Chapter 25: Shattered Peace
Following the barn massacre, a deathly silence descended over the farm. There was no longer any conversation, not even eye contact, between the two groups. Rick's group retreated into their corners in guilt and shame, while the Greene family grieved deeply. Beth had fallen into a catatonic state, speechless and unresponsive. Maggie's eyes held an icy rage toward Glenn and the others.
Hershel had been the hardest hit. Everything he had ever believed in had been shot to death that day on that grass. One morning, without a word, he disappeared. He had taken a car from the farm and was gone.
Rick took full responsibility for this. "I have to find her," he told the group. "I owe it to her."
Glenn, hoping to make amends with Maggie, leaped forward. "I'm coming too."
Jayden stepped forward. "You'll need a third gun," he said simply. "The town could be dangerous."
His real reason was different. He knew where Hershel was going: the abandoned bar in the nearby town. And he knew what would happen there. The confrontation with those two strangers from Philadelphia. The moment Rick would be forced to kill living people for the first time. He had to be there. He had to watch Rick's back.
He assigned his newly acquired stats to Intelligence (INT). Not just brute force, but also tactical thinking and quick decision-making were vital in this new world.
The trio set off for town. Finding the bar wasn't difficult. The interior was dim and smelled of alcohol. Hershel sat at the bar counter, staring at a bottle of whiskey. He hadn't drunk yet, just facing the wreckage of his faith.
Rick tried to talk to him, to persuade him to come back. Just then, the bar door opened, and two strangers walked in: Dave and Tony. They approached with friendly demeanor, like in the TV series, joking around, talking about their dreams of going to Nebraska. But Jayden could see through their fake smiles. With his [Perception: 11] and newly increased [Intelligence: 11], he recognized the manipulation in their words, the predatory glint in their eyes. These weren't good people. These were jackals waiting to pounce at a moment of weakness.
As the conversation progressed, Dave and Tony's true intentions became clear. They had heard about the ranch and wanted to "settle" there. That was a euphemism for "seize by force." When Rick told them the ranch was occupied, the atmosphere shifted instantly.
"I think there might be a place opening," Dave said, his smile fading. His hand went to the gun at his waist.
The moment unfolded in seconds. Rick did something he'd never done before. Considering a threat, he shot a living person. He drew his gun and shot Dave in the chest. When Tony tried to reach for his gun, Jayden was faster. He drew his Glock and fired two shots. Both bullets hit Tony in the head.
[Basic Firearms (Level 1) Skill +50 EXP gained]
[EXP: 250 / 400]
[Level EXP: 180 / 3500]
Glenn and Hershel watched in shock. Rick stared at the men lying on the ground, his hands trembling. He had crossed a line. He wasn't just fighting walkers anymore.
Just then, they were startled by the sound of cars and shouts coming from outside. "Dave! Tony! What was that gunshot?"
The strangers weren't alone. Their friends were outside. And now, Rick, Glenn, and Jayden were trapped in this small bar, with an angry group out to get their revenge.
The war wasn't just against the dead anymore. It was man against man. And this was a much more dangerous game.
[System Profile Update - End of Chapter 25]
[Name: Jayden Mendoza]
[Level: 4]
[EXP: 180 / 3500]
[Hit Points (HP): 130/130]
[Stamina (STA): 130/130]
[STATISTICS]
Strength (STR): 12
Agility (AGI): 12
Stamina (END): 12
Perception (PER): 11
Intelligence (INT): 11
[Assignable Points: 0]
[SKILLS]
Basic Cold Weapons (Level 2) [EXP: 285 / 500]
Basic Archery (Level 2) [EXP: 255 / 500]
Basic Parkour (Level 2) [EXP: 150 / 500]
Basic Melee (Level 2) [EXP: 120 / 500]
Basic Hunting (Level 2) [EXP: 80 / 500]
Basic Firearms (Level 1) [EXP: 250 / 400]
Basic Throwing Knife (Level 1) [EXP: 175 / 400]
[INVENTORY SUMMARY]
Carbon Arrows: 24
Glock Ammo (9mm): 27
Throwing Knives: 2/3
Canned Food: 4
Medic Kit (Basic): 1