Knowing about the apocalypse in advance gave Rin time to prepare. One of those preparations was a reliable way to communicate.
The system's communication channels wouldn't open until the MC managed to level up and unlock them. But it was never clear whether those communication channels were only for the MC's party or for the whole world.
That was something meant for later anyway, and Rin wanted to focus on the present. That's why he chose radio signals..
Since cellular networks rely on satellites, it was impossible to rely on it under normal circumstances. But radio signals were different.
After researching, Rin chose ground-based signals that were easy to manage. He had also given transmitters to everyone he wanted to contact.
Rin decided to call Shelly first to make sure she was fine, but he changed his mind at the last moment. He did not want to alter the start of her story, so he called Reina instead.
Since Rin had always advised Reina to carry her receiver, he was not surprised to hear her pick up.
[Hello! Rin, I am on my way to your house. It's just taking longer than usual—I have to outrun these zombies.. I will be there soon.]
Reina sounded fine, which eased Rin's tension.
[I can't believe I am saying this, but your program to increase stamina has proven to be very helpful… Darn it… I will talk to you once I am there.]
The call was cut short, and Rin felt as if it had taken years off his life with that single conversation.
His next few calls were to a few more people to guide them to his safehouse, but none of them mattered as much as Reina.
Rin let out a relieved sigh once he was done and stretched to ease the stiffness building up in his muscles.
He noticed his butler watching him from the corner of his eye, and Rin immediately straightened his back and pretended not to notice.
"Sir, here is some tea for you. Please let me know if you need anything else."
Collin was treating Rin normally. He was serving tea as if this were a normal day and not the end of the world.
No matter how you looked at it, his behavior was suspicious.
More than that, Collin himself was suspicious, managing to stay calm even under these circumstances. That was why Rin questioned him.
"Are you not going to ask me anything? I am sure you have more than enough questions for me."
Rin asked, and Collin gave him a smile that was supposed to be reassuring. But Rin only found himself creeped out by it.
"I have nothing to ask, young master. I've served you for a long time, and I understand your thoughts better than you expect, young master. Please rest assured that I will neither betray you nor cause you any harm."
"You do know that you don't sound reassuring when you speak like this, right?"
Rin asked, but all he got in return was a small smile that still felt unsettling.
He decided not to pay attention to it and instead focused on the plan ahead. The room soon felt suffocating, and Rin decided take a walk in the back garden
"I will be heading to the back garden to take a walk. Collin, keep an eye on things here and inform me if a guest shows up. I'm expecting a few of them"
The butler had taken a few steps to follow Rin when he was told this. He paused before giving Rin a smile, followed by a small bow.
"I will keep an eye out, young master. I hope you enjoy your free time."
Why did that feel more like a curse than a well-meaning wish? It made Rin quickly walk out—almost run—toward his private garden toward his private garden.
_________
The butler watched Rin walk faster and faster until he was out of sight. Only then did he speak.
"That young master of mine sure is full of surprises. Not only did he manage to adapt to this sudden apocalypse, but he was also prepared for it."
The butler had been looking after Rin for over 13 years, but that was just a facade
He had killed the original butler of this house a long time ago and had taken his place so the heir would grow up trusting him and would sign over his inheritance once he became an adult.
As such, he had kept a close eye on the boy and made sure to notice even the smallest changes. So those preparations didn't go unnoticed.
In fact, the butler had been a part of these preparations.
"I played along with the young master's whims to make him lower his guard, but who knew that things would end up like this? Either way, this confirms my suspicion. My young master is not normal. I should put off killing him for now."
Young Master Rin had a plan, and he knew exactly what he was doing. That was enough for the butler to side with him
If not, then there was another factor that helped him make his decision, and it was the system screen in front of him.
[Hunter Name: Collin Creed (lvl 1)
Hunter Rank: ?? (Rankings are not open yet)
Strength: 100
Stamina: 130
Intelligence: 60
MP: 5
HP: 1500/1500
Special Skills: Hand-to-Hand Mastery, Assassin's Legendary Skill, Mask of a Hundred Faces
Special Traits: Assassin, Butler-in-Progress (skills increase in strength when fulfilling a command given by the master. You can evolve this trait)
Current Master: Rin]
"Well, things have taken an amusing turn. It looks like I will have to keep my young master alive if I want to make proper use of my powers."
Collin chuckled before slipping his polite mask back on and heading out.
His master had told him that there would be some guests coming over. Collin already knew who these guests would be because he had kept an eye on his young master all this time.
So in the meantime, he needed to make sure to deal with any 'intruders' who managed to sneak in, and only the intended guests were allowed to experience his young master's generosity.