Sitting one in front of the other, looking into each other's eyes.
« To make things easier for us, we each ask a question in turn. »
Yumiel nodded: « I don't have that many questions, I'll let you start. »
« Very well, then I'll begin in order. You explained to me that when you eat brains, you can obtain abilities or memories (information) from the person. Did you get any information about the three people I'm looking for? »
« Nothing concrete from eating the brain of that guy from the Chapel. I saw Mathis and Mr. Norman heading toward the cemetery. Those people did indeed know them, but they didn't know why they were going there. »Jack paused for a moment, then continued.
« Side note, I don't have access to the person's full memories, only to those I'm searching for. If the person has no information related to what I'm looking for, I see other memories the person considers "important secrets". »
Yumiel took time to process Jack's power in order to exploit it fully if necessary.
« My turn. In the cemetery, why did you decide to help me? You could've killed me without any problem. »
« Easy answer. I need to drink the blood contained in hearts to get stronger. In this case, you're a zombie, so you probably don't even have a heart. On top of that, our goals line up, and we complement each other well, you and I. I need blood and a heart, and you need the rest. »
Jack agreed with Yumiel's words—he had even been planning to ask her to become partners.
« My turn. Explain in more detail that form you had in the cemetery, you looked like a real tank. »
« Ah, that. If I had to summarize my current abilities, they would boil down to absorbing and fusing. Absorbing for the brains, as I already explained, and fusing like you saw when I fused limbs to my body, or even an entire body. »
Jack paused, giving Yumiel time to process everything, then continued.
« However. I can fuse more than four limbs onto my body. Which allows me to adjust my size and shape. But I can't stay in those different forms for long. I'm also limited in how many limbs I can control. For now, around ten, but by getting stronger that limit increases. »
« Well, here's my last question for you. What happened to that child? »
Yumiel sighed deeply, stood up, and grabbed a bottle of whiskey along with two glasses, placing them on the table in front of the couch. Pouring a glass for Jack, then for herself. They clinked glasses and downed them. « So, where to begin… »
Yumiel told Jack everything—her transformation, her first outing, the man made of metal, how she killed Marie's father and took the girl in afterward. Her interactions with Marie, the people she saved at the supermarket, the anti-monster organization she threatened, and the friends she's desperately trying to find again.
Jack listened in silence, drinking the whiskey with Yumiel. When she finished telling her story, Jack stared at her, then poured himself another glass and downed it.
« Well then, pouahahahaha, I've never heard such a funny story, you kidnapped a kid after killing her father right in front of her. Threatened an organization. Saved some girls for no reason in a supermarket. Hahahaha no really ahaha, I'm sorry but this is really funny ahaha. »
Yumiel took another glass, downing it. Alcohol didn't seem to affect her, yet it warmed her.
« Ahah, very funny, I'm also going to ask my last question, and it's the one I was waiting for the most. You said that in reality it's not 50% of the population that was changed. This information is extremely important. And useful for the future. Tell me everything! »
« Saving the best for last, huh? To be honest, the answer has been in front of you the whole time. »
Yumiel was confused, which showed on her face: « What do you mean? »
« The system has the answers. You're going to tell me you already asked it, but you just didn't dig deep enough. Go on, try. »
Yumiel put down her whiskey glass and called the system.
« System, what exactly are these 50% who changed? »
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50% represents the percentage of the Earth's population that has been changed.
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Yumiel glanced at Jack, who apparently could also see Yumiel's window. Jack noticed her looking at him and whispered: « The question to ask is inside the answer. » She understood instantly.
« System, what is the Earth's population to you? »
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Earth's population: number of life forms that have lived or are still living. On planet Earth, alias: requirement rank 7
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Staring at the window, Yumiel ended up grabbing the bottle and taking a big swig.
« So that's why we run into so few changers. »
Jack repeated Yumiel's words. « There are a lot, I estimate that at minimum 2% of current humans were affected. That represents over 200 million people. »
Yumiel was thinking, bottle in hand. Jack motioned for her to pass it, taking a big swig in turn.
« At least 2% of current humans were affected, that's one human out of 50. Yet I don't feel like I run into that many. »
Jack placed the almost-empty bottle on the table before answering.
« You're right in a way, but I've learned interesting information. First, some people don't even know they have abilities. Second, some hide. And finally, third. »
Yumiel picked up the bottle, noticing it was nearly empty, then poured what remained into her glass and Jack's.
« And for this I'm sure, the information comes from a government brain. The change didn't occur equally everywhere in the world. Some places were hit harder than others. »
Finishing their glasses of whiskey, Yumiel questioned the system.
« System, can you show me the distribution of people who were changed around the world? »
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No, I provide no advantage to anyone.
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« I've already tried, it's useless. I also asked for the exact number of humans who were changed, but it asked for rank 3 for that. »
Controlling a small blood dagger that she changed into different shapes for fun. « Then I guess all that's left is for us to get stronger. »
Jack watched Yumiel turning the blood she controlled into many shapes.
« Actually, Yumiel, do you want us to become partners? Together we can grow and help each other, and we complement each other pretty well. »
Yumiel had already thought about it too, but she hesitated. Not because of the proposal—she had nothing to lose by becoming his partner for now. But later? Her parents, her friends. How would they react? Yumiel laid everything on the table for Jack.
« I'm hesitating, Jack… I'd really like to say yes, but I keep thinking about my family, my parents, my friends. How will they react? What should I do? »
Jack understood Yumiel, though having forgotten who he was, he saw the situation more pragmatically.
« Yumiel. I'm no longer Jack, the one born in 1916, but Jack the zombie. You are no longer the Yumiel from back then, but Yumiel the vampire. We are no longer human; our place is no longer among them. And you must have already noticed. »
Yes, she knew, she had changed, and was still changing, always herself but different. Stronger? More emotional compared to before? Happier? She didn't know, but one thing was certain—she wouldn't stop here.
« Shame there's no more alcohol to toast with my new partner. »
« Sad to learn you drank it all. So, what's the plan now? »
« Training. I can't go out during the day, so I train. As for the rest, we'll see later. Do whatever you want in the meantime. »
Yumiel got up and sat at the kitchen table, taking out her bucket of blood and her flask, trying to control more different shapes.
Jack, meanwhile, explored the house, starting with Yumiel's room where Marie was sleeping soundly. Going through room after room. Until he found the storage room upstairs, which was like a treasure to him. He took several tools and metals, then came back down to Yumiel.
« Why are you taking all that stuff? »
« I can't train like you, but I know how to tinker, so I'm going to try to make a few things. »
« Ok, but go do that upstairs, or in my room if Marie's awake, I need to focus. »
Yumiel had her notebook, writing down scientific theories possible or not. While controlling her blood, dividing it into many different pieces and giving each a different shape.
She then tried a new, very simple theory: managing to make blood come out through the pores of her skin. If she succeeded, it would allow her to react faster to defend herself. Or to always have a reserve to create something. Though she herself would become that reserve.
Lost in thought and concentration, Yumiel was interrupted by the ringing of her phone. Picking it up, she saw: Mom.