Free Web NovelChapter 229: Chapter 217: Find a Way to Awaken
After Chelsea Todd left, the noisy villa finally quieted down a bit.
Flora Bloom shot Lex Cross a displeased glare, then continued what she had been about to say to everyone.
"My dad is trapped in a mall in Area 009, as I’m sure you all know. A few of us scouted the route last night. Areas 005 through 011 are all swarming with zombies. In Area 005 alone, there were tens of thousands—and that’s just counting the ones we killed. The other areas probably have even more."
"What? That many zombies?" Shelly cried out. After a night’s sleep, she was full of energy. Thanks to Flora’s spiritual water, she had recovered completely, with no scars left on her body or face.
"Morhaven has a population of over ten million. It’s also a major port city with a large transient population. Areas 005 through 011 make up less than one percent of the city’s total area. For so many zombies to be gathered there is highly unusual!" Sherman Lynch analyzed, crossing his arms with a composed look.
"You’re right, Old Lynch. What’s more, we found a Middle Level zombie in Area 005 last night. And there might be more than one."
Silence fell over the room.
Flora’s team had come all the way from Janton. Including the comatose Jade and her trapped father, Caleb Bloom, the group now had Cynthia Grant of the Plant Element, Sherman Lynch of the Gold Element, Caleb of the Mental Puppet System, Shauna Wallace of the Healing System, Neal Wallace of the Fire Element, Ethan Monroe of the Earth Element, Joel Bloom, Lisa, Mark Sterling, Fakkyu, Irvin Holden, Maeve Preston, Shelly, the pregnant Selina, and Lex Cross’s group of thirteen special forces soldiers. freёweɓnovel.com
Including herself, that made twenty-two ability users and eight ordinary people. Within the Morhaven base, they could be considered a significant force.
Furthermore, inside her space, she had a little white tiger with a Thunder Ability, the Wind Element mantis Vert, a golden cicada capable of sonic attacks, and the bulldozer-like Juggernaut whose pounce could stun its targets. While Monkey Two, Monkey Three, Little Armor, Big Kong, and Little Kong hadn’t evolved superpowers, each one was enormous and incredibly strong, able to kill zombies no slower than her.
And now she even had a fire-breathing Golden Crow. Though it resembled an ordinary crow, once it grew up, it would be absolutely no weaker than any of the other evolved creatures in her space.
Wherever they went, a group like theirs was a faction with explosive Combat Power. And yet, faced with a seemingly endless sea of zombies, they were still too weak.
Within the entire team, she was the only one to have reached the Middle Level for her ability. Although Lex Cross and his thirteen ability users had not yet reached the Middle Level, she couldn’t see through their true strength. Still, she was certain that every single one of them was no weaker than she was.
"Flora, you know, I wanted to go with you to find Brother Bloom last night. Why don’t you let me come along this time?"
Flora Bloom smiled. "Old Lynch, that’s exactly what I was about to suggest. You have combat experience. The Middle Level zombies now are as intelligent as humans. I was hoping you would come with us and offer your advice."
As Flora Bloom spoke, Lex Cross’s gaze sharpened and he glanced toward Sherman Lynch. A muscle twitched in Sherman Lynch’s brow, and he quickly let out a hearty laugh. "Hahaha, Flora, when it comes to battlefield tactics, the man right beside you is a rising star in the military. As they say, the new generation outshines the old. We old-timers can’t compare."
Flora Bloom gave Lex Cross a suspicious look. Her expression froze for a brief moment, then was suddenly replaced by a look of joy. "You’re too kind, Old Lynch. Lex Cross won’t be coming with us this time."
The moment Flora spoke, not only Sherman Lynch but also all of Lex Cross’s subordinates stared in astonishment.
"Flora?" Lex Cross frowned, looking at her in confusion.
Flora pulled on his hand. "You stay here. Just lend me Saul Sterling, The Crown Prince, and Wildcat."
Lex’s face darkened. "Why can’t I go with you?"
Flora winked at him. "The Middle Level zombie is too smart. If you’re there, it won’t dare to show itself."
"I encountered a Middle Level zombie once in Phoenix City. They’re terrifyingly powerful, and they fear the Thunder Element." Lex Cross’s brow was furrowed and his face was thunderous, but his gaze was resolute. He spoke in a serious, detached tone, but the words ’I want to go’ and ’Let me go’ were written all over his face.
Originally, Flora had wanted Lex to come along. After all, even if she hadn’t known Middle Level zombies feared the Thunder Element, she knew how powerful and wide-ranging its destructive capabilities were. With him there, they would be much safer.
However, just a minute ago, her little white tiger had woken up inside her space. Not only had it awoken, but it was enveloped in a cocoon of Thunder Energy.
The little white tiger had excitedly told her through their mental link that it would complete its evolution in under three minutes.
"My little white tiger has woken up."
When Lex heard Flora’s explanation, his expression didn’t improve; it grew even darker.
"You’re comparing me to that white tiger?" he stared at Flora in disbelief. When she confirmed it with a few blinks, a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. He raked his gaze across her face one last time, then turned and stalked off.
Seeing their boss leave, Nolan Jennings, Five, and the others knew they couldn’t stay either.
Seeing that Saul Sterling, The Crown Prince, and Wildcat were hesitating, unsure whether to leave or stay, Flora shouted at Lex’s retreating back, "Hey, you’re leaving Saul Sterling, The Crown Prince, and Wildcat for me!"
’That damned woman, how dare she compare me to an animal? What’s so great about that white tiger? It’s just another Thunder Element user, like me. Am I really less useful than a beast that can’t even talk?’
Nolan Jennings, Five, and the others followed him out, only to find the Thunder energy around their boss crackling explosively. Five called out cautiously, "Boss?"
Lex didn’t turn around.
Just then, hearing Flora’s voice from behind, Lex stopped. He looked back at Saul Sterling, The Crown Prince, and Wildcat, who had yet to follow him. "You three, protect her!"
With that, he left without even a glance in Flora’s direction.
Sherman Lynch watched this unfold, completely stunned. He asked, "Flora, Captain Cross is so powerful. Why not let him come with us?"
Flora sighed. "Everyone knows he’s strong, so whenever he’s around, everyone feels safe, right? But have you ever thought that this sense of security will keep us from pushing ourselves to improve?"
There was another reason Flora didn’t voice: the base had lost its leader, and the situation was chaotic. Only by having Lex stay here could she go rescue her father with peace of mind, free from any worries about what might happen in her absence.
"Maeve, Shelly, Stu, Fakkyu, Lisa, Joel, Selina, you don’t have superpowers, so it would be extremely dangerous to come with me. Stay here at the villa. If you run into any trouble, go find Lex and his men." Mark Sterling, Maeve Preston, and the others nodded in agreement.
"Mr. Wallace, you’re coming with me. I need a Fire Ability User to quickly clear out zombies. Old Monroe, you’re staying behind this time. I have an important task for you in a moment."
Hearing that Flora wasn’t taking him either, Ethan Monroe immediately protested, "Why can’t I go? You need an Earth Ability User for defense!"
"We’re going to be riding on Juggernaut’s back; there’s no room for your abilities to be of use!" With that, Flora turned to Shauna Wallace. "Shauna, you’re coming with me. Are you feeling up to it?"
Shauna Wallace looked at Flora, both flattered and stunned, her face alight with excitement. "I can go, too?"
Flora nodded, then asked with a strange expression, "Am I missing something here? This is a mission to save my father. It’s going to be life-threatening, not a field trip. Why is everyone fighting tooth and nail to get a spot?"
"But we’re a team! Uncle Bloom is in trouble. If I didn’t think I’d just drag everyone down with my lack of an ability, I’d really want to go and help too!" Shelly pouted, clearly reluctant to be left behind. Out of so many people, only seven of them were without superpowers.
Flora turned to look at the still-silent Joel Bloom. Seeing his sister’s gaze land on him, Joel met her eyes and immediately tensed up.
"Sis."
"When you have free time, go get some training in with your brother-in-law. If you want to pull your weight in this apocalypse, then figure out a way to awaken an ability!"
