Chapter 233: Biding Time

If anyone dared to make a move, the other factions would never allow it.

Everyone knew that whoever saved Professor Lawrence now would gain the upper hand.

Naturally, no one was willing to cede that advantage to anyone else.

They were all on guard against one another.

Professor Lawrence was lying on the ground. He’d been shot in the shoulder and thigh. A pool of blood had already formed beneath him, and his face was pale.

A woman in her forties was at Professor Lawrence’s side, propping him up.

Ignoring everyone else, the woman took tools from her backpack and began treating the professor’s wounds.

The others couldn’t be trusted; she had no intention of relying on them.

These people had all spoken with such earnest sincerity, making all sorts of promises if the professor would just agree to join them.

But now that disaster had struck, not a single one of them was proving reliable.

They were all using the professor’s life as a bargaining chip.

They couldn’t move to save him, nor would they allow anyone else to do so.

’If this goes on, the professor’s life will be in danger.’

’It’s clear from this that none of them have any real respect for the professor.’

’And to think the professor had been optimistic about one of the bases, even deciding to join them.’

’If this hadn’t happened, he would have already made his decision.’

’But now, that faction is acting just like all the others.’

They wanted to save the professor, but the other groups wouldn’t allow it. And when other groups wanted to help, that faction wouldn’t allow them to intervene either.

’Looking at them, it’s clear they’d rather let the professor die than allow another group to save him first.’

It was only now that she understood. Even if they agreed to join one faction, the others would never consent.

The result would likely be a bloodbath.

At that moment, Vincent Lawrence came to the same conclusion. He said nothing, ignoring the men surrounding him.

’These people talk a good game, but this is the reality of it.’ Of his entire team, only the two of them remained.

Everyone else was dead.

Before entering the lab, he thought he and his team were on the verge of another world-shaking breakthrough.

He never imagined that upon leaving the lab, he would find the world had become... this.

This was the ending that awaited him and his team.

He sighed and looked at the others. They stared back intently, as if waiting for his decision.

"It’s all right, everyone. It’s just a minor wound. A simple bandage will do."

’He knew he couldn’t choose any of them. The moment he did, this standoff would erupt into another melee.’

’So for now, his only option was to stall for time and negotiate.’

This was more or less the scene Stella Sterling found when she arrived.

It didn’t take long for her to get a grasp of the situation.

’Watching the man surrounded by the crowd, she began to wonder how she could get Professor Lawrence away from here unnoticed.’

’Get him out first. She could discuss him joining her base later.’

’Otherwise, talking was pointless. Even if she persuaded Professor Lawrence to join her, the other factions would never agree. She would just make herself everyone’s enemy.’

’There are two paths before me now.’

’One: I could get Professor Lawrence out of here quietly. But to do that, I’d have to use my spatial ability, pull him directly into my space, and leave this area entirely.’

’But that’s risky. On the other hand, without using my ability, trying to sneak him away from under all these noses would be incredibly difficult.’

’As for the second path... I could just eliminate everyone here. Then there’d be no one left to compete with me.’

Stella Sterling glanced around at the others. She decided to watch and wait, assessing the situation before making a move.

Stella Sterling’s arrival went unnoticed.

As far as the others were concerned, she was just one person and posed no threat.

So they paid her no mind.

Stella was more than happy with this arrangement. It was better if no one noticed her. She blended into the crowd.

Just then, Shane Lawrence arrived with three other people.

In stark contrast to the lone-wolf Stella Sterling, Shane Lawrence’s group of four was fully equipped, wore matching uniforms, and carried weapons so conspicuous they were impossible to ignore.

They were clearly an organized group. The fact that every member was armed with a gun spoke to the considerable power of the faction behind them.

The moment they appeared, all eyes turned to them, sizing them up.

Their eyes filled with wariness and suspicion, their expressions souring. Another faction had appeared to compete for the prize, shrinking their own chances of success.

’Some even cursed inwardly, wondering who the hell had leaked the news that Professor Lawrence had disappeared into the Kryllian Mountains.’

’If the news hadn’t gotten out, they wouldn’t have attracted this hornet’s nest of rivals.’

After Shane Lawrence’s group of four appeared, their eyes began scanning the crowd.

They quickly spotted Stella Sterling, but just as they looked her way, she calmly shifted her gaze.

Shane Lawrence froze for a second before understanding Sterling’s unspoken message.

’It looked like Sterling was planning to act alone, with no intention of meeting up with them.’

’Sterling always had her reasons.’ He gave his companions a subtle look.

They understood immediately and didn’t glance toward Stella Sterling again, acting as if they were complete strangers.

"Professor Lawrence, are you going to join us or not?"

Someone in the crowd finally broke the tense silence.

All eyes turned back to Professor Lawrence.

Professor Lawrence remained silent.

At first, everyone was patient, but that patience was beginning to wear thin.

’If it weren’t for so many eyes watching, they would have just grabbed the old fool and dragged him back to their base by force.’

"So many of you are demanding the professor join you! You have to at least give him time to think!"

The woman in her forties glared furiously at the crowd. ’It’s their fault we’re in this mess, and they have the nerve to act like this?’

’And is it really the professor who’s refusing to choose?’

’Does he even have a choice right now? No matter which faction he picks, would the others ever agree?’

"You’ve had long enough to consider. It’s time to make a choice, Professor Lawrence. It’s not that complicated, is it? Just pick the strongest faction."

A young man in black stepped forward, his voice cold. "Making a quick decision is in your best interest. The sooner you choose, the sooner we can treat your injuries. If you delay any longer, even if we fix you up, your arm and leg will suffer permanent damage. I’m sure that’s not something you want, is it, Professor Lawrence?"