Chapter 1004 - 1002 Putting His Life On The Line
"Or, if you like, you could train with them to get stronger. That way, when I go out again in the future, you might be able to come with me, fight alongside me, or provide support while I protect you."
She grinned, speaking more to give him a sense of purpose than out of necessity. She knew leaving might remind Edison of his family’s death and potentially trigger his episodes, so she framed it as an opportunity: training with Mike and the others would not only help him grow stronger but also give him anticipation for the future, and a feeling of being needed. By improving himself, he wouldn’t have to always wait on the sidelines; he could take part, contribute, and feel like he had a role to play.
This way, Edison wouldn’t feel like he was being singled out or treated as a special child. Instead, he would feel that he had a role to play, something that could give him a sense of belonging and perhaps even encourage him to communicate more despite his mild autism.
Kisha wasn’t a psychologist, but she understood that children needed attention, patience, and understanding. She had once cared for Keith when he was at his lowest and most broken, and that experience gave her some confidence in handling children who needed extra care.
Besides, she couldn’t bring Edison with her outside. It was too dangerous, and she might not be able to protect him at all times. At his age, he had no means to protect himself, so for now, the safest place for him was here with the other children.
Since she couldn’t take him with her, Kisha could only comfort Edison in her own way. She knew that the loss of his parents had left a deep shadow in his heart, and perhaps that was why he kept pursing his lips, afraid that she, too, might leave and never return.
Realizing this, Kisha gently patted his head and added, "Don’t worry about me too much. I’m really strong. And if you ever feel anxious and want to check whether I’m still alive, ask Mike to video call me. You can watch me handling zombies with ease."
She said it half-jokingly, but there was sincerity behind her words. She wanted him to feel reassured, to know that she would come back.
After listening to Kisha, Edison took a quiet moment to process her words. Then he gave a small, deliberate nod and moved to Mike’s side, clutching the hem of his pants. It was his silent way of saying he understood and would behave.
The gesture made Kisha smile so brightly that her eyes crinkled. She couldn’t resist gently pinching his cheeks before turning to leave.
She didn’t inform Duke of her departure. He was still busy, and she wasn’t planning to go far. Since her goal was to capture a few mutated animals, the mountain near City A’s hidden base was the most suitable place to hunt.
With that in mind, she teleported herself back to the hidden base.
As soon as she teleported to City A’s hidden base, she emerged from the forest near the main building. A short distance away, a narrow dirt road led to the small farm she had set up as a cover for the people stationed there, those who didn’t know about her territory interface. To them, this farm explained where their daily vegetables came from.
Hugo’s men tended the place from time to time, but because the soil she used had been taken from her territory space, which was naturally rich and fertile, they didn’t need to do much. There was no need for constant fertilizing or careful maintenance. They only had to water the crops occasionally and harvest when ready.
And since the farm itself existed outside her territory space, the vegetables and the small livestock raised there were completely ordinary, without even the faintest trace of spiritual energy.
As soon as she stepped out of the bushes, Kisha came face-to-face with Ethan.
Startled, Ethan leapt back a good three feet. Only after a closer look did he realize that the silent figure who had appeared out of nowhere was his sister. The tension in his face immediately softened, his stern expression melting into relief.
"You’re back! Where have you been all this time? I heard you’re studying medicine. Do you want your Brother Elios to tutor you one-on-one? It might really help with your studies," Ethan blurted in a single breath as he closed the distance between them in two quick strides, clearly bursting with things he wanted to say.
Kisha was so taken aback by Ethan’s enthusiasm that she instinctively leaned back. The last time she had seen him, he had been a stern, serious man, the kind shaped by years of life as a soldier. And yet, in the short time since, he had become this exuberant, almost overly eager, and she wasn’t used to it.
"I-I have other things to do, so... no," Kisha stammered, stepping onto the other dirt road and deliberately ignoring him.
She immediately activated the holographic map of City A’s hidden base, which covered the entire mountain and the crescent-shaped cliff carved into its side, taking up half of the massive peak.
Zooming out, she surveyed the surrounding vicinity, then focused on the thickest forest along the edges, though all she could see was the perimeter shielded by her invisible barrier. She could only assume the area contained what she needed.
Then she remembered Bell. The first army of normal bees that Bell controlled had originated from this forest, meaning Bell likely knew the area far better than she did. With that in mind, she summoned it.
"Master! Bell is here to help you anytime!" the voice rang in Kisha’s mind as soon as she summoned Bell.
Ethan, jogging behind her, froze. A massive scarlet bee was buzzing around Kisha, and his instincts immediately went on high alert. Without understanding what was happening, he panicked, thinking the bee might sting her.
"Hey, get away from her!" he shouted, swatting at the bee and instinctively stepping in front of Kisha, putting his body between her and Bell.
All he could hear was the loud buzzing, and none of Bell’s words made sense to him. To Ethan, it was just a giant, threatening insect hovering dangerously close to her.
At the same time, Kisha called out Zeus, giving him the freedom to roam outside so he wouldn’t grow bored inside her territory. After all, she had just summoned Bell, who was its only playmate at the moment.
By bringing Zeus out as well, she could prevent any envy toward Bell, and perhaps even make it easier for herself to corner mutated animals without having to lift a finger. At the same time, it would give her the chance to train her battle pets more efficiently.
When Zeus suddenly emerged from behind the bushes, its massive frame resembling that of a huge bear at first glance, Ethan’s instincts immediately went on high alert.
Without even taking the time to inspect closely, he drew his dagger, his entire body tensing as if he were ready to stake his life on protecting Kisha. His mind raced, already calculating how he could create an opening for her to escape while he held off the mutated beasts in front of them.
It was his first time facing mutated animals up close, and the sight alone made his nerves spike. The giant scarlet bee, in particular, was especially intimidating, its large, eerie eyes fixed directly on him.
Ethan swallowed hard, forcing down the lump in his throat as he stepped forward, positioning himself firmly in front of Kisha. His grip on the dagger tightened, while his free hand subtly pushed her back, increasing the distance between her and the two mutated creatures in a protective gesture.
"No need to worry. These two are my battle pets," Kisha explained gently when she noticed how tense Ethan had become.
Seeing him stand in front of her, so nervous yet resolute, ready to defend her without hesitation, made her heart soften for reasons she couldn’t quite explain. She had never felt any real attachment toward her biological family, nor had she ever longed for familial affection from them.
And yet, at that moment, watching her second-oldest brother position himself as if he would rather die than let anything reach her stirred something warm in her chest.
She knew he wasn’t truly afraid in the conventional sense. As a soldier, he was long accustomed to danger and to placing his life on the line. But this time, it wasn’t fear for himself; it was fear that she might get hurt.
Realizing that, Kisha felt an unfamiliar sense of closeness bloom within her, as though, for the first time, they truly resembled a family.
Upon hearing Kisha’s words, Ethan did not react immediately. He remained firmly planted in front of her, dagger raised, as if his body had yet to register what she had just said.
A few seconds passed.