Some people vented their anger on the patrol members. Others took the opportunity to slip away quietly.

Aunt Green, taking advantage of the distraction, began stealing food from others.

James Lon scanned the crowd but didn't spot "I'm Not a Fox."

The streamer didn't show up?

Frowning slightly, he activated his system. As long as he focused on an unfamiliar woman for a few seconds, the system displayed information:

[Emily]

[Age: 33]

[Quality: 5] (Average looks)

[Virtue: 2] (Three marriages, two ex-husbands left penniless)

[Overall Rating: 5]

[Ding! Does not meet system requirements!]

[Anna]

[Age: 39]

[Quality: 3]

[Virtue: 10] (Never married)

[Overall Rating: 3]

[Ding! Does not meet system requirements!]

...

Suddenly, the system highlighted a plain-looking middle-aged woman in the corner:

[Lily]

[Age: 22]

[Quality: 9.5] (Curvy, E-cup)

[Virtue: 10] (Virgin)

[Overall Rating: 9.5]

[Ding! Meets system requirements!]

Huh?

9.5? Is there really someone this stunning in our building?

James Lon stared at the woman, scrutinizing her carefully. He soon realized she was wearing makeup—intentionally making herself look ugly.

Smart.

Lily?

It clicked immediately. Fox!

She was the streamer!

Lily glanced at him nervously, hesitant about whether to approach and trade.

James Lon smirked slightly, parting the chaotic crowd as he walked directly toward her. Wherever he went, people instinctively stepped aside, unwilling to provoke him.

Standing in front of Lily, James Lon asked,

"Lily, did you bring the black Nephelium?"

Startled, Lily touched her face, thinking her makeup had come off.

"I did. You... recognized me?"

James Lon didn't explain. He simply took out five packs of instant noodles and held them up for her to see.

Lily's eyes lit up, and she swallowed nervously. Carefully, she opened her backpack and retrieved a lunchbox.

Inside the box was a black Nephelium.

James Lone laughed heartily, taking the box from her.

The third Enlightenment Fruit was finally his!

Shirley lnr Won and Monroe Anne exchanged confused looks.

Why was James Lone interested in such a plain-looking woman?

When they saw the Nephelium, realization dawned.

So, it was all about the Enlightenment Fruit.

Hmph!

This woman's a fool. She didn't even eat the fruit herself!

Seeing Lily's unremarkable appearance, the two women didn't feel the slightest threat. Instead, they felt smug.

Someone like her could never compete with us for James Lon's attention.

James Lone handed Lily the five packs of instant noodles and asked with a smile,

"Want to stay at my place?"

Clutching the instant noodles tightly, Lily shook her head nervously.

"I—I like living alone."

James Lone wasn't bothered and said casually,

"Alright. When you're done eating, contact me. I've got plenty more food."

He considered himself a man of principle.

Since they'd agreed to trade the fruit for food, he wouldn't break the deal.

However, if someone tried to change the terms mid-trade, James Lon would show them the true meaning of cruelty.

Since Lily had stuck to the agreement, James Lon wouldn't forcibly take more.

Still, he knew her supplies would run out eventually. Letting her struggle a bit now would make her more dependent on him later.

Biting her lip, Lily hesitated before cautiously asking,

"Can I... think about it?"

James Lone smiled.

"Of course. By the way, where did you find that black Nephelium?"

Relieved to have traded, Lily answered without much thought,

"On the ivy growing on the outer wall. Isn't that where yours came from too?"

James Lone nodded slightly, his mind racing.

The Enlightenment Fruits he'd encountered so far had grown on completely different plants: succulents, ivy, and, according to the electric-powered guy, wild grass.

Strange. How could so many different plants produce these fruits? Was there a common factor?

Lost in thought, he was interrupted by sudden shouts from the crowd:

"Murder!"

"Someone's been killed!"

The mob attacking the patrol members scattered in panic. Several patrol members lay in pools of blood, barely breathing.

The food they'd stolen was now being stolen from them.

Chaos erupted as people fought over supplies while trying to flee.

Lily's face turned pale, her heart pounding in fear.

Shirley lnr Won and Monroe Anne instinctively clung to James Lon's arms.

James Lone remained unfazed, watching the chaos unfold.

No one dared approach him. A three-meter-wide space surrounded him like an invisible shield.

In this post-apocalyptic world, people's cowardice and tendency to bully the weak became glaringly obvious.

"Till! Till!" Aunt Green wailed.

Her grandson had been pushed to the ground and trampled repeatedly, blood pouring from his mouth.

"Help my grandson! Someone help him!" Aunt Green pleaded desperately, but no one responded.

Everyone was too busy running away.

Finally, the doctor, Wot And, sighed and walked back.

Seeing him, Aunt Green clutched his hand like a lifeline.

"Save Till! He's a good boy! Dr. Wot, you have to save him!"

"I'll do my best," Wot And replied earnestly.

He knelt beside Till, checking his pulse and pupils. After a moment, he shook his head.

"In the past, if we got him to a hospital immediately, he might have had a chance. Now... I'm sorry."

Standing up slowly, Wot And's expression was grim.

Aunt Green went pale, clutching at his pant leg desperately.

"If he dies, how will I face his parents?! Dr. Wot, please save him! You must have a way!"

Wot And sighed bitterly.

"I'm sorry. There's nothing I can do."

Suddenly, Aunt Green's demeanor changed.

"I know! You doctors only care about money, right? I'll pay you! 100, 500—I have money! Just save him, and it's yours!"

Exasperated, Wot And said firmly,

"This isn't about money, Ms. Green. It's about the lack of medical resources."

Aunt Green, hysterical, screamed,

"Till only got trampled a few times! How could he die? I know you just want money! If you don't save him, you're letting him die—what kind of doctor are you?!"

While Wot And was willing to help people, he wasn't a pushover.

"Enough nonsense!" he snapped, kicking free of Aunt Green's grip and walking away.

Aunt Green collapsed on the ground, wailing,

"Why won't you save Till? You're heartless! Someone help! This old man let my grandson die! He has no conscience!"

Shirley lnr Won and Monroe Anne watched her with disdain.

Amused, James Lon finally spoke up,

"Aunt Green, stop crying. Your grandson's already gone."

Turning to look at Till, Aunt Green saw his lifeless body, his face pale and breathless.

"Till! Till, wake up! How am I supposed to face your parents?!"

Aunt Green's eyes rolled back, and she fainted on the spot.

James Lone clicked his tongue in annoyance and turned to Lily, who was clutching her instant noodles in a corner.

He knew exactly why she hadn't left and teased,

"Why are you still here?"

Forcing a smile, Lily replied,

"I-I'll leave in a bit."

In truth, she was too afraid to leave.

During the earlier chaos, she'd noticed several men eyeing her food. If not for James Lon's presence, they would have already robbed her.

Terrified of being ambushed, she stayed put, unsure if it was safe to go home.

James Lone shrugged.

"Suit yourself."

With that, he led Shirley lnr Won and Monroe Anne upstairs.

The hallway quickly grew silent.

A few corpses lay scattered on the ground, the only living person being Aunt Green, who was still unconscious.

The atmosphere turned eerie.

Lily, nearly in tears, waited a few more minutes before finally mustering the courage to leave. Trembling, she crept downstairs cautiously.

Fortunately, she made it home safely.

Once inside, Lily collapsed to the floor, too weak to stand.

In Shirley lnr Won's apartment, James Lone observed the scene through his abilities.

Using his powers, he had already confirmed that the hallway was empty, with the only mutated creature being 'Byakuga n', lying at the door of Shirley lnr's home. For now, there was no immediate threat to Lily.

He had intentionally scared Lily a little.

This potential slave had some intelligence, but not much. In a few days, when she finished her instant noodles, she'd still have to crawl back to him for help.

She still placed her hope in government rescue?

Hah.

James Lone shifted his focus and took out the Enlightenment Fruit from the lunchbox. Handing it to Shirley lnr Won, he said with a smile,

"This is for you. Eat it."