"Dorian Hale? The one who can't stand Cyrus Voss?" Kael's brows snapped together, a dangerous glint flaring in his eyes.
"Why the hell did you let him take charge?"
Reno Stark tensed, hurrying to reply.
"That's the guy, boss. He's the one running the Safe Zone now."
Dorian Hale was something of a legend.
He was the godson and assistant of the municipal party secretary, working directly in the secretary's office.
Brilliant as he was, he had zero social skills.
He refused to suck up to superiors, needless to say, he was never popular at work.
The Apocalypse hit while he was on vacation.
By the time he rushed back to the municipal building, everything was already over—Cyrus Voss had seized control.
Cyrus had been a lowly clerk in the mayor's office.
Nothing more than a errand boy who delivered documents.
But he had a silver tongue, skilled at brown-nosing his way into leaders' good graces.
Low rank or not, he'd always been well-connected.
Naturally, this made him Dorian's least favorite type of person.
And Cyrus hated Dorian just as much for being far more capable—they'd been at each other's throats for ages.
Kael knew nothing about their feud back then.
He'd been in too much of a hurry to settle his parents and go fetch Elara to properly vet Cyrus's character.
Cyrus had plenty of support among the remaining government staff.
Plus a small clique of cronies he'd gathered over the years from all walks of life. Kael had thought he seemed reliable enough and agreed to cooperate.
What a mistake that was.
If Elara hadn't shown up in time…
Gods knew what would've happened.
"Did his takeover mess up Safe Zone construction?" Kael pressed.
His voice was cold as ice.
"No, everything's back on track, boss."
Reno replied sincerely, "Dorian slipped into the role like he was born for it—no nonsense, just sharp tactics."
"Hmm. I'll find time to meet him tomorrow," Kael said.
He stretched hard, his neck cracking loudly as he rolled it.
Reno swallowed hard.
"He said he'll come pay his respects tomorrow morning."
Kael let out a chuckle that held no warmth.
"Smart enough to know his place."
A chill ran down Reno's spine. Was it just his imagination, or had the boss changed since waking up?
His murderous aura was thicker than ever.
It pressed down on everyone around him like a heavy weight, making it hard to breathe even just standing near him.
Must be the Superpower awakening.
Reno couldn't help but wonder when he'd get his own Superpower.
What if everyone else awakened and he got left behind…
They talked for a while longer, then headed to the dining hall.
Only Jax Stark and his men were there—everyone else had already left.
Kael's brows furrowed at the sight of the empty room.
The air instantly turned stifling, as if everyone's hearts had been squeezed tight.
Only Reno knew the real reason for Kael's mood—his obsession with Elara.
Jax and the others, who hadn't been with Kael long, had no clue.
They just thought the boss was about to fly off the handle.
No one dared even breathe too loud.
Kael sat down, glaring at the food being quickly served from the pot.
He picked up his chopsticks, his voice sharp. "Where is everyone? Already finished eating?"
"The elders went to rest—they've been worried sick about you not sleeping for days."
Jax replied rigid as a board, "Miss Elara took her friends to her room, seems like they're having a meeting."
Kael's jaw tightened.
Those annoying pests, in Elara's room?
His grip on the chopsticks tightened.
Until, with a soft snap, they shattered into splinters.
Ignoring the shocked stares around him, Kael flicked his hand casually.
Reno, quick to react, handed him a new pair.
Kael gestured for him to sit and eat.
The dining hall fell into an eerie silence—no one dared speak a word.
Meanwhile, in Elara's room.
Elias, Jaxon, Silas, and Piper huddled around her, discussing their next move.
"It's late now, but tomorrow I'll go look for my cousin."
Jaxon asked, his eyes hopeful, "If he's still alive, I'll bring him here—he's practiced martial arts, really skilled. You don't mind, Elara?"
"You all have your own paths. You don't have to follow me," Elara said, frowning slightly.
"Piper and Silas still need to go to City C to find your grandfather, right?"
"You're free to choose your own way."
"But if you have nowhere else to go, you're always welcome to stay."
"Sis Elara, we do need to find Grandpa, but we don't want to leave you!"
Piper begged, clinging to Elara's arm and shaking it.
"Even if you won't take me as your apprentice, let's form a team!"
She added, "Once Silas and I find Grandpa in City C, we'll definitely come back! I don't want to leave you—and neither does my brother, right, Silas?"
Piper shot Silas a meaningful look.
A faint blush colored Silas's pale cheeks.
He coughed awkwardly. "We will come back. After all, this is your brother's Safe Zone—we can get some care here anyway."
Piper glared at him in annoyance.
He'd avoided her real question.
"A team? That's a great idea!"
Jaxon jumped up excitedly.
"I agree. I have nowhere else to go anyway," Elias said.
He pushed his glasses up, his tone formal as always.
"Ooh, we need a cool, badass name!"
Jaxon paced back and forth, tugging at his hair. "What should it be?"
Elara rubbed her temples in exasperation.
Truth be told, she'd already thought about forming a team—just to keep these four with her.
For one thing, they were all skilled fighters.
And Silas, a wood-element Superpowered healer? He was a gem that couldn't be exchanged for a thousand people in the early days of the Apocalypse.
For another, it was for Kael.
Once Kael had successfully awakened his fire Superpower, Elara knew he'd definitely build his own Safe Zone force with City X as the foundation—and he'd need talent.
And talents like Elias and the others—skilled, trustworthy, and already known to her—were even harder to come by.
"My brother will definitely take over this Safe Zone. I can't abandon him to go off on my own," Elara said, getting straight to the point.
Better to clarify now than let resentment build later.
"We can be officially under Master Voss's banner—a separate squad within his force," Elias suggested.
He pushed his glasses up, his voice flat but firm.
"That way, we have backing and a base, and we also keep our independence and freedom."
He added, "Master Voss is your family—if he needs anything, our squad will naturally not hesitate to help."
Elara stared at him in surprise.
Of course the lawyer would have such sharp insight and reasoning!
"Can you all accept that?" she asked Jaxon, Piper, and Silas.
Jaxon scratched his head, confused.
"Why not? Kael's your brother, so he's our brother too. What's the difference between teaming up with you or him?"
Piper hesitated, glancing at Silas.
A shadow of disappointment crossed his face, but he nodded. "I agree."
Piper's face lit up.
"Great! Now what should we name our squad?"
"I got it! The Diamond Squad!"
Jaxon boasted, puffing out his chest. "How's that—total badass!"
"Pfft! Diamond Squad? Why not Tarzan Squad?"
Piper scoffed, rolling her eyes. "If you want to be a brute, go alone!"
"You're the brute!"
Jaxon shot back, not holding back just because she was a girl. "If you're so smart, think of a better one!"
"Sun Squad! Goddess Squad! Phoenix Squad!"
Piper huffed. "Any of those is better than your stupid brute squad!"
"Hell no! I'm not joining a girly squad like Goddess or Phoenix!" Jaxon shouted.
The two were about to start bickering again.
Elias and Silas, who were already used to this, didn't even bother stopping them.
They just stared at their own noses, lost in thought.
Elara rubbed her temples, then slammed her hand down.
"Enough! We're the White Tiger Squad. Elias is vice-captain, Piper handles supplies, Silas is the healer."
"I'll make your weapons tomorrow when I have time."
"Meeting adjourned!"
Elias and Silas moved fast.
One grabbed his sister, the other dragged the protesting Jaxon out of the room.
Elara took a bath with water from her spatial well.
Glancing at the time, it was already nine o'clock in the evening.
She filled two bottles with honey water, then headed to her parents' room.
Just as she was about to knock, the door opened from the inside.
Kael stood there, dressed all in black.
Elara froze.
"Did Mom and Dad wake up?"
Kael's eyes blazed with a wild, intense light the moment he saw her.
He stared fixed at her face, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips.
"Just now. I was updating them on my condition, putting their minds at ease," he said, nodding.
Elara nodded.
"I brought them something."
She paused, then added.
"Wait for me. I have something for you too."
Kael nodded, stepping aside slightly to let her pass.
Elara sighed, squeezing through the narrow gap, trying to avoid touching him.
But the second they brushed past each other, strong arms wrapped around her waist.
A deep laugh rumbled in her ear.
"I remember every word you said."
Elara's ears burned instantly.
She knew exactly what he was talking about. "Let go! Mom and Dad are inside!" she hissed, mortified and annoyed.
Kael laughed loudly, his eyes glinting.
But he released her and stepped back, holding up his hands in surrender as she glared at him angrily.
"My bad. Don't be mad, okay?"
Elara was lost for words.
She glared at him once more, then slammed the door shut.
Outside, Kael rubbed his nose.
He grinned to himself.
Elara. This lifetime, you're mine—no escaping.
An hour later, Elara left her parents' room, her head spinning.
Her father's words kept echoing in her mind:
"Kael's always been a wild, reckless boy. He's done plenty of stupid things, but he's genuine about you, Elara. Don't wrong him."
What did that mean?
Had he noticed Kael's inappropriate feelings?
If so, he should have yelled at them furiously. Why say something so ambiguous, so… suggestive?
Elara was still puzzling over it as she stumbled back to her room.
But her dazed state vanished the second she saw who was sitting casually on her bed.
"What are you doing here?! How did you get in?!"
Elara snapped, her temper flaring up.
Next Chapter Teaser:
Kael's uninvited presence in Elara's room sparks a fierce quarrel! As the new White Tiger Squad prepares to set off, Dorian's sudden visit brings hidden dangers—does he come to surrender or plot another scheme? Silas's unspoken affection for Elara is accidentally exposed, pushing Kael's jealousy to the edge. Will he take extreme measures to eliminate this rival? And Elara's promise to make weapons for the squad reveals her metal-element Superpower to more people, attracting covetous eyes from the dark. The storm in the Safe Zone is approaching!