Chapter 97: Wave After Wave of Food Maturing

Tripp Pence’s short body shot up. He let out a low growl and, just like River Larkin had done, rushed into the bedroom to check.

After turning the room upside down several times without finding the food, his expression twisted into something even more savage than before. That was all their food, and it was just gone.

River Larkin couldn’t remain calm either. He kicked Mr. Bell’s body lying next to him. "Useless! Useless! Useless!"

’It’s one thing to get yourself killed, but he couldn’t even guard something this important.’

’He had been against storing all the spoils in one place. The risk was too great.’

’But those three brothers wouldn’t listen. They insisted that as the leaders, the goods should be left with them for safekeeping and distribution.’

’As if I didn’t know what they were plotting. They just figured that once the supplies were in their hands, they were theirs to keep.’

’But I still needed them, so I didn’t push the issue, figuring that with so many of the guys watching, the three brothers wouldn’t dare do anything too outrageous, at least not openly.’

’Who knew that yielding on this one point would lead to such a disaster? The three of them were dead, and their killer had made off with everything.’

’This was the combined food from a dozen of the guys’ families, plus the so-called "protection fees" we’d extorted from the other residents over the past few days. Now, it was all gone in a single night.’

"Lar-Larkin!"

Tripp Pence jumped in fright. The River Larkin he knew was usually quite mild-mannered; among all the guys, he’d always been one of the most even-tempered.

In fact, several members had joined the group simply because they were on good terms with River Larkin and he had persuaded them.

This was the first time he’d ever seen him like this. And he was kicking their leader’s body, no less.

Tripp Pence was terrified. He cautiously reminded him, "Larkin, that’s... that’s our boss you’re kicking."

The anger didn’t leave River Larkin’s face. His gaze turned chillingly cold. "I know. I’m kicking *him*. As leader, he lost all the food the brothers worked so hard to get. What right did he have to be our leader? They deserved to die!"

With the food gone, Tripp Pence was furious too. He just hadn’t dared vent his anger on Bell and his brothers. But now, hearing River Larkin’s words, his own simmering resentment boiled over, and he directed his fury at the three dead men.

’They’re already dead, anyway. I don’t have to be afraid of them anymore!’

After a good while, the two of them finally stopped. Panting, Tripp Pence looked at River Larkin. "Larkin, what do we do now? The boss is dead, the food’s gone... What’s going to happen to the rest of us?"

"They’re dead, so we’ll just have to elect a new leader. It wasn’t easy getting all you guys together. We’re supposed to do big things together; we can’t just fall apart now!"

"Think about all the people we’ve robbed these past few days. They already hate our guts. They’re only holding back because there are so many of us. If the group splits up, you think they’ll let an opportunity to get back at us slip by? No way!"

"You’re right, we can’t split up. Larkin, I think you’d be a great leader. I’ve seen how you’re the one who’s really been planning everything. Later, I’ll be the first one to back you for the spot!"

"No, you be the leader."

River Larkin said something that both thrilled and shocked Tripp Pence. "I’ll support you for the leader’s position. But from now on, you’ll have to listen to me."

Tripp Pence swallowed hard. "But why, Larkin?"

’He didn’t understand why River Larkin would do this. River Larkin had the ability, and he commanded a lot of respect among the guys. If he wanted to be the leader, the position was his for the taking. So why would he offer it to him?’

’He was well aware of his own limitations. Aside from being a good suck-up and gathering intel, he had no real skills. He wasn’t even in the same league as River Larkin.’

’If it came down to a fight for the top spot, he wouldn’t stand a chance against River Larkin. That’s why he had so quickly offered his support—to declare his loyalty!’

’He never imagined River Larkin would say something like this.’

A flicker of emotion crossed River Larkin’s face. "Don’t worry about why. Just answer me: are you willing or not? As long as you are, I guarantee the leader’s spot is yours."

’River Larkin felt a sense of resignation. For the past month, he had avoided showing his face in public unless absolutely necessary. Many people in the building still didn’t even know he was part of the Bell brothers’ crew.’

’One reason was his previously good reputation in the building; he didn’t want to be reviled by everyone. Besides, he believed his good standing with the other residents could be put to better use later on. He couldn’t ruin it now.’

’Another reason was Stella Sterling. He wasn’t sure if she would come to kill him if she found out he was still alive.’

’He didn’t think there was any real enmity between them, so Stella Sterling probably wouldn’t go that far. But for some reason, he just couldn’t bring himself to gamble on it.’

’Recalling how easily his composure had shattered when Stella Sterling toyed with him that day, he couldn’t help but feel a wave of residual fear even now.’

’Some primal instinct screamed at him: he could not let Stella Sterling know he was still alive, especially not that he was in this very building!’

’That was why he couldn’t operate openly. It was why he’d chosen to cooperate with the three Bell brothers in the first place. He just never expected this to happen!’

"Yes."

Tripp Pence gulped, but he said that single word with conviction.

Stella Sterling was oblivious to these events, but the next day, there was quite a stir in the building. She figured someone must have discovered the bodies of the three Bell brothers.

Not that she cared. They would never find out she was the one who did it. And even if they did, it wouldn’t be a big deal. Some people might even applaud her.

She went about her business. In her personal space, she had already harvested a crop of rice, and the vegetables she’d planted just two days ago were now ripe for picking.

At this point, her space was overflowing with huge piles of rice, fresh vegetables, and fruit. She couldn’t possibly eat it all as fast as it grew.

’Even after eating so much these past two months, her food supply hadn’t dwindled at all—in fact, it had grown!’

But she wasn’t worried. Everything in her space was preserved indefinitely; she never had to worry about anything spoiling.

’She would just keep it all in her space. When the time is right, these supplies will be incredibly valuable. Anything she can’t eat herself, she can trade for other things she needs.’

’The longer this all goes on, the more valuable her stash will become!’

That’s why, even though harvesting was exhausting work, she was always filled with drive whenever she did it.

It was just a shame that she had already fed all the jewelry she’d gotten from the Sterling Family to her space. With nothing new to offer it, the space hadn’t changed in a long time.

’Otherwise, she would get some great new benefit with every evolution. It was thrilling just to think about!’