Plundering in the Apocalypse

"I am Alice Kayden. Shin and I promised to be together for the rest of our lives. I hope to get your blessings."

Alice\'s face turned red as she smiled shyly.

""What?"" Both Reina and Alfred exclaimed in shock.

\'What did we just hear?\'

\'Is she Shin\'s girlfriend?\'

Alfred and Reina looked at each other before turning to the girl in front of her.

"Are you Shin\'s girlfriend?" Alfred asked.

Hearing the word girlfriend Alice blushed and her cheeks turned red. It was obvious how embarrassed she was. But she didn\'t agree nor denied.

But her reaction gave the confirmation they wanted.

Both of them were shocked more than surprised.

They never expected their son to have a girlfriend and bring her home. He was so socially inactive that he rarely mentioned having any friends.

Now he brings a girl home. Who would expect that of him?

Reina was so happy that she just stood up and sat beside Alice as she gave her a tight hug.

Alfred on the other side still couldn\'t believe Alice. How come such a beautiful girl is his son\'s girlfriend? What did she see in him? Yeah, maybe he changed a little but still.

He started having weird thoughts inside his head.

\'Don\'t tell me he blackmailed her to become his girlfriend? But the way she is reacting it\'s obvious that she likes him.\'

\'Is there some sort of misunderstanding between them?\'

\'Maybe I am just overthinking things. His son might have done some good deeds in his past life or used all his luck to have such a good girl as his girlfriend.\'

As Alfred was busy thinking about his weird speculations and Reina was asking Alice excitedly about their relationship.

Shin entered the living room.

"What are you talking about guys?"

When Alfred and Reina looked at him again. They asked simultaneously.

""Who are you?""

"Wh-What?" Shin was confused by their sudden question.

"Hahaha sorry, we were just surprised." Alfred laughed.

"Yeah, you look so handsome, son," Reina said as she turned to Alice and asked.

"Isn\'t that right? Alice."

Alice who was mesmerized by the freshly out-of-bath Shin replied to Reina without thinking much.

"Yeah, So handsome."

Suddenly her face turned red as she understood her mistake and blushed.

Reina couldn\'t help but laugh at the silly girl in front of her. She is totally in love with her son.

Shin who was oblivious to everyone\'s thoughts in front of him just smiled at their praise and replied.

"Thanks."

He sat down near Alfred and turned to look at the black marks of the monster\'s blood left on the floor.

Reina understanding Shin\'s thoughts replied.

"Don\'t worry I\'ll clean them after you eat something."

"By the way since when did you start worrying about cleaning."

Shin felt embarrassed at his mom\'s remark. Yes, he never bothered to clean the mess he created. It was out of character for him to worry about the house being dirty.

But he felt he started to change. After some time, Reina stood up and said.

"I\'ll go prepare something."

She then stopped and turned to Alice who looked like she wanted to say something.

"Alice do you want to help me."

She stood up and responded with her eyes gleaming in excitement.

"Of course~"

Reina smiled and said

"Come with me."

Both of them left toward the kitchen leaving Shin and Alfred behind.

There was an awkward silence. Shin wanted to say something but didn\'t know where to start.

Alfred was the first to speak.

"It was a terrible day. Huh."

"Yeah. The worst one ever." Shin replied.

Alfred chuckled at his words.

"You\'ve struggled so much."

"Yeah, Dad. I thought I\'ll never see you again." Shin said as tears started forming in his eyes.

Alfred patted his son\'s head and said.

"I understand. Those monsters must have been too much for you. I am so glad that you returned to us."

"When those monsters appeared. I didn\'t know what to do? I was worried about you. I was also worried if my martial arts would be of any use or not. Against those monsters, I felt powerless. They looked so dangerous.

I thought we would die.

Only after fighting them did I understand. That they were weak. Haha."

Shin smiled bitterly. His dad didn\'t know how to comfort someone.

\'What does he even mean? They were weak? Why is he comparing himself to normal people? And don\'t laugh it off, dad. It feels like you are making fun of us.\'

*Smack*

Reina came at the perfect timing and smacked Alfred.

"You really don\'t know how to read the mood."

Reina looked at Shin. She had so much to talk about but no words came out. Shin also felt the same.

"I-I was really afraid. Shin. I thought I lost you. When this all started we didn\'t know what to do. A herd of monsters rushed at us. Both of us were worried that we lost you."

"Yeah. I thought we will die of those monsters then I realized. I\'ve been a very bad father." Alfred said with an apologetic look.

Shin looked at his parents and the tears he was holding onto came bawling out.

"N-No Dad. I\'ve been a bad son. Forgive me. I\'ve troubled both of you all this time. After those monsters attacked me I realized how much you both matter to me."

"So please. Don\'t say that. You both cared for me even though I was an unfilial son. I - I..."

His voice was cut off from the cries and his sobbing sounds.

*sob sob*

Reina felt her heart melt and hugged Shin while patting his back.

"Don\'t worry son. You are safe now. We are just fine see."

They just stayed in that position while Shin cried as Reina hugged him and Alfred looked at them from afar and held his tears.

"I-I am fine now." Said Shin as he calmed down.

Reina was still a little worried about him. She then smiled as she thought of a way to change the topic. She had a teasing smile on her face.

"Well, Alice is a nice girl isn\'t she?"

Shin smiled as he remembered how much Alice had done for him and cared for him. Without her, he would have been dead.

"Yes, She is very kind," Shin said as he had a smile on his face.

Reina looked at him with an amused expression.

"Then you have to take better care of her and responsibility." She said in a serious tone.

\'If they want to marry in the future Shin needs to be responsible. He can\'t be unreliable for such a sweet girl.\'

Shin thought of her mother\'s words carefully.

\'It is true that I saved her and promised to help her. She did so much for me. Of course, I need to take responsibility and support her. After all, she did lose her family.\'

As he thought of that he was reminded of the time Alice introduced those souls as her family.

\'I\'ll find out about it slowly.\'

He turned to look at her eyes with a serious gaze as he replied.

"Yes, mom. I\'ll protect her she is my responsibility." His eyes shone determination. He felt he may have misspoken but he didn\'t care as his thoughts were on something different. He wanted to know the situation.

Reina looked into Shin\'s eyes and felt how serious he was with his words. She felt he loved Alice so much. His feelings for her are real.

She smiled at this confirmation.

At that moment Alice cane from the kitchen and said with a smile.

"The Dinner is almost ready. Please have a seat."

Her sweet voice made the atmosphere warm as they all nodded and Reina returned to help Alice. Who for some reason already prepared the dinner in such a short time.

They all sat at the dining table. They started having dinner.

"Wow, this is so good," Shin muttered while having a bite.

Alice who heard Shin praising him blushed. She was delighted.

Reina looked at him weirdly. Was this really her son? He never praised her food but can\'t stop praising food made by his girlfriend.

She felt betrayed. Reina puffed up her cheeks and got ready to eat too. Alfred who saw this scene couldn\'t help but chuckle inwardly.

Reina put a mouthful of food in her mouth as she savored the taste.

"Delicious."

"Wow, Alice you are really good. How come you are so good."

Alive smiled even more. Maybe she got the approval from her mother-in-law through her food.

\'Hehe~ I am so happy.\'

"I used to work part-time at a family diner. So I\'ve practiced cooking a lot."

Reina smiled at Alice\'s words. Now she truly approved of Alice. She deserves to be her son\'s girlfriend. Shin did a really good job finding a good girl like Alice. She opened her mouth to say something but Alfred spoke first.

"What about your family Alice?" Alfred said as he gulped the food down.

Alice had her head hung low and her cheerfulness from before vanished.

"I..."

"..I"

Alice wanted to say something but words couldn\'t come out of her mouth.

\'He is insensitive. Why did I come to like this thick-headed man.\' Reina shook her head. She also wanted to ask that question. But waiting for a good opportunity or for them to tell on their own accord.

"She lost her family to monsters." Shin felt the situation wasn\'t good so he spoke up.

He thought Alice had already told them but it seems she didn\'t. So he had to tell them. He hoped his mom could comfort her.

Alfred had a guilty look on his face. He understood he touched on a sensitive topic.

"Don\'t worry Alice. I know you lost your family. I can\'t help you with that and I can understand his painful it is. But do remember you are not alone. You do have us as your family. We are a family now." Reina said as she hugged her and Alice\'s mood became brighter.

Her mother-in-law finally accepted her. So that means there are no obstacles between Shin and her.

"Mom, Dad. Can you tell me the situation? What happened here? What are these monsters? What\'s going on in this city?" Shin asked the important question and changed the topic.

"Shin we still don\'t know about the monsters. But so much has happened. The situation is not good. The family is taking action and communication is still cut so we still can\'t contact others. I got the information from my family\'s private network and-"

"Enough." A small hand covered Alfred.

As Alfred was cut off by Reina as she stopped him from talking further.

"Shin, you don\'t have to worry about those matters for now. Look at both of you." She pointed a both Alice and Shin.

"It\'s obvious your bodies are tired and need rest. You have already pushed your body to the limit and your body needs rest. We will take care of everything. So you better get some good sleep. We don\'t know what will happen next."

"But what about both of you." Shin wanted to refute.

"We can take turns and don\'t even think we are weak now cause we stopped practicing. We are still strong enough to hold on for a week. We will explain everything tomorrow."

Reina replied with a firm voice.

Shin could only agree. After all, what she said was true he needed rest.

After some time Shin returned to his room. Alice went to the guest room.

Shin lay on his bed and took some deep breaths.

\'It was a long day. First is the appearance of monsters. Then a massacre. Strange status board and stuff like games. Boss fight."

\'Haah.\' Shin sighed.

\'What about that girl will she be fine?\' Shin thought of Anna and remembered how beautiful she was.

\'I still haven\'t contacted Simon. Are the fine.\'

"Upgrade Plunder," Shin muttered.

[The first advancement is starting...]

[Ability \'Plunder is upgrading....]

[0.1%]

...

...

This was the most terrible day ever.

This was \'the day of the Cataclysm.\'

\'I should better get some sleep. I wish if this day was a dream.\'

Shin thought and closed his eyes as he fell into a deep sleep.