Chapter 240: Do you think I’m the kind of person who would joke about something like this?
Candice Tate might not have understood it all, but she earnestly committed every word Sierra Sullivan said to memory.
"I understand!" Candice Tate nodded earnestly. "I’ll do it."
Candice Tate’s response was exactly what Sierra Sullivan had expected.
Sierra Sullivan said no more, simply carrying Candice Tate as she walked inside.
They had just achieved a resounding victory. Not a single person was injured, and they had even brought back an exceptionally rare trophy.
Downstairs, no one had been in the mood or had the time to examine their prize.
But now that they were back upstairs, in a familiar and safe environment, their minds were at ease. They could finally relax, and with that, their interest was piqued.
"Captain Grant, why don’t you take out the Crystal Core and let us have a look!"
"Yeah! Captain Grant, I’ve never seen a Crystal Core this big before. Take it out and let us all have a look!"
"I wonder what level a Crystal Core this big is. If someone absorbed it, how much would their Superpower improve?"
His words drew a few scoffs.
"You wish. A Crystal Core that big must contain an immense and violent amount of energy. With your talent and ability, even if it were given to you, would you dare try to absorb it? You wouldn’t improve your Superpower; you’d just end up getting yourself killed."
"Ambition is a good thing, but if your strength doesn’t match it, you’ll just die a miserable death!"
"Isn’t that the truth! I know my limits. I just want to see it, and that’s it. I’m not thinking about anything else!"
The man they were talking about flushed, but he didn’t argue back or even seem angry.
On the contrary, he actually felt a surge of gratitude.
Their words might not have been pleasant, but they were the truth, and they snapped him out of his fantasy and back to reality.
Hector Grant knew that no one could see a Crystal Core this large and not be tempted.
He had been wondering how he was going to dissuade everyone.
He had even planned on offering other rewards to compensate for it.
He hadn’t expected that his prepared speech would become unnecessary before he even had a chance to deliver it.
He was a little surprised, but on second thought, it was perfectly normal.
Most people who had managed to survive this long were pretty level-headed.
Anyone who was too greedy probably wouldn’t have survived this long.
Realizing this, Hector Grant felt even more relieved.
Not having to painstakingly persuade them was certainly a good thing.
Hector Grant took out the Crystal Core. "Anyone who wants a look, go ahead. To be honest, this is the first time I’ve ever seen a Crystal Core this big myself."
Hector Grant gazed at the Crystal Core, his expression complex.
If he had a choice, he would have preferred never to see a Crystal Core like this.
They had all made it back alive this time.
But who could guarantee that every time would go so smoothly?
What if Jayce and Sierra Sullivan weren’t around the next time they ran into an Aberrant Beast like that?
Could he and the people under his command really handle such an Aberrant Beast on their own?
Hector Grant didn’t want to think about it, but he already knew the answer all too well.
’No.’
At this thought, the look Hector Grant gave Sierra Sullivan and Jayce grew even more complex.
All he could feel right now was relief...
’Thank goodness!’
’He had convinced Sierra Sullivan and Jayce to come along!’
’Otherwise, successfully completing the mission and bringing everyone back would have been anything but easy.’
Sierra Sullivan could clearly feel Hector Grant’s gaze, but she paid it no mind.
Right now, she was more curious about the Crystal Core.
’A Crystal Core this big... who could possibly absorb it?’
’For some reason, after that question popped into her head, the name that came to mind was Nathan Thorne.’
’Nathan Thorne was undoubtedly a very talented person.’
’Otherwise, he wouldn’t have survived the zombie virus to become the only person currently known to be a Three-System Superpower User.’
’Not only was he talented, but he also had more than enough Superpowers.’
’Even if this Crystal Core was exceptionally large and contained an extraordinary amount of energy, it probably wouldn’t be too big of a problem for Nathan Thorne.’
’But if it were anyone else, even herself, she couldn’t be sure whether she could withstand it.’
Of course, Sierra Sullivan kept these thoughts to herself.
The final decision on what to do with the Crystal Core rested with Hector Grant.
To Sierra Sullivan’s surprise, it wasn’t long before Hector Grant approached her to discuss that very subject.
"I’ve thought it over. The Crystal Core goes to Nathan Thorne."
Nathan Thorne was lounging on a camping chair, leisurely eating some fruit for dessert.
He saw Hector Grant approaching but didn’t think much of it.
But when he suddenly heard Hector Grant’s words, Nathan Thorne nearly choked on a piece of fruit. He shot upright, staring at Hector Grant in disbelief.
"Captain Grant, what did you just say? You can’t be joking, right?"
Hector Grant looked at Nathan Thorne, his expression unreadable. "Do you think I’m the kind of person who would joke about something like this?"
’Of course not!’
The answer came to Nathan Thorne’s mind without a second thought.
Forget joking about something like this; Nathan Thorne doubted Hector Grant even knew how to tell a joke.
"So... you’re serious?" Nathan Thorne couldn’t help but ask again.
The matter was just too significant; he had to be certain, had to be serious.
Hector Grant understood what Nathan Thorne was thinking.
He showed no impatience at Nathan Thorne’s repeated question. Instead, he nodded earnestly. "Yes. I’ve given it a lot of thought. Out of everyone here, you’re the most suitable candidate."
"But Sierra Sullivan and Jayce—"
"I know what you’re going to say." Hector Grant cut him off. "Of course, Jayce and Sierra Sullivan are both incredibly powerful and talented. If there were other Crystal Cores, I’d give them to those two without hesitation. But right now, there’s only this one, and I’ve decided it’s for you. Your Healing Ability is important! Critically important! Far more important than you currently realize."
Hector Grant’s expression must have been incredibly grave, as Nathan Thorne simply stared at him, stunned and momentarily speechless.
Seeing Nathan Thorne’s dumbfounded expression, Sierra Sullivan almost laughed out of exasperation.
’He usually seems so sharp. How is his brain not working now?’
’He’s being handed such a huge prize on a silver platter. What is he waiting for instead of immediately accepting?’
’Is he waiting for Hector Grant to change his mind?’
Jayce was even more direct, slapping Nathan Thorne on the shoulder. "What are you thinking about? Hurry up! Thank Captain Grant! There’s no time to lose. We’ll keep watch for you. Absorb it now!"
Hector Grant had said he would give the Crystal Core to Nathan Thorne.
But just like food isn’t truly yours until it’s in your stomach...
...if this Crystal Core wasn’t absorbed, it didn’t belong to Nathan Thorne, and an accident could happen at any time.
The best solution was to not hesitate for a second after getting the Crystal Core. Just absorb it immediately!
Once he converted it into his own Superpower, no one would be able to take it away!