"Humph. Keep you welcome to yourself," snorted a young boy, his piercing green eyes glinting with hidden danger.
"I think I speak for all of us when I say we were surviving just fine in the wild. So, bring out something interesting and spare us the bullshit," he added, swiping his brown hair back while rubbing his index finger and thumb together in a mocking gesture.
The man shuddered in response, an icy shiver running down his spine as he lost himself in the youth's seemingly boundless pupils. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his breathing became ragged. Despite his efforts, he couldn't move, speak, or even think properly, as if... the youth had imprisoned his mind inside his eyes, leaving him helpless.
Fortunately, he recovered a few seconds later. Unfortunately, the reason for it only foreshadowed troubles. Troubles he couldn't handle when these individuals were involved.
"Don't put words in my mouth, brat," the original said, his sunken eyes peering through the hideous mask covering his features as he retrieved a bony spear, hiding it under his wide coat.
After five years of solitude, Adam noticed that the original's voice became more assertive, his demeanor more overbearing, and his presence more menacing. From a well-trained civilian, he had become a dangerous beast. He could smell the scent of blood wafting from his clothes and the deadly glint hidden in his eyes. However, he could feel something more when he looked into his eyes. Was it regret?
Guilt? But why? He achieved his goal of surviving for five years without any help.
'Does he feel guilty about being the only one alive?'
This thought blew in his mind, a fleeting idea he quickly brushed off. He had seen how mad the original became. He would have sacrificed his entire city without blinking if that was what it took for him to survive.
He shrugged the question away since he would learn the answer soon enough. Instead, he focused on the youth's trembling arms, finding it a pity he had no popcorn to watch the impending drama.
As he smiled, anticipating the action, the youth's teeth cracked under his tensed jaws.
"How dare you!" He spat, turning to gaze at the original in the eyes. Fury filled his voice, and his face distorted into an ugly grimace.
Then, he attacked, his method silent, insidious and lethal. However, his face froze after three tense seconds.
"H-how can you resist?!"
His fury gave way to a mix of confusion and dread as he realised his mutation failed to affect the masked individual. Worst, now that he had attacked, he would suffer from the retaliation and defense was far from his speciality. Wild tremors shook his body, and sweat covered his back as he closed his eyes to endure the counterattack.
Seconds passed in tense silence. Everyone gazed at the youth, mocking smiles stretching their faces before a girl finally couldn't hold on.
"Hahaha! What a fool! Hey, boy! Open your eyes and sit down before you humiliate yourself too much."
Upon hearing her derisive words, he snapped his open, only to see the masked individual walking to the aged man who gathered them.
Then, his voice resounded again, authoritative, not accepting rebuttal, and cold.
"Do whatever you want with the five others, but I don't plan to babysit them. I'll work alone on the frontline."
Subjected to his pressure, the aged man retrieved a handkerchief from his breast pocket to wipe his forehead. Then, he coughed to clear his throat before answering.
"Ahem. We planned for you to work in duos to protect strategic areas... I-I don't have the authority to accept your demand."
"Find someone who has it, or I'll cross the sea and return back to where I come from."
As the original's words lingered, small popping noises echoed in the room in a threatening symphony. The two holes pierced in his chitinous mask left ominous wisps of energy filter, increasing the pressure everyone perceived.
The gloating girl's eyes turned into slits, her pupils constricting. The youth backed a few steps away, his trembling legs chattering. Similar reactions came from the other three.
Despite their unique abilities and character, they silently agreed on a point. The masked man was dangerous. He was strong, too. Perhaps even the strongest human on Earth. Their experience battling lethal creatures screamed in their ears: do not provoke this man. No, this monster!
Fortunately, a voice echoed from the room's speakers, defusing the situation with a few direct words.
"Calm down, mate. We all want to protect humanity... If you truly desire to stand alone on the battlefield, I'll grant your request. But, remember, unity is a strength. You can't face this alien invasion without allies. So, become my partner."
It was a feminine voice carrying genuine intentions.
The original frowned in response. She was right. Unity was a strength. Perhaps even humans' greatest power. He had seen it on his city's walls five years ago. He had seen it when good men faced the radiation-filled continent he stood on to bring him to humanity's last bastion.
Yet, he had also sworn years ago. He was not a hero and would never call himself one. He was a selfish bastard who would always prioritise his life. Before, now, in the future, his philosophy would never change.
So, what would happen in a cohesive group when someone focused on himself? Easy, really. It would collapse. That's why he wanted to work alone, far from moral duty, far from heroes, and far from... guilt.
He broke the silence, his voice softer but firm.
"I refuse. I'll work alone. No duo, no partner, no soldiers. Alone."
"Tsk. What a stubborn man," the feminine voice echoed again, clicking her tongue to express her displeasure before she... snapped, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "I refuse your refusal, then! What are you going to do about it, huh?"
The original stood frozen for a second, baffled by her aggressive approach, before shrugging in dismissal. Why would he waste time exchanging words with her?
Instead, he walked to the closed armored door, extended his hand towards it, and gave it a feeble flick.
A blast deafened the six slack-jawed individuals standing in the room. Deep cracks ran along the fortified walls. Dust billowed in a wild dance, obscuring their vision for a moment until they finally heard his sorrowful voice.
"I wish you the best of luck... but I can't."
Just like that, he left them behind, ready to fight alone, survive alone, and... save humanity alone.