Chef in the Apocalypse

The whole Central Square’s attention focused on the man who had stood up shouting. There were a few people like Sophie and this man who were suspicious about this whole affair, choosing to speak up in agreement.

For a few moments there was shouts of agreement, however they were the minority. No one stepped up to speak up for Jayce, choosing to maintain a wait and see attitude.

In the crowd was the majority of the 100 supporters that Jayce could get a hold of. They had also brought people in their factions at his request. Not only was this a chance to increase their strength, it was also a chance to network and get to know each other.

After all, he needed to get to know them before trusting them with protecting the world from the invasion. It was not like he and his party could be everywhere at once, nor would the invaders choose to attack all in one place.

Therefore his main priority for the Summit was to increase everyone’s strength and gather everyone into the Human Alliance.

Jayce waited for the clamor to die down. He had expected such responses from the outset, yet the way the words were phrased made him frown a little.

It seemed as if there was a hint of malice behind the words, as if this person was trying to incite everyone against him. Jayce frowned, turning his gaze to the middle-aged man who had stood up.

He did not recognize the man. In fact, his face was so plain that it would easily get lost in a crowd. The average gear for a swordsman also helped him blend in, despite standing up in the bleachers.

"It looks like it’s not just you who thinks this way." Jayce said, casting his gaze over the crowd and seeing some wary faces.

"Let’s take a step back for a moment. If my intention was to put everyone here under my rule, why would I gather you all in one place. Particularly in my home, which you could potentially destroy."

"While I am strong, I’m not confident in beating everyone here into submission..."

’At least not unscathed.’ He added inwardly.

The middle-aged man stammered for a moment. "P-Pretty words, but I don’t trust you. We’re in your home ground right now, who is to say that you haven’t put together a trap for us all?"

Jayce frowned even further, his patience wearing thin. "If you thought this was a trap, then why did you come here? I did not force you to come."

He held his arms out wide and cast his gaze around the crowd of people. "In fact, you are all free to leave."

There was an awkward silence that stretched out over the Central Square. Despite the invitation to leave, no one wanted to get out of their seats, at least until Jayce fully explained what was going on.

The middle-aged man who was standing up suddenly felt a tug on his pants. Then without saying another word, he sat back down as if nothing had happened.

Jayce only saw that the man had sat back down, so he didn’t pry further. Now that the disruption had been taken care of, it was time to get back onto the main topic.

He cleared his throat, before continuing. "Ahem, as I was saying... The sole reason I created this World Summit, was to create an Alliance. Something that would protect the Earth from the invasion, as well as anything that could pose a threat to us."

"This would act similarly to the United Nations, and unlike what some of you may think..." Jayce directed his gaze to the man who had disrupted him earlier.

"We would all have equal say."

At these words the crowd erupted in chatter. There was confusion, distrust and even hope mixed within these words.

"Ah, you would need to provide a representative for each location. Preferably those with a faction or who have the power to represent their people and make informed decisions." Jayce added.

The conversations continued to take place in whispers, with people discussing a whole range of things from who would represent them to if they could trust his words. Jayce waited patiently while they discussed.

After a few minutes, he piped up. "If you have any questions, now is the time to ask them in an open forum."

"What is this power that you speak of?" The short man Dave stood up in one of the farther seats, projecting his question.

Jayce shook his head with a wry smile, "I’m sorry, I can not explain it to you until you or your representative agrees to join the Human Alliance."

"How do we even know that this "Power" you’re talking about is as strong as you say it is?" The middle-aged man who had caused the earlier disturbance once again rose to his feet, shouting out another objection.

"Then come up and see for yourself." Jayce stated simply. He was beginning to get real suspicious about this man who seemed to have a vendetta against him.

"Ah." The man almost jumped in fright, remembering the ghastly aura that surrounded the man on the stage a few minutes earlier.

"Very well, I will come up and experience this so-called power. However, not against you." Another man stood up not too far away from the middle-aged one and began to make his way to the stage.

He was average in height and wore his long black hair tied into a messy bun. His face was covered in stubble and his eyes seemed to have a tint of madness to them despite his calm exterior.

As he stepped onto the stage, Jayce could feel that this man was an experienced killer, just by his body language. Not only that, there was the distinct smell of blood that seemed to be coming from him.

Jayce raised his eyebrow, "Who might you be?"

"Vlad. But most people know me as Blood Reaper."