A level one beast tide... even capital cities would have trouble surviving those.

What was a smaller city like theirs even supposed to do?

The only reason why Theo didn’t outright call it a level one beast tide was because the barrier was still up around the city.

’If a Disaster-class or Catastrophe-class creature had been here, the barrier would’ve probably been shattered already.’

Disaster-class creatures were a rank just above regular S-rank creatures. These were so strong, it required at least one hunter with an Obsidian Core.

Not just any creature could receive that classification either.

They needed to be carefully assessed or rack up a notorious deed such as destruction and killing.

’No need to even mention a Catastrophe-class creature...’ he thought, a shiver rolling down his spine.

Those were the true epitome and the highest-level creatures, capable of wiping out cities all by themselves.

If one showed up near their city, it’d get wiped out within an hour.

Jackson slowly stumbled a step back, his lips trembling.

’’T-This...’’ he muttered weakly. ’’This can’t be happening...’’

His voice quieted down, barely a whisper now.

’’We are all going to die...’’

Theo remained silent. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Honestly, he wished he could tell the man otherwise.

But... Jackson was right, and he couldn’t deny them that reality.

’If nothing happens, all these people will die.’

And it wasn’t even just them.

There were dozens more bunkers like these all throughout the city, not even mentioning all the civilians still hiding in the city itself.

’Out of two hundred thousand people... maybe five percent will survive.’

Theo’s heart tightened just at the thought.

But there was nothing he could do to prevent it.

He simply... wasn’t strong enough.

’Fuck,’ he thought, shaking his head. ’It’s such a damn frustrating thought!’

Theo couldn’t help but wish he’d been born just a few years earlier.

Then maybe all of this suffering and loss could’ve been prevented.

’Why the fuck did a beast tide even happen again?’ he thought, frustrated. ’We already had one just two months ago for fuck’s sake.’

Usually, beast tides would never be that close to each other.

The weaker creatures should’ve still been scared after losing many of their kind!

Just then, Jackson’s voice rang out again.

’’What are we supposed to do?’’ he whispered. ’’Just sit here and wait to die?’’

Theo’s expression tightened.

Honestly... he didn’t have a clue either.

His eyes slowly shifted across the bunker and the thick metal gate guarding it.

Sure, it’ll last against weaker monsters. And even stronger monsters might find it somewhat difficult...

But even if it wasn’t destroyed, what would they do once food ran out?

Theo shook his head and glanced back at Jackson.

’’We’ll figure something out later,’’ he said quietly.

Then his head snapped back to his parents.

’’For now... gather the two most severely injured people here and bring them to my parents.’’

Jackson looked up for a moment, confusion flickering through his eyes.

"...What?"

But Theo had already started walking back toward his parents.

"Just do it," he said calmly. "Trust me."

Jackson hesitated briefly before nodding.

Without wasting any more time, he quickly began shouting toward the back of the bunker.

Several people immediately moved around in confusion, helping the two most severely injured civilians toward Theo’s parents.

One of them was a shivering older man with bandages pressed against burned claw marks on his chest.

The other was a woman whose entire right arm and leg had been severed, who was only alive thanks to a fire spell closing her wounds.

Many people inside the bunker watched the scene with confusion.

’’These two are the most injured,’’ Jackson said quietly. ’’But what are you planning to do with them?’’

Even his own father, Robert, frowned slightly.

"Theo... what exactly are you doing?" he asked carefully.

Theo didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he reached into his pocket.

The moment a dark slate appeared in his hand, several nearby people narrowed their eyes.

’’What is that?’’

Theo glanced at his parents, smiling slightly.

’’You’re leaving first,’’ he said quietly. ’’Just make sure you get those two taken care of in time.’’

Evelyn and Robert’s eyes widened simultaneously.

’’Wha—’’

Theo tossed the slate into the center of the four without the slightest bit of hesitation.

CRACK!

The dark plate cracked on the ground.

A large circle appeared under his parents and the two injured people in an instant.

It shone brightly, blinding everyone in the bunker.

Then—

FWOOSH!

The four figures vanished into thin air.

As the bright light disappeared, silence filled the air.

Jackson’s mouth slowly fell open.

"...W-What the hell was that?" he muttered.

Several people inside the bunker stared at the empty spot in complete disbelief.

One woman even rubbed her eyes repeatedly as if she thought she’d imagined it.

"They just... disappeared..."

"Was that teleportation magic?!"

"No way... that kind of thing actually exists?"

Theo let out a quiet breath.

’Now this’ll be troublesome.’

Then multiple pairs of eyes suddenly locked onto him again.

"Do you have more of those?!" someone asked immediately. "We can leave too, right?!"

Theo’s expression turned firm instantly.

’’Everyone be quiet,’’ he said loudly.

The people in the bunker listened right away, everyone falling silent at once.

’’That was the very last one I had,’’ he continued. ’’So unfortunately no one else can get out this way.’’

Silence fell once more.

Most people simply looked disappointed, but none of them pushed further.

After all, none of them fully understood the true scale of the disaster outside yet.

To them, it was just a slightly worse beast tide that would soon get resolved.

Only Theo and Jackson knew that wasn’t the case.

Finally, Theo turned to Jackson and gestured to move aside for a moment.

As the two got some space, Jackson’s expression cracked for a moment, the deep anxiety showing.

’’I’m going outside for a while,’’ Theo said calmly.

Jackson looked up immediately.

’’Outside? Are you sure?’’

Theo nodded once.

’’I need to scout the area and pick up a friend,’’ he said. "If things go well, I’ll come back here."

Then his expression slowly turned serious.

"But in the meantime... prepare everyone to move at a moment’s notice."