Chapter 184: Chapter 184: Not Weaned Yet? Asking Where Your Dad Is the Moment You Get Back
The journey back to the base was not a smooth one.
Along the way, they were constantly ambushed by various mutated animals that appeared out of nowhere.
Fortunately, the vehicle was sturdy enough, and since they were continuously recovering their stamina and Superpowers, they managed to handle it.
The road conditions were just terrible. Even though they did their best to keep their bearings, they still frequently took wrong turns, crashed into buildings, or got the tires stuck in the sand.
Even with the best sand tires the base had to offer, they were barely adequate for the current road conditions.
Normally, the trip from the residential complex back to the base would only take a few hours.
But under these circumstances, they drove from dawn until dusk and still hadn’t made it back.
They couldn’t stay in the vehicle after dark.
It wasn’t safe, nor was it practical.
They had no choice but to find a second-floor shop by the road and make do for the night.
To avoid losing the vehicle again, Sierra Sullivan stored it directly in her space after they all got out.
’My space is a wonderful thing. I have to make better use of it from now on!’
’I can’t be as careless as before!’
The layout of the shop’s second floor was different from a residential apartment.
Instead of being divided into multiple rooms, it was one large space with a small, cramped bathroom attached.
The original toilet was unusable, but Sierra Sullivan cleared out the debris and placed two portable toilets inside, which would be convenient for the group to use at night.
The main area was spacious but piled high with all sorts of clutter.
The place had clearly been ransacked more than once, likely by people searching for supplies.
Clothes were strewn all over the floor.
Some packages had been torn open and tossed aside, while others were still perfectly sealed.
It was clearly a clothing warehouse.
The shelves were also packed with clothes.
Most of it was winter attire, with only a few spring items.
When the apocalypse hit, the winter Veridia clearance sale hadn’t finished, and the spring collection had only just been released. It was perfectly normal for the warehouse to be in this state.
The group tossed the messy clothes aside, clearing out an open area.
After a day in the vehicle, constantly on high alert and dealing with one emergency after another, everyone was exhausted.
Sierra Sullivan didn’t bother preparing anything elaborate. She just took out two long tables and covered them with a wide array of cooked dishes.
There were also drinks and fruits in abundance.
She provided a more than generous supply of fruits and ready-to-eat vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes.
Everyone was tired and famished. They all ate in silence, heads down.
By the time they stopped, the tables had been picked clean.
After a short rest, they cleared the tables together. Sierra Sullivan then stored them away, taking out several mattresses and spreading them out.
The group set up a watch schedule, taking turns to stand guard through the night.
The night passed without incident.
While their sleep wasn’t the best, the absence of any attacks from Aberrant Beasts allowed everyone to get some much-needed rest.
At least when they woke up, they looked less haggard, and their eyes were not as bloodshot.
After breakfast, the group boarded the vehicle once more and continued their journey to the base.
They had covered half the distance yesterday. With a good push, they might be able to make it back before nightfall.
The day’s journey was much the same as the one before.
However, they took fewer wrong turns than they had the previous day.
’Experience, it seems, helps one avoid certain mishaps!’
When they finally made it back and saw the familiar gates of the base up close, a collective sigh of relief went through the group.
’We’re finally back!’
Dominic Crawford, in the driver’s seat, laid on the horn, trying to alert the people inside that they had returned.
But even after a long time, the gate remained shut. There was no sign of activity from within the base.
The group’s excitement began to fade.
Just looking at the sealed gate, Sierra Sullivan had a distinct feeling that something was wrong.
"Something must have happened at the base."
She said it not as a question or a guess, but as a firm statement.
Based on her knowledge of the base, even if the guards didn’t recognize them, they would have come out to investigate after this much honking.
They would never just let someone lay on the horn until it was about to break without any response.
"I’ll get out and take a look—"
Before Jayce could finish, Dominic Crawford’s excited voice cut in.
"The gate is opening!"
Sierra Sullivan and Jayce immediately looked ahead, but Dominic Crawford had already started the engine and was driving through.
The vehicle entered the base and, guided by an individual, drove into a large shed.
This was a shed that hadn’t been there before.
A single glance told them it had been constructed by a Gold Ability User and an Earth Element Superpower User.
Though crude and windowless, it was tall and spacious enough that the vehicle didn’t feel cramped inside.
The vehicle had barely come to a stop when someone started banging on the door from outside. "Everyone out of the car for inspection!"
It was a completely unfamiliar voice.
The tone was harsh and condescending, tinged with a hint of fastidiousness and disgust.
Jayce was the first to the door. He threw it open and stepped out, with Sierra Sullivan right behind him.
Jayce stared at the completely unfamiliar men before him and asked with a frown, "Who are you people? Where’s my father?"
The man stared at him, stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Your father? How old are you? Haven’t you been weaned yet? Coming back and immediately asking for your daddy!"
His attitude was incredibly arrogant, a clear provocation.
Jayce had never been a man known for his good temper.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Jayce looked at the men who were still roaring with laughter, raised his hand, and hurled a massive ball of water at them.
The force of the water sphere was immense. Caught completely off guard, the men were sent flying several meters back before crashing heavily to the ground.
The sphere burst on impact, drenching them to the bone and leaving them looking like drowned rats.
It all happened in an instant; no one had time to stop him.
Not that anyone wanted to.
Sierra Sullivan stared at the men sprawled on the ground, her own brow furrowed tightly.
’These men... they’re definitely not from Red Sun Base.’
’Anyone with any influence in Red Sun Base would know who Jayce is.’
’No one would dare speak to Jayce like that.’
Sierra Sullivan shot them a cold glance. "Jayce, don’t waste your anger on them. It’s not worth it. If they dare to open their filthy mouths again, just cut out their tongues. If they still don’t behave, then take off their heads."
