James Lon did not immediately close the portal as he stood in the subspace, watching the iron door. Outside the door, the female ability user's silhouette was exceptionally attractive, with straight, shapely legs and a high, shapely backside, exuding a healthy beauty. However, James Lon kept his distance from such powerful women. If she launched a surprise attack, he might be caught off guard.

There were plenty of women around; there was no need to take unnecessary risks. Meanwhile, James Lon noticed that staying inside the subspace was rapidly draining his stamina. If even he could feel the drain with his enhanced physical condition, then someone like April Jones wouldn't last more than a few seconds in subspace.

Not wanting to delay, James Lon located the position of Sam's Plaza and opened a portal: "I recall there are decent mattresses on the third floor at Sam's Plaza. With more women around, I'll need more mattresses!"

......

The armory settled into quiet. Teresa Taylor knocked aggressively on the heavy iron door, but there was no response. Frustration turned to impotent anger: "Whoever's in there, you'd better not come out, or I'll catch you for sure!"

A few minutes later, Lincoln Field and Mike Brown arrived, flashlight in hand. Lincoln asked, "Didn't catch him?"

Teresa fumed, "He hasn't come out!"

Listening carefully, Mike said, "Doesn't sound like anyone's inside. I can't hear breathing."

Teresa was angry, "Impossible! I was watching the door. How could he escape?"

Lincoln checked the door—a lock with no signs of being forced. "If he could get in, he could get out. I suspect an ability user, likely with burrowing capabilities."

Teresa frowned, acknowledging the possibility, "He probably took the guns."

BAM! Lincoln kicked the door in frustration. It didn't budge. "His purpose was clearly the guns."

Determinedly, Teresa said, "If he dares use those guns, I'll find and apprehend him! It's the Cardinal rule in our country that civilians can't possess firearms!"

Confident in her abilities, Teresa believed that with powers focused on burrowing, her foe's direct combat proficiency would be limited.

Lincoln found this unlikely, puzzled by how they would detain someone who could burrow his way out of confinement. Where would they even keep him? The concept of sending him to jail seemed absurd given there were no functioning prisons left.

Glancing nervously at the overgrown plants, Mike urged, "Ma'am, let's return..."

......

The portal James Lon opened was way off, materializing in the air above Sam's Plaza. Looking down, five meters below was the roof, cluttered with HVAC units and various apparatus. Had April Jones been present, she would've had no way to descend from the portal and wasted her attempt.

Unfazed, James Lon simply leapt down from the blue portal, landing atop one of the units. Extending his perception, he scanned the area and was surprised to find hundreds of people hiding within Sam's Plaza.

"What are they hiding here for? There's not much food here."

He couldn't understand why these people were dispersed throughout the shops. Everyone was huddled in corners—what were they avoiding? James Lon's instincts whispered danger.

Examining closely with his senses, he found nothing amiss. Yet, he trusted his instincts that something was off—something worth hiding from for so many people.

While contemplating whether to leave, his senses picked up a disturbance: an orange cat. As large as an SUV, the orange cat emitted a light as glaring as the sun—far brighter than James Lon's aura. If James Lon's combat power was a "1," then the orange cat was at least a "5."

His expression grew serious. This was the strongest creature he'd encountered, far surpassing the mutated frog from Sunshine Garden or his lazy husky at home—truly the shame among mutant beasts.

Since submitting to him, the husky had grown lazy and fat. As for the red giant birds' attack on the transport, they'd been too distant to gauge with his perception.

The orange cat sauntered casually into the first-floor lobby, licked its paw, and strolled into Sam's Plaza. Suddenly, it swiped at a corner, sending a woman tumbling out with a scream. Terrified, she tried to escape but was slapped back by the cat, rolling on the ground multiple times before stopping.

Delighted, the cat pounced over, watching her like a cat playing with a mouse. The woman, pained but motionless, hoped to fool it by feigning death.

Unamused, the orange cat used a paw to lift her up, leaving a deep cut across her chest. Screaming, she struggled to crawl away. Joyfully, the cat followed leisurely, teasing her without killing, playing this game over and over, pulling her back from corners and reviving her mock deaths with a nudge.

Minutes later, the woman lay still, lifeless. The orange cat nudged her, and, losing interest, moved on. After playing similar games with another seven to eight victims, the cat, now seemingly done, wandered leisurely back out the main entrance.

......

Observing calmly until the cat left his sensory range, James Lon phased through the floor into the fifth story. Initially planning to depart, spotting his ex-girlfriend, Anna Karenina, changed his mind.

Even recognizing just her silhouette, James Lon instantly knew her. Familiar with her body from time spent together, he could identify Anna Karenina easily.

Though physically stronger than the mutated frog, the orange cat posed less threat to him personally. While the frog could ambush him from beyond his senses using its tongue, the cat had to close in to be a threat, allowing him ample time to escape by phasing underground or into subspace.

Reflecting that his abilities offered protection beyond sheer strength, James Lon ventured forward, circling the fifth floor where only Sam's Cinema remained open. The entire Plaza sat shrouded in darkness, prompting silent tension among those crowded in corners, none daring to explore given his steps echoing ominously.

Without delay, he proceeded downstairs, reaching the third floor and headed directly towards Anna Karenina's location.

Switching on a flashlight, the sudden beam illuminated their spot. Anna Karenina and Jackie Won lay on the ground, squinting in the abrupt brightness.

Raising himself on an elbow, Jackie demanded, "Who's there? What do you want?"

Anna Karenina struggled upright, grimacing against the light, attempting to discern who stood behind it against the glare.

Two more male survivors sat in disbelief, pierced by irrational fear. To wander with a flashlight, dismissing the gamble with the terrifying cat—it seemed reckless.

Nearby lay the bodies of a man and a woman, calling attention to their deaths with the pungency of decay.

James Lon studied Anna Karenina; she was disheveled and yellowed, cracked lips destroying all memory of her younger allure. Had he truly been captivated by this woman?

Ruminating on his involvement with her, James Lon entered the room, only to be greeted by a nauseating stench of staleness likely from bodily waste.

Disdainful, James Lon wrinkled his nose: "Anna Karenina, so you're still alive. How unexpected."

Startled, delight flooded Anna Karenina. "James Lon! It is you, James Lon! Give me some food!"

"Give you food?" James Lon sneered, setting the flashlight to camping mode and positioning it on a table, lighting the room.

Only then, recognizing James Lon, all beheld him with rosy skin, smooth complexion, tidy hair, and clean clothes, starkly contrasting the desperation they wore.

The two male survivors' eyes widened. This man had resources—food undoubtedly! Exchanging a conspiring glance, they reached secretly for their concealed knives.

I'm saved! Anna Karenina saw deliverance in James Lon, sobbing, "James Lon! Why did you take so long! You have no idea how hungry I've been! Feed me, get me out of here!"

Grabbing James Lon's sleeve, Jackie Won pleaded, "Hurry! Get me water! I'm dying of thirst! What are you waiting for? Do something!"

Thunk!

James Lon drove his foot into Jackie Won's stomach.