Grim Reaper in the Apocalypse: Reaping Immortals

"Let me give you an example. Let's say that there are two Symptoms ongoing at the same time in the entire City, one at the Springfield Residential District, and one at the City Center, specifically at the HeadQuarters.

You and your entire team are the only ones available to complete the mission. You can only save one and abandon the other.

Which are you choosing: the Residential district where there are tens of thousands of lives at stake or the HeadQuarters?"

Atlan thought for a second. "Is there a difference?"

"Yes. The wrong decision could result in the total and utter destruction of the entire City."

That surprised him. He didn't think it was that serious.

"In such a situation, the right answer is to save the HeadQuarters. It is the command center of the entire City. It's where we monitor what happens in every cell or block in the district. If something happens to the HeadQuarters, we will get a total blackout to whatever happens in the different districts. We won't know if they're getting destroyed by a Symptom or not.

HeadQuarters is also where we Saviors communicate with each other. It helps us create a chain of command that keeps everything neat and tidy. A disruption in our communication would mean total chaos and disrupt the coordination between Vanguards and Operators.

And probably the worst part that could happen is the destruction of our intelligence. HeadQuarters houses all our data about Canzers and their weaknesses. Without that resource, we won't be able to finish any mission at all. We'll get overrun by Symptoms."

Atlan finally understood the concern in her voice. If such a hypothetical scenario did happen, then it was much more logical to deal with the Symptom at the HeadQuarters first and foremost, even if it meant sacrificing a district.

"That is the reason why HeadQuarters is considered to be a Critical Point. It's a place that needs extra protection."

"If you're telling me all this, then that means the Church is also a Critical Point?"

She nodded. "Yes."

But Atlan couldn't figure out the reason why the Church was considered to be crucial in maintaining the health of the City.

"Is it because it's related to the Genesis God?"

"All of Genesis City is related to the Genesis God. The Church is important because it is a symbol for the citizens."

"A symbol?"

Atlan imagined a scenario in which the gothic church was in ruins.

The majestic pillars carved with symbols of the Genesis God turned into nothing but charred debris. The intricate paintings of the God on the ceiling were buried under a pile of rubble. The stained glass windows lie shattered and full of soot and ash on the ground.

Around the ruined church were the grieving citizens of Genesis City. They kneeled on the ground, crying, with their eyes devoid of any hope.

"The Church is a symbol of the City's strength. It's what keeps them strong even in the face of arduous Symptoms plaguing the City. As long as the Church still stands, so do the people inside it."

And just as she said that, they finally turned a corner and reached the Genesis Church.

There used to be a crowd of people walking in and out of the church at all times. People took time out of their day to worship and say their thanks to the Genesis God.

There was a sense of warmth and community around it.

But now, there was nothing but barricades and blockades preventing anyone from entering the Church.

There was a large steel wall covering the entire area of the church, obscuring the view from inside. They could only see the top of the gothic spires on the Church's ceiling.

There were soldiers and military trucks posted all over the steel wall, with their electric batons ready to incapacitate anyone who dared to go inside the Church.

And if that wasn't enough, there were also Saviors stationed alongside the soldiers. Their green battle suits shined in the day and intimated anyone who had any intention of sneaking inside the barricades.

"Those are 6th stage Saviors," Atlan noticed.

He couldn't believe that Saviors at their level were only delegated as guards in this mission. Judging from that alone, Atlan knew that the mission was probably rated above that of the Student realm.

There was a large group of civilians that were surrounded by soldiers at the side. These were the people who were caught inside while the Symptom appeared in the Church. Usually, they would be allowed to leave, but for some reason, HeadQuarters didn't want the news to spread publicly, so they kept them here until the situation got resolved.

Off to the side, he saw nuns and priests gathered together and praying towards the Church. They kneeled even on the rocky pavement to show their sincerity.

Meanwhile, Reverend 57th talked with a few Saviors to the side.

"Let's ask him." Lizzie took Atlan's hand and pulled him towards the Reverend who quickly noticed the black battle-suited youth.

"Ahh…the Star Porter. I am now more assured that this mission will be successful. You are blessed by the Genesis God. The fact that you are here means that He is guiding the Saviors in the mission!"

Reverend Fifty Seventh looked up to the sky and murmured some kind of prayer before turning to the nuns and priests behind him. They, in turn, copied his actions and prayed even harder.

"Atlan…you're here." Continue reading on empire

It turned out that the Reverend Fifty-Seventh was talking with an unexpectedly familiar face. It was Neumann.

The bald man gave Atlan a big 'ol hug. Even with their age difference, they treated each other as friends. It had been a long time since they saw each other.

"How have you been?" asked Atlan.

"Not better than you, that's for sure! You're only one stage away from being at my level. You wouldn't believe the face Wemby made when he learned about your advancement."

Atlan smiled and thought back to the days he spent in peace with Wemby, Neumann, and Oliver at the Training Hall. All they did was kill Pseudo Canzers with no worry about an anomaly happening.

"Neumann. Why are you here?" Lizzie gave him a cordial hug.

"I'm here for support. I've got to be a good father and support my daughter on her mission."