Chapter 206: Chapter 206 Forgive the simple meal.
As Albert continued driving deeper into Fierce Hunter Base, the surroundings gradually began to change.
The miserable refugee camp outside slowly disappeared behind them.
The living conditions here were noticeably better.
There was no shouting.
No desperate arguments.
No survivors swinging sticks at one another over a patch of ground.
Everything was orderly.
Rows upon rows of military tents had been neatly arranged in straight lines, with enough space between each one for people to move around comfortably.
Survivors quietly entered and exited the tents while soldiers continuously patrolled the area to maintain order.
The rich aroma of freshly cooked food drifted through the air.
Long queues of survivors stood patiently in line, each person holding a bowl as volunteers distributed white rice and vegetable soup.
Although the meals were simple, nobody pushed or argued.
Everyone waited their turn.
Darren observed the scene through the window before nodding slightly.
"This place looks much better than outside."
Albert smiled faintly.
"Only because this is the inner residential district."
His smile quickly faded.
"We can’t accommodate everyone in here."
The truck continued moving deeper into the base.
After what felt like another eternity of driving, Albert finally slowed to a stop in front of a large reinforced building.
Mounted above the entrance was a polished steel plaque.
Commander Erick’s Residence.
Unlike the crowded residential district they had just passed through, this area was remarkably quiet.
There were no survivor tents nearby.
Only Erick’s residence stood in the center, accompanied by two other heavily guarded buildings situated a short distance away.
The roads were clean.
Soldiers stood watch at every corner.
The atmosphere immediately felt far more secure.
Albert climbed down from the driver’s seat before stretching his aching back.
"Here we are," he said with a long yawn.
"That was one hell of a journey. Driving through the entire night without getting any sleep isn’t exactly my idea of fun."
Before anyone could reply...
The front door of the residence swung open.
Erick walked outside wearing a warm smile.
The moment he spotted Ivy and Darren, his smile widened even further.
"Welcome to Fierce Hunter Base, Captain Ivy."
He walked over and extended both arms.
"It’s really good to see you again."
"It’s good to see you too, Commander Erick," Ivy replied with a bright smile.
The two shared a brief but warm hug before stepping apart.
Erick then turned toward Darren.
"It’s good to see you again too."
Darren chuckled.
"You haven’t changed one bit."
The two men embraced briefly before exchanging friendly pats on each other’s backs.
Albert watched the reunion with an amused grin.
"Alright, enough catching up," he teased.
"I’m starving."
Erick laughed.
"Actually, you’ve all arrived just in time."
He gestured toward a large dining table arranged beneath a covered patio outside the residence.
"Come. Have a meal with me first. We can discuss everything else afterward."
Ivy and Darren nodded before following him.
The four of them settled around the table.
Moments later, two young women walked out from the residence carrying trays of food.
They politely placed bowls, plates, drinking water, and several canned beverages before each guest before bowing respectfully and leaving.
"Thank you," Ivy said with a grateful smile.
She hadn’t realized just how hungry she had become after spending the entire night traveling.
The delicious aroma rising from the bowls immediately awakened her appetite.
Erick scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Please... forgive the simple meal."
His expression became somewhat embarrassed.
"We don’t have much left to offer our guests."
Everyone lifted the lids covering their meals.
Inside each bowl was rice cooked with far more water than usual, making it almost resemble porridge.
Steamed vegetables sat beside it.
There wasn’t a single piece of fresh meat anywhere.
The only noticeable difference was that the meal included small serving of canned fish placed neatly beside the vegetables.
Seeing their expressions, Erick sighed helplessly.
"We’re running dangerously low on grain supplies."
He picked up his spoon and quietly began eating.
"Every single day, more survivors arrive seeking shelter."
He swallowed another mouthful before continuing.
"Our food reserves simply can’t keep up anymore."
He looked toward Ivy.
"That’s one of the biggest reasons we’re organizing this mission."
His voice grew serious.
"If we don’t secure additional resources soon..."
He shook his head.
"The entire base will eventually run out of food."
Darren stared silently at his bowl for several seconds before finally speaking.
"If you can’t provide for more survivors..."
He looked directly at Erick.
"...then why do you keep accepting them?"
His tone was blunt but not malicious.
"You should only take in the number of people you can realistically feed and protect."
He folded his arms across his chest.
"This rice is practically flavored water with a handful of grains floating in it."
He glanced around the residence.
"The condition of this base wasn’t anywhere near this bad the last time I was here."
His eyes returned to Erick.
"It’s gotten worse because you’re trying to save everyone."
He leaned back in his chair.
"Sometimes you have to prioritize the people already under your protection before taking responsibility for even more."
The table suddenly fell silent.
Even Albert stopped eating.
Everyone knew Darren wasn’t trying to be cruel.
He was simply stating a harsh reality that no one wanted to admit.
"I..."
Ivy stared at the bowl in front of her for another second before letting out a helpless sigh.
"Damn..." she muttered before shaking her head with an amused smile. "Sunny is going to be so pissed at me if I serve her something like this."
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