Chapter 288: Chapter 195: Love and Resentment
Inside the Evo-Space, it was like a war among the plants.
Ears of corn, cotton bolls, and small soybeans were flying everywhere. They used the elasticity of their stalks, bending them back to catapult their harvest high into the air.
However, though it looked chaotic, Paige Summers couldn’t help but marvel at their control over the force they used. They all landed precisely on the edge of the planting fields, even taking turns cooperatively to form neat row after neat row...
The sweet potatoes and cabbages, on the other hand, were a bit more well-behaved. Being larger, they orderly imitated the way the wheat grains moved and jumped across. The cabbages were especially comical; they jumped a little slower, their chubby bodies waddling left and right, making them look just like fat ducks!
Paige also noticed something strange. A portion of the sweet potatoes and cabbages were burrowing into the ground like hamsters. She thought about it for a moment before it dawned on her. ’Could this be how they’re saving their seeds? But I vaguely remember that to preserve these crops, you’re supposed to store them in a cellar. Is going directly into the ground really okay?’
But on second thought, the crops in the Evo-Space were different from ordinary ones to begin with. ’It felt as if they were sentient, fully aware of their actions. Or maybe it’s an instinct to perpetuate their kind? Come to think of it, since this is what they chose to do, it must be the right way—at least, it must work inside the Evo-Space.’
’In any case, they’re much better at this than a novice like me!’
She put her mind at ease and prepared to withdraw from the space.
’Let them sort it out themselves. It’s their world in there, and there’s no place for me to interfere. If a crop can’t survive or re-seed itself inside the Evo-Space, then it’s useless for me to worry about it anyway.’
Feeling reassured, she withdrew her spiritual power. Just then, the door behind her opened.
Zephyr Mercer emerged, looking to be in high spirits.
The moment he saw Paige Summers, he was both surprised and delighted.
"What are you... You’re back?!"
"Yes. I’ve been here for a little while. Rhonda Rhodes told me you were cultivating. How did it go? Did it go well?"
Zephyr Mercer nodded vigorously. "Boss Rhodes is great. He didn’t just teach me the Cultivation Technique; he also explained the parts I couldn’t grasp. Honestly, it’s full of ancient writing, so learning it hasn’t been easy."
’Not easy... yet his cultivation is going well... It seems Rhonda Rhodes put a lot of work into this.’ At that moment, Paige was certain that what Rhonda had said was true—that she was repaying a favor she owed Zephyr Mercer, something about karma.
Zephyr continued, "Enough about me. What about you? How are you? Was The Foundry a successful trip? Were the zombies in there tough to handle? And what are Bloodfall’s plans? Are you heading back to Central City?"
’So many questions...’
Paige smiled. "We can talk about that in a bit. Let’s head back out front. I brought Sean Raines, and I’m not sure how he and Rhonda will get along." ’Actually, Rhonda should be about done with her questions by now. I should go check. Speaking of which, she wouldn’t keep Sean tied up this whole time, would she? That guy looks laid-back, but he’s incredibly proud at heart. He really took a tumble this time; I can’t imagine how frustrated he must be feeling!’
Zephyr Mercer was stunned for a moment, then gave a hearty laugh. "I’m sure they’ll be fine!"
"Hmm, we should probably still go check," Paige said diplomatically.
Zephyr Mercer hesitated for a moment, then fell silent. Seeing she was already walking away, he had no choice but to follow. A wave of disappointment washed over him; he desperately wanted to talk to her alone, but it was clear she had no intention of doing so.
Suddenly, the joy he felt from his progress in cultivation faded significantly.
’This anxiety is eating me alive!’
’He had no idea how he should act around her!’
’Being forceful only earned him a stronger rejection. Being subtle—like shamelessly sticking with Bloodfall and following her on missions... but throughout the entire journey, she remained polite and distant, not showing the slightest sign of being moved.’
In that instant, a bitter resentment he could no longer suppress surged up from within him.
’Why can’t she just truly see me?’
’How am I any worse than that guy, Meng?’
’In terms of background, I’m from the Mercer Family—the most powerful Ancient Martial Clan in Astoria, the third son of the Clan Leader! That Meng guy is a nobody. He might have somehow curried favor with the City Lord of Jovitas and been named the successor, but a place like Jovitas? It might seem popular, but it’s just a front for shady dealings. How can that possibly compare to the prestige of the Mercer Family!’
’In terms of power, I may not be a Superpower User, and I’ll admit I was a step behind him before. But now that I’m practicing a new Cultivation Technique, it won’t be long before I’m confident I won’t lose to that bastard!’
’And in terms of devotion, that Meng couldn’t protect her at all! If he could, why would he just stand by and watch as she was forced out of Central City, unable to find a foothold, and had to flee elsewhere?!’
The more Zephyr Mercer thought, the angrier he got. He grabbed Paige Summers’s arm. "Wait! I have something to say!"
Paige paused before turning around. She calmly looked into his eyes, which burned with anger and resentment, and said softly, "What do you want to say?"
The calmer she was, the more resentful Zephyr Mercer became, and his grip on her arm grew tighter.
"Why? How am I any worse than that worthless coward Meng! Why do you never have eyes for me? If you’d just give me one serious look, you’d realize I’m a much better fit for you than he is! At the very least, I’ve been able to travel with you all the way here. Can he do that? If you just said the word, I wouldn’t hesitate to take on Sheldon Reid. Can he? He can’t! He can’t do a single thing! What’s the point of a man like that?! Why do you—"
"Enough!" Paige violently wrenched her arm free. "Don’t you dare bad-mouth him in front of me!"
Zephyr Mercer fell silent abruptly.
He clenched his jaw, his face flushing crimson as veins bulged on his forehead.
Paige let out a breath, her expression softening. By this point, she was well aware of his genuine feelings, but they were feelings she could not reciprocate.
"If I’ve hurt you, all I can say is I’m sorry." Her gaze shifted from his face to the distance, her eyes heavy. "It sounds cliché, but I’m only now realizing I have no other choice but to say it. To be honest, I’m not that focused on matters of the heart. My focus is more on simply surviving this apocalypse. Artifact Making, missions, friends, teammates... too many things and people compete for my attention. Being with me means being prepared for that. Do you think you could handle that?"
Zephyr Mercer had calmed down a bit. He opened his mouth, about to say something.
But Paige cut him off. "Don’t say something rash or something you don’t mean. If you really think about it, you’ll understand. You couldn’t handle it." She turned her gaze back to him and gave a faint smile. "Your feelings are just like your personality—too intense. If I were with you, you’d never be able to stand the way I live my life on my own terms. If we came across something dangerous, you’d try to stop me. If we met someone dangerous, you’d jump in front of me... It’s not that it’s a bad thing—it’s very chivalrous, actually. But, you understand... I don’t need it!"
