"Who's talking?!"

Jack George instantly looked around.

Everyone else was sound asleep.

He quickly realized it must be an ability user.

Could this be a trap?

Jack George didn't know. In these troubled times, venturing out alone at night was perilous. There were mutated creatures and flora everywhere. However, his longing for his daughter gave him the resolve to press on.

He took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and quietly got to his feet.

But just as he was about to step outside, Kelyer, the night watchman and one of Jack George's subordinates, was asleep right by the door, blocking the exit.

Jack George gently shook Kelyer and whispered, "Kelyer, wake up."

Kelyer stirred groggily, struggling to see Jack in the dim light. "Who? What's going on?"

"It's me, Jack George. You fell asleep on duty," Jack said, maintaining a calm demeanor.

Realizing his error, Kelyer's face flushed with embarrassment. "Ah! Chairman George! I—I was just so tired..."

Jack George offered a sympathetic smile. "I understand. It's natural to be exhausted. Here's what we'll do: you go get some rest, and I'll take over your watch."

Kelyer seemed surprised. "But... isn't that inappropriate?"

"Not at all, not at all! I'm getting older, and I often wake up anyway. You young folks need your rest. Go on, go on."

Grateful, Kelyer replied, "Thank you, Chairman George!"

He returned to his spot and quickly fell back asleep, softly snoring.

Jack George waited a few minutes until he was sure Kelyer was truly out cold, then quietly opened the door and stepped outside.

The darkness enveloped him, and he could barely see anything.

The distant howls of mutated animals echoed from all around, sending a chill down his spine.

Jack George felt a surge of anxiety but managed to shut the door behind him.

Just then, a flashlight beam cut through the darkness, illuminating the area.

A figure holding a flashlight approached him from the shadows.

Jack George couldn't make out the stranger's features in the flickering light.

At the same time, he heard a voice whisper in his ear, "Come over here; let's talk a little further away."

With that, the figure turned and walked toward the dark, moving into the trees.

The person's abilities felt strange, but Jack George had his own power as backup.

He grasped the short blade at his waist and bravely followed.

After walking several meters, James Lone came to a small clearing devoid of large trees, surrounded by dense underbrush.

James Lone extended his palm, and the ground stirred as a deep pit rapidly formed, sending earth flying in all directions.

The soil twisted and coiled, quickly assembling into a small earthen structure.

"Step inside," James Lone instructed, casting a glance back at Jack George before making his way inside.

Jack George, astounded, reached out to touch the walls.

The dirt felt hard, almost stone-like.

This ability was remarkably practical!

Jack George realized that the person before him was undoubtedly a powerful ability user.

In such a short amount of time, he had exhibited three distinct abilities.

He could communicate telepathically from a distance.

He controlled the earth to create buildings.

There was definitely a combat ability hidden there; otherwise, he wouldn't be wandering in the wilderness at this hour.

Inside the stone structure, a stone table and two stone chairs were positioned neatly.

James Lone adjusted the flashlight to a camping mode, placing it on the table.

The small earthen house brightened, and Jack George finally got a good look at James Lone.

He was a handsome young man.

What stood out the most was how impeccably clean he was!

There wasn't a trace of outdoor living on him at all.

This was outrageous.

Jack George's pupils contracted slightly as he followed James Lone inside.

With a wave of his hand, James Lone conjured two bottles of chilled cola onto the stone table.

Jack George felt a shiver down his spine.

Where did the cola come from? Another spatial ability?!

Could it even be kept cold? Was this another ice-based power?

James Lone sat down in one of the stone chairs and gestured to the other. "Please, take a seat."

He appeared completely unfazed, casually demonstrating his abilities in front of Jack George.

If negotiations went south, this could easily become Jack George's final resting place.

But if things went well, Jack George could become a long-term partner, especially with Lancy George in James Lone's possession. The stronger he became, the more compliant everyone else would be.

As soon as Jack George sat down, the ground beneath him shifted as the entrance was sealed with earth and stone.

His heart raced; he realized that if this conversation went poorly, he would meet his end here.

He forced himself to maintain composure, suppressing his anxiety. "Pardon me, sir, but what's your name? Do we know each other?"

"James Lone. Just an ordinary guy." James Lone casually took a swig from the icy cola, then looked up at Jack George. "Thirsty? Go ahead; drink if you want."

Jack George, not wanting to seem rude, said, "Thank you."

He relaxed just a bit, realizing that in the presence of such a powerful individual, running away was not an option.

His life hinged on whether or not they could reach an agreement.

Jack George picked up the cold cola, the chill sending a shock through him.

Unscrewing the cap,

Hiss!

A puff of white mist and the scent of cola escaped from the bottle.

Unable to resist, Jack George took a long swig, downing half the bottle in one go. "This is refreshing! It's been so long since I've had a cold drink! Mr. Lone, your abilities are truly amazing. But may I ask... where is my daughter, Lancy George now?"

His daughter was the key point of his inquiry, and Jack George eagerly shifted to the topic.

James Lone smiled slightly, suddenly producing a phone.

Jack George's pupils narrowed.

He couldn't comprehend how the man had pulled the phone from seemingly nowhere.

Another spatial ability!

If he possessed this power, his survival would surely be far easier than he had anticipated...

James Lone opened a video on the phone and handed it to Jack George.

"Watch this before we talk."

"Thank you." Jack George accepted the phone, noticing the battery was at 96%, nearly full.

This suggested the man had a power source.

In the video, Jack George saw his daughter, Lancy George.

Immediately, tears welled up in his eyes.

"Lancy!"

In the video, Lancy stared at the camera, bewildered. "Master, what are you filming?"

James Lone's voice resonated, "I have a few questions for you. Do you like it here?"

"It's nice! There are mutated animals everywhere, which is terrifying. But it feels safe here. Why are you asking me this?"

"Just wondering. What if we need to move again?"

"No matter where you go, I will follow." Lancy instinctively leaned against James Lone's arm.

James Lone gently ruffled Lancy's hair, smiling. "Alright, we'll stop filming here. You should get some rest. I have some business to attend to."

"Oh, when will you be back?"

"Soon."

"Are you going to sleep in my room tonight?"

"Depends on the circumstances."

"Please be safe."

The video ended.

"Thank God! Thank God! Lancy is alive!" Jack George's tears streamed down his face.

James Lone said nothing, merely observing Jack George quietly.

The glow surrounding Jack George shifted from a broad yellow hue with a bit of green to predominantly green, indicating his genuine concern for his daughter.

Sensing the shift in Jack's aura, James Lone smiled subtly.

Things seemed to be on the right path; this was a foundation for cooperation.

James Lone pulled a pack of tissues from his inventory.

Tissues?! He had tissues too? This was too thorough! Jack George was even more shocked as he grabbed a tissue to wipe his eyes.

"Forgive me for being emotional."

Jack George was clever.

From that brief video, he had gleaned a wealth of information.

Lancy appeared unscathed, her complexion rosy and healthy, her clothes clean—indicating a good living environment free from abuse.

Not only that, but she mentioned mutated animals, suggesting the footage hadn't been recorded before the purple mist descended.

Lancy also seemed to hold affection toward the man standing before her.

Were they... romantically involved?

Jack George cautiously asked, "Mr. Lone, what is the nature of your relationship with Lancy?"

James Lone answered candidly, "I have many women, and Lancy George is one of them." NOTE: Writer:""If you like this book, please help by clicking 'voted.' Thank you!""