Caspian waited outside patiently.
However, seeing how he was dressed—
A bespectacled young man from apartment 55B—
Who had been stealing glances from behind his door, mustered up some courage and asked if he was military.
Caspian simply said no, and clarified that he owned the penthouse floor.
This got both the bespectacled man and the second peeper—
A red-haired lady from 55C, flushed with embarrassment, as they couldn't even recognize their very own neighbor.
Caspian advised them to ration their supplies and try to get rid of some weak zombies for practice.
Emma soon came back out with four bags, and they rode the elevator to his penthouse.
Just as Caspian stepped inside his apartment. He locked eyes with a flustered Catherine.
She ran and jumped into Caspian's arms, sobbing.
"I was so scared! "
"sniff… sniff"
"A message in my head woke me up ... "
She narrated her ordeal, and Caspian consoled her. He also explained some crucial details to her.
Caspian also learned that Catherine had awakened a D-grade talent called Quickmind.
It allows her to process thoughts and information ten times faster than normal.
Sadly, Emma did not awaken a talent. Which wasn't a rare case, as only some out of those that passed integration had awakened talents.
Catherine, with her arms still wrapped around Caspian. Failed to notice someone staring at her from behind—with the most innocent smile.
As she finally took note of Emma, she got off Caspian and introduced herself.
"Hi there. I am Catherine," she said with a smile.
"Hello, Catherine. You are the receptionist, right?---Nice to finally make your acquaintance," responded Emma, with the most angelic smile.
'I HAVE TO GET RID OF HER!'
"Likewise, Emma," Catherine added cheerfully.
"Anyways, the world's gone to hell, have you reached out to your loved ones? They must be worried sick about you—
Why not go see if they are alright ?! Emma advised, looking very concerned.
"Thanks for the concern, really. However, it's just my brother and me in the family—
And he's over on the other side of the continent, we already talked, and he said he's doing fine." Catherine explained magnanimously.
"Is that so? How fortunate you are. I'm so happy for you. " Emma smiled brightly at the news.
'NO. SHE HAS TO DIE !'
"What about you, Emma? What about your family ?! " Catherine inquired.
"I'm an orphan, but that doesn't matter, Caspian is all the family I need, " Emma responded as she grabbed Caspian's arm, smiling innocently.
"Ok, that's enough introductions," Caspian chimed in.
"Emma will be staying here in the meantime," Caspian announced as the smile on Emma's face grew wider.
Catherine wasn't surprised, as she had already deduced this when she saw Emma.
"So, what are your plans going forward, Catherine ?" Caspian asked Catherine.
"I want to stay here with you as well," Catherine didn't hesitate and quickly responded.
'SHE REALLY REALLY HAS TO DIE!!'
"It's not impossible, but you have to pull your own weight. Can you do that ?! " Caspian asked sternly. Though he already planned to let her stay for her talent.
"Yes, I will work very, very hard! " Catherine smiled brightly as she jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly.
He let them get settled into two of his four guest bedrooms.
Now alone. Caspian sat on his couch and pulled up his status window.
—---
~~~~~[Status Window]~~~~~
[Name: Caspian Shade]
[Age: 21]
[Life Level: Tier One]
[Race: Human]
[Affiliations: None]
[BloodLine: Human]
[Physique: 0.5] (Humans have 0.3 on Avr.)
[Mind: 0.6] (Humans have 0.4 on Avr.)
[Soul: ????] (Humans have 0.2 on Avr.)
[Innate Talent: Gold Mine (grade: ????) ( Lv. 1)
___Lv 1
~10X Gold Multiplier: {You Receive 10X The Value For Every Gold Coin You Earn}
~[Increase Level ~ 1,000,000gc]~
]
[1,007,410gc]
—---
He then selected the increase Level option—
—----
~~~~~Increase Gold Mine (grade: ????) (Lv. 1) => (Lv. 2) ~~~~~~
WARNING: {1,000,000gc Will Be Deducted!}
~~~~~{Proceed ?}~~~~~~~
—---