Free Web NovelChapter 168: A Familiar Space (1)
A week later...
The morning sun bathed the settlement in a warm golden glow as Shinon stood before the massive settlement entrance, his eyes scanning the familiar surroundings.
He didn’t know when he’ll return or if he’d be able to return in time. All he knew was he had to leave as soon as possible because trying to decipher Lunarisite’s secret in Marcus’s presence was too risky for his liking.
"That place should be relatively safe," Shinon wondered. "If the barrier didn’t get destroyed, that is." freeweɓnøvel.com
It had been a long time since he had last visited the hidden base in the forest that he, Kira, and Rico had once called home. Memories flooded his mind, and he was eager to get back there for once.
As Shinon adjusted the strap of his bag, he noticed Selena, Kira, Rico, and Lova approaching. While the other three have always stuck together because he had made them into a team, seeing Lova with them was weird.
"Shinon," Kira spoke softly, her voice filled with concern. "Are you sure about this? We could join you, help you in whatever you must do."
Selena also wanted to say the same but wasn’t naive enough to abandon her duty towards the settlers. No matter how she felt for Shinon, she knew her first duty should be towards the settlement, just like it was for Lova.
"I appreciate your offer, but the settlement needs you more than I do," Shinon smiled at them with gratitude. "Your presence here is crucial; you have the skills and leadership to guide them through this challenging time. Especially with me gone."
"We’ll make sure to keep the settlement safe, Shinon. You can count on us." Rico said as he shook Shinon’s hand. "And don’t worry, I’ll keep the girls safe."
Lova, though conflicted, nodded in agreement. "You’re right, Shinon. They need us now. But don’t forget, if you need help, we’re just a call away."
As they bid their farewells, something weird happened. Lova threw something at him. Instinctively, he caught the object, only to realise it was a set of car keys.
Confusion crossed his face as he looked up to Lova, looking at him with a mischievous smile dancing on her lips.
"Lova, what’s this?" Shinon asked, clearly surprised.
"Consider it a token of trust and a reminder to return safely." Lova chuckled, her eyes gleaming with a playful glint. "Those keys belong to my prized possession, the replica of the car we left around the insectoid nest."
Shinon’s eyebrows shot up as he realised the significance of Lova’s gesture. Her cars were more than mere modes of transportation to her; they were her cherished companions. Her cars were like dogs to Juan Wick.
For Lova to entrust him with one of the keys meant that she had the utmost faith in his abilities and wanted him to have a piece of her protection.
"You really trust me that much?" Shinon playfully teased her as everyone else couldn’t comprehend how someone like Lova grew so close to Shinon. "I’ll take good care of her."
Lova’s playful smile transformed into a mock glare. "You better, or else I’ll track you down, no matter where you are, and make you regret it."
Selena’s and Kira’s eyes were on fire as they realised they might have found a third competitor in the race for claiming Shinon’s affection.
Shinon couldn’t help but chuckle at Lova’s threat. Although she was more than capable of dealing with him, she would be the last person to do so. At least, it would be the case until things changed between them.
"Rest assured, Lova. I’ll return safely, and your precious car will be unscathed," Shinon assured her with a smirk.
"See that you do," Lova quipped, her tone lightening. "But don’t get too attached to her. I might just demand her back someday."
In the week since talking with Mei Lin, Shinon had slept the bare minimum and strictly focused on crafting equipment for the ordinary settlers. He couldn’t recall how many fiery machete and handguns he had created for them, but he knew he had done enough.
More than that, he decided to part with some of his armour blueprints, leaving them for Tom to create enough armour for everyone in his absence.
~~~
After hours of driving, Shinon finally reached the outskirts of his forgotten base. However, since the foliage ahead of him was too dense to move with a car, he decided to hide the vehicle and continue on foot.
"Looks like I was worried for no reason."
The familiar sight of the sturdy barriers and the well-designed moat reassured him that his hideout had remained safe and secure during his absence.
The structures he had meticulously constructed had served their purpose, keeping any unwanted intruders at bay, even in his absence.
A few stranded zombies roamed aimlessly around the perimeter, but they were mere nuisances, nothing more.
"Nuiscnace or not, I can’t stomach the smell of their rotting flesh."
Shinon wasted no time and swiftly moved into action. With precise strikes and swift movements, he dispatched the zombies one by one, ensuring that the area remained clear of any immediate threats.
With the threat eliminated, Shinon took a moment to appreciate the serenity of his surroundings.
The gentle rustling of leaves, the soothing melody of the nearby stream, and the faint whisper of the wind created a peaceful ambience that embraced him. The familiar feeling reminded him why he chose to make a base there.
Satisfied with the outcome of his fight, Shinon wiped the residual gore off his weapons and attire before making his way to the nearby stream.
The sound of rushing water was soothing, providing a momentary respite from the chaos that awaited him beyond the forest.
Removing his clothes, Shinon stepped into the cool, crystal-clear stream. The water embraced him, washing away the grime and weariness of his journey. He relished the sensation, allowing himself a moment of peace amidst the chaos of their zombie-infested world.
"Damn, I missed this feeling..." Shinon smiled as he laid back. "Let’s enjoy this feeling for a minute and then get to work."
