The Stranger Who Knew Everything.

Sebastian 

“Buis, if I get caught, do you realise that I will not be able to complete the mission? Shouldn't you help?” I asked in panic as my grip tightened on the wheel. I was getting closer to the front and there was no way I could run without getting caught.

“If you don't complete the mission, you will be terminated.” Buis replied calmly and I almost cried out in frustration as I ran my hand through my hair.

“Isn't that why you should at least help me?” I questioned, my heart pounding in my chest, and as usual, I got no answer. I was very convinced at this point that the system was here to kill me instead.

It was finally my turn and I let out a shaky breath as I drove to the front. If worst came to worst, I would hit the fucking gas and zoom away before any of them could stop me.

The military official in front of me didn't look like he was here to play as he checked the plate number and then walked around my car. I was literally shaking when he leaned down, his eyes meeting mine.

What if they recognized me even without my pink cap?

“Show me your ID and driver's license,” He said calmly, and I reached for the glove compartment shakily. I had nothing to give him and there was no saying what would actually be there. “Hurry up or step out of the car.”

Just as I touched the box, I heard a familiar voice and my brows raised in disbelief.

“You don't have to worry about him; He's… acquainted with me,” The voice said as he dismissed the other official, who gave him a salute before walking to another car. “Hi. You're welcome.”

Of course I recognized him when he leaned down with a smile. He was the guy who called me “princess” and also saved me when I nearly died at the borders.

“You…?” I muttered in confusion, wondering how he was always around when I was in trouble. And how he knew I needed help just now.

“Here.” He threw a document into the car and I caught it, raising a brow at him. “You can't drive around without one. Again, you're welcome.”

A car honked behind, urging me to drive on but I reached out the window instead, grabbing the hand of this mystery man before he could walk away.

“Who are you? How did you know I needed help?” I asked before I could stop myself and he glanced at me, then at my hand holding his hand tightly with an amused look on his face. 

I quickly pulled away and he leaned down, his grey eyes searching mine once again.

He looked at me like he expected me to remember something, his eyes holding an affection I recognized. I knew it because I used to look at Ria that way.

“You have to be careful.” He said calmly before straightening up, that affectionate gaze gone like it was never there. “Run along now, princess. You don't have all the time in the world.”

With that, he walked away, leaving me confused and shaken from this encounter with him again. I couldn't even be mad at him for calling me princess, he just saved my life for the second time after all. 

But there was something about him that made me feel quite… weird?

Uncomfortable wasn't the word to use. Because it felt like something I was supposed to be used to.

Another loud honk from behind me had me driving as I hit the busy part of the city, needing answers desperately. I eventually stopped the car by the side and opened the document, gasping in shock when I saw it had a driver's license with my name— my full name and picture on it. 

If anyone saw this, I would automatically be known as the owner of this vehicle that I obviously stole. How did he know I needed this? Could he be the one who spray-painted the car and changed the plate numbers?

“Buis.” I called out, my hands trembling as I stared at the papers. “Can you find out who that man is and why he seems to appear out of nowhere whenever I need help?”

The screen changed as it brought up Sloradath’s file and started scanning. The scan lasted for a few minutes before bringing up a “null” notification.

“I do not have information regarding this man in Sloradath. Neither can I find him in my system.” Buis replied and my heart flew to my throat.

He wasn't from this city, and even Buis had no information about him. Who the hell was he then?

“You have eleven hours left.” Buis’ voice drew me out of my thoughts and I decided to forget about him for a moment so I could focus on what was important.

The mission. I would have to figure out who he was later.

The black card sat in my pocket as I walked out of the car and walked into the busy market. The first supermarket I walked into was more crowded than usual but instead of complaining, I was more grateful. This way, no one would notice me.

I took the first cart and moved towards the canned food aisle. Just as I reached for the pile of canned beans in front of me, Buis’ voice stopped me.

“Anything that expires in less than a year is useless.” It said and I glanced at the expiration date to see it would be expiring in six months.

“You speak as if the apocalypse is never gonna end.” I pointed out as I moved to another side, grabbing the new ones that would last over two years before expiring. 

Then I grabbed lots of canned meat, piling them up in the cart. Corn followed. Then soup. Then tomatoes. Even canned fruits.

I piled up anything that could survive for months or years without preservation. The frozen city would stop it from turning warm anyway. People turned to stare at me as I walked by with a cart filled with a lot of canned goods. 

I didn't mind them. I grabbed the second cart, noting how easy it was for me to push something so heavy. My strength did increase after all.

Thirty minutes passed and my second cart was already filled with sacks of rice, flour, oats, pasta, salt, sugar and a lot of green vegetables that I planned to preserve in the storage unit. I didn't forget to add spices, honey and peanut butter because yes, I loved them, 

The apocalypse won't be the reason I would eat bland food anymore.

The third cart contained bottled water. Lots of them. Then gallons of cooking oil. A few water filters as well just in case. 

By the time I effortlessly pushed my carts to the cashier, the lady looked at me like she couldn't believe her eyes.

“Are you by chance hosting a wedding?” She asked me, and I couldn't help but snort as I swiped the black card over the machine.

Four thousand dollars. Great. 

“Something like that.”

I filled up the back of the car with everything I just bought and drove out before heading to the pharmacy. The man who saw me dump almost everything in his store into the cart looked like he had hit the jackpot. 

Who would tell him that money wouldn't matter in one month?

After stuffing every single medicine, medical equipment and tools I could find, I stopped at a maintenance store.

I bought duct tapes, farming tools, flashlights, batteries, radios and a few laptops because I knew I would need a navigation guide for the city. Buis might abandon me anytime, who knew?

When I was done, I had only six hours left and my strength was slowly waning.

“What's last on the list?” I asked the system, rubbing my forehead gently.

“Fuel.”

I got back into the car as I sped down the road, stopping at the nearest fuel station.

I had spent approximately eight thousand dollars. I just needed to buy fuel of over two thousand, and I would be free to leave so I could clean up the plant. Would I even make it?

“I'm sorry, but we can't give you fuel for over fifty gallons,” The attendant said to me, and my heart sank. 

“And how much is fifty gallons?” I asked in despair as he glanced at the price list.

“Two hundred dollars.”

Oh, I was doomed.