A God's Apocalyptic Entertainment 109 EPC

He walked over to us and used analyze, I stiffened briefly as I saw the spirit energy try and probe us. I could tell when anyone wanted to use analyze on us because of my spirit eyes. His expression, which was one of doubt as he walked over, turned to one of happiness from whatever he saw.

It then turned to surprise and I was getting ready to fight, no one else had reacted to Ella yet, but I couldn't be sure. The surprise only lasted for an instance though and I breathed a sigh of relief, he had just confirmed it for me, no one could see our status.

And looking at his level, 'Level 15', I would say we were in the clear. I couldn't be certain without checking everybody, but I don't think there would be someone with a higher level. The zombies on the outskirts that are generally at the highest level were only level 15.

And as I had made my way closer and closer to the town, the level had been dropping. I had caught some level 11 and one level 10. It was less that before, but it showed what people would normally face. I was an outlier as I had gone to and destroyed a whole elf village.

If I hadn't intervened they would have been a powerful force that could have wiped out the town if they so choose. And thinking back to how they turned everything but elves into slaves, it wouldn't have been pretty.

My emotions surged up as I looked at someone who I had known before the apocalypse. I felt tears might rise to my face. I hadn't seen anyone I had know after this whole thing had started, my parents were dead. My sister died. I only had Ella to keep me company. To meet him was something I needed.

He walked up to me with his disheveled hair and went for a hand shake. I could see his emotions were also in a state of disarray. He should have been in school doing an exam when all this crap had started. I had so many questions about what happened. I really want to know how many of our friends survived.

I looked at his hand for a second but didn't go to shake it, I shook my head. He looked at me with confusion, but I then went and gave him a bear hug.

"I'm so glad you're alive man."

He was shocked for a second and then gave me a hug back. We didn't hold it for long, only a few seconds, but our feelings got across. That old saying really was true. It's great to meet a friend in strange lands.

This may have been the town I grew up in, but it was a strange land.

"It's nice to see you as well. Too many of us have gone."

His words made my body turn stiff; I could see his sorrow as he talked. He was thinking about something that had happened?

"Did Michael Make it?"

He just shook his head.

"Matt? Tom? Chloe? Alex?"

He just continued to shake his head. Not knowing if a person lives is a lot better than knowing if a person has died. Hearing that all these friends of mine had passed away was a huge blow. I looked down and gripped my fist.

While I was mourning for my dead friends, I would no longer get to see, Anthony regained himself. He had already had time to think and deal with their deaths.

"Liam, how about you?"

He asked it in a quiet voice, filled with sorrow. He could see that my mother wasn't around. Of course she could be somewhere safe in the town, but it wasn't likely. He knew I had to go to the hospital when she was giving birth.

He couldn't ask the question outright; it was his consideration as a friend. My fists turned whit and my eyes red as I slowly shook my head. Anthony just patted me on the shoulder and said no more.

"How about your parents?"

He sighed deeply.

"I have no clue."

We both turned silent as our thoughts drifted into grim territory. As if to lighten the mood even a little he spoke up again.

"Who are these beautiful ladies you're walking around with though? Even in an apocalypse you somehow have good luck with the ladies."

I knew he said it to lighten the mood, so even though it was a bit forced I gave a small laugh and introduced them.

"Ella, Rose, meet Anthony. He is one of my best friends. Anthony, meet Ella and Rose."

They nodded towards him and he nodded back with a smile.

"Though I must say I am surprised! All of you are level 20! I thought I and the rest were doing pretty well, but you guys are so far ahead!"

So he could see our level and name and probably nothing else. That was good to know.

"What can I say, we were lucky. But who are these others?"

There was no need to boast in front of a friend.

"Oh right, me and a few others from school who fought our way out decided to make a group together and kill these damn infected!"

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Ella's mouth twitch so I quickly calmed her down. I was actually happy that some people from school survived, even if I didn't know them, it was good.

"Group?"

I said it hoping that he would tell me who was in the group but he answered differently.

"Yeah! Since that bastard god spoke the other day new items have come out. If you spend enough EP you can buy a party system. I even saw you could buy a guild function. That damn god really is treating everything like a game."

I took in this new piece of information as I debated whether to tell him about Kuro and my speculations. In the end I decided not to. It would just put more pressure on him; he still had a lot of time before that happened. And I didn't want to stress him out even more.

Right now I wanted more information on all the new items and functions that have come out. How much had changed since I left?

"What does it do?"

His expression turned to one of excitement that seemed a little out of place.

"It's just like a game party system man. You set a main leader for the party and they can invite people using their Entertainment point collector, or I call it the EPC."

He pulled his arm up and on his wrist there was a small bracer with a screen. I was surprised at the high tech looking gadget. Wasn't all electricity taken by that god?

He could see my bewildered look and went into even greater detail.

"These also came out recently. They keep track of your entertainment points and can be used to trade between people. You have to bump them with another person's and then a small screen will appear in your vision. Just like the status screen."

He was talking excitedly and moving his arms about, he was always someone that liked showing off new technology. I was staring intently at the bracer and its screen.

"Once it comes up, an option will appear, which is 'Trade Entertainment Points'. By buying the party function at the main steel in the middle of the city and other functions, they will appear here instead of in your status. Once I got the party function I could invite people."

I nodded my head deeply and decided I had to get one. I had no plan to group with anyone for a long time, but the trading of EP would be essential down the track. I couldn't think of any other currency that would be used. While I was thinking this over, Anthony continued with a warning.

"But the other party also has to have the same function or it won't work. Of course the other person has to give permission before the points can be transferred, but they make it easy to make transactions between people."

I agreed with his words entirely, they would make transactions between people a normal thing. People could offer protection for points or other benefits. Plus with the party function many people would flock to grab one of these EPC's.

I was glad that the other person had to approve the transfer of EP, it may sound weird the EPC not having this function, but thinking about people steeling other people's hard earned points made it essential.

Of course people could still threaten others with death, and they would gladly trade their points, but I could do nothing about that.

Even though I was marveling at this new EPC, I was also pissed. Although this was a great thing which would restore some society to this crazy wasteland, it was also tailor made for players. I knew what was to come in the future and I couldn't help but think this was specifically made for players. I mean how would you play a game without some transactions and party play?

This would make the world more like a game and that was the problem.

I couldn't help but to let out a sad sigh, while Anthony looked at me weirdly. I just waved it off and we started to walk towards the steel in the middle of town. I was going to get one of these things. I was also going to get one for Ella and Rose. They didn't use EP and I usually carried all the points, but it couldn't hurt.

We also didn't need to use the party function as we already had exp share. I heard from Anthony that they were cheap at least. He and I continued to talk as we walked. We talked about many matters of the past and old dreams we had.

I wanted to become a photographer before my father died. I knew I needed to change something after that to support my family, and now that was also ruined. He wanted to work with computers and had just gotten a job at a place before exams started. Now that wouldn't happen either.

Chapter end