As the members of the Embers squad continued to level up, David conducted a series of practical exercises with them. Whenever they had time, he would drive the apocalypse vehicle through the streets to help them search for zombies. At this stage, if they wanted to further level up, they had to rely on higher-level crystals and accumulated combat experience. And all of this had to be earned through their own efforts.
Although there were endless crystal resources in David’s warehouse system, he believed that if he wanted his squad to become powerful, he couldn’t always lend a hand to each of them. In this world, he could provide assistance in times of crisis, but he would never give handouts. Therefore, each member of the squad had to earn their strength through their own efforts.
Only in this way could the Embers squad become a truly fearsome force in the apocalypse. David was pleased to see that through the past few days of practical training, the combat capabilities and skills of each member had improved significantly. Their attack methods had become more diverse, and they could even utilize the different awakened abilities of each team member for coordinated combat.
For example, when Arnold activated his werewolf ability, he could rely on Charles’ stargazer ability to detect the movements and strength of the enemy in advance. Meanwhile, Duke could use his shadow manipulation to control the enemy, allowing Arnold to execute more precise attacks. However, these tactics could only be effectively used against opponents who were evenly matched. If they encountered enemies with higher levels and greater strength, these tactics would be greatly restricted.
However, David wasn’t in a rush because he knew that this kind of thing couldn’t be rushed. It had to be a gradual process. Moreover, the team members had just recently leveled up, and each person still needed time to adjust to their newfound abilities. If they were too impatient, it could lead to unintended consequences.
What surprised David the most during these days of practical training was that everyone seemed to have learned to be decisive in killing. When encountering zombies, they would immediately strike and kill them without leaving any chance for the zombies to survive. Even Sally, who was naturally gentle and prone to hesitation, had become ruthless. This was truly unexpected for David. 𝒃𝒆𝙣𝒐𝒗𝙚𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝒎
After all, they were living their days on the edge of a knife, and if they showed mercy to their enemies, it could give them an opportunity for a deadly counterattack. It would be a situation where the farmer is bitten by the snake. As he watched the team grow continuously, a sense of confidence gradually arose in David’s heart. He believed that as long as the Embers squad existed, there would always be a place for them in this world. After all, the apocalypse was a paradise reserved for the strong.
And the Embers squad would become the builders of this paradise.
On this day, David drove the apocalypse vehicle back to the base with the squad members after another practical mission.
“That zombie today was too cunning. If I hadn’t acted quickly, he might have escaped. Thanks to Duke for catching his shadow in time, otherwise, we wouldn’t have been able to catch up to him,” they were still discussing the scene as they got out of the vehicle.
David turned off the engine and slowly got out of the driver’s seat. As he got out, his gaze instinctively turned towards the entrance of the base. When he saw that there was no movement, a sense of unease suddenly arose in his heart. Previously, when they returned from their practical missions, Blackie and Cola would run out to greet them upon hearing the engine of the vehicle. But today, there was no sound or movement in the entire underground parking lot except for the voices of a few people.
“What’s going on?” David’s mind was filled with confusion.
At the same time, the others also noticed that something was wrong. “Why didn’t Little black come out to greet us today? And where’s Cola? Did these two oversleep and forget our return time?” Sophie speculated to Arnold.
The group quickly pushed open the door and returned to the base, searching every corner of the rooms, but there was no sign of the two. This left everyone puzzled.
“This shouldn’t be happening! They never leave without us. If we’re not with them, they won’t go anywhere,” Sally continued searching the room while speaking. Arnold also went to the parking lot to search again, but the result was the same – there was no sign of the two familiars.
This made David furrow his brow instantly. He knew their habits too well. Normally, they wouldn’t leave unless they were out on a mission together. Especially Cola, who would rather laze on the sofa all day than go out. So why had they suddenly disappeared?
David quickly turned to Charles and said, “Use your ability to see where they went.”
Charles looked nervous as well, but he nodded and immediately activated his Stargazer ability to trace their whereabouts.
Soon, Charles put down his hands and opened his eyes. Then, with a hint of doubt in his gaze, he said to David, “I saw an esper entering here, and after that, Cola and Little black left the base with that esper and disappeared.”
Charles described the scene he had just witnessed. An esper had appeared here, and Cola and Little black had disappeared with them. Hearing Charles’ words, everyone became tense. They couldn’t determine whether this new esper was a friend or a threat to their squad.
Moreover, they had a vague feeling that the esper who could take away Cola and Little black wasn’t an ordinary person. If that was the case, what was their intention in taking them? Could the two of them be in danger? The thought immediately raised concerns in everyone’s hearts.
Having spent so much time with Cola and Little black, they not only saw them as members of the squad but also as their own family. If anything happened to them, it would greatly affect everyone in the squad.
David’s expression became extremely serious. His attachment to Cola and Little black was deeper than anyone else’s. However, he didn’t panic right away. Instead, he calmed himself down and pondered carefully. After a moment of silence, he asked Charles again, “Can you trace the person’s aura?”
Charles shook his head, but then added, “I can track that person based on Cola and Little black’s aura.” Upon hearing this, David didn’t hesitate and immediately instructed Charles to start tracking. They followed Charles’ lead and began their search for Cola and Little black.
From David perspective, regardless of what had happened, the safety of Cola and Little black was of utmost importance. Only by finding them could they confirm if they were harmed. So the most urgent task is to find the location of Cola and Little black.
As for the esper who took Cola and Little black away, David didn’t care at all. He knew that no matter the esper’s level or strength, if they dared to harm Cola and Little black, he would return the favor a hundredfold. So the group, led by Charles, got back into the car and began searching based on the auras of Cola and Little black.
“This is top-grade spirit beast meat, and you two are really lucky. Even Sky fire, I’m reluctant to give it to him. Shirley always scolds me for being stingy,” Duane said. He was sitting on a scrapped machine tool in an abandoned factory, holding a fresh piece of spirit beast meat in his hand. Cola and Little black were by his side, staring at the meat with anticipation.
Duane tore off two pieces and threw them to Cola and Little black. Little black immediately stuffed it into its mouth and swallowed the whole piece of meat in one gulp. Then it looked at Duane’s hand again. On the other hand, Cola was calmly chewing and savoring the spirit beast meat. Seeing the contrasting behaviors of the two Spirit beast, Duane chuckled.
“You guy, eat in such a hurry? Look at how refined the kitty eats. Only this way can you fully digest the spirit beast meat,” Duane said to Little black with a smile, and then he tore off another piece and threw it to Little black. At the same time, he occasionally glanced at the entrance of the factory, seemingly waiting for something.
Ever since he saw David on the surveillance screen, he became curious about this squad and wondered if their appearance was related to the Second Red Light. So he followed the detected location and arrived at the underground parking lot base.
Just as he arrived there, he saw Cola and Little black before his eyes. Upon seeing the familiars, Duane had an idea. He wanted to meet David, so he decided to take the two Spirit beast with him, expecting David to come to him personally. Perhaps then he could learn some secrets about the Second Red Light.
Duane tempted Cola and Little black with the spirit beast meat originally prepared for Shirley and Sky fire. Sure enough, under the lure of the delicious meat, the two Spirit beast quickly followed him out of the underground parking lot and arrived at the abandoned factory.