As he understood her inquiries, he explained, his gaze shifting from the windows to her.
"Your core needs pure spiritual energy to heal. This space has it. Actually, the world has it too after the relic's activation. But it's tainted. You'll have a hard time cultivating if you're outside."
Calamity Stone filled the world with spiritual energy after its previous depletion, but the forced activation by Genesis had corrupted it. The space's energy stayed in its pure state, and the amount was even abundant.
"Time here moves at the same rate as the outside world. The place is much safer. No one can enter here without my permission."
Then, Ashrik explained further, satisfying Lucille's interest.
According to him, this verdant space appeared out of nowhere four years ago. At that time, it was the early days of the apocalypse.
Ashrik followed a small group of survivors to a supermarket. They wanted to look for supplies. Unfortunately, they ran into a cluster of first-ranked zombies.
As everyone else fled for safety, Ashrik sustained injuries when he tried fighting the zombies with makeshift weapons. He managed to run, only to fall down the stairs.
When he thought he would die right there and then, an invisible force sucked him into a portal. He was surprised to find himself lying in the middle of a green field.
Despite not understanding anything, he knew he was safe. Over time, he learned how to navigate this space, including utilizing the benefits that came along with it.
Neither humans nor zombies could ambush him. Because the soil was more fertile, the crops grew better than ever before the apocalypse.
His safety and quality of life were beyond satisfactory as he lived here.
"It's because of the jade pendant I inherited from my late grandmother. I won't have this space without it."
Ashrik briefly touched the jade pendant hanging from his neck, protected by a metal case. He had no hesitation in telling Lucille about this secret. Then, he continued his story.
As his injuries healed, he slowly transported the necessary supplies from the outside world. He had even successfully relocated the entire small cottage where he now lived into the space.
Doing so took much of his meager energy field as a low-ranked esper, but everything was worth it.
As his strength grew and the pool of his energy widened further in depth, he rarely had difficulty moving giant objects. This space had become his absolute foolproof safe house.
The more Lucille heard stories about this magical space, the more amazed she was.
"Brother Ash! No bases outside can rival this place. And yes, I do feel something different here. I felt a one-of-a-kind aura when I showered and ate earlier."
Ashrik nodded, showing he understood. "It's still possible to heal your core when you're outside, but much harder to achieve. Still, remember that the process won't be easy."
"I know. I will remember that!" she exclaimed happily.
Lucille's heart thumped rapidly within the confines of her ribs. Ashrik's remarks about healing her broken core through cultivation filled her with hope.
Because of too many things happening at once, Lucille hadn't had a chance to truly grieve the loss of her ability. Like most people, she thought she wouldn't ever regain her power.
But...
He said she could!
For espers who had been relying on their abilities to survive, the sudden loss was akin to receiving a death sentence. Everyone knew non-ability users survived the hardest in this apocalyptic world.
The bleakness caused by sorrow, dread and anger earlier had faded, washed away by the bright light of hope. The glimmer in her eyes brought a relieved smile to his lips.
Fortunately, not all of his stories today made her sad.
Ashrik stated, "The time flow here is similar to the outside, but with no season changes. Also, the fertile soil and the spiritual energy ripen any plants quickly."
Lucille sighed, marveling at how excellent this mystical space was.
"Go and get some rest," Ashrik pushed himself forward, standing to his feet. "I'll tell you more about the cultivation later."
During the first few times, his actions were solely based on instincts. He only got a better grasp of synchronizing his energy with hers when he brought her to the stream earlier.
By relying on his recent understanding, Ashrik hoped to test a few theories himself before informing Lucille about them. He should grab this chance before her broken core went berserk again.
Lucille was hesitant, but decided to listen to Ashrik. She still had more questions, but knew the important ones had been answered.
"Alright, I'll rest." She smiled faintly and was then reminded of something. "Brother Ash, this space... We're not the only ones here, right? Your teammates live next door, en?"
Lucille had long noticed the bigger cottage, separated by quite a distance from this one. Even from the outside, she saw traces of it being lived in by people.
A jacket was draped on the rocking chair on the deck, lines of mismatched flower pots on the porch, a cup was left on the railing and more.
From a distance, the sound of animals mooing, clucking, chirping and quacking could be heard. Certainly, this place also had an animal farm.
"They're currently away. They're investigating your deputy commander," Ashrik didn't hide anything. "They'll return soon."
He should've gone with them, but was unable to leave her alone. Her condition might suddenly worsen during his absence. Thus, he decided to stay.
Hazel's healing ability was hopeless in taming Lucille's wild energy. Fortunately, Isaac could be fully trusted to lead this mission.
'Investigate Deputy Commander Jia?'
Lucille blinked, never expecting Ashrik to be this swift. She had actually anticipated meeting his comrades and learning more information related to the mission.
Also…
"Oh, right..." She tensed, clenching her hands hard. She held back her fury from surging again. "You... How about Captain Gao and his men? Did you leave them in the cave?"
"I locked him in the basement. As for his men," he sneered as he thought of them. "Maybe they became the zombies' dinner already."
Lucille didn't need to ask further to understand what Ashrik meant. Captain Gao was still alive, but most likely tortured. As for Ian and Danny, they were dead.
A complicated feeling surged in her heart; a mix of fury, denial, disbelief and sorrow. She hated them for being traitors, but...
"Why? Feel sorry for them?"
Ashrik's question snapped Lucille out of her trance. She blinked, thinking if she had heard him wrongly.
His voice was low, but tinged with a frosty wrath. A glint of malevolence flickered dangerously in his dark eyes.
"No." Lucille shook her head, her tone earnest. "Quick deaths will be mercy for them."
Ashrik hummed, then asked, "Do you want to handle the old man yourself?"
"Yes," she answered decisively, her hands clasping hard. "Can you leave him be for now? I'll settle our debts once I become stronger."
Captain Gao would be dead soon if Lucille blindly followed her heart, but she didn't want that. She needed to regain some strength before facing him.
And, the longer he spent time cold and alone in the basement, the faster his fragile hope of ever being freed would drain.
Her response earned a brow lift from him. As his lips drew into a smirk, he nodded. "Anything you wish for. I'll leave his fate in your hands."
Lucille swallowed hard. Her jaw tightened, her heart consumed by the flame of revenge.