Free Web NovelChapter 20: 20 | Silent Treatment
"This is slightly too much."
Not only had he advanced by leaps and bounds, he also got Talent cards that could assist his wives and improve their living situation!
Mira is paralyzed and can’t move but with the Mana Hands, she could use the mana hands to do a few things.
Lyra can’t hear and speak but with the telepathy ability card she could speak directly timings kind and hear their outward thoughts. It was basically the same thing as being cured.
Finally, Selene. With the Echolocation talent card, she could see vibrations and map out the surrounding areas within 10 meters!
These abilities to others might be worthless but to his girls, they were everything.
Not to mention his investment had increased from 10 times to over 100 times!
His strength would be truly terrifying from now on.
Every investment he made from this point forward, would return one hundred times what it would have at base. He exhaled a turbid air and opened his eyes.
"Weng!"
Flames seem to dance around his eyes as he looked around with new found clarity.
Eighty-four more kills was the next upgrade.
---
A healer came to the tent.
She was a middle-aged woman with blue eyes. She smiled when she saw him.
Her Talent was called Healing Hands, and when she pressed her palms against the claw marks on Dexter’s back, a warm golden light seeped into his skin.
The deep wound slowly began to heal rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eyes and then the pain gradually vanished until there was nothing left.
The exhaustion that had been weighing on his bones since he canceled out Scorching Fury bloodline skill also vanished.
Dexter rotated his shoulder experimentally, there was not a single pain.
"Rest up a few hours and you will be good as new." She packed her things and turned to leave.
Dexter didn’t respond. He was watching through the tent flap as Association workers hauled the Dark Hound carcasses onto transport vehicles.
They were taking everything. Dexter pursed his lips. He hadn’t remember to take the nexus fire if the beast.
Nexus cores are crystallized mana essence inside each beast’s heart and was very valuable — both for cultivation and for the money they’d fetch on the open market. Sixteen beasts meant sixteen cores. At market rate, that was enough to live on for months.
But it was too late. The Association had already claimed jurisdiction over the entire outbreak site.
One of the Association officers approached him — a neat man in a pressed uniform holding a clipboard.
"Mr. Ashford. You and your dependents will be transported to a nearby hotel. Fully paid for by the Hero Association. You’ll stay there for a minimum of three days while we repair the damages done to your home and monitor the neighborhood for residual Gate instability."
Dexter nodded and sighed in relief. He didn’t have the money for repairs right now.
"Someone from the Hero Association will come to meet you at the hotel in a few days regarding the beast carcass and your housing repairs." The officer paused, then added with a small nod of respect. "Thank you for your service."
"You’re welcome."
Dexter replied.
---
A black limousine pulled up outside the tent twenty minutes later.
Association staff loaded Dexter’s things, not that there was much. A few changes of clothes, the leftover food supplies, Selene’s medication, and the small case containing the old Type 1 bracelets and AI glasses he’d replaced. It all fit in two bags.
Two men assisted his wives into the vehicle. One guided Mira’s wheelchair into the spacious back compartment, securing it against the floor mounts. Another helped Lyra who helped Selene to the vehicle.
Dexter watched from outside the limousine.
He looked at his three wives as they settled into the leather seats. Mira’s eyes were forward, her expression closed. Lyra sat quietly, her hands folded, her new AI glasses dark. Selene was still, her face turned slightly away.
He clenched his fists at his sides.
The anger was still there. It had been burning in his chest since the outbreak. Since the moment Lyra had walked toward the door, waiting for death like the other girls.
They hadn’t struggled, not once. They just sat there and waited to die.
He huffed and got into the limousine. The door closed behind him with a soft thud.
The limousine pulled away from the tent, leaving the ruined neighborhood behind. Through the tinted windows, Dexter watched the street pass, Association vehicles with flashing lights.
The city was already recovering. People were already moving on.
He leaned his head against the window and said nothing. The atmosphere was incredibly awkward and thick with tension.
Mira suddenly opened her eyes as though she could feel his anger pressing against her skin.
Her lips crisped into a knowing smile and she closed her eyes again.
Lyra felt it too and she too turned to look at Dexter through her smart glasses before looking away.
Selene remained still but she shifted uncomfortably on the seat.
---
The hotel was called the Grand Meridian. It was the kind of place Dexter had only ever seen in movies. Marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and uniformed staff who acted like they’d been trained in a military academy for hospitality.
At the front desk, the clerk asked if Dexter wanted connecting rooms.
"No, separate rooms." he replied.
The clerk checked his system and shook his head. "I’m sorry, sir. We’re at capacity due to the monster outbreak evacuation. The only available unit is a premium suite with a single bedroom. It has a very large bed — more than enough to accommodate four guests." He glanced past Dexter at the three women behind him. There was a flash of jealousy in his eyes but he quickly hid it.
Dexter’s frowned. He didn’t want to stay in the same room with the girls but now, he had no choice.
"I’ll take it."
The clerk handed him the key card. "Twentieth floor. Elevator’s to your left."
