Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Questioning Jake
"It’s the end of the world now. When will it stop being unpredictable?" Cassias calmly retorted.
Zerra pursed her lips. She remembered what had happened last night. Cassias came to find her after she returned to her room, conveying his intention to go to the Capital.
Even when she had heard him talking about it with Laziel, she still felt like it was a fantasy.
"Sister. If you don’t want to go, it’s also fine to stay here." She spoke, determined not to act as passively as before. "Cassias proposed to go because our families are there."
She emphasized the last sentence, telling Nyra it wasn’t her who started this idea. Her voice was soft, but her gaze unwavering.
Nyra’s lips parted; no words came out. She was too stunned to speak, not expecting Zerra to say such words. After all, they had made a good team. Cassias was a strong teammate, and losing him...
Her eyes flashed. She suddenly stood up. "Then, I will think about it. Darren called me, so we will discuss it later."
With that, she took large strides toward the door. Her figure disappeared in seconds.
Zerra glanced at Cassias, who was sipping the water on the table. He didn’t seem to object to her saying such words to Nyra, so it should be fine, right?
Suddenly feeling parched, she reached for another glass and poured herself a glass of water. When she tasted the familiar spring water, her eyes lit up.
The moment Laziel entered the room in a hurry, he saw Zerra busy drinking water, while Cassias was lazily leaning on his rattan chair.
"Where is my eldest sister? Did she agree?" He went straight to the point.
A look of worry crossed his face. If Nyra had an opposing opinion, it was he who would be caught between a hard place. On either side was his sister.
Although he initially despised Zerra, recently he found that she wasn’t all that bad.
Zerra shrugged, gulped the water in her mouth and put the glass down. "She went to find Darren. She hadn’t given the answer yet."
Nyra was a stubborn person, a tough nut to crack. Once she decided on something, it took a long effort to convince her to do the opposite.
Laziel scrunched his face, contemplating something. Meanwhile, Zerra pondered what Nyra had just said and found it weird.
Why did Nyra, the female lead, instead of cultivating a relationship with the male lead, run after the second male lead all day? Her gaze inadvertently shifted to Cassias with a slightly reproachful look.
It was because the male lead wasn’t working hard enough. He didn’t even coax Nyra just now, letting her leave with a suffocated chest.
As if sensing her gaze, Cassias turned to her. "What’s wrong? Do you need more water?"
Laziel lifted his brows, his thoughts interrupted.
She was startled, not expecting Cassias to stare at her suddenly. She cleared her throat and fanned herself. "Yes, do you still have some more? The temperature is so high today."
***
Henry and his underlings returned from the mission today, bringing the rest of the people from the residential area.
Most of the ability users went under him, making him feel rather satisfied. Darren didn’t personally join the survivors’ rescue. Still, he also had no choice but to send some of his men there.
Lest Henry would take this chance to smear his name. After the people arrived, they arranged for the survivors’ lodging.
Zerra caught Darren and Nyra standing close to each other. Her mind couldn’t help but fall into a daze. She previously had been too preoccupied with Cassias that she didn’t notice them getting so close with each other.
Now, looking at their interaction with her own eyes, she thought she was transported into a different novel–like a fanfiction or some sort.
The plot really collapsed!
Nyra had a troubled look on her face. Darren’s expression softened, a rare look that he would only give to her.
She heard their conversation.
"You are also going to the Capital?" Nyra asked; the frown on her face deepened.
"Yes. There is something I need to do there. The base needs to send a representative for this, and I got selected." He paused. "I heard Cassias had been planning to go there too, so I talked with him."
"You don’t want to go?" Darren had an apologetic look on his face. His brows occasionally knitted together. "If you don’t want to go..."
Zerra realized people were glancing at her strangely now. She didn’t realize that she had been almost hugging the tree. Her face stiffened, and she gave those people a polite smile.
She touched her nose in embarrassment and ran away. She forgot it was broad daylight, and she wasn’t in her fox form.
On the way back, she stumbled upon Jake, who was moving things from the truck.
"Miss Zerra, how are you? We met again," He greeted her.
However, unlike some weeks ago where he always had a smile plastered on his face. Exhaustion had taken over. Occasional frowns marred his face. Even his smile was a little stiff.
Even though Zerra’s first impression of this man was of a ghost that crawled out of a horror movie, she didn’t dislike him.
She stopped in front of him. "Hello, Jake. Finally, you arrived here. It has been a long journey, hasn’t it? You look exhausted."
"Is that too obvious on my face?" He let out a chuckle. The atmosphere eased a little, yet he still subconsciously touched his face.
Zerra blinked, and she suddenly remembered something. Her gaze scanned her surroundings. "Do you have a few minutes, Jake? I want to ask you some questions."
After she went to the Capital, it was unknown when she would meet Jake again. It was the best time to ask him about the identity of the man who had taught the ability users in that rural residential area.
"Of course, Miss. I can spare a few minutes." Jake had a look of confusion on his face, but he easily agreed.
They found a more secluded spot where less people were passing by. Jake put down the bag in his hand.
Since she had detected more signs of the plot collapsing, it might be her chance to escape from this cursed world. No matter the result, at least she wouldn’t regret it if she had made an effort; even if she failed.
That man seemed to be someone who would be a variable, so she should be on guard just in case.
Zerra began, "Do you know the identity of the man who taught you to use your power?"
Jake’s eyes flickered; he didn’t seem surprised that she would ask about this. "He never told us about his identity. One thing I can tell you is that most of the people stayed there because of him. When he is present, the area is relatively safe."
He knitted his eyebrows. "A lot of us respect him because of this. We thought he would be there when Mr. Brown came to pick us up, but he never returned."
She tilted her head, surprised that the small community had actually been built because of that unknown figure.
"What is his name?" She inquired.
It was Jake’s turn to be stunned. He widened his eyes, racking his brains for any revelation about the man’s name. He scratched the back of his head; his face full of confusion that morphed into anxiety.
"He never seems to mention his name..."
Her eyes flickered. "Then, how do you all address him?"
Jake fell into a daze. His countenance paled as he struggled hard to remember.
"I don’t know, Miss." He said after a while, muttering quietly under his breath. "We don’t seem to address him... maybe only by common honorifics."
He rubbed his face with a headache. "I also can’t recall his appearance."
Zerra’s face revealed a thoughtful look. Could it be...? Illusion?
"Zerra, what are you doing here?" A familiar voice sounded.
She inwardly groaned. Here the trouble came knocking even when she wasn’t actively looking for it!