After a couple of hours riding through the dark mist, Reign managed to return to the city.


    Without roads to navigate, he relied on his sense of direction, and back tracking the route as a guide to navigate through the uneven ground.


    He was not worrying about getting lost; as long as he kept heading to the east, he knew he would eventually reach his destination.


    When he finally caught sight of the city sign, he didn''t risk riding through it.


    He knew the area was littered withndmines.


    Instead, he opted to retrace his way, seeking out the same exit point he had used before.


    CREAK!


    CREAK!


    CREAK!


    The tform slowly descended underground with a low rumble. Gears spun and nked, echoing through the chamber as the machinery lowered his truck down.


    THUD!


    When the tform reached the bottom, he saw the familiar tunnel stretching out before him.


    He stayed in the vehicle, gripping the wheel as he moved through it.


    Its interior was filled with walls lined with cables and pipes.


    The steady glow of fluorescent lights cast a harsh illumination on the cold and silent tunnel. The only sound he could hear was the noise of his tires on the ground, magnified by the tunnel''s echoes.


    Fortunately, the route was direct, and has no turns or branches which made the whole ride much easier and faster.


    As heapproached the end of the tunnel, arge and thick steel door loomed ahead.


    He slowed the vehicle and noticed military personnels guarding the area.


    They were all wearing full hazmat suits, their bodies entirely covered in protective gear from head to toe.


    Thick gloves encased their hands, and heavy boots nked against thefloor as they moved.


    Over their suits, they wore gas masks with tinted visor.


    Each one also carried a utility beltequipped with various tools and supplies.


    "Stop," one of themmanded, raising his hand.


    When Reignpletely stopped the car, the military personnel slowly the driver''s sit window.


    "Sir, I think it''s better for you to stay in the fort for a while," the guard said, recognizing Reign as the same person who got special ess through the governor rmendation.


    Not just anyone could venture outside alone without the strength to survive, so knowing that Reign came from out there was enough to solidify his status as a powerful individual.


    "Why?" Reign asked, feigning ignorance.


    The guard paused for a moment before answering, "The whole city is on lockdown. We discovered a deadly virus, so it''s dangerous to head to the center."


    "A virus?" he repeated, pretending to be rmed. "That sounds serious. How did this happen?"


    The guard sighed, a weary look crossing his face.


    "We''re not entirely sure yet. It just spread out of nowhere. The authorities are doing everything they can to contain it, but for now, it''s safest to stay within the fort."


    "I get you," Reign replied, his voice filled with concern, "but I work for the governor, and I need to get back to her no matter what for a special mission. I know that this virus is dangerous, but I can''t abandon my duty."


    The guards exchanged nces, sensing the sincerity in Reign''s words. Despite the gravity of the situation, they couldn''t help but admire his dedication to his duty.


    "I understand, sir," one of them said, nodding in acknowledgment. "But please, exercise extreme caution. We''ll do our best to provide you with an escort back to the center."


    "Thank you," Reign nodded gratefully, offering them a sincere smile. But deep inside, he couldn''t contain his excitement .


    Everything was proceeding ording to n, and soon he would have everything he needed to achieve his goals


    Before he left, Reign was provided with a set of yellow hazmat suit.


    They already detected that the virus was airborne, so anyone walking outside had to wear one.


    Meanwhile, those inside their homes were equipped with filters to further minimize the risk of exposure to the virus.


    The city was still a distant destination, and to reach it, they needed to traverse the highway.


    Reign and his escort made their way to the waiting vehicle (Military HuNovelFireee), where they climbed in and set off towards their destination.


    The highway stretched out before them, the road illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights.


    Other military vehicles zoomed past, their headlights cutting through the darkness as they hurried to their own destinations.


    "How''s the status, by the way?" Reign asked, trying to figure out the current situation.


    The military personnel hesitated for a moment, contemting if he should disclosed the real information.


    However, recognizing Reign''s direct affiliation with the governor, they made the decision to divulge the ssified information, trusting in his discretion and understanding of the circumstances.


    "It''s bad," the military personnel continued, his tone grave. "I heard from someone in the Department of Health that already 4500+ people died today, and hundreds of thousands are already showing symptoms."


    "That''s terrible," Reign replied, his voice filled with fake sympathy. "What are the authorities doing to contain it?"


    The military personnel shook his head, a sense of helplessness evident in his demeanor.


    "We''re doing everything we can," he replied, his voice filled with genuine worry. He, too, had family in the city, but because of his duty, he could not contact them at all


    "Quarantine measures have been implemented, and medical teams are working around the clock to treat the infected. But the virus is spreading quickly, and it''s bing more difficult to keep up."


    "What about the dead bodies, they should be disposed of, right?" Reign asked.


    "Yes, they are being disposed of in ordance with strict protocols to prevent further spread of the virus," one of them exined.


    "Where are they keeping them ?"


    "In the West part, there''s an abandoned Open Pit Mine," one of them exined.


    "The dead bodies are being transferred there. The governor instructed everyone not to burn the corpses because it might contaminate the air more. Also, we can''t just throw them outside because they would turn into corrupteds."


    ''Sweet,'' Reign fought to suppress a burst ofughter bubbling up within him.


    This was all his doing.


    He had even instructed Aiku to ce the corpses in an isted area so he could devour them without any disturbance.


    The reported 4500+ deaths might not sound like much, but he knew that starting tomorrow, more and more people would sumb to the virus, and this would tilt everything for the worst.


    He had even intentionally spared the military from his virus, knowing that if they also died, there would be no one left to transport the bodies.


    As he contemted the unfolding chaos, Reign couldn''t help but feel a rush of exhration.


    The pieces of his grand design were falling into ce, and his anticipation grew as he contemted the next step.


    He wanted to go to that Open Pit Mine and begin devouring the corpses as soon as possible.


    As they traveled towards the city, he noticed the deserted highway.


    There was no traffic; only government and military personnel, all wearing hazmat suits, moved along the road.


    The once busy road was now almost deste, so it did not take long for him to reach the Governor''s Mansion