In April Jones's home, a blue portal suddenly appeared. The black cat, Cola, lazily lifted its head just as April Jones fell through, landing painfully on the floor with a cry.

Cola: ????

How can someone trip like that? Humans are so clumsy!!

Just as April Jones tried to get up, another large blue portal appeared, and James Lon strolled out, stepping right onto the back of April Jones's head, pressing her face back onto the floor.

SPLAT!

"Ouch!" April Jones cried out, "It hurts! It hurts!"

James Lone laughed, lifting his foot and hoisting April Jones up with one hand. Her forehead was a vivid red.

April Jones, filled with shame and anger, exclaimed, "You did that on purpose!"

"Indeed!" James Lon replied, casually lifting her off the floor. "Is this your home?"

The black cat, Cola, stood up, rubbing against James Lon's leg. After barely glancing at the ordinary cat, James Lon picked it up. Cola contentedly settled into James Lone's arms, dozing comfortably.

April Jones's eyes widened with dismay, "Cola! You never let me hold you!"

Cola: "Meow~"

James Lone quickly surveyed the entire room. With his sense perception, nothing could escape his scrutiny. April Jones's home had no dangerous tools, only a kitchen knife and a fruit knife.

Feeling reassured, James Lone sat down, picking up anime figurines from a display cabinet with interest. April Jones's bedroom was filled with figurines, packed to the brim. Her computer chair was a riot of pink hues. Even her headset had bunny ears.

"So, she's a middle school girl at heart," James Lone thought to himself.

After a tour of the room, he stored everything into his spatial backpack.

April Jones watched in disbelief, protesting, "Those are my things!"

James Lone smiled slightly, "Now they're mine."

With a swipe of his finger, another large blue portal appeared. Earlier, he had left a subspace anchor in Shirley's house. Now, finding the way back was easy.

April Jones was speechless, "Huh? You can do that too? Did you copy my ability?"

James Lone mused silently. "This middle schooler almost guessed my ability."

Without explaining, James Lon carried the cat through the blue portal, "Let's go."

Having no choice as Cola was in the hands of this villain, April Jones relented.

They returned home, where James Lon unloaded April's possessions from his spatial storage.

"Alright, come over for dinner."

Dinner? April Jones was confused but didn't dare resist. Having exhausted her teleportation limit for the day, she could only do as James Lon instructed.

Entering the living room, the rich aroma of food filled her senses. April Jones's big, beautiful eyes widened.

A feast covered the table. In the center was a steaming hotpot, flanked by braised beef, stir-fried bamboo shoots, and over ten side dishes, complete with various dipping sauces. There was even a pot of steaming rice.

April Jones was stunned, "How, how, how is this possible?"

She felt like she was dreaming.

Shirley and the others rose to welcome James Lon to the table. After scanning the table, James Lon said, "With so many people, we need a bigger table."

From his space, he brought out a large round table and placed it in the center of the living room. The women transferred the meals to the larger table.

James Lone sat down and said, "Let's eat."

The four women sat down and began eating. April Jones, feeling unsure, could hardly believe she was about to enjoy such an abundant meal.

Shirley, with a smile, said, "Come, sit here. You need to eat well today."

Lily and Elsa Thomas exchanged understanding smiles. Monroe Anne stole a glance at James Lon, feeling a bit resentful. "Master hasn't been to my room in two days. With more women here, when will it be my turn again... Am I falling out of favor?"

Unlike the others, April Jones didn't hold back. Embracing her fate, she sat and ate. "Oh, oh, oh! Delicious! I haven't had meat in so many days! It's so tasty! Do you even have natural gas here?"

In a good mood, James Lon explained, "No, it's camping propane tanks." Having collected thousands of them from the supermarket, they would last a long time.

April Jones, her mouth stuffed, was almost tearing up from the joy of eating, "Oh! So good!"

The women, seeing April Jones eat without decorum, proudly said, "Ha! Following the master, you've struck gold!"

"Yeah, where else could you eat such a feast?"

"Stick with the master, and you'll always have your fill, plus ability fruits to eat too!"

......

April Jones looked up in surprise, "Ability fruits? Can we eat them too?"

Filled with hope, she realized the significance of abilities after recent events. A teleportation fruit had given her immense help. If she could obtain a combat-oriented fruit, her chances of survival would greatly increase.

James Lon, with a meaningful smile, said, "Of course."

Full and satisfied, James Lone's eyes flickered dangerously, though he smiled warmly, "So, what do you think? Want to stay? If you stay, you'll always have enough to eat."

James Lon was resolute. If April Jones refused, he would not hesitate to kill. Her ability was too unique.

If she didn't willingly choose to stay, he couldn't confine her.

Moreover, she'd seen too much of his abilities. Letting such a powerful user run free was not an option.

Then, if April Jones became the enemy's ally? That would be disastrous.

Thus, she had only two options: Submissigion, or death!

April Jones was unaware of her precarious position near death. If given a choice, she'd refuse.

But the world wasn't the same. Even if she and this man escaped, what then? Regularly scavenging the outside, she had witnessed many dark events.

In some places, people still clung to the old order. But in many places, order had effectively collapsed. The strong ruled everything. Worse, even under their orders, it was hard to stay fed due to scarcity. Often, even the strong struggled for three meals a day.

James Lone's situation was different. Not foolish, April Jones discreetly observed the mental state and health of the four women. Clearly, they lived abundantly. Even having the time to do makeup and dress fashionably, showed material excess.

Which meant James Lon could fully provide for them. But how? Her eyes lit up. "Did you take goods from Sam's Plaza?"

James Lone smiled lightly, "Smart. That's just a small part."

As they chatted, Cola approached 'Byakuga n'.

"Meow?"

"Woof woof?"

"Meow!"

"Woof woof woof!"

......

James Lon decided to test things when there was time. Checking his phone, it was 3:30 AM. Unable to sleep, he rose to handle some business.

Out from his space came a thick set of hiking gear, which he put on. Returning to his rental apartment, Bai Yan excitedly greeted him. James Lon tossed some steaks to 'Byakuga n', who bounced around happily.

"When I'm not here, don't let anyone else in." 'Byakuga n' seemed to understand. Woof woof!

Rubbing the dog's head, James Lone stood and sliced through the air. A large blue portal to subspace appeared.

Woof woof! 'Byakuga n' nervously jumped back, curiously eyeing the portal. Cola calmly lay on the floor. Hmph, ignorant dog!

James Lone opened his phone's map and entered the subspace, "The National Security Agency should have guns. Where's the nearest NSA location?"