Captain Carl was in a dilemma. He had to know Seth’s status and family standing before making any decisions.

Right now, with the current straits of the world, private families had as much power as the government. This could be discerned from the fact that they even had their own safe zones under their jurisdiction.

The military and these families had a delicately balanced cooperative relationship. Antagonizing them wouldn’t benefit anyone.

So it wouldn’t be right if this child was from one of the powerful families, and the government tried to poach him. That might lead to a falling out.

From what he knew, all students of this school could never have an ordinary background. Either their family had strong ties to the government, or they were part of a private colossus that could influence the government.

"Have the technical team been able to retrieve any form of information archive from the rubble?" He turned toward the agent with the biometric pad and asked.

The man shook his head. "The team has barely excavated through the upper layer. We’ve found nothing but scraps."

Captain Carl massaged his forehead as though trying to banish a headache.

Right now, the other four students’ destinations were clear. They would be going to the safe zones their families presided over. But Seth?

The only option was to send him to the Aegis Safe Zone, once known as the capital of their country — Washington DC state. It was the biggest safe zone in the country and one of the three safe zones the government and military presided over.

But if he did that and it turned out Seth was related to some big shot, it could be interpreted as the government trying to take their relative hostage.

Suddenly, a hand patted his shoulder. A voice came from behind him. "No need to overthink. I know who this is."

Captain Carl turned around in surprise. "Oh? Agent Sander?"

Before him was a volunteer agent. When this team was put together, the government wasn’t the only one who supplied manpower.

The big families did also, sending envoys of sorts to join the hundred-man team. After all, who didn’t want a share in the prestige that came with being among the first team to clear a corruption zone?

Ironic, seeing that a bunch of children achieved just this before they could even attempt.

The middle-aged man before him was Sanders Duskreaver, an envoy of one of the big families — the Duskreavers. In fact, they were one of the big three!

Long before the apocalypse, they held the title. Even now, they were more deserving of it.

Captain Carl seemed to think of something. "Wait, don’t tell me... he’s related to your family?" he asked, flabbergasted.

Agent Sander nodded as he stepped forward to examine Seth’s features more closely.

He spoke, his brows furrowing. "If I’m correct, this is my nephew."

"Your nephew?" Captain Carl was even more shocked.

Sanders Duskreaver had two brothers and one sister. Any one of these figures’ names carried weight and power. It didn’t make sense.

The priority list was made factoring in the potential usefulness of the children but also their family standing.

A child from a family like the Duskreavers — especially one fathered or mothered by any of these figures — met the requirements to be on the list. So why wasn’t he?

Sanders glanced back at Captain Carl’s expression and could already guess the question brewing in his mind.

So he didn’t waste time answering. "This boy... is an illegitimate child of my brother, the family leader."

Understanding dawned on Captain Carl.

Big families made a clear distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. If the family leader of such a powerful family dared request to place his illegitimate child on the priority list, it wouldn’t bode well for their reputation.

And even if he did, it would be rejected. After all, decision-making wasn’t made by the family head alone — especially one so young. There had to be elders and other important figures involved.

A glimmer sparked in Captain Carl’s eyes.

’This is an opportunity. If this boy has been abused and neglected by his family, my government faction might just have a chance.’

Unfortunately, Sanders’ next words shut off that train of thought.

"Don’t even think about it. My brother loves his children equally. He was never the type to make the distinction between illegitimate and legitimate. He only recognized his blood.

In fact, he made me promise to bring his son home if I found him. Seems this child is quite fortunate."

Captain Carl sighed in disappointment. Too bad. But regardless of which family the child belonged to, he was human — so this was a win for humanity to have such a powerful figure.

He then began to relay orders. "Since it’s like that, and all five survivors have been recognized, Sanders, you along with ten others will be taking them to their respective homes. The rest of us will wait here for reinforcement before proceeding to the next target."

Agent Sanders nodded and left. Since he was not from a military background, the discipline enforced on others wasn’t required from him or the other envoys.

Captain Carl, now alone, stared into the distance. Their next target was a statewide corruption zone. If they could clear it, humans would gain another, much bigger safe zone.

His hands clenched into fists. They had to be stronger. They had to clear the zone. They had to win!

.....

Seth’s eyes slowly opened, his vision blurry and his head ringing.

"What the hell..." he winced as he grabbed his head.

Then his senses slowly activated — a scent of lavender drifting into his nostrils, his ears twitching as they picked up the sound of running water.

Then his vision cleared. "W-where am I!" He stared in shock at the sight before him.

He was in a beautiful garden, one so surreal, lush, and beautiful he had never seen anything like it before — not even on TV or in real life.

’Where the fuck is this, and how the hell did I get here?’

He had barely gotten that question off his chest when a figure slowly walked into view.

"Ah? Oh my, you’re finally awake, my child," a soothing voice of a man rang.

And he finally stepped into full view. It was an absurdly handsome middle-aged man, with rough black hair and a tanned skin tone.

His eyes reflected deep brown, and he wore an inviting smile.

But that wasn’t what creeped Seth out the most. A chill tingled down his spine.

’Why the fuck is he completely naked?!’

The man didn’t seem to notice Seth’s weird expression. Stretching his hands, he proclaimed, "Welcome to Eden!"

Seth’s brows furrowed as he stared at the man suspiciously. "Who are you, and how the hell did I get here?!"

The man chuckled, seemingly amused at how crass Seth was being. "Well, my child, you can call me... Adam. As for how you’re here, this is quite the special place. You can’t reach it physically with current means, so this is just a projection of your consciousness."

Then the man stepped closer to observed him more clearly. Seth shrank back, his hair standing on end. He yelled, "Stay away! I’m not interested in men!"

The man froze, his expression stunned for a second before he burst into uproarious laughter.

"Silly child, neither am I," he chided, wiping away a tear caused by lau

ghter.

"To think the one with the origin soul would be so interesting," the man remarked with a pleased grin.