Alex led Leo through the long corridors of the main hall.
The walls were made of dark grey concrete, but they were clean, polished, and far better than what one would expect in a world overtaken by monsters and chaos.
Every few steps, a guard stood upright, dressed in a dark blue uniform with polished boots and a stern expression. The place didn't feel like a warzone—it felt organized. Secure. Alive.
Eventually, they arrived at a door at the end of a quiet hallway. Alex opened it and gestured for Leo to enter.
"This will be your room during your stay," he said with a polite tone.
Leo stepped inside. The room was spacious—not luxurious, but comfortable.
The furnishings were simple yet solid. A large wooden bed with clean sheets, a desk by the side, and a sturdy chair tucked beneath it.
A wooden cabinet stood in the corner, likely to store clothes and belongings. The eastern window offered a calm view of the rising sun peeking through scattered clouds. Morning light bathed the room in a warm glow.
"It's decent," Leo muttered, inspecting the place.
Alex nodded and pointed out a few things. "The washbasin is through that door. Extra blankets are in the lower drawer. There's drinking water in the jug over there. If you need anything, just call a guard outside."
Leo just nodded.
Then, Alex reached into his pocket and pulled out a leather pouch. It clinked faintly as he handed it over to Leo.
"What's this?" Leo asked, though he had a good guess.
"Currency," Alex said. "Used within the camp. Lord Victor instructed me to give this to you. You'll be scouting the camp soon, so this will help. Consider it a welcoming gift."
Leo opened the pouch. It was filled with silver and bronze coins, neatly arranged. Not just a handful—this was a considerable amount.
He looked at Alex with a curious expression.
"You're being very generous."
Alex gave a slight smile. "The Lord believes in building alliances."
Leo nodded again. He wasn't stupid enough to reject free money. In a place like this, where information, food, and influence were traded openly, having coin meant freedom.
"How long have you been with Victor?" Leo asked.
"Since the beginning," Alex said, his voice steady. "Before the apocalypse, we worked together in the corporate world. When things fell apart, Victor pulled people together. He built all this from scratch."
Leo appreciated the answer but didn't push further. Their relationship was new, surface-level. Asking too much too soon would come off as nosy.
"Thank you for the help. I'll take it from here," Leo said.
Alex gave a short bow and left the room, closing the door gently behind him.
Leo placed his backpack on the nearby chair and sat on the bed. He took a breath and leaned back, thinking about Victor.
That man wasn't ordinary. The way he had handled their conversation, his confidence, his charisma—it all hinted at a deeper mind. A strategist. Someone who didn't just survive but planned, built, and ruled.
Leo wasn't the type to underestimate others. He had power—yes. But power without direction was just chaos.
Victor, on the other hand, had structure. Vision. And aligning with someone like that? It would pay off in the long run.
He stood up, washed his face, and straightened his clothes. Then, without wasting time, he stepped out to scout the camp.
The guards in the hallway straightened as he passed. One of them even nodded respectfully. Leo raised an eyebrow. Had Victor already told them to treat him with honor?
"Smart move," Leo thought. "Make me feel respected. Get in my good books."
He didn't mind. Free respect was better than forced conflict.
As he exited the residential quarters, the camp unfolded before him. It wasn't like the usual ragtag survivor shelters he had come across. Aether Camp looked like a functioning mini-city.
Buildings were neatly lined. Most were made of reinforced wood and salvaged stone, but they looked stable. Some had signs—'Tailor', 'Forge', 'Medical Bay'.
People bustled around. Children ran, laughing. Traders shouted prices. The scent of cooking meat, freshly baked bread, and spices floated in the air.
Leo wandered through the marketplace, watching it all.
At a small food stall, a middle-aged man flipped skewers of marinated meat over a sizzling grill. The aroma was enough to make Leo's stomach growl.
"You hungry, stranger?" the man called out.
Leo smiled. "Yeah. Give me two plates."
"Coming right up!"
While waiting, Leo glanced around. A woman nearby was selling handwoven scarves. A young boy played a flute on the corner for a few coins. Two soldiers stood beside a water station, casually chatting but keeping an eye on things.
The plates arrived, steaming hot. Juicy meat with crispy edges, served with flatbread and a tangy sauce.
Leo took the first bite. It was delicious. Tender, spicy, and cooked just right. He hadn't realized how much he missed good food.
He moved to another stall after finishing the meal—this one sold fried dumplings stuffed with wild herbs and mushrooms. He bought a few. Then a drink from a nearby vendor—some sort of fermented fruit juice that had a pleasant kick.
As he ate and drank, he observed. Every corner of the camp told him something.
The soldiers were disciplined. They walked in pairs, followed a route, and spoke into communication crystals attached to their belts. Leo noted their armor—lightweight, uniform, and well-maintained. Some even carried high-tier weapons.
Victor hadn't just built a camp. He had built an army. And a system that made people feel safe enough to smile, laugh, and live.
Leo noticed a group of kids playing with a ball near a training ground. A soldier nearby watched over them while another sparred with a trainee. It was strange—almost unreal. Was this really the apocalypse?
But Leo didn't let himself get too enchanted.
He passed a small infirmary. Through the open doors, he saw a healer tending to a wounded man. Across from that, a library stood—yes, a library—with books, scrolls, and records. Knowledge. Preserved.
Further down, a forge clanged with the sound of metal being hammered. Blacksmiths worked in rhythm, producing weapons and tools. One of them, a tall woman with soot-covered arms, noticed Leo.
"Looking to buy a blade, traveler?"
"Just looking," Leo replied.
He walked further, crossing a bridge over a narrow artificial stream. On the other side was a training field. Dozens of soldiers drilled in formation. The air buzzed with shouts, clashing swords, and discipline.
Leo stood there for a while. He admired the effort. The unity. This camp was strong—not just in numbers, but in spirit.
But even the strongest cities could fall.
Leo knew that. He had seen it.
Eventually, he made his way back to his quarters. The sun had begun to lower, casting long shadows across the buildings.
Alex was waiting for him outside his door.
"The Lord is ready to meet you," he said.
"Already?"
"Yes. He's waiting in the private dining room. Just you and him. No generals."
Leo raised an eyebrow.
Alex added quickly, "He prefers private talks when it comes to important matters. No one will overhear. And don't worry—the food isn't poisoned."
Leo chuckled. "As if poison would work on me."
Alex led him through a separate hallway, then opened a quiet wooden door. Inside, Victor sat alone at a large table. Candles flickered gently, and a hot meal was already served.
Victor smiled as Leo entered.
"Welcome. Let's eat first. Then, we talk."
Leo took a seat across from him. He could feel it in the air—
This wasn't just dinner.
It was the beginning of something much bigger.