Chapter 169: The Line Between Courage and Caution
They quickly divided themselves and dispersed in the forest, each group heading in their own direction. The tacit understanding between them had long been established—knowing each other’s pace, knowing how to fight, and knowing how to retreat. All this had become second nature.
Behind them, other survivors began to catch up. Some scattered and headed in other directions, but more people followed closely—everyone tried to keep enough distance to avoid being named but did not dare to go too far, for fear of losing shelter.
Some people quietly followed Liora’s team and talked in low voices.
"That’s Miss Liora’s team... they’re the safest."
"As long as we don’t make them angry, we can still benefit from it."
"Just follow quietly and learn from them."
Liora heard their whispers but did not respond. She didn’t care what they talked about behind her back.
Let them try. She was not against it at all. She was just afraid of the trouble they might cause.
That’s why her nerves were always tense and never relaxed.
This world would never be kind to stupidity and greed. Not every follower possessed good intentions. Some people would rather steal than work.
They passed a low bush, and several berry plants grew quietly in the pile of dead leaves. They were colorful and looked very similar to the edible "fruit" in the base records.