"W-We are here! T-This is the place those coordinates point to? It really does look magnificent."
"There's something divine about this place. I can sense a protective presence here."
"We didn't suffer any major injuries on the way here. I'm even more certain this is all part of God's will. He's looking out for us in every way he can."
Everyone from ENC Tech looked at the huge mansion in front of them. Their faith in God burned even brighter as they approached the mansion.
They now felt guilty for ignoring God's messenger, who had been trying to warn them all this time about the coming apocalypse. And their guilt turned their faith into an even brighter inferno.
"Everyone, our being here is part of God's will. The man in charge of this place is God's chosen one. If we follow his will, then our lives will be fulfilled. Even death is nothing to fear because it will lead us back to God's embrace."
That small speech ignited the spirit of the group, and they knocked on Rin's door. A few people who had awakened defensive abilities kept the zombies at bay as everyone else anxiously waited for a response.
The gate opened slowly, and a butler welcomed them in with a deep bow.
"Welcome, esteemed future companions. My young master is waiting for you all in his room. It's best not to keep him waiting. Please follow me for now."
The butler led them to a large office, but not everyone could enter at once.
It was quickly decided that the CEO, along with the chief executives, would be the first to enter, followed by other high-ranking officers. Others would get a chance to meet their benefactor later.
The butler waited for them to decide, and once they were done, he knocked on the door to let their benefactor know that they were there to visit him.
Knock
"Young Master, your next group of guests is here. Shall I send them in now?"
There was no response, but the butler still opened the door and allowed them in. The door shut behind the small group of ten, and they watched the huge chair swing around slowly to reveal the face of their benefactor.
"Welcome to my sanctuary, my dear guests. Your journey here must have been filled with hardships, but there's no need to worry anymore. My butler will show you to your rooms. Please rest for now."
The kind young master in front of the ENC executives looked like a divine being. He was kind, helpful, and willing to accommodate them. Moreover, he didn't ask for anything in return.
'Ah, such a kind master can only be a messenger of God. We need to ensure we do not burden such a person.'
Everyone came to the same conclusion and hardened their hearts. They vowed to take care of this young man.
'If it is God's will for us to end up here, then we need to make sure we uphold it properly. Only then will we be able to return to God's embrace without hesitation.'
__________
Rin managed to keep a straight face throughout the conversation, but he was sweating bullets the whole time.
The pressure these ENC executives gave off was no joke. Their hardships had shaped them into seasoned professionals who were experts at keeping a straight face.
But Rin had somehow gotten through to them and began to earn their loyalty.
"Collin, please show them to their new living quarters."
Rin's butler nodded, but just before he could guide them out, the CEO paused, and his expression grew more serious.
However, his request was not what Rin expected to hear.
"Sir, it does not feel right for us to mooch off your generosity and not give anything in return. I understand your intentions well. However, I and everyone else with me would like to work in return for staying here. It will make us feel less like a burden and more like allies."
This was the outcome Rin had wanted from the beginning. He had even fabricated a scheme against these people to ensure they reached this point. And yet, he felt genuinely surprised by their offer.
But Rin was not one to reject any fortune that came his way. So he decided to embrace this opportunity as well.
"Very well. Since you are offering me your aid, I won't refuse. We have a medic on our staff, so have your people examined by her before you head to your rooms. It will be best if you are all healthy."
'After all, only then will I be able to make the best use of you.'
The CEO and executives nodded with determined expressions on their faces.
"Thank you for your faith in us, sir."
Finally, they all left, and Rin let out a relieved sigh. With this, all the important people he had secured had arrived. Now, it was just a matter of time before this first task ended.
Overall, this first day of the apocalypse had gone fairly well, and it gave Rin hope for the future as well.
[User, don't you think you have been too lucky so far? Well, luck is a part of one's skill as well, so the system will not complain. But do be careful. Being too lucky can stir hidden emotions in others.]
[Ah, but I am sure this is not something I need to warn you about, right? I am such a saintly system, looking after you like this. No other system would help you out this much.]
The system began praising itself, so Rin turned it out. He still kept an ear out for anything useful, but all the system said was self-praise.
Outside, the sun had started to set. The first night of the apocalypse was fast approaching. It was the first real test of survival.. Not only would they have to fight zombies, but also other humans.
Unfortunately, more than half of the population would perish, and only those in peak condition would be filtered out, leaving only the strongest to continue.
"Well, everyone important will make it out alive. I wonder if Rin's parents survived the apocalypse in the original story…"
The likely answer was that they did not survive. Not that it mattered to him anyway. After all, he did not even know those people.