Chapter 121
A Week Later
Karl’s apartment remained a haven amidst the chaos of the storm. While other residents struggled with failing heaters, dwindling food supplies, and the biting cold that seeped through their poorly insulated walls, his unit was a stark contrast. The temperature inside was warm and comfortable, the shelves were stocked with food, and the faint smell of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air.
This wasn’t mere luck. It was all thanks to Karl.
Sitting on the couch, he scrolled through the interface of his power. The glowing panel that only he could see displayed a list of skills to change common sense, which now he think it is useless.
Jane walked in from the kitchen, carrying two steaming mugs. She placed one in front of Karl and kept the other for herself, sinking into the chair opposite him.
"I still don’t understand how you manage this," she said, her voice a mix of awe and suspicion. "Everyone else is losing their minds out there, and here we are—warm, fed, and... safe."
Karl smiled faintly, keeping his true secret to himself. "Good planning, I guess. I’ve always been good at stocking up before things get bad."
Jane raised an eyebrow. "You stocked up enough for a snowstorm that’s lasted this long? Enough to keep a heater running when half the building’s freezing?"
Karl shrugged, deflecting. "Maybe I’m just lucky."
Jane didn’t push further, though her expression made it clear she wasn’t entirely convinced. She took a sip of her coffee, leaning back with a sigh. "Well, whatever you’re doing, I’m grateful for it. If it weren’t for you, Layla and I wouldn’t have made it this far."
As if on cue, Layla appeared from her room, wrapped in a thick blanket. She yawned, plopping down on the couch next to Karl. "Morning," she mumbled, reaching for the plate of toast he’d prepared earlier.