Chapter 207: Chapter 207 Have you forgotten who Sunny is?!
Albert immediately burst into laughter.
Even Darren couldn’t help chuckling.
Erick, however, looked genuinely confused.
"Is the food really that bad?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "You’re telling me even Sunny wouldn’t eat it?"
Darren looked at him as though he had just asked the most ridiculous question imaginable.
"Commander Erick... have you forgotten who Sunny is?"
Erick blinked.
"What do you mean?"
"You’ve seen her before."
Darren placed both hands on his waist.
"You’ve also seen the kind of meat she normally eats."
He pointed toward the bowl of watery rice.
"On top of that, she has premium dog food stocked up back at Hope Base."
He snorted.
"So tell me... do you honestly think a spoiled dog like Sunny would willingly settle for this?"
Albert laughed even harder.
"I have to admit, he’s got a point."
Darren shrugged.
"Even Sunny would probably stare at this bowl, look at us with disappointment, and walk away."
Ivy couldn’t help laughing.
Even Erick eventually laughed despite himself.
"Why don’t you just join Hope Base instead, Commander Erick?"
Ivy asked as she rested her chin on one hand.
"Then you wouldn’t have to worry about food shortages anymore."
Everyone knew she was joking.
Still...
Erick’s smile slowly faded.
He let out a long, exhausted sigh.
"I wish it were that simple."
For a brief moment, silence settled around the table.
"Everything will get better," Erick finally said, forcing a small smile onto his face.
"This situation is only temporary."
His eyes became more determined.
"Once we successfully complete tomorrow’s mission, we’ll finally have enough supplies to stabilize the base."
Seeing the weary expression on his face, Ivy decided not to tease him any further.
"Then let’s make sure the mission succeeds."
She picked up another spoonful of the watery rice and vegetables before taking a bite.
Although the appearance wasn’t particularly appetizing, the taste was surprisingly decent.
The vegetables were well seasoned, and despite the extra water, the rice was still filling.
"It’s actually better than it looks," Ivy admitted honestly.
Seeing her continue eating without complaint, Darren finally picked up his own spoon.
"I guess I shouldn’t judge food by its appearance."
He took a bite.
A moment later, he shrugged.
"...I’ve definitely had worse."
A warm smile finally appeared on Erick’s face.
"I’m glad."
The atmosphere around the table gradually became much lighter.
Several minutes later...
Everyone had finished eating.
The empty bowls had already been cleared away by the two women who had served them earlier.
Now the group simply remained seated around the table, quietly sipping chilled fruit juice while enjoying the cool morning breeze.
For several moments, nobody spoke.
Eventually...
Erick broke the silence.
"Would you like to see the base market?"
Ivy immediately looked up.
"There’s a market inside the base?"
She raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Erick nodded.
"There is."
Albert nodded as well.
"It’s one of the busiest places here."
Darren, on the other hand, simply continued drinking his juice.
He already knew about it.
Ivy smiled.
"Then let’s go."
She stood up from her chair.
"I’m already getting bored sitting here anyway."
She stretched both arms above her head.
"Besides..."
She looked toward Erick.
"We can continue talking while we walk."
"Sounds good."
Erick rose from his chair as well.
"Let’s go."
Albert remained behind to supervise the unloading of supplies from the truck while Darren lazily leaned back in his chair.
Ivy and Erick slowly walked through the quiet streets of the residential district.
Soldiers occasionally saluted Erick as they passed.
He acknowledged each salute with a simple nod.
After walking for several minutes, Ivy finally broke the silence.
"So..."
She turned toward him.
"How’s tomorrow’s operation looking?"
Erick kept his eyes on the road ahead.
"We’re definitely leaving tomorrow."
His tone became more serious.
"Several base have already confirmed they’ll be participating."
"They’re all base that shelter and protect survivors just like Fierce Hunter Base."
He paused briefly.
"I don’t know exactly how many groups will actually show up."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"But once valuable resources are involved..."
He chuckled softly.
"You can count on at least a few of them making an appearance."
Ivy nodded thoughtfully.
"Do you trust them?"
Erick immediately laughed.
"Trust?"
He shook his head.
"There’s no such thing as trust in the apocalypse, Captain Ivy."
His expression gradually hardened.
"The person standing beside you today..."
He looked toward her.
"...could be the very same person who stabs you in the back tomorrow."
He folded his arms behind his back.
"My men and I are already prepared."
His voice carried absolute confidence.
"If any group decides to cause trouble during tomorrow’s mission..."
A dangerous smile slowly spread across his face.
"...we’ll deal with them accordingly."
"I figured you’d say something like that."
Ivy chuckled softly as the two continued walking side by side.
Before long...
A loud commotion drifted through the air.
Shouting.
Arguments.
People yelling over one another.
Both Ivy and Erick instinctively stopped walking.
Erick frowned.
"Don’t tell me they’re fighting again..."
he muttered under his breath.
Without another word, he immediately changed direction and headed toward the source of the disturbance.
Ivy followed closely behind, her curiosity already beginning to grow as the shouting became louder with every step.
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