Chapter 21: Power and Politics
Day 15 - August 31st
The morning after the depot raid, Lucas called an emergency council meeting.
I arrived to find the conference room packed, not just the seven council members, but at least fifteen others. Coalition growth was creating organizational problems faster than we could solve them.
"We need to talk about expansion," Lucas started without preamble. "We've got eighty-three people now. By next week, we could have over a hundred. Green Lake compound isn't big enough."
"We could expand the perimeter," one council member suggested.
"That takes time and resources we don't have," Sarah countered. "What we need is a secondary base. Split the population, reduce strain on resources."
"Where?" I asked. "Every viable location is either zombie-infested or claimed by the General."
"What about the university?" The speaker was a woman I didn't recognize, late thirties, wearing glasses despite the apocalypse. "The academics there have been researching the System. They've got maybe thirty people, organized but not military. If we allied with them....."
"They'd be a liability," Marcus interrupted. "Academics can't fight."
"They can learn," the woman shot back. "And their research could help everyone survive. Understanding how the System works, how mutations develop, that's valuable."
Lucas raised a hand for silence. "Everyone, this is Dr. Chen, no relation to Ethan, she joined us yesterday. She's a biologist who was studying the mutations. I asked her to consult on long-term survival strategies."
Dr. Chen nodded. "The zombies are evolving. Tier-5s will appear eventually, maybe Tier-6s. We need to understand the pattern or we'll always be reacting instead of preparing."
"So we recruit the university group," I said, thinking it through. "Get their research capability in exchange for military protection. They become our second base, less combat-focused, more support-oriented."
"Exactly," Lucas said. "Ethan, I want you to lead the negotiation. Take a small team, make contact with the university survivors, assess if alliance is viable."
"Why me?" I asked, though I suspected I knew.
"Because you think strategically, you're not aggressive, and you've got enough combat ability to defend yourself if things go wrong." Lucas smiled. "Also, you're officially a Coalition Officer now. This is the kind of thing officers do."
The council voted. Six to one in favor. I was now leading a diplomatic mission.
After the meeting, Dr. Chen approached me.
"I wanted to thank you," she said. "For what you did yesterday. My daughter was on the distraction team. You kept them safe by killing that commander so fast."
"Just doing my job," I said.
"Still. If you ever need help understanding the mutations or the System, come find me. I owe you."
I filed that away as potentially useful. Having a scientist in my corner could matter later.
---
Day 16 - September 1st
I spent the morning planning the university mission and the afternoon finally spending my accumulated points.
1,186 points. It was a fortune. The System Shop had skills I couldn't even afford before, items that would've been impossible luxuries.
But I had to be strategic. Flashy didn't mean useful.
After an hour of deliberation, I made my purchases:
ADVANCED SWORDSMANSHIP (250 POINTS)
•Upgrade from Basic Knife Fighting
• Dramatically improves all blade weapon techniques
• Unlocks special sword techniques
COMBAT AWARENESS (300 POINTS)
• Passive skill that improves battlefield assessment*
•See enemy levels, health bars, and basic stats during combat*
• Synergizes with Inspect and Danger Sense*
LEADERSHIP AURA (200 POINTS)
•Allies within 10 meters gain +5% to all stats
• Improves morale and coordination
•Scales with level
MANA MANIPULATION BASICS (150 POINTS)
•Unlocks mana usage
•Required prerequisite for magic skills
•Allows basic mana sensing and control
MEDITATION (50 POINTS)
•Recover stamina and mana faster during rest
•Clear mental debuffs
•Improve skill learning speed
INVENTORY UPGRADE x2 (150 POINTS TOTAL)
• Increases System inventory space
• Can store more items without physical weight
[PURCHASES COMPLETE]
[POINTS REMAINING: 86]
The moment I confirmed the purchases, knowledge flooded my mind. My body moved through sword forms I'd never learned but now knew intimately. My mana, previously locked, suddenly became accessible, a warm pool of energy I could feel inside my chest.
[MANA UNLOCKED: 150/150]
More importantly, I felt different. More aware. When I looked at Maya practicing nearby, I could see her level (4), her health bar (floating above her head like a video game), even her general condition (tired but healthy).
"You look different," Maya observed. "What did you buy?"
"Upgrades," I said. "Skills that'll help me lead and fight better. Also, I can use mana now."
"Magic?" Lisa's eyes lit up. "Can you shoot fireballs?"
"Not yet. I just unlocked basic mana manipulation. Actual spells cost way more points." I checked the System Shop. "Fireball costs 500 points. Lightning Bolt is 600. Ice Shard is 450."
"So you're broke again," Maya teased.
"For now. But I'll earn more." I looked at both of them. "You two should think about your builds too. Maya, you're level 4, you could probably hit level 5 with another good mission. Lisa, you're getting better in combat. Consider buying skills that play to your strengths."
"I've been thinking about that," Lisa admitted. "I'm not as strong as you two. But I'm good at staying alive, helping from the back. Maybe support skills?"
"Like what?" Maya asked.
"There's a skill called Minor Healing," Lisa said, pulling up her System Shop. "100 points. Lets me heal small wounds without potions. And Enhanced Perception for 80 points, better vision and hearing."
"That's smart," I said. "Every team needs a support player. Buy them."
Lisa made the purchases, and her confidence visibly increased. She had a role now, a purpose beyond just surviving.
Maya decided to save her points, she was still sitting at around 300 after her purchases last week. "I'll wait until I see what I need," she said. "No point buying skills I won't use."
Smart. Patience beat impulsiveness in the apocalypse.
---
Day 17 - September 2nd
The university mission launched at dawn.
My team consisted of me, Maya, Lisa, and two coalition fighters named James and Rodriguez. James was a former police officer, level 4, good with rifles. Rodriguez was ex-military, level 3, but experienced and calm under pressure.
The University of Washington campus was three miles north of Green Lake. According to our intel, the academic survivor group had fortified one of the science buildings.
"Remember," I told the team as we moved out, "we're here to negotiate, not fight. Be polite, be professional, but be ready if things go wrong."
The campus was eerie. Abandoned buildings, overgrown paths, the occasional zombie wandering aimlessly. We cleared six Tier-1s and two Tier-2s without breaking stride, routine now.
The science building was surrounded by makeshift barricades. Guards with crossbows watched from second-floor windows.
"That's far enough!" one shouted down. "State your business!"
"We're from the Green Lake Coalition," I called back. "Here to discuss an alliance. Is Dr. Sarah Kim available?"
Dr. Kim was the leader of the university group, a physics professor who'd apparently taken charge when everything fell apart.
After a tense minute, the barricade gate opened. A woman in her fifties emerged, flanked by two guards.
"I'm Dr. Kim," she said. "You're from Lucas Reed's group?"
"That's right. I'm Ethan Chen, Coalition Officer. We'd like to discuss cooperation."
"Cooperation." Dr. Kim's tone was skeptical. "What we've heard is that Lucas is building an army. That he's planning to fight the General. We're not interested in wars."
"Neither are we," I said honestly. "But the General is killing innocent people. We can't ignore that."
"You can if survival is your priority." Dr. Kim crossed her arms. "We've stayed neutral. Haven't joined anyone, haven't made enemies. It's kept us alive."
"For how long?" I challenged. "Zombies are getting stronger. Tier-5s will appear eventually. Can you handle them alone? Can you handle raiders who want your research?"
"We'll manage."
I could see this wasn't working. Time for a different approach.
"What if I showed you something?" I said. "Proof that cooperation benefits everyone?"
I activated my new Combat Awareness skill and shared the visual data with her, a System function I'd discovered earlier. Dr. Kim's eyes widened as information appeared in her vision.
"You're level 6," she breathed. "How is that possible?"
"Cooperation. Organized missions. Sharing knowledge and resources." I dismissed the display. "The coalition isn't just about fighting. It's about surviving smarter. We've got scientists like Dr. Chen studying mutations. We've got military experts training fighters. We pool skills and knowledge."
"And what would you want from us?"
"Your research. Your understanding of the System. In exchange, we provide protection, supplies, and integration into our network." I pulled out a written proposal Lucas had drafted. "This outlines the terms. You maintain autonomy, just like all coalition bases. But we work together on major threats."
Dr. Kim read the document carefully. After a long moment, she looked up.
"I need to discuss this with my people. Can you wait?"
"Of course."
She disappeared into the building. We waited outside for twenty minutes, long enough for me to get nervous but not long enough to abort.
When Dr. Kim returned, she had a dozen people with her. Professors, students, researchers. They all looked tired, scared, but still holding onto hope.
"We have questions," Dr. Kim said. "About the coalition structure, about resource distribution, about what happens if we want to leave."
"Ask anything," I said.
We spent the next hour in detailed negotiation. I answered every question as honestly as I could, using Lucas's talking points but adding my own perspective. By the end, I could see they were convinced.
"We'll join," Dr. Kim finally said. "On one condition: we want a council seat. Our research deserves representation in coalition decisions."
I hadn't been authorized to offer that, but it made sense. "I'll take it to the council. I expect they'll agree."
We shook hands, and just like that, the coalition grew by thirty people and gained a dedicated research division.
---
Day 18 - September 3rd
Returning to Green Lake felt different. I was coming back from a successful diplomatic mission, not just a combat run. Leadership felt strange, more responsibility, more weight to decisions.
Lucas was pleased with the results. "You did well. The university group brings expertise we desperately need. I'll push for the council seat."
"They'll agree," Sarah said. "Dr. Kim is sharp, and her people are valuable. This was a good move."
That night, the council voted again. Seven to zero in favor of giving the university group a seat. Dr. Kim would join the council next week.
The coalition now had over a hundred members across two bases.
We were becoming a real faction.
---
Day 19 - September 4th
Maya hit level 5.
It happened during a routine patrol when we encountered a group of Tier-3 zombies. She'd been on the edge of leveling for days, and killing two Tier-3s pushed her over.
[MAYA TORRES - LEVEL UP!]
[LEVEL 4 → LEVEL 5]
[ALL STATS INCREASED]
[3 FREE STAT POINTS AVAILABLE]
"Finally," she said, grinning. "Took long enough."
With her level-up, she immediately bought a new skill: **Whirlwind Strike** (180 points), an active ability that let her hit multiple enemies in one swing.
Testing it out on the next group of zombies was satisfying. Her bat became a blur, taking down three Tier-1s in a single motion.
"That's disgusting," Lisa said, staring at the carnage. "And awesome."
"We're all getting stronger," I observed. "At this rate, we'll be ready for Tier-5 threats when they appear."
"When do you think that'll be?" Maya asked.
I thought back to the novel fragments I remembered. "Day thirty, maybe? The original timeline had Tier-5s appearing around week five. But with everything changing..."
"Could be sooner," Maya finished. "Great."
We reported back to Green Lake and spent the evening training. I was getting more comfortable with my Advanced Swordsmanship—each swing felt more natural, more precise. The muscle memory the System provided was incredible.
---
Day 20 - September 5th
Dr. Chen approached me in the morning with urgent news.
"I've been studying the mutation patterns," she said, spreading out charts and notes. "There's a correlation between zombie evolution and environmental factors. Specifically, there are locations where mutation is accelerating."
"Like what?"
"Old chemical plants. Nuclear facilities. Places with heavy contamination. The System is using existing environmental damage to accelerate mutation." She pointed to a mark on her map. "There's a chemical plant fifteen miles south. My readings show abnormally high System energy there."
"What does that mean?"
"It means something big is mutating there. Possibly a Tier-5. Maybe higher." Dr. Chen looked worried. "If it breaks out, it could threaten every survivor group in the area."
I immediately brought this to Lucas and the council.
"A potential Tier-5 or higher," Sarah said grimly. "We're not ready for that."
"Then we get ready," Lucas said. "Or we find allies who are." He looked at me. "Ethan, you've been building diplomatic connections. Is there anyone else we could recruit for this?"
I thought about the factions I knew of. The General's Army, hostile. The Bellevue settlement, unknown. But there was one more option.
"There's a group in Tacoma," I said slowly, remembering a fragment from the novel. "A former military unit that survived intact. If they're still around, they'd be high-level and well-equipped."
"Can you make contact?"
"I can try."
Lucas nodded. "Do it. We need all the firepower we can get. If a Tier-5 or higher is coming, this could be the biggest threat we've faced."
I left the meeting with a new mission: find the Tacoma military group and convince them to help us kill whatever was mutating at that chemical plant.
Easy, right?
---
Day 21 - September 6th
Three weeks since the apocalypse began. It felt like three years.
I stood at the Green Lake compound walls, looking out at Seattle's ruins. The city I'd known, from both lives, was gone. In its place, a dangerous new world where strength mattered more than money, where survival was the only currency that counted.
My status had changed dramatically:
[ETHAN CHEN - STATUS]
Level: 6 (95% to Level 7)
Health: 210/210
Stamina: 230/230
Mana: 150/150
Strength: 32 (+15 from Stormbreaker)
Agility: 26 (+10 from Stormbreaker)
Constitution: 16
Intelligence: 18
Wisdom: 17
Luck: 7
Skills:
• Advanced Swordsmanship (New!)
• Combat Awareness (New!)
• Leadership Aura (New!)
• Mana Manipulation Basics (New!)
• Meditation (New!)
• Plus previous skills
Titles:
• Reader (Hidden)
• Boss Slayer
• Tier-4 Slayer
• Coalition Officer
• Diplomat (New!)
In three weeks, I'd gone from a scared transmigrator to a coalition officer leading diplomatic missions. I had a legendary weapon, powerful skills, and people who depended on me.
But the challenges were growing too. Tier-5 threats. Faction politics. The General's Army. A completely diverged timeline.
"You look thoughtful," Maya said, joining me on the wall.
"Just reflecting. Three weeks ago, we were strangers fighting for our lives. Now we're officers in a faction."
"Weird how fast things change in the apocalypse." She looked out at the ruined city. "You think we'll make it? Long-term?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "But we've got better odds than most. We're strong, we're smart, and we're not alone."
"Good enough for me."
Lisa climbed up to join us, slightly out of breath. "Council meeting. Lucas wants everyone. Something about the General making a move."
We hurried to the conference room.
Lucas was already there, looking grim. "The General's Army just hit one of our supply routes. Killed three of our people, stole two weeks worth of food."
"That's an act of war," Marcus said angrily.
"It's a provocation," Sarah corrected. "He wants us to retaliate so he can justify a full assault."
"So what do we do?" Dr. Kim asked.
Lucas looked around the room, at me, at Sarah, at the other council members. "We prepare for war. Because it's coming whether we want it or not."
The council chamber fell silent.
Three weeks ago, survival meant fighting zombies.
Now it meant preparing for human conflict on a scale I'd never imagined.
The apocalypse was evolving.
And so were we.
---
[END CHAPTER 21]
Current Status:
• Ethan's Level: 6 (95% to Level 7)
• Ethan's Points: 86
• Maya's Level: 5
• Lisa's Level: 3
• Coalition Status: 113 members across 2 bases
• Position: Coalition Officer, Diplomat
• Major Threat: Tier-5+ mutation forming
• Conflict: War with General's Army imminent
• Days Survived: 21 (Three Weeks Complete)
Days Since Apocalypse: 21 (Week Three Complete)
---
*Author's Note: Week three complete! Major developments: coalition expansion, new skills purchased, diplomatic missions succeeded, Maya hit Level 5, and now TWO major threats are converging, a potential Tier-5+ monster AND war with the General's Army. The story is shifting from survival to large-scale faction warfare. Next arc will feature the Tacoma mission, preparation for war, and Ethan hitting Level 7. The stakes keep rising!
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