Chapter 83: Roasted Sweet Potato
Luna Dawson turned to Kevin Keane, about to suggest they return to the academic building, but she found his eyes fixed on her.
’This guy’s a saint. With a gaze that intense, he could probably make a pile of crap feel loved.’
She coughed lightly, feeling a little awkward, and broke the silence. "Let’s head back."
Kevin Keane gave a soft "mm" and said no more, focusing on turning the helicopter around and flying back.
He watched Luna from the corner of his eye. She was propping her chin on one hand, leaning against the window, her head tilted slightly as she gazed down below.
Strands of hair from her high ponytail brushed against her cheek in the wind. She looked both lazy and lovely, and a faint smile unconsciously lifted the corners of Kevin’s lips.
The helicopter landed smoothly on the rooftop. The moment they jumped out, the waiting crowd immediately swarmed them, and a cacophony of praise erupted.
Miles Dawson was the most excited. He rushed forward, swept Luna Dawson up in his arms, and spun her around several times.
He spun her until her head was swimming. It was only when Kevin Keane reached out and grabbed Miles that they finally stopped.
Luna stumbled the moment her feet touched the ground, her body swaying. Quick as a flash, Kevin reached out and steadied her by the arm.
She shook her head hard. "Stupid Miles! You nearly scrambled my brain!"
The instant Kevin’s fingers touched Luna’s arm, his mind filled with questions.
’This soft?!’
’She’s been training for months, so how can there be no trace of muscle? Where does that insane strength of hers come from?!’
After the commotion died down, everyone filed into the living room.
Luna pulled roasted sweet potatoes and rice balls from her space, then handed each person a few Crystal Cores and a bottle of spirit spring water.
"Everyone, have a bite. It’s after two in the morning. Let’s recover some energy."
Seeing there were no more cockroaches to stomp on, Rollo and Little Tiger lost all their Spirit and obediently curled up by the fireplace, falling asleep.
Killing the cockroaches just now had taken a lot out of them, and they were exhausted.
Luna guzzled down the spirit spring water and wiped her mouth. "Once everyone’s more or less recovered, we’ll go downstairs and clear out the scattered zombies in the area. When the vicinity is completely secure, we can harvest Crystal Cores in peace."
With that, she picked up a roasted sweet potato and took a large bite. The soft, sticky, and sweet flavor instantly filled her mouth, making her feel comfortable all over, and a look of satisfaction appeared on her face.
’Sure enough, in the freezing post-apocalyptic world, nothing is more comforting than a warm roasted sweet potato!’
In her past life, when she was out on a mission with the official members of the base’s combat team, a few of them had taken out a charcoal grill during a break to roast some mutated sweet potatoes grown at the base.
Although those sweet potatoes weren’t as delicious as the Yanshu or Mishu varieties from before the apocalypse, they were still incredibly precious in this new world.
From the second year of the apocalypse, she had rarely eaten roasted sweet potatoes again. The sweet fragrance of those charcoal-roasted ones—so rich and warm—had been seared into her mind, unforgettable even at the moment of her death.
Kevin chewed on his roasted sweet potato, his brow slightly furrowed. "On the way here today, we saw signs of military cleanup everywhere. The frequency of their rescue operations is also slowly increasing. Taking advantage of the fires across the city tonight, this is probably our last chance to pull off something this big inside the walls."
Evan Olson nodded, completely agreeing with Kevin.
"I didn’t expect the military to be so efficient. At this rate, the Kensington survivor base should be established sooner, and we’ll have a safe place to settle down."
Miles pursed his lips and said, "Eh... I still think it’s a bit slow."
Hearing this, Mrs. Dawson was immediately displeased. She reached out and rapped Miles on the head, her tone reproachful. "Mind your words, young man! Are soldiers not human? They get tired, they can get infected and mutate too. They’re risking their lives to rescue people, and you’re over here making flippant remarks!"
"No! I just meant that the sooner it’s built, the more people will be able to survive!" Miles explained, rubbing his head.
"Auntie Lynn is right." Lynn Shelby’s voice was low as he speculated, "I guess many of the high-level decision-makers might have already mutated. The various departments probably just finished cleaning out the zombies in their own ranks. Only after a round of power struggles and dividing up territory did they start to roll out rescue operations."
At his words, the scenes from her previous life when the apocalypse first descended surfaced clearly in Luna’s mind once more.
The order established by human civilization had completely crumbled the moment the apocalypse began.
Various factions rose up amidst the chaos, scheming against and crushing one another.
Even after survivor bases were established, bringing some semblance of order and change, they were still backed by endless struggles for power and profit.
Back then, many people didn’t die at the hands of ferocious mutated animals or plants, but fell to their so-called "own people," dying inexplicable deaths.
While peeling his roasted sweet potato, Aaron Palmer looked at everyone with sparkling eyes and asked expectantly, "After this wave of zombies and cockroaches is burned up, are we going to clear out the next university?"
Luna thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I don’t think so. In fact, we need to hurry up, collect this batch of Crystal Cores, and get out of here. That old superior of yours was here participating in the rescue yesterday, so this area has probably been mostly cleared."
Evan Olson added, "Luna’s right. During our cleanup, we used weapons with a large kill radius, which made a huge commotion. If the military finds out, it might cause unnecessary trouble. It’s best to keep a low profile."
Just then, Blake Blue walked out of a room.
He had been in the room the whole time, helping Rhonda Dawson practice her superpower and acting as a live target for her.
He leaned against the fireplace, picked up a roasted sweet potato, and ate it unhurriedly. In a calm tone, he said, "There’s one more thing. I’m a little worried about that cockroach swarm from earlier. They might pass through the Dragon Lake Villa Area."
Hearing this, everyone’s expression turned grim.
Luna glanced at the others and offered some reassurance. "It should be fine. Little Sweet Potato is already Third Rank."
The cockroach swarm just now was only Second Order at its peak. While they could sense the aura of Little Sweet Potato’s Evolution Fruit, they could also perceive its rank and level of danger. Besides, before she left, she had prepared a large bottle of Crystal Core Solution for it.
Kevin raised an eyebrow at Luna, a smile playing on his lips. "No wonder you dared to leave it at home alone. It’s a house guardian."
Luna looked back at him and replied haughtily, "Of course. And look who raised it."
Just then, Rhonda Dawson had just finished absorbing a Crystal Core. Overhearing their conversation, she said with a hint of envy, "Little Sweet Potato is already Third Rank? All of us are still only First Rank."
Luna looked at the group. "After we collect this batch and go home, everyone will be able to level up, so don’t worry. Once everyone is rested, we’ll go downstairs and clear out the remaining wandering zombies."
Wayne Dawson spoke up, "I think I’ll stay on the roof with your mother and Wendy. We’ll watch over the elderly and the children and provide logistical support. You young people charge ahead; we have to guard our rear."
Evan Olson looked at Wayne Dawson gratefully. "Thank you, Uncle Verne."
He was truly touched. No one had ever treated his grandfather as a burden just because he only had a support-type superpower. Instead, they always looked out for them, treating them like family.