Chapter 218: Only What’s in Your Stomach Is Yours
Hector Grant shook his head. "Of course not."
Before Sierra Sullivan could ask another question, Hector Grant spoke up.
"Have you all noticed how strange the weather has become?"
Nathan Thorne heard this and gave Hector Grant a look like he was an idiot.
"What are you talking about?"
’Hasn’t the weather been strange ever since the apocalypse began?’
’Did it just suddenly become strange today?’
Hector Grant ignored Nathan Thorne and just kept talking.
"What I mean is, the sandstorm suddenly stopped. Don’t you find that strange? I have a feeling... like some greater danger is waiting for us."
Nathan Thorne looked at Hector Grant in disagreement. "Captain Grant, can’t we say something a little more positive?"
Hector Grant had wanted to ignore Nathan Thorne, but he was just too persistent to be ignored.
"Does saying positive things make positive things happen? I’m still hoping the apocalypse will end right this second. Is it going to?"
Nathan Thorne was instantly rendered speechless.
He wasn’t a complete idiot. He could tell Hector Grant was getting impatient with him, so he wisely chose to shut his mouth.
Seeing that Nathan Thorne had fallen silent, Hector Grant was satisfied. He looked to Sierra Sullivan and Jayce, awaiting their answers.
In truth, it wasn’t just Hector Grant; Sierra Sullivan and Jayce felt the same way.
After all this time, they had gained a certain amount of experience.
Every time things seemed to get better, it was actually the calm before the storm.
It always happened the same way: first a taste of sweetness, then a vicious slap.
After experiencing this kind of thing so many times, Sierra Sullivan had become somewhat numb to it.
’The sandstorm stopped, so we’ll just do what we have to do. At the same time, we need to stay alert and be ready for any surprises.’
’If nothing unexpected happens, that’s great, of course.’
’But if something does happen, at least we won’t be caught off guard and scrambling.’
Sierra Sullivan voiced her thoughts. Hector Grant nodded but didn’t say anything more.
In fact, he understood everything Sierra had said. He had already given his own people the same instructions.
But he still felt somewhat uneasy, which was why he had come over to talk with Sierra and the others.
Although they hadn’t come up with any useful plans, he still felt a lot calmer.
Before long, dinner was ready.
There was flatbread and a hearty stew.
The stew had both meat and vegetables.
The meat, of course, was Exotic Beast Meat.
Sierra Sullivan could stomach Exotic Beast Meat now.
But Candice Tate had never actually eaten it before.
Sierra Sullivan came back with their food and looked at Candice Tate. "Candice, if you don’t want to eat—"
"I’ll eat it!"
Before Sierra Sullivan could finish her sentence, Candice Tate interrupted her.
Candice’s little face was set, her expression incredibly serious. "If you can eat it, Sierra, then so can I!"
Seeing Candice’s determined expression, Sierra Sullivan was filled with a mix of emotions.
It wasn’t just relief, but even more so, heartache.
’Some people might like obedient, sensible children, but I’m not one of them.’
’At her age, Candice should be lively and cheerful, full of a child’s innocence and willfulness, not this tough, sensible little adult she’s become.’
’But this is the apocalypse.’
’This is the only way for her to live, and live well, in this world.’
’If I try to stop her from growing up like this, it won’t do her any good.’
Sierra Sullivan took a deep breath, suppressed the complex emotions in her heart, and smiled at Candice Tate. "Alright, then let’s eat together!"
While the two of them were talking, Nathan Thorne was already shoveling food into his mouth.
He ate exceptionally fast.
In just that short moment, he had already eaten more than half.
Jayce watched Nathan Thorne with an amused expression. "Kid, anyone can tell you’re easy to feed!"
He’d eat anything and make it look like the most delicious meal in the world.
Nathan Thorne’s entire world was his food right now. He hadn’t really heard what Jayce said, only catching the last few words. He immediately nodded. "Yeah, yeah! I am easy to feed!"
’I like good food, but I’ll eat bad food too!’
’As long as there’s something to eat, that’s enough for me.’
’Of course, if it’s delicious, that’s even better.’
Just as Nathan Thorne finished speaking, he heard Jayce burst into loud laughter.
Sierra Sullivan also laughed out loud, and even little Candice Tate was grinning, her eyes curving into happy crescents.
Seeing the three of them laughing like that, Nathan Thorne instantly knew what was up.
Jayce’s comment must have been making fun of him.
Nathan Thorne wanted to rush over and settle the score with Jayce, but he looked at the food container in his hands and gave up on the idea.
"You just wait! I’ll settle the score with you after I’m done eating!"
The sound of their laughter and banter was not quiet, and it soon attracted the gazes of many people.
Seeing them so happy—even without knowing the reason—was grating. Just looking at them was an eyesore.
’Life in the apocalypse is so hard. Every day is a struggle. What right do they have to be laughing so happily?’
The gazes of these people were undisguised. Sierra Sullivan noticed them all but didn’t pay them any mind.
’As long as they’re not stupid enough to come over and start something, they can stare all they want. It’s not worth my attention.’
Hector Grant was not a stingy person.
Or rather, the leaders of Subterra placed great importance on this mission.
Not only had they promised a generous reward, but they also wouldn’t shortchange them on food and drink.
The food was unlimited.
As long as you weren’t full, you could go get more food until you were.
The only rule was that nothing could be wasted.
Everyone was a Superpower User, so their appetites were naturally larger than average.
Normally, when they were responsible for their own provisions, they had to be frugal for various reasons, even if they didn’t want to be.
But things were different now.
Hector Grant had said they could eat their fill, so they had no more reservations.
Among them, the happiest person was Nathan Thorne.
His appetite was bigger than anyone else present.
Finding it too troublesome to run back and forth, he ended up just standing by the pot to eat.
He’d finish his portion, get a refill, and then immediately start devouring it.
Seeing this display, Sierra Sullivan wanted to bury her face in her hands.
’It’s just so... embarrassing!’
’Eating a lot is fine, but hovering right next to the pot to eat? Isn’t that a little over the top?’
Nathan Thorne himself, however, was completely unfazed.
He was having the time of his life.
’The flavor might be average, but who cares when it’s all-you-can-eat and super filling?’
’As long as I can eat until I’m full, that’s all that matters!’
Half an hour later, a satisfied Nathan Thorne walked back.
Just as he was about to speak, he let out a loud burp.
Sierra Sullivan: "..."
Candice Tate couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing.
Her crisp laughter drifted out, causing some of the people sitting nearby to laugh along.
Even with everyone laughing at him, Nathan Thorne didn’t care a bit. "Candice, let me tell you a universal truth!"
Candice Tate blinked her big, watery eyes. "What truth?"
Nathan Thorne patted his stomach lightly. "Only what’s in your stomach is truly yours!"