Merle Dixon's sneering voice cut through the already tense atmosphere of the quarry camp like a rusty blade. "Don't look like much," he repeated, his predatory gaze raking over Ethan. T-Dog bristled beside Morales, but a sharp look from Shane kept him in check for the moment.
"Merle, that's enough," Shane said, his voice low and gravelly, carrying an authority that even Merle seemed to grudgingly acknowledge, though a smirk still played on the older Dixon's lips. "This is Ethan Miller. He helped Glenn out in the city. He's with us for now."
Before Merle could offer another charming rebuttal, a figure emerged silently from the woods at the edge of the quarry, moving with a hunter's practiced grace. He was leaner than his brother, with watchful, intense blue eyes, long dark hair, and an air of self-contained wildness. A string of squirrels, expertly dispatched, hung from his belt, and a crossbow – unstrung for now, like Merle's – was slung over his shoulder. Daryl Dixon had returned.
His gaze immediately fell on Ethan, the newcomer, then flicked to Merle, a slight frown touching his lips as he took in the tense standoff.
[Canon Character Detected: Daryl Dixon. Threat Level: Low (to Host, unless provoked or Merle is threatened). Combat Skill: Very High (Expert Hunter, Tracker, Crossbow Archer, Melee Fighter). Loyalty: Primarily to Merle Dixon (strong familial bond). Psychological Profile: Guarded, Pragmatic, Highly Observant, Possesses a developing, often concealed, moral code. Survivalist instincts are paramount.]
The System's assessment was concise and illuminating. This was a man to be respected, and likely, a valuable ally if his trust could be earned.
Daryl grunted a curt nod towards Glenn. "Found some supper. Not much else moving out there today 'cept the dead." His eyes returned to Ethan, sharp and appraising.
"Daryl, this is Ethan," Glenn said quickly. "Ethan, my man, this is Daryl Dixon. Best hunter we got."
Ethan met Daryl's gaze. "Pleasure."
Daryl just gave another curt nod, his attention already drifting back to Merle, who was still eyeing Ethan with a challenging smirk. "You behaving yourself, brother?" Daryl asked Merle, his voice a low rumble.
Merle just spat on the ground. "Just welcoming the new blood."
The tension eased slightly with Daryl's presence, as if he were a quiet counterweight to Merle's volatility. Ethan took the opportunity, as the group began to disperse and attend to evening routines, to find a relatively secluded spot near an overturned piece of quarry equipment. He needed to allocate his new Attribute Points.
He had 10 AP from reaching Level 2 and Level 3. His current stats were Strength: 6, Agility: 8, Endurance: 5, Perception: 9.
"System, allocate AP: Perception +3, Agility +3, Strength +2, Endurance +2," he thought, focusing on well-rounded improvement with an emphasis on awareness and evasion.
[Attributes Updated: Strength: 8, Agility: 11, Endurance: 7, Perception: 12.]
A distinct surge of clarity and vitality flowed through him. The world seemed to sharpen around the edges, his body felt lighter, more responsive, the deep ache of his earlier exertions easing into a manageable thrum. This was good. This was progress.
He then accessed the Survivor's Exchange. He had 196 BP. The 'Basic Stealth Movement (Passive)' Skill Manual for 100 BP was a priority. Increased stealth would be invaluable for solo scavenging or if he needed to move unnoticed.
[Purchase Confirmed: 'Basic Stealth Movement (Passive)' Skill Manual. BP -100. Current BP: 96.]
[Use manual to learn skill? Yes/No]
"Yes."
A new set of instincts and knowledge settled into his mind: how to minimize his sound, use shadows, control his breathing for silent movement. It felt… natural.
[New Skill Learned: Basic Stealth Movement (Level 1). Significantly reduces noise generated by Host's movements. Increases effectiveness of hiding. Improves with Agility attribute and further practice/manuals.]
Later, Dale gave Ethan a quiet tour of their meager setup: the designated water collection point at a small, trickling spring a short walk from the quarry (water had to be boiled religiously), the makeshift latrine area hidden by some bushes, and Dale's own RV, which served as a communications hub (though the CB was mostly static) and a quiet place for Dale to offer counsel.
Ethan saw Jim, the mechanic Glenn had risked his life for. Jim was lying in a tent, feverish and weak, tended to by Carol and Lori. The medicine Glenn brought was being administered, but Jim still looked terrible. Ethan's foreknowledge of Jim's impending fate was a grim weight.
He observed the camp's defenses, or lack thereof. A few cars parked in a loose circle, some gaps plugged with scrap metal. It was, as his System had noted, pitifully inadequate against any serious threat. He saw Carl and Sophia playing a quiet game with stones near the RV, their innocence a fragile beacon in this harsh world. His foreknowledge of Sophia's eventual fate in the woods caused a pang of unease. He couldn't save everyone, he knew that. The System itself, in its original briefing, had warned about the dangers of drastically altering major canon events, lest he destabilize his own presence or cause even worse outcomes. But "minor changes"... perhaps he could make a difference in small ways.
As dusk settled, painting the quarry walls in shades of orange and purple, the group gathered around a small, carefully managed campfire. The mood was subdued, the earlier tension from Merle's outburst and the relief of Glenn's return mingling with the ever-present fear of the walkers whose groans were a constant, faint chorus from beyond the quarry's rim.
Shane, ever the pragmatist, brought the group's attention to their most pressing need. "Alright, listen up," he said, his voice carrying over the crackle of the fire. "Glenn's run was good, got us meds for Jim, a few other things. But we're still short on damn near everything. Food, fuel, and most importantly, ammo."
His gaze swept the assembled faces, lingering on Glenn, then shifting pointedly to Ethan.
"That department store in Atlanta, the one Glenn was originally aiming for before he got pinned down… it's still a possibility. High risk, yeah, but high reward too. We hit it right, we could set ourselves up for weeks."
He looked directly at Ethan. "Miller. You know the city, seems like. And you can clearly handle yourself. Glenn says you're quick on your feet and don't scare easy." Then his eyes moved to Glenn. "Glenn, you up for another trip into that hellhole tomorrow, with some proper backup this time? We go in stronger, smarter."
The proposal hung in the air. Another run into Atlanta. Ethan knew from the show that this was likely the run that would involve Merle, and eventually lead to him being handcuffed to the rooftop. His foreknowledge was a double-edged sword: it gave him insight, but also the burden of knowing the potential disasters that lay ahead.