that man remains a coward, he’ll only waste more of my time. I want him to be the face of the cannon while I work in the shadows. Being forced to deal with that crowd and convince them is a good first step."

’He really does see everyone as a pawn to move. Jack, you’re just something else.’ Liliana’s smile widened.

"Man, I won’t be able to go back to sleep now. These noises are so chilling," Alex said as he rubbed his arms.

"... Are we really going to be okay?"

"Things should be fine for now. We’ll be moving early in the morning," Jack said as he approached them. "You’ll focus on two goals—getting stronger, and getting the citizens around us stronger. In other words, you’ll train them a bit."

"Train them? How are we even qualified to do that? We’re barely awakeners ourselves."

"You won’t lead massive groups—just squads of ten or a bit more. Your goal is to get all of them awakened. Things should be easier from there."

"Well, if you say so..."

"And what if some of them die?" Evan asked coldly. "How are we supposed to explain that to the rest?"

"Death is inevitable. Many of these people will die sooner or later. We’re trying to prolong their lives by doing this. If they aren’t ready to accept it, then they have no place in this world."

"How are you so heartless, huh? They’re normal people. Asking them to kill immediately—that’s foolish," Evan said, his voice sharp.

"Hey, Evan, that’s en—" Luna tried to speak, only for Jack to stop her.

"Do you really think this situation we’re in is ordinary? We’re facing literal monsters and abominations. There’s no other choice—either kill or be killed. If you want to keep babying these people, feel free. My approach will save more lives than yours."

"..."

The two stared coldly at each other, neither blinking. The tension rose sharply, and for a second, the group thought a fight might break out. But Jack finally turned away.

"In any case, that’s what I’ll be doing. If you aren’t fine with it, I don’t care if you step away."

With that, Jack turned and started walking. My head hurts, he sighed inwardly, returning to his room and sitting on the bed.

"Quite the bunch of people you’re dealing with, Jack."

"I don’t blame them," he replied. "None of them are ready to handle something like this. Their morals will clash with their goals."

"How are you not like them?"

"Who said I’m not?"

"Oh?"

"I just know how to force those thoughts to the back of my mind better than most. I’m not the seasoned warrior you think I am."

’I never was, and probably never will be.’

"... I see..."

Silence filled the room for a few moments. Jack sat there, lost in thought, planning what to do next. Even though most of the tasks were being assigned to others, there was still so much he had to handle himself.

’Tomorrow will be harder than today.’

As he sat there, the door opened, and Luna walked in.

"Hey, Jack... Can we talk for a second?"

"Hm? What is it?"

The girl, hesitant, walked toward him and sat down.

"I just wanted to say I’m in on that plan. We need to teach these people how to fight, or they won’t survive on their own."

"I see," Jack muttered.

"Also... I wanted to thank you for earlier. You saved my life," she said. "I was mistaken for overusing my Aether and causing you trouble. I thought I can push my limits far and I only realized I was wrong when things got really bad."

"Hm. I didn’t do much. And, don’t worry about it, we all make mistakes. Just make sure that doesn’t happen again."

"No... I remember clearly. I was completely out of it, and if you hadn’t picked me up, I would’ve died. So... thank you so much."

As she spoke, a warm smile appeared on her face.

"..."

"I hope I didn’t bother you too much carrying me..."

"No, it wasn’t a problem. For the most part..." he replied mysteriously, recalling what happened earlier.

"For the most part?"

"Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing."

"Haha, someone’s shy," Liliana laughed, earning an immediate glare.