Should I kill them?

James Lone hesitated for a moment before deciding to wait. The ones keeping watch at the door were just small players; capturing the mastermind behind it all was his real goal.

Monitoring me?

They didn't even realize they'd been spotted.

Hmph!

James Lone observed the two figures from a distance. They were seated in a corner, glancing occasionally at the entrance. Their shabby clothes made them blend in with the other ordinary survivors. One of them had a distinctly military aura that he couldn't disguise. Moreover, both had standard issue handguns tucked at their waists—a poorly concealed secret.

They were likely from the 910th unit, but why were the military keeping tabs on me?

Wait... Isn't that one of Kstyle's subordinates?

James Lone paused for a moment, recalling how this person had stood beside Kstyle earlier.

Could Kstyle have turned traitor?

However, James Lone quickly dismissed that thought.

No way! If Kstyle had betrayed him, knowing his power, he wouldn't have sent just two scrubs. It would have been a massive contingent, dozens or even hundreds of men. Besides, Kstyle himself was nowhere to be found.

James Lone focused intently and examined all the survivors within a 200-meter radius. Aside from the two with distinct red auras, everyone else emitted the usual blend of red and yellow, or plain yellow.

No additional enemies were near.

Could it be... that Kstyle's men had inadvertently been assigned to keep watch on me?

He didn't even know who he was monitoring?

It seemed quite likely.

After a moment of contemplation, James Lone turned his focus back to the two men, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation. Unfortunately, they were too alert and said nothing.

Time to verify it personally.

The approach was simple. James Lone walked to the entrance, pushed the door open, and stood outside, pretending to glance around aimlessly while intentionally avoiding eye contact with the two lurking watchers.

In an instant, he noticed a shift in the aura of Kstyle's subordinate, who now radiated a mix of yellow-green!

Just as I thought!

He had no idea he was monitoring me!

Kstyle hadn't betrayed me!

After pretending to inspect his surroundings a bit longer, James Lone closed the door and returned to his room, immediately concentrating on the man's demeanor.

Panic and urgency spread across the subordinate's face. He hesitated briefly, then pressed his hand against his stomach in feigned pain, saying to the other:

"Brother Kako, my stomach hurts, I need to use the restroom."

Kako frowned, annoyed. "Holy shit! Ken, you're just trying to get out of this! No way! We're watching him! That guy just showed his face; he might come out any time. What'll happen to you if you leave?"

Ken pulled a crumpled cigarette from his pocket, handing it to Kako. "Brother Tako, I really feel ill; I think I ate something bad!"

Kako's annoyance faded into delight as he accepted the cigarette, then waved him off dismissively. "Holy shit! Lazy people have more problems! Just go! But don't take too long!"

Ken expressed gratitude as he hurried off.

Kako savored the cigarette, carefully tucking it into his pocket.

At that moment, the task of watching was relatively straightforward; Aron Scott hadn't laid out any complex orders, so there was little pressure.

James Lone watched Ken leave before making his move, heading underground to follow him.

Watching?

What a joke. Who could keep an eye on him!

Ken sprinted through the crowd and soon arrived at a small compound. This was the temporary supply depot of the warlord, Aron Scott. After exchanging a few words with the guard at the gate, he was let inside, where he quickly located a bespectacled and downcast Kstyle.

Kstyle had joined the military, which meant his former subordinates were dispersed everywhere. Bruce Scott hadn't treated him with any leniency; Kstyle had become a small team leader tasked with guarding this warehouse—a cushy assignment, nonetheless.

Yet, he felt nothing but anger.

Now his men were all Aron Scott's minions, leaving him with zero capacity to command. The loyal subordinates he once relied upon were scattered, making him utterly isolated. In a treacherous apocalypse, that was exceedingly dangerous.

"Ken, what brings you here?" Kstyle asked, surprised.

Ken, one of his most trusted lieutenants, had also been reassigned to a different position.

Seeing nobody else around, Ken whispered urgently, "Aron Scott sent me to keep watch over an ability user, and it turns out it's James Lone!"

James Lone! Kstyle's eyes widened in shock.

"Why is he being watched?"

Ken replied, "Not entirely clear, but it likely relates to tonight's black market auction. Brother Kstyle , you need to figure out a way to notify James Lone. I have to get back to watching! If I take too long, I'll draw suspicion! Oh, by the way, we're stationed at James Lone's doorstep, so avoid that place."

Kstyle nodded fervently. "Understood! Get out of here quickly! I'll figure out what to do next!"

Ken rushed off.

Kstyle began pacing anxiously in the office. He had no trusted aides left; the situation felt dire. After a moment of deliberation, he clenched his fists and decided to take a risk personally.

Dammit!

It was time to gamble!

Kstyle knew that in this era, power was far more crucial than mere stability. Bruce Scott had effectively made him a bald-headed commander!

If things dragged on, he would be utterly useless.

What if he encountered danger? He could end up sent to the front lines as cannon fodder—dying without a clue as to why!

Kstyle had lived in the dense forest for some time; he was acutely aware of the dangers outside. The 910 community might seem safe for now, but it was merely a facade—an unstable structure built on sand.

Time for a gamble!

If he could win James Lone's trust, he could reclaim a degree of power!

Kstyle clenched his fists tightly and sought an excuse to leave the office, stepping into the purple mist outside.

Saint Martin Town was bustling with people.

As Kstyle walked, he thought about how to slip past the surveillance and get a message to James Lone. Perhaps he could scale a wall?

But what if James Lone mistook him for an intruder and shot him on sight?

While he pondered, someone suddenly tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to find a hooded figure.

As the hood fell back, Kstyle was amazed to see it was James Lone!

Delighted, Kstyle exclaimed, "Master, I have something important to tell you!"

James Lone gazed at him with a smile.

Kstyle, glowing with his green aura, seeking to deliver a warning had made a compelling case for his loyalty, allowing James Lone to trust him, at least to some extent.

"I know," James Lone smiled softly. "I saw Ken come to inform you."

Kstyle was both startled and elated.

James Lone's abilities were truly mysterious; he seemed to know everything!

Kstyle hurriedly explained, "That's fantastic! Aron Scott seems to be plotting against you, and the time is set for tonight's black market auction."

James Lone nodded thoughtfully.

"Alright, don't worry about it. I'll handle things from here, so you should hurry back."

He stuffed the backpack he had been carrying into Kstyle's arms, whispering, "Try to climb the ranks and gather some reliable people. If danger strikes and you can't reach me, go find Jack George at booth number 15 outside the 910 base."

Kstyle glanced at the backpack, prompting his eyes to light up. It was filled with cigarettes—an incredibly valuable commodity these days!

Kstyle felt incredibly pleased, knowing he had earned James Lone's trust.

"Don't worry, Master!"

James Lone watched Kstyle leave and turned his gaze toward the direction of the black market, a cold smirk creeping onto his face.

Aron Scott...

Hmph.

He was aware that Aron Scott likely had his eyes on the pristine water that Jack George possessed. It seemed the warlord had stumbled upon James Lone's leverage when he delivered a woman to him, and now he was keeping a watchful eye.

The 910 community was still too small, filled with the Zhu family's spies everywhere.

Initially, James Lone had no plans to deal with the Zhu family. After all, with over 1,000 ability users, the casualties would be catastrophic.

Given the outside threats, James Lone didn't want to incite internal human conflict.

He had merely been considering how to have Teresa Taylor ascend through legitimate means.

But now, with Aron Scott turning his focus toward his cheap father-in-law Jack George, it was time for action.

Still, before he went into battle, he needed to prepare.

James Lone donned his hood again, blending back into the crowd.



NOTE: Writer:""If you like this book, please help by clicking 'voted.' Thank you!""