Inside one of the many factories throughout the tier-4 city, an unexpected event had occurred that shook all of the workers to their very core. It was something they had never expected and had no clue how to deal with.

It was hard for them to tell what time of day it was, as their routine had been broken, since the windows had been blacked out inside of the factory and the mines had no sense of daylight either.

It was hard to tell why exactly the factory did this, maybe as a form of control. Their phones during working time would be taken away from them as well. They were easy for them all to get to, but they were afraid of breaking any more rules.

The first thing that Elijah along with a few of the other workers did was apply first aid treatment to the old man Earny. He had been hurt pretty badly. Thankfully Elijah, due to his kind of work, knew how to treat someone and there were adequate tools in the building.

His temperature has gone down a bit and his heart is beating quite strongly. With everything weve done so far, he shouldn't get an infection from his wounds but there's always a chance. It would still be best to get him to a hospital as soon as possible, but for now his life is not in any immediate danger. Elijah thought standing up, and looking at the panicked workers.

Most of them didnt know what to do and they still hadnt moved from their position. Thankfully, Gary along with the other friends of Earny had helped tie up the gang members that had been beaten with some zip ties, tying them to the large machinery.

Their mouths were also gagged so they wouldnt be able to say anything else that might frighten the workers into doing something stupid. All of this was on Elijahs orders of course, going through everything he had been taught in White Rose.

How did I get myself in this situation? Elijah had his hand on his forehead. I had one simple job, and I havent even been able to achieve anything so far. Instead, now Im in this mess all because I decided to follow the green haired punk!

Although Elijah was upset, at the same time he couldnt be truly angry with Gary, because he had done the right thing in the end. If he hadnt stepped in, maybe a life would have been lost.

Alright everyone, the best thing to do for now is to wait in your rooms if you dont want to be involved in any of this. Elijah said to the others. We dont know when the others will come here.

But hopefully if they can see that you werent doing anything, then you wont get the blame.

Elijah wasnt too sure he was doing the right thing even now, thinking that maybe he should just leave the factory before other gang members showed up. However, then it would mean Gary would have to face all of them on his own. With the two of them, maybe they would be able to do something.

We want to help out as well! Some of the old men shouted. We are sick of the way they treat us, and they nearly killed Earny, if it's him now, it could be us next!

Although some of the workers felt this way, not all of them did. Truthfully though, Elijah felt like the workers would just get in their way if they attempted to fight, they were all just too frail and old.

Guys, Im telling you now, there is no need for all of us to get into trouble. The best thing you can do now is look after Earny. With those words, Elijah went off looking for Gary.

Maybe the two of them could talk and figure out how to deal with this situation.

Walking around the factory, it didnt take long for Elijah to find Gary, but he was in the strangest of places.

He was in the sorting section, where they would separate the minerals into different large containers for different parts, and Gary was standing in front of one of the containers.

Why is he here at a time like this? Elijah thought.

In Garys hand he had a crystal, one of the crystals that would come from the large rocks that they broke off. He saw it in the air and the next thing he did blew Elijahs mind.

Pulling his mask slightly down, Garys mouth opened wide, and with his teeth he bit down on the crystal. It broke into pieces easily, and Gary continued to bite the crystal, eating it away until it was completely gone.

What what are you doing! Elijah shouted out of shock.

Seeing who it was, Gary quickly pulled up his mask.

When Elijah ran over, he could see that there were crumbs of crystal all over the place, and the container was half empty.

Have you just been eating these crystals this whole time why is this what you do when you're nervous or something? Elijah asked.

How was Gary meant to explain himself out of this one, in the end he was unable to come up with a good lie so he thought the truth was the best way.

These crystals, if I eat them, they make me stronger, Gary answered.

Inside Elijahs mind, he still felt like Gary was crazy but then remembered that Gary was an Altered, and this factory had to have these crystals for some reason. Was it due to Garys Altered form that required these crystals, or was it all Altereds?

Picking up one of the crystals Elijah wondered if it would work with him. He saw Gary pick up another crystal and turn his head to the side as if he was embarrassed about eating.

I know Gray is a little crazy, but he cant be completely crazy right? Elijah thought as he opened wide, wondering if his teeth and jaw were even strong enough to eat the crystal.

Surprisingly when he bit down, the crystal broke easier than he thought. It crumbled into his mouth but the texture wasnt nice, it almost felt like he had just put a bunch of sand in his mouth.

He powered through swallowing the crystal, and when he did, he was unable to feel anything, in fact he placed his hand on his stomach as he felt a little queasy.

I dont think I have the stomach for this.

Looking at Elijah, Gary could also tell that he was an Altered. His movement speed was too fast when they worked together in the mine, but Gary didnt care for who he was.

I guess, not all Altered can get stronger eating these crystals, I still would like to test it on the other werewolves though. Gary thought.

Either way, Gary continued feasting on the crystals that he had gathered increasing his stats bit by bit, ready for whatever was coming for him.

Gary

Grade: Rook

Class: Dark Warrior

Level 28

[Health 300]

[Energy 500]

[Strength 68 >>> 72]

[Dexterity 55 >>> 63]

[Endurance 60 >>> 66]

Gary weas getting stronger.