God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

Cain began inspecting the items splayed on the ground. The only thing sitting on the ground was a rune that looked way more complex than any he had ever come across before...

The mysterious symbols on the rune had been arranged such that the resulting image was that of two sword images superimposed on one another, such that it was difficult for an observer to tell if it was one or two blades being shown.

Cain stared at the information the system provided on the rune.

***

{Cross-blade}: Increase proficiency when dual-wielding weapons.

***

'Dual wielding?' The concept of fighting with two blades at once was a foreign concept to him. Seeing that he did not need it currently, he placed it into his inventory.

Stabbing the tip of his blade into the devil core of the {Hulking Behemoth}, he applied a bit of force, completely ripping the devil core from Gadon's chest, leaving a bleeding cavity behind.

Staring at the devil's core that had a metallic tinge to it, Cain dragged the metal elemental mana shard that sat behind it away from the devil's core, causing it to lose its metallic properties.

The devil core of a devil didn't provide it with its elemental powers. Just like mutant beasts, the devils also had mana shards, but theirs was of a lower quality compared to the mutant beasts. However, they greatly made up for this with the power of their devil cores.

Cain stared at the devil's core in his hands in anticipation before applying some force and crushing it down.

BANG!

A soft bang rang out, and what remained within Cain's hand, was... nothing.

Cain was a bit shocked, as he hadn't expected the mutant not to hold anything of value within its devil core. Nonetheless, he knew there was a probability this could happen, so he sucked it up as he could only blame it on bad luck.

However, there were some things he couldn't chalk up to bad luck...

'System, why aren't there any MP or HP potions?' Cain said as he looked around the corpses.

{Replying to host: Now that the host had acquired a bit of power for himself, the system has activated the necessary protocols. Henceforth, the number of potions, runes, as well as weapons will be severely limited in production by the system from the Ki of fallen enemies. The purchase of these necessities in the system store has not been limited, but they will cost much more per item.

This doesn't include mana shards...}

Cain's brows squeezed up hard once he heard that.

"Are you telling me it is going to be harder to acquire MP and HP potions?" Cain couldn't believe his ears.

{Replying to host: Affirmative...}

"Why the hell does the system have something so stupid built in it?!" Cain couldn't help but exclaim angrily.

{Replying to host: The system was created by the Nomad to aid worlds that have just been granted the opportunity to experience their first influx of mana. Gradually, as the occupants of said planet grow stronger and more knowledgeable as they acquire the means to resist the devils, the system will take its benefits and services away until it disappears completely...}

The dismayed expression on Cain's face as he let what he had just learned sink in.

"What is wrong?" Jenny had an inquisitive look on her face when she saw Cain's bad expression.

"Nothing. Let's continue. Where is Evangeline?" All of a sudden, Cain found that his previously good mood had dampened greatly.

"She should be over at that thing," Jenny said as she pointed over to the {Appendage}, or what was left of it.

Cain and Jenny watched in semi-horror and semi-amazement as the formerly huge and vibrantly lively devil-esq creature tumbled to the ground like a pile of rotting wood.

Beside it, Evangeline stood tall, her usually dull face flushed bright red, as devilish crimson runes flashed on her face, arms, and eyes, making her look beautiful, yet dangerous.

Letting out a sigh, a cloud of red steam escaped from her mouth into the air.

"That was refreshing..." In her raspy voice, Evangeline let out a dubious line.

Cain stared at her and the {Appendage} beside her in doubt.

'She sucked it dry?! And so fast at that! How the hell did that happen?!' Cain could only guess and speculate, but he knew that was all he would be able to do.

"Let's go," Evangeline said in a tough voice before fading back into the shadows. Immediately, Cain could no longer sense her presence.

"You guys must get along very well..." Jenny said as she fought back a chuckle.

Together, they began running ahead as well in the case of Evangeline.

"Ha... I told you earlier. We are all strangers." Cain said as he picked up his pace, leaving the devil corpses behind.

"How can you still be strangers even after being so long together?" Jenny asked in confusion.

Cain found out he was unable to answer this question himself.

Why? Why exactly did they all look like strangers even after they had all fought together numerous times?

"Situation, I guess? There have been no situations that forced us to get to know one another. Since the start of this madness, we haven't gone through any experience that requires us to grow stronger as a team." Cain explained.

"Risking your lives should be more than enough for that, don't you think?" Jenny said.

"They are all strong. Even though we have experienced all sorts of troubles individually, we haven't encountered enough hardship as a team to make us all go ten extra miles. Apart from stopping a missile that is..." Cain said with a straight face.

'This bastard!' Jenny couldn't help but suppress the urge to smack Cain across the head.

"Well, if you want to become a stronger team, don't you all think you should be making a conscious effort?" Jenny asked.

"Sure. But the only issue here is choosing a leader. Although I am the strongest, some people won't be comfortable with my rule if I just force it. Therefore, I have to give it time. I'm sure the opportunity will soon present itself." Cain said with a mysterious smile.

"Why can't you all just vote on a leader and be done with it? Or just choose the eldest? I could see that the teacher over there had a good head on his shoulders, unlike you immature brats." Jenny said harshly.

"You can't understand. You can keep your group together because of trust and familiarity. Those are two things we lack. Hence, since we all lack the first, all we can do is try to create the second... But familiarity cannot be festered with such little time." Cain spoke matter-of-factly.

'This idiot!' Jenny didn't know whether to be surprised or embarrassed.

'This idiot doesn't even understand how basic human interactions work.'

Due to his nature, Cain had missed a lot of vital parts necessary to grow up. It could be said, that I some aspects of life, he was still a kid.

And the most obvious one was basic human interaction.

During the first day of the apocalypse, Cain had run off on his own, leaving everyone else behind. Although he had a good reason for this, that is he wanted to figure out the ropes himself, it came at a cost.

And Cain wasn't the only one to blame here. It could be said that their entire group was filled with people with mental issues of all sorts for lack of a better description.

"I think you are putting the cart before the horse. Why not try bonding with your teammates before trying to enforce dominance?" Jenny couldn't believe she had to explain what she thought was basic knowledge.

"You think that will work? Besides, how am I supposed to create bonding time in a world full of mutant creatures and devils that are trying to kill us? I can't just ask them out on dates while stabbing a mutant wolf through its brains, can I?" Cain looked at Jenny with an odd expression which made her want to hit him.

"No, you idiot! Listen... humans aren't simple, but they aren't complicated as well. If you want to create a solid team, it has to be built on a foundation. Whatever you've been trying to do will not work, as no one is going to follow a mentally ill leader such as yourself." Jenny said without holding back.

Cain nearly tripped over a tree root as he looked at Jenny with equal parts anger and shock.

"Me? Mentally ill?!" Cain couldn't believe someone would say that to him. For the first time in his life, he was facing criticism, and his critique wasn't holding back at all.

"Yes! 'Cause if you weren't, you wouldn't think your stupid plan would work. Just what do you take other people as, huh?!" Jenny said angrily.

Cain fell silent when realized that Jenny had seen through him completely...

"Ha... Fortunately, you came across me." Letting out a deep sigh, Jenny said with a softer tone and a sly smile.

Cain had a confused expression, "What do you mean?"

"You might be a good fighter, but you no nothing about how to people. If you can trust me, then leave bringing the team into my hands. In exchange, I want you to make sure everyone, including those who can't protect themselves in this cruel world, makes it through all this alive." Jenny said, a serious expression on her face.

"But I already gave you my word-" Cain wanted to speak, but was cut short by Jenny.

"You said you will do your best to protect them. I want certainty..." The strong look on her face, combined with her devilish beauty created a different kind of allure around her that drew Cain in completely.

"What makes you think I have what it takes to protect every single one of you? Why do you have so much faith in me?"

Cain was baffled...

Why would this girl he barely knew belief in his ability so much? For all he knew, he certainly didn't have the power required to make sure every single person, including those without power through a devil-infested forest, into safety.

"I don't know. Call it intuition, or whatever. I can tell that you are strong, abnormally so. Even though I have a decent amount of power myself, I know for a fact that it isn't enough. So let's work together... You help me where you can, and I help you where you can't.

Simple, right?"

Cain stared into her eyes, an odd feeling rising in his heart.

"Simple, huh? Fine. You have yourself a deal." Cain said as he stretched his hand out towards Jenny.

"Hehe. Deal" Jenny let out a melodious giggle, just to the harmonious singing of angels, and the mischievous chuckles of demons, as she linked her hand together with Cain in a handshake.

With that, an agreement between these two future paragons that sparked the revival of the human race was created...

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