What makes a fallen prince think he can bargain with a force that could crush his family outright? Milo's naive offer only made Elara sneer.
"Heh～ Young Master Bai seems to have forgotten," Elara Voss crossed her arms, looking at Milo Voss with a half-smile. "The Blaze Legion can take your Bai family by ourselves. We don't need you to hand over two-thirds of it～"
Milo Voss's face flushed red then paled, his lips twisting awkwardly.
"The Bai family has been the leader of X City's Underground for years. We're not some local faction outsiders can easily take down."
He paused, then added firmly: "As the saying goes, Even a powerful dragon can't beat a local snake. From what I know, the Bai family has eight secret underground vaults full of guns and ammunition alone."
"Moreover, we have close ties with City C's Underground. Before I was driven out, the eldest daughter of the Li family—the second most powerful Underground clan in City C—was staying at the Bai residence!"
"You mean the Bai family is on intimate terms with the Li family?" Elara Voss lowered her arms, staring at Milo Voss thoughtfully. "If I move against the Bai family, will the Li family intervene?"
"That's right," Milo Voss nodded, analyzing slowly. "From what I've heard, Bai Yu is already engaged to the Li family's eldest daughter, Li Fei'er."
"I guess the sudden Apocalypse delayed her return, so she's been staying at my family's place ever since."
"The Apocalypse～ Even family ties are unreliable. Do you really think this so-called marriage alliance can hold?"
Elara Voss smiled faintly. "Besides, who can guarantee the Li family is even still intact?"
"There are rumors that City C's Safe Zone is also under construction. The Li family～ Who knows their fate."
Milo Voss was about to say more, but Elara Voss waved her hand and smiled.
"Regardless of the Li family, I accept your proposal. Now, on behalf of my brother, I welcome you to join the Blaze Legion!"
She held out her hand to Milo Voss, a faint smile playing at her lips.
Milo Voss froze, then grabbed her hand in surprise.
"Thank you!"
Elara Voss pulled her hand back, brushing her hair with a smile.
"Then Young Master Bai, I hope you'll remain loyal to the Blaze Legion forever!"
Milo Voss nodded firmly. "Now that I've decided to join, I'll never betray you. I swear on the Bai family's name!"
Elara Voss let out a laugh.
"Rather than the Bai family, I'd prefer you swear on the eight men under your command."
Milo Voss's mouth opened awkwardly.
"That's not what I meant～"
Elara Voss waved her hand to cut him off, still smiling.
"Enough. I don't believe in oaths anyway. One thing's for sure— the Blaze Legion only has martyrs, no traitors."
She glanced at Milo Voss sharply. "Traitors have only one destination～ Young Master Bai should understand."
Milo Voss's lips moved, a complex grayish hue flickering across his childish face.
"I understand..."
Elara Voss smiled and turned to leave.
Elias Voss, who had appeared with paper and pen at some point, was jotting things down seriously.
"How's it going?" Elara Voss leaned over to ask.
"Other than fresh produce and expired frozen food, everything else is fine," Elias Voss pushed his glasses, looking at his notes.
"I'm figuring out what we need to take back with us."
"Why figure?" Elara Voss scanned the shelves, her heart filled with joy at the sight of the supplies.
"Our Safe Zone is small now, but its population will keep growing, and supplies will only get scarcer. Naturally, we should take as much as we can!"
"Besides, the weather is unpredictable. We need to prepare for a rainy day!"
"I know that," Elias Voss looked troubled. "The problem is we don't have enough space～"
"Hmm, go ask Milo Voss if any of his men can drive," Elara Voss said.
"Take some people to find two trucks on the street. We need to haul as much as possible back."
"Got it!" Elias Voss closed his notebook, replied, and immediately turned to head downstairs.
Elara Voss wandered through each floor of the supermarket.
The building had five floors total.
The fifth floor for household items, the fourth for electrical appliances, the third for clothing, the second for luggage and jewelry, and the first for non-staple foods—grains, oils, rice, flour, fruits, and vegetables.
Having a rough idea of the layout, Elara Voss went back down to the lobby.
There, Silas Thorne sat pale-faced and sweating profusely, supported by Piper Thorne.
Elara Voss frowned and hurried over.
"What happened?"
"Brother used up too much energy! I told him to rest before continuing, but he wouldn't listen—he insisted on healing everyone first!"
Before Silas Thorne could speak, Piper Thorne pouted, complaining to Elara Voss.
"It's fine," Silas Thorne looked at Elara Voss with warm eyes, his voice low.
"I just exhausted my Superpower. I'll be okay after resting for a while～"
"There's no rush!" Elara Voss said sternly, keeping her voice low enough for only the three of them to hear.
"Overusing your Superpower too many times will hinder your future advancement! Don't joke with your own body!"
With a flick of her fingers, she quickly slipped a crystallized honey cube to Silas Thorne.
"Suck on this and meditate to absorb it. If you keep being so stubborn, you'll be responsible for the consequences!"
After speaking, Elara Voss walked away with a serious expression.
Piper Thorne stuck out her tongue.
"Wow～ Sister Elara is so imposing～"
Silas Thorne glanced at his sister helplessly, shaking his head.
As he watched Elara Voss's retreating figure, a warm flush spread across his pale face.
It was worth pushing himself this hard, if only to earn her concern.
Seeing her brother close his eyes to rest, Piper Thorne stayed by his side quietly to keep watch.
Elara Voss searched around but couldn't find Elias Voss or Milo Voss, so she asked Bai Shi.
"Oh～ My young master went to find trucks with Master Nie. He told me to stay and take care of the brothers."
Bai Shi replied quickly.
Elara Voss raised an eyebrow in surprise but said nothing more.
Inside the Safe Zone, Kael Voss narrowed his eyes.
He stared at a cluster of black flames dancing at his fingertips.
Then he glanced at Cyrus Voss, who lay collapsed on the ground, his face ashen.
A smirk tugged at Kael's lips.
"This time… which part of you do you want to disappear?"
Cyrus Voss's hands were tied behind his back.
He struggled desperately to crawl toward the corner, his eyes wide with terror as he shook his head at Kael Voss.
His left leg was already gone—shoes and all—vanishing into thin air before his eyes.
He never wanted to experience that indescribable pain again!
"No… no… please… spare me… I was wrong!"
Cyrus Voss begged frantically. "I have eyes but failed to see Mount Tai… I was foolish. I'll never dare again…"
Spare me, and I, Cyrus Voss, will be your servant for life!"
"Do you think I'd ever trust you as my servant?" Kael Voss looked down at him, slowly bending over to get closer.
"When I provided supplies, recruited people to build the Safe Zone, gave you weapons, and let you be its leader, you said the same thing."
How did that turn out～"
Cyrus Voss froze, then threw himself to his knees, kowtowing wildly.
"I was wrong, Voss! I was wrong! I'm not human! Please… give me another chance…"
"Another chance to stab me in the back?" Kael Voss chuckled coldly, patting Cyrus Voss's shoulder lightly.
"Not everyone can take advantage of Kael Voss."
Even fewer can betray and humiliate me with impunity."
"Do you know what happened to the people who followed you later?"
A wisp of black flame drifted down onto Cyrus Voss's shoulder, like a playful little snake, slowly devouring his flesh!
Cyrus Voss's eyes bulged in terror, his features contorting in agony.
The pain was so intense he couldn't scream—he could only gasp for air like a dying fish!
"I hung them on the Safe Zone's walls," Kael Voss said.
His tall figure exuded an oppressive aura.
"They'll suffer from wind and sun, and eventually die of hunger and thirst…"
A faint black flame totem flickered between Kael Voss's brows, making him look like a devil from hell!
"You… you're a monster… kill me! Just kill me!!!"
Cyrus Voss watched in horror as his left shoulder and hand vanished, screaming hysterically!
"Don't worry," Kael Voss stood up straight, a cruel smile curving his lips.
He flicked his finger, and another cluster of flames drifted down onto Cyrus Voss's right foot.
"I'll make sure you join them soon…"
"Ah….. No! No! You can't kill me! My aunt won't let you get away with this! The Bai family will avenge me!!! Kael Voss, you'll regret this!"
Cyrus Voss trembled violently, trying to shake the flame off his foot.
The tiny flame looked fragile, but it clung tightly to his skin, not moving an inch.
In moments, half of his foot was burned away!
"The Bai family?" Kael Voss turned around in confusion, glancing toward the door.
Standing there was a man in his late twenties, with ordinary features but sharp, profound eyes.
He gave off an air of calm experience and sternness.
It was Dorian Hale, the current Deputy Safe Zone Leader and Jaxon Hale's cousin.
"Madam Bai is Cyrus Voss's aunt," Dorian Hale said, his face pale and his voice slightly trembling.
Today, he finally realized just how powerful and mysterious this man named Kael Voss was!
"You mean that mistress who stole the top spot?" Kael Voss thought for a moment, sneering in disdain.
Dorian Hale nodded.
"Cyrus Voss's mother died when he was young. His aunt raised him, and they're very close."
"Heh～ Don't worry," Kael Voss waved his hand.
The flame flared briefly, then shrank back, leaving a afterimage in the air before condensing into a finger-thin wisp and drifting back into his palm.
Where Cyrus Voss had been, there was nothing left!
Dorian Hale swallowed hard involuntarily!
A man who could kill effortlessly with a wave of his hand was truly terrifying!
Compared to him, his own abilities were negligible… Lucky for him, he'd always known his place!
"Have you seen Jaxon Hale?" Kael Voss strode toward Dorian Hale, who stepped back automatically, falling into step behind him.
"Yes, we caught up for a while," Dorian Hale replied, keeping his head down respectfully.
"He came here with Elara. Normally, I wouldn't interfere with Elara's friends," Kael Voss said, not looking back.
"But you'd better keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn't get any inappropriate ideas about someone he shouldn't."
"If you do that, I'll make sure both you and your brother have enough to eat and wear for the rest of your lives. Otherwise… I might personally send you to join your family someday."
"You're a smart man. You know what I mean?"
His words were laced with a clear threat!
Dorian Hale stumbled slightly, instantly understanding Kael Voss's meaning.
He whispered: "I understand."
The two walked in silence for a while.
Then Kael Voss suddenly spoke up.
"Is your Superpower Earth-type?"
"What?" Dorian Hale was startled.
He stopped in his tracks and stared at Kael Voss in shock.
Next Chapter Highlight:
Elara and her team load supplies and prepare to return to X City with Milo, but they're ambushed by the Bai family's elite troops sent by Bai Yu's aunt! Piper is captured as a hostage, and Bai Yu threatens Elara to hand over Milo and all supplies. Just as Elara is in a dilemma, Kael arrives with his fire Superpower, burning the Bai family's troops to ashes! But when he sees Elara risking her life to protect Milo, his jealousy explodes: "Damn it! You never took such risks for me!" He confronts Elara fiercely, and their dispute is interrupted by a horde of high-level Mutated Beasts attracted by the fire. In the chaos, Milo reveals a shocking secret: the Bai family has a secret laboratory researching Mutated Beast Superpower fusion! Will this secret change Elara and Kael's plan to take down the Bai family? And can they put aside their differences to escape the beast horde?