Chapter 85: Evelyne’s Resentment [POWER STONE BONUS]
"Looks like you did well."
Alex stood up from the bear’s corpse and reached for the greatsword resting beside him.
His eyes briefly shifted toward Sonya, who was still comfortably sitting on Cain’s back.
An unfamiliar woman had somehow appeared beside Cain during the short time they had been separated.
Alex looked at Cain and Cain looked back in response.
After several seconds, Alex apparently decided that asking would only create unnecessary trouble and wisely kept his mouth shut.
Ron pointed toward the bear.
"What Level?"
"45."
Ron’s eyes lit up.
"You killed it alone?"
"Obviously?" Alex raised an eyebrow.
Ron nodded with exaggerated approval.
"Very impressive."
Cain looked at him.
Ron had probably caused half a dozen animals to murder each other before stealing the final blows.
He was in no position to sound condescending.
Cain looked southwest.
"We’re done here."
Alex attached the greatsword behind his back.
"Time to head back?"
"Yeah, we need to regroup with the others."
Cain wanted everyone gathered before doing anything else.
The day had already progressed considerably and they had accomplished far more than he initially expected.
Ron’s level had reached 46.
Alex had reached Level 40.
Cain himself had gained several valuable resources from the zoo.
So, there was no reason to keep everyone separated longer than necessary.
The four started heading southwest.
On the way back, they killed six more evolved animals. Their Levels were too low to be worthwhile for Ron, so Cain gave the finishing blows to Alex instead, helping him reach Level 42.
Once they left the evolved-animal territory, zombies gradually appeared again. Cain used the opportunity to level Sonya up. She hesitated before killing the first disabled zombie, but after some encouragement, the following kills became much easier.
By the time Cain stopped feeding her weakened Unranked zombies, Sonya had reached Level 20.
The difference in her condition was enormous.
Sonya had started the journey barely capable of keeping up with ordinary survivors.
Now, even though she was still Unranked, her strengthened body allowed her to move far more comfortably through the ruined city.
Unfortunately for Cain, she still preferred riding on his back whenever they needed to move quickly.
Cain did not particularly mind since he was deep down secretly enjoying it.
As they continued southwest, several human presences eventually entered his Sense.
Cain slowed down slightly.
"There are people ahead."
Alex gripped his greatsword and Ron looked toward Cain.
"Our people?"
Cain squinted his eyes.
Several of the presences felt familiar.
"It’s Nathan."
They continued forward and a few moments later, a group appeared at the end of the street.
Nathan walked near the front with his bow already in hand.
Nine other people followed behind him.
Cain immediately recognized several faces.
Then his gaze landed on Evelyne.
When their eyes met, Cain felt something was wrong almost immediately.
Evelyne stopped walking.
Her gaze moved from Cain’s face toward the woman on his back.
Then it dropped toward Cain’s left hand, which was currently wrapped around Sonya’s thigh to keep her secure.
Her expression immediately changed.
Cain felt a faint chill run across his skin.
’Why does it suddenly feel dangerous?’
Sonya noticed it too.
Unlike Cain, she understood the expression almost immediately.
She was older than Evelyne and had enough experience to recognize that kind of reaction from another woman.
Sonya’s eyes shifted toward Evelyne.
Then back toward Cain.
A meaningful smile slowly formed.
Instead of getting down, she adjusted herself more comfortably against Cain’s back.
Her arms tightened slightly around his shoulders.
Cain immediately noticed.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing."
Sonya’s voice sounded far too innocent.
Cain looked toward Evelyne again and noticed that the glare had somehow become worse.
’Fuck my life.’
He immediately removed his left hand from Sonya’s thigh.
"Get down."
Sonya rested her chin against his shoulder.
"I’m comfortable like this."
"Stop playing around."
"I’ve been running around with you all afternoon."
"You were on my back most of the time."
"Exactly. I’m tired."
Cain rolled his eyes.
"Sonya."
She laughed quietly as her arms remained around his neck.
Cain finally grabbed one of her wrists and pulled it away.
"Get off."
"You’re no fun."
He removed her other arm.
Sonya had no choice but to slide down from his back.
The moment her feet touched the ground, Cain took one step away.
Evelyne was still staring.
Cain suddenly felt as though fighting another few Flamecrest Lions at the same time would have been less troublesome.
Ron watched everything from the side, a deeply satisfied smile appeared on his face.
He had no intention of interfering because this was far more entertaining than killing evolved animals.
Cain glanced toward him.
"What are you smiling at?"
"Nothing."
"You look disgusting."
"I’m just happy everyone is safe."
Cain almost kicked him.
Nathan approached before the argument could continue.
His attention immediately went toward Ron, then his eyes widened.
"You reached Level 46?"
Ron crossed his arms and lifted his chin slightly.
"Surprised?"
Nathan looked genuinely doubtful.
"Must be nice getting carried all the way to Level 46."
"Fuck off!" Ron snorted, then continued proudly. "Most of the credit belongs to me and my brilliant hunting methods."
"You made evolved animals fight each other and stole the kills afterward. What brilliant hunting method are you talking about?" Cain sneered.
Ron turned toward Cain.
"You didn’t need to explain it."
Nathan stared at him.
"That’s your brilliant method?"
"It’s good, right?" Ron raised his eyebrows.
Nathan could not deny that since Ron being level 46 was enough as evidence that the method worked.
Cain stopped listening to Ron’s shameless boasting and inspected Nathan’s group instead.
There were ten people altogether.
Most looked exhausted, but none appeared seriously injured.
Cain’s attention returned to Evelyne.
A line of information appeared above her.
[Human | Level 26]
Cain blinked his eyes, then he looked at the information again.
1st Echelon.
Evelyne had advanced.
His surprise must have been obvious because Nathan smiled.
"Not bad, right?"
Cain looked toward him.
"You helped her advance?"
Nathan nodded.
"I prioritized her."
He glanced toward Evelyne.
"Her healing became ridiculous after whatever improvement she went through. Getting her to 1st Echelon as quickly as possible benefits everyone."
Cain could not disagree.
Saintly Restoration was already an SS-rank Talent.
Combined with her Skills, Evelyne had become one of the most valuable support members in the entire group.