What the hell had Kael Voss done to make Elara this furious? He leaped around like a monkey, refusing to fight back.
When Elara heard his words, her sword-wielding motion faltered.
Then she ground her teeth, a mysterious smile tugging at her lips.
Kael's heart skipped a beat. Shit, this was bad.
He threw open the door and bolted out.
At the same time, over a dozen nails slammed into the walls and floor, driving three inches deep!
As he ran, Kael kicked himself for his big mouth.
He knew Elara still couldn't accept him, yet he'd not only stolen a domineering kiss but also run his mouth off!
Now he'd definitely pissed her off for good!
Elara chased after him, teeth clenched.
The two raced from the top floor down to the second.
Kael kept smiling and apologizing, occasionally using his knife to block the flurry of nails flying at him.
The clanging and clattering immediately drew everyone's attention.
Reno Stark and Jax Stark stood staring dumbfounded with their men for a moment.
Then Jax slipped away under the pretense of gathering supplies.
Reno scratched his chin. So his boss had really ticked off the young lady?
Heh, this was going to be fun to watch.
But he dared not show it.
Jaxon Hale stood with Silas Thorne, Piper Thorne, and Elias Voss, scratching his head in confusion. "What are Elara and him doing?"
"Are you an idiot? Can't you see they're fighting?" Piper rolled her eyes, snapping.
"Huh? Why?" Jaxon looked even more confused.
"How should I know? Why don't you go ask?" Piper glanced at him maliciously.
"Uh… Maybe not. My cousin's coming soon. I'd rather save my time to talk to him."
The moment Jaxon saw how furious Elara looked, he backed down immediately.
"Tch~ Coward!" Piper crossed her arms, rolled her eyes in disdain, and went back to her room.
Jaxon shrugged indifferently and left too.
Elias pushed up his glasses, his tone flat. "They don't act like ordinary siblings."
Silas's pale face was expressionless, but his eyes were fixed on Elara—who wielded her sword in a blur of golden light, chasing Kael relentlessly with gritted teeth.
"This is when she's truly alive." After a long pause, Silas spoke softly, his words cryptic.
Then he turned and walked back to his room.
Elias pushed up his glasses again, glanced at the two who were "fighting" intensely—or rather, one chasing, the other dodging—and left too.
Indeed, Elara looked truly alive now.
Not like before, when she'd been as stagnant as dead water, emotionless and detached.
The corridor was soon empty.
The sword struck the wall, sending sparks flying.
The clanging sounds were surprisingly clear and sharp.
"Elara, Elara! I'm really sorry! I'll take my punishment, okay?" Kael begged, cursing himself inwardly.
Stop fighting! Swords are dangerous—what if you hurt yourself?
Why couldn't he keep his mouth shut?
Now he'd really messed up.
Why couldn't he keep his mouth shut?
Now he'd really messed up.
"Hmph!" Elara snorted coldly. "Take your punishment? Good. This is your punishment. Suffer it!"
With that, she flicked her left hand.
Somehow, she'd grabbed the long whip from her waist, which coiled toward Kael like a spirit snake!
Kael did a backflip in the air, leaping several steps back. He laughed nervously. "Elara, can we change the punishment? This… is too dangerous!"
"Dangerous? I think it's perfect!" Elara snapped. "No danger means no lesson learned!"
She flicked her wrist again, charging forward.
The long whip snaked out, and her sword left a golden afterglow in the air.
Kael sighed helplessly.
He swung both hands, sending black flames curling toward the sword and whip like two black dragons.
He knocked the sword aside with a flick, then used his power to wrap the whip with a black fire tornado.
With a strong pull, he dragged the whip's owner into his arms, holding her tightly.
"Alright, Elara. I know I was wrong." His voice softened, low and earnest.
I'll never make you angry again, okay?
Elara stumbled into a warm embrace, overwhelmed with shame and anger.
She was about to struggle when a deep, helpless yet gentle voice filled with tender love whispered in her ear.
That voice was like the most beautiful music, or a cool spring, instantly extinguishing her rage.
"You really know you're wrong?" Elara's tone softened involuntarily.
She wriggled awkwardly, but he held her tighter.
"Yes, really wrong. I'll never dare again." Though she couldn't see his face, Kael's voice was solemn.
Don't be angry, please?
But the corners of his lips curled into a joyful smile.
"Hmph. We'll see how you behave… Let go!" Elara wriggled again.
Kael finally let her go reluctantly.
He'd managed to calm her down—he didn't dare push his luck now!
"Okay, okay! I'm letting go!" Kael raised his hands in surrender, his eyes filled with amusement.
Elara glared at him fiercely, kicked him once, then stormed off with her chin held high.
Kael watched her slender figure enter the room, then scratched his chin, feeling a touch of regret.
Sigh, Elara was so shy!
One kiss (Audience: Was that just one? Ask yourself honestly!) and she'd flown into such a rage—swords, whips, everything.
What would happen if he ever fully claimed her??? Cough.
It seemed he'd have to work hard to make Elara get used to his kisses and hugs from now on! (Audience: This is a long road ahead. Good luck, Kael!)
So when dinner time came, everyone felt an odd atmosphere.
The food on the table wasn't much compared to peacetime.
But in the Apocalypse, with Mutated Beasts roaming everywhere, it was already a rare feast.
But in the Apocalypse, with Mutated Beasts roaming everywhere, it was already a rare feast.
The dining room was particularly spacious, as it had been converted from a suite.
Kael, Elara, and the others—over twenty people—plus the families of Kael's men, totaling less than forty.
Four tables gave them more than enough room.
Kael kept piling food onto Elara's plate beside him, completely oblivious to the meaningful looks from Mr. and Mrs. Voss.
Silas and Elias exchanged a silent glance, their expressions dark.
Piper and Jaxon looked on with envy, thinking how close the "siblings" were.
Elara felt her face grow hot.
She couldn't embarrass Kael in front of everyone.
So she shot him several warning glares.
But he just smiled obsequiously, and her anger melted away.
Kael was in a good mood, which made everyone else relax too.
They even chatted softly while eating.
The parents of the children didn't scold the restless little ones.
They let them laugh and play, as long as they didn't disturb others.
When everyone had almost finished eating, Reno spoke up.
"Boss, our supplies are running low. Should we head out soon?"
As soon as Reno finished speaking, the soft chatter died down.
Everyone turned to look at Kael.
Supplies meant survival.
In these extraordinary times, even children knew how important supplies were.
Reno didn't know about Kael's spatial storage.
A large room on the second floor had been converted into a temporary warehouse for rice, flour, oil, and other staples.
Jax and Reno each held a key.
The supplies there would only last the group half a month.
Ninety percent of what they'd collected before the Apocalypse was stored in Kael's space.
"Yeah, going out to practice wouldn't hurt. You and Jax figure out the arrangements," Kael nodded.
Then he asked, "What about Dorian Hale?"
"He'll bring the plan and Safe Zone rules at nine tomorrow morning for your approval."
Kael nodded in satisfaction. "Then you and Jax decide who leads the team and who stays behind. I won't go."
Reno nodded in agreement.
Silas suddenly turned to Elara. "Elara, shouldn't we go out too? To keep our skills sharp. Besides, the four of us can't just eat for free."
Kael's hand paused as he was about to add food to Elara's plate.
He turned to Silas, a faint sneer playing on his lips. "No need. You're Elara's friends. I can afford to feed you."
Silas's face paled.
He looked at Elara, who shot Kael a warning glare.
Kael shrugged and turned away, falling silent.
Elias pushed up his glasses, his tone rigid. "Silas is right. Besides, we're technically part of Blaze Legion's subordinate team. We should do our part."
Elara nodded quickly. "I was just thinking the same thing. We'll go out tomorrow."
Jaxon scratched his head. "Elara, I won't go this time. I haven't seen my cousin in ages. I want to catch up with him tomorrow."
Elara nodded. "Okay, you stay. Come with us next time."
Kael frowned, his tone turning sharp. "It's too dangerous outside. You stay in the Safe Zone with Mom and Dad—end of discussion."
Elara quickly glanced at Mr. and Mrs. Voss, who were looking at her worriedly.
Her heart softened, and her tone grew gentle.
She reached out and added food to both Mr. and Mrs. Voss's plates.
"I'll be careful. We don't know how long this Apocalypse will last. Only by being strong can we always be invincible."
"We're still young. We can't just hide in the Safe Zone forever."
"Mom, Dad, don't worry. If I could make it to X City safe and sound, I definitely have the ability to protect myself."
Mrs. Voss opened her mouth as if to say something, but finally just sighed. "This damn Apocalypse~"
Her daughter had always been the princess in their palms.
Carefree, with no worries.
Now she had to fight so hard to survive!
Mr. Voss was more laid-back. He patted Mrs. Voss's shoulder reassuringly.
"Alright, we're old. We can't help the kids anymore, so let's not be a burden."
"Staying healthy is the best way to lighten their load!"
"Dad's right!" Elara smiled brightly. "As long as you're healthy and safe, Kael and I will be happier than anything!"
Mr. and Mrs. Voss exchanged a smile, their faces filled with relief.
Kael looked at Elara, who was smiling brightly, his eyes full of tender affection.
After dinner, everyone went about their own business.
Elara gathered Elias, Piper, and Silas together, handing out the specially forged weapons she'd made for them.
They briefly planned tomorrow's route, then went back to their rooms to rest.
Elara found Kael, and the two went back to the fourth floor to continue forging weapons.
This time, following Reno's list, she made one for each of Kael's men.
After all, most of them would be going out to gather supplies tomorrow.
No one knew what they'd encounter.
With weapons enhanced by Elara's metal Superpower, they should be able to protect themselves.
After breakfast the next morning, Elara led Elias, Piper, and Silas out of the hotel in a Land Rover.
They left the Safe Zone and drove south along the route they'd planned the night before.
Nearly all the shops along the street were open.
But the ground was stained with blood.
Countless cars were crashed haphazardly, twisted beyond recognition.
Many were even flipped on their roofs.
Some cars had lost their roofs and windshields, leaving only rust-colored bloodstains.
The street was eerily quiet.
The roar of the Land Rover sounded harsh and jarring.
"Everyone, be careful!"
Next Chapter Highlight:
Elara's team runs into a horde of Mutated Rats in the blood-stained streets! The ferocious creatures swarm the Land Rover, and Silas is accidentally injured while protecting Piper. Just as Elara activates her metal Superpower to fend them off, a mysterious high-level Mutated Beast with speed-type abilities suddenly ambushes her! Meanwhile, Kael, who's worried about Elara, abandons the Safe Zone's preparation work and rushes to her side. When he sees Silas leaning on Elara for support, his jealousy flares up, and he recklessly uses his fire Superpower to incinerate the Mutated Beast. Will this reckless act attract more Mutated Creatures? And how will the tense atmosphere between Kael and Silas affect the team's survival?