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"Are you guys looking down on me now because I still haven't found a job?"

"Calm down. It's not like that. We just want to help you find a job."

"Jericho, there are still no vacancies in administrative positions. You might waste a lot of time waiting. Everyone is just worried for you. The government will only provide free food and accommodation for a week. We managed to extend this by a month because of our connection with Brandon, but soon we will have to pay for everything."

Jericho glared at everyone and didn't say anything.

"What's going on here? Why are you guys fighting?" Brandon's stern voice drifted into their ears.

Brandon's arrival stopped the heated argument.

After seeing that no one wanted to speak, he turned his gaze towards their two former teachers. "What happened here?"

The two older women glanced at each other and sighed. "Celine wanted to bring Jericho to the general store to help him apply as a salesperson…"

Even without listening to the whole story, Brandon already realized what happened. In the past few days, Jericho was in a terrible mood after being rejected multiple times. He must have been provoked after Celine opened up about looking for a job.

"Celine, there's no need to force Jericho. We all have different choices in life." Brandon didn't want to be biased so he had to be careful in handling this matter if there would be more disputes like this in the future.

"Jericho, Last City values talent regardless of one's age or experience. However, there is always time for you to switch jobs. I'm not saying that you should look for one at this moment, but think about what you could have earned if you hadn't hesitated. We can't have what we want all the time." Brandon gave Jericho a warning. He was very disappointed in him because of his actions in the past few days.

Celine and Jericho lowered their heads in silence.

Looking at this scene, the two older women felt ashamed of themselves. They couldn't even stop the two young people from arguing, but it only took Brandon a few words.

"We are all friends here so I don't want anything like this to happen again. We already lost our families and we only have each other to take care of. Be mindful of your actions and your words." Brandon patted their shoulders.

Jericho felt guilty upon hearing this. He knew that he was wrong this time. Because of his terrible mood, Celine became the outlet of his anger. He raised his head and stared at Celine. "I'm sorry, Celine." He uttered.

Celine wasn't a petty woman. She smiled at him and said. "It's fine."

Looking at them making up to each other, Brandon heaved a sigh of relief.

Arianne gave him a thumbs up.

"I have something important to tell you guys. Gather here first." Brandon suddenly remembered something. 𝚋𝚎ｄｎｏｖ𝚎𝚕．𝚌ｏｍ

Everyone curiously walked towards him upon hearing this. They wondered what he was going to say.

Brandon adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat before he spoke. "In the next few days, more people will be relocated here in Last City and the base will soon reach its maximum population. It will be more difficult to find jobs so you guys better be prepared." He glanced at Jericho while saying this.

He continued. "Once the base hits maximum capacity, the rescued people will be taken to the residential area in Catanduanes. I'm worried that the government will transfer some people to Catanduanes. Relatives can stay together, but we aren't a family. There is a high chance that we will be separated."

Everyone felt a sense of urgency when they heard his words, especially Jericho and the other two who still didn't have a job.

"There is actually a residential area in Catanduanes? Is it safe there?" Someone asked.

Brandon shook his head. "I haven't been there yet, but from what I know, the De Guzman Family and the Montefalco Family are building a residential community under Mr. Roa's command. Commander Karl's army is also there to protect the construction site. I can't say for sure if that place is as safe as here."

Everyone was amazed by Brandon. They had only been here for a few days, but he already knew a lot of things about the base. He had been secretive about his work and he hadn't told them anything specific about it.

***

Meanwhile, in the settlement created by the government.

The acting president, Manuel Chavez, rubbed his temples. The food resources of the base were steadily decreasing and they only had one week's worth of supplies left. More survivors were taken to the base and this resulted in the increase of food consumption. There are even reports of diseases spreading, but they couldn't even do anything about it because of the lack of medicine. If these issues were not addressed, the base would soon plunged into chaos.

"Mr. President, we should seek help from Mr. Roa. He is the only person who can help us now." His assistant suggested.

Manuel Chavez sighed upon hearing this. "To think that we have to seek support from an individual. How did Maharlika's government turn out like this? The civilians are already suffering, but the officials are still hoarding most of the resources." He seemed to have aged a lot as he said these words.

"It's because of those bastards! Did they think that we wouldn't notice them stealing our supplies? Mr. President, we should punish them!" His assistant uttered in a cold voice. He had enough of those greedy officials.

Manuel Chavez's expression suddenly turned serious. The opposing faction was no longer trying to hide their greed. He had seen them steal their supplies and bribe people to join their side. If not for the army's presence, they would have already usurped the government. "Call Commander Cedrick and Commander Conrad. There is something I wish to discuss with them."

Hearing this, his assistant's eyes lit up with expectations. "Yes, sir!"

Soon, the two commanders arrived at the president's office.

"Thank you for coming here despite the abrupt invitation." Manuel Chavez forced out a smile as he greeted the two.

"What did you call us here for, Mr. President?" Cedrick asked in a calm voice.

Manuel Chavez put his hands on the table and said. "I believe you two are already aware that the government is now divided into two camps." The military was responsible for ensuring their overall safety, but he knew that Arlan placed them here to monitor their situation.

Cedrick took off his glasses and nodded his head. "We are indeed aware of this. We even know that the opposing group is planning to overthrow your party."

Manuel Chavez already expected this so he wasn't shocked. "Commanders, does Mr. Roa have a plan against those people?" He asked in a low voice. He could only pin his hopes on Arlan. After all, the guy promised him that he would protect the shelter.

Conrad furrowed his eyebrows, but he didn't say anything. He wasn't good with his words so he might as well leave this task to Cedrick.

"To tell you the truth, the boss already had plans for them. However, it won't be free. We can help you eliminate them, but you have to promise that you will serve the boss faithfully." Cedrick calmly stated.

Manuel Chavez was stunned by his words. He never thought that Arlan actually wanted the entire shelter for himself. He thought that he was just a patriotic man who wanted to help his motherland survive the zombie apocalypse. It turns out that Arlan also desired power.

"What do you mean by that?!" His assistant was enraged by Cedrick's words. He was actually asking the president to serve someone! It was preposterous!

Cedrick ignored him. He stared calmly at Manuel Chavez and added. "You should know by now that the boss is the only person who can help you get out of this situation. We have enough resources to feed the civilians in the shelter. Think about the people who are starving right now in the streets. I promise that you can keep your position as the president of the country and the leader of this base as long as you accept this offer."

"You!"

Manuel Chavez raised his hand and stopped his assistant from causing trouble. He stared at Cedrick and forced out a smile. "So he wants me to become his puppet president, huh?"

Cedrick didn't respond to his remarks. "Mr. President, what is your choice?"

Manuel Chavez leaned on his chair and let out a deep sigh. "If I agree to your offer, what will happen to those greedy officials?" He asked.

This time, Conrad finally spoke. "What else? They are a threat to the shelter so they have to be eliminated from this world!" His voice was cold, making Manuel Chavez and his assistant tremble.

Cedrick smiled faintly. "Commander Conrad's words are rough, but he is right. They have to be removed."

After a moment of silence, Manuel Chavez adjusted his posture and said. "Fine. I agree to your offer."