Keneric and crew stood in front of the Arts Campus main building. Once, it had been one of the most elegant structures in all of Melbourne University with glass walls, modern architecture, a sleek symbol of creativity. But now, blackboards, desks stacked on top of each other, tall filing cabinets, and a few jammed-together bookshelves formed a complicated barricade at every known entrance.
Two men slowly stepped out from the shadows behind the barricades, holding makeshift half-spears salvaged from metal legs of classroom chairs broken at an angle. Both were tall and looked strong, easily looming over the two girls. But neither was taller than Keneric. On the entire campus, the tallest people had always been in the volleyball club. And Keneric, a long-time member, stood well over six feet.
One of the guards said, "State your business," while the other silently analyzed Keneric's group.
Keneric thought, What is this, the medieval era? Stop talking like you're guarding a castle or something. But he stayed quiet, standing still.
Rune stepped forward instead. "It's me, Rune. From the scavenging team from two days ago."
The guards exchanged glances but didn't move. Their eyes scanned the others standing behind her.
"They're with me," Rune quickly added, trying to sound confident. "First timers."
The guards conferred briefly before one of them disappeared back into the shadows. A few minutes later, he reappeared—this time outside, along the building's side.
"Keep your hands where I can see them," he instructed. A woman stepped out behind him too and quickly patted down the girls, while the male guards checked Keneric for weapons. Many survivors had approached before with pipes, bats, or other things that weren't allowed inside. Security had confiscated all of them.
This time, they found nothing.
"Follow me," one guard said.
Keneric noticed the narrow passage they'd used—tucked in one corner, hidden from obvious view. That same path now served as the entrance. Two more people stationed there quickly sealed it after the group entered. A neat little way to deal with uninvited guests.
Inside, even on the first floor, people moved busily—carrying supplies, reinforcing barricades, cooking, or just sitting silently. Some stood around blankly, others kept to themselves in corners, depressed but not out of place in times like these.
"Little Rune! You're back!" a thin man descended from the staircase. He looked better dressed than everyone else with a clean shirt, pants, and shoes.
"Professor Nawatt," Rune greeted him.
"And who might these friends be?" he asked in a chipped voice, looking straight at Joy. When his eyes fell on Keneric, he paused—recognition flashing—then chose to ignore him.
Joy, now in the spotlight, answered, "I'm Joy, from Dentistry, sir. We came from the gymnasium area."
Professor Nawatt narrowed his eyes. "You came ahead of the IT building? Through the marshland?"
"Yes," Keneric finally spoke.
"Impossible," the professor quickly denied. "That's too far. I don't believe anyone can make it through there. The mutations in that area are off the charts. Everyone who tried going there on supply runs has never returned." Then he looked at Rune. "Except this one."
"Well, we did," Joy assured him, her usual cheerful tone somehow cutting through the professor's skepticism.
"And your words are true, sir. He had to kill three monsters to get here," Rune added, pointing at Keneric. "A giant fly and two of those… mouse things."
"Is that so?" Nawatt finally gave Keneric a real look. A small group of students nearby overheard and glanced at him, curious—judging his strength.
"We'll continue this discussion later," the professor said. "Melissa!"
A woman directing people nearby turned around and approached.
"Please show Joy and Rune to the women's dormitory in the east wing. Rune, I assume you don't mind sharing a room with Joy. I'm assigning you to explain the job system to your new friend."
"Job system?" Joy asked. She already knew about it from Rune, but since Rune had left two days ago, she wanted to hear if anything had changed.
"Everyone contributes, everyone earns. That's the basic mantra. Security duty, supply runs, construction, kitchen duty—the more valuable or dangerous the task, the more points you earn…" Melissa explained everything like a bullet train running late. But when her eyes landed on Rune, she stopped mid-sentence.
"Oh Rune, we thought you were dead."
While they spoke, Professor Nawatt turned back to Keneric.
"So, how did you kill those monsters? They're very hard to deal with. Even armed students struggle—and they have barricades. I don't imagine one person surviving on open ground."
"With my hands," Keneric replied.
"What does that mean?" Nawatt frowned.
"I just ran around and punched them."
The professor eyed him up and down. "Young man, we've built something here. A system. A fragile order carved out of chaos. And your answers sound more illusory than what I'd expect from an honest undergrad."
Keneric didn't bother responding. He turned away and walked toward Melissa.
"So, where can I stay?" he asked.
Melissa was about to answer—all boys stay in the south wing—when the professor cut in.
"Who was responsible for letting these people in?"
A student was called over—the same one Keneric had met at the front gate.
"Have you checked them for weapons?" Nawatt asked.
The student nodded.
"Check again."
Another search was performed on Keneric. Joy and Rune weren't spared either. Melissa herself searched them under Nawatt's orders. But once again, they found nothing.
However, the middle-aged fellow was not satisfied.
"I'd like for Mr. Keneric to be quarantined for public safety," the professor said, a grin creeping onto his face. "He doesn't give clear answers and has a violent nature—as described by our trusted Rune herself. What do you say? This is all for student safety." He turned to Keneric.