Apocalypse Villainess? Nah, I'm Nice

But the moment he showed any intention of becoming the City Lord, the situation would change fundamentally.

The Woods Family would undoubtedly oppose him to the very end, and his only option would be to eliminate this obstacle completely...

"A City Lord needs to be more decisive. I’m... not cut out for it." Colin Koenig didn’t shy away from admitting his own weakness.

A look of appreciation appeared in Marcus Monroe’s eyes.

’It was rare for someone to remain so clear-headed at a time like this.’

Of course, on the other hand, Colin Koenig truly did lack the necessary leadership qualities.

For the future of Southreach, he was indeed better suited as the Deputy City Lord than the City Lord. But from the perspective of Bloodfall Base, this wasn’t such a good thing.

If he didn’t do it, someone else would.

And there was no telling what attitude this ’someone else’ would have toward Bloodfall Base.

Marcus Monroe stroked his chin and began to consider other suitable candidates.

Just then, Colin Koenig suddenly asked, "Haven’t you ever thought about becoming the City Lord of Southreach yourself?"

Marcus Monroe slowly raised his head.

His eyes were placid, yet they sent a chill down the back of Colin Koenig’s neck. He quickly waved his hands. "I’m not trying to test you! I’m being serious!"

"Ever since I first knew you, I’ve thought it was a complete waste of your talent for you to stay in a Hunting Party!"

"It’s clear you hold a significant position at Bloodfall Base, but you aren’t the Base Chief... And while you and Claire Chapman get along well now, after a while, she’s bound to have some ideas of her own."

"The ancients had a saying: when a subordinate’s achievements are too great, they threaten their lord. Rather than wait for things to reach that point, you should make your own plans. Now is the perfect opportunity. Even though you’ve been away from Southreach for years, you still have a formidable reputation among the Hunting Parties. If you show the slightest interest, I’m sure many people would be willing to rally behind you."

"Plus, you have the high regard of Elder Woods. Even if he can’t openly side with you because of the Woods Family, he probably wouldn’t oppose you, either."

"As for the others... you saved Second Miss Joyce, so Keith Preston should be someone you can win over. With him in the military and me helping on The Government’s side... not to mention you’re a Ninth Rank Superpower User now. Your strength is beyond question. All things considered, your chances of success are very high!"

"So, what do you think?"

Marcus Monroe looked at his expectant face and said, very bluntly, "I don’t think much of it."

Colin Koenig frowned. "Why?"

"It’s a hassle."

Colin Koenig was speechless.

It would definitely be a hassle.

Even if Marcus had support from several factions, there would undoubtedly be just as much opposition.

Those four families, for instance, each had their own ambitions; they certainly wouldn’t let an outsider just drop in and snatch the top prize. They wouldn’t just oppose him—it would be completely normal for them to fight him to the bitter end.

He obviously couldn’t kill all of them, and getting them under control would be no easy task.

Even for someone like him, it would take a year or two to consolidate and stabilize his power if he were to become City Lord.

’But what was the point of being City Lord anyway?’

’On the inside, you’re responsible for the residents’ every need. On the outside, you have to wipe out zombies. The Dead City is much smaller than this place, and Sylas Shields and his people are still worked to the bone—and he’s juggling affairs in Jovitas on top of that... How much time and energy would that all take!’

’There was no way he’d agree to that!’

Back at Bloodfall Base, Paige Summers and the little one in her belly were waiting for him.

He would much rather spend his time with them than be stuck here playing political games with that crowd!

After being rejected, Colin Koenig still wouldn’t give up hope. He tried to persuade Marcus for a long time, but seeing that he was completely unmoved, he finally left in frustration.

Once he was gone, Marcus Monroe put the matter out of his mind, focusing his attention solely on finding Claire Chapman.

Who would have thought that just a few days later, a rumor would start to spread. It claimed that he was not only planning to settle down in Southreach, but was also preparing to reform the Hunting Parties.

That caused quite a stir.

Quite a few Superpower Users in the city came knocking on his door.

He hadn’t made any effort to hide his whereabouts after his identity was revealed.

The house he was currently staying in had been rented by one of his subordinates ahead of time, so it wasn’t difficult to find.

Some of these Superpower Users were people Marcus Monroe knew from his past, while others had only made a name for themselves in recent years. Some stated their intentions outright while others hinted at it, but they all expressed a desire to pledge their loyalty to him. He was even subject to "chance" encounters whenever he came or went, which annoyed him to no end.

However, considering that Bloodfall was always looking to recruit, he selectively chose a few of them, explained the real situation, and made a subtle invitation.

Unexpectedly, most of them didn’t believe him.

They couldn’t see why he would pass up the chance to build his influence in a major base like Southreach, choosing instead to subordinate himself to a small base he hadn’t even founded. They even suspected he was trying to hide his true intentions.

And so, just as he was growing frustrated by his inability to find Claire Chapman, one of his subordinates brought him more news.

The rumors outside had "escalated."

People were now saying that he wasn’t staying in Southreach to re-establish a Hunting Party—he was planning to become the City Lord of Southreach!