After everyone had settled and kept their rewards, Leon continued the meeting.
"Tomorrow, we'll be raiding another dungeon."
His words left them perplexed since they had just arrived from one. Wasn't he being too serious?
"We have to speed-run every dungeon in the vicinity, or else, the city will be surrounded by those monsters."
Hearing his explanation, Amelia remembered a question she wanted to ask.
"You said those monsters come out of the dungeon, right? How exactly?"
Leon spared her a glance, then shrugged.
"They come out. Literally. Once a dungeon remains unchallenged for five consecutive days, the monsters will be allowed to leave."
Everyone fell silent, weighing his words. This information was new to everyone of them and they didn't know what to say. The newly evolved members would have doubted him if they hadn't seen his demonstration of knowledge in the dungeon.
"That makes me curious. Once they leave the dungeon, do they gain crystals?" Cassie asked, her voice soft.
A single nod from Leon was her answer. Professor Oliver's eyes widened and he rubbed his chin.
"Wouldn't that be lucrative? They're practically a crystal mine." The old man smiled. "Of course, that's only if we regulate their emergence."
Leon cast a look of surprise at the old man, thinking he was really a wise person. Indeed, in his past life, dungeons had been dubbed Crystal Mines by factions resourceful enough to regulate them. The fact that Oliver also thought that way wasn't too strange.
"You're right. However, we need to reap the first-time rewards too."
He paused, tapped his finger on the table, then continued.
"Not everyone will be participating. Those who'd participate include I myself, Anna, Cassie, Little Tiger, Old Oliver, Ye Ming, Williams, Rebecca, Aisha, Simone, and Amelia."
"Just eleven of us?"
Cassie's confused voice rang out. She couldn't understand why the others were being left behind.
"The others are going for another task. As for us eleven, we'd be enough."
Ignoring her lingering confusion, he took a paper and tried to draw the faces of those he needed to find. It took him a few minutes to get a rough sketch which he immediately passed to everyone.
"As for the rest. I want you to find this couple."
The picture clearly depicted a man and a woman. Unfortunately…
"Uh, Boss. I don't think we can recognize them with this…"
Jayden said hesitantly. He could tell that Leon had tried his best to draw them, but…
"Ugh, brother. Your drawing is very bad."
Cassie said without hesitation. She was well aware that her brother wasn't the best when it came to drawings, especially human drawings.
Still, the others were left in awe at her bluntness. Perhaps only she or Anna could say that to his face without fretting.
Leon's expression darkened slightly, but he knew she was right. He wasn't a great artist. Reluctantly, he asked.
"Is there anyone who can draw while I describe?"
They all exchanged glances before Jones raised his hand.
"I should be able to do something satisfactory."
Leon didn't mind. Anyone who could draw would suffice.
"Alright. The man has a straight face, high nose…"
He calmly explained what he could remember about the couple's details while Jones dutifully drew according to his descriptions.
When they were done, everyone could only sigh in awe. Jones was several times better than Leon—at least in drawing.
They could finally see the picture of a middle-aged couple.
"This is much better." Anna nodded seriously, unconsciously taking a jab at Leon. Well, it wasn't like the young man cared.
Unfazed, he clasped his fingers beneath his chin and continued.
"Martin Holmes and Elena Holmes—their names. I don't know how you plan to find them, but check the borders between Night Veil City and Detroit."
"Detroit…"
Somehow, Ice's expression darkened at the mention of that city.
Leon raised a brow but didn't probe her and continued. "It's possible they've joined other factions. If that's the case, don't bother trying to forcefully get them. Just report to me."
The newly evolved nodded. They were the ones being sent on this particular mission, and they were ready to take it seriously.
While they might be a bit scared of Leon, they were also grateful towards him. Before this, they had been hiding in their homes, workplaces, or even schools when the apocalypse began. However, Leon's faction had saved them and made them evolved, capable of defending themselves.
Also, seeing that he rewarded based on merit, made them more than willing to work harder and please him. Perhaps they might also get a second level evolution potion in the future.
Unaware of their thoughts, Leon nodded in satisfaction.
"That's good. With that, we've concluded the meeting. Once you've used the evolution potions, it's better you stay in one place. The process isn't always smooth."
Saying that, he left with Anna and Cassie in tow. After a bit of small talk, the others dispersed, eager to use their own rewards.
...…
Meanwhile, Leon, Anna, and Cassie went to their personal quarters on the top floor of the tower.
"Is something wrong?" Leon asked, tilting his head.
Standing before him, Anna showed a determined expression, then raised her hand.
Pat. Pat. Rub. Rub.
She gently patted his head, then rubbed it in a soothing way that Leon wanted to deny.
'Ugh… what's this? I've become your dog…?'
He couldn't help but remember the time when she used to fear him greatly. However, now that she had become a second level evolved, it seemed she didn't fear him that much anymore.
Of course, seeing her serious expression, he didn't voice his sarcastic thoughts, and instead pulled her close.
"Eh?"
The girl was surprised when he suddenly hugged her, but she didn't mind and melted into his embrace. Unconsciously, a faint smile bloomed on her expressionless face.
"Ahem. Could it be that you guys planned to intentionally ignore me?"
Cassie said in a venomous tone, standing behind them. She at least expected them to separate and look flustered, but Leon was shameless and just pulled her into a hug too. With either of them resting their head on his shoulders, their eyes met.
'Why does it feel like there's an electric current on my neck…?'
Ignorant, Leon remained puzzled by the unique feeling.