The team Marcus Monroe brought with him consisted of his finest elites, all of whom had worked together often and shared a remarkable chemistry. They split into groups of two or three, spacing themselves out before sprinting along the designated route.
The route had been meticulously planned to avoid tricky Mutant Beast gathering spots and massive mutant plants. Though it was a detour, it would minimize casualties.
This time, Paige Summers stayed by Marcus Monroeâs side, bringing up the rear.
As a Speed Superpower User, she didnât need to use her full strength to keep up with the group. But she didnât let her guard down, because real combat was her best learning opportunity!
Occasional encounters with mutant flora and fauna were unavoidable, so Paige had to learn not only the fighting styles of the Superpower Users ahead but also the command techniques of the man to her left.
About an hour later, they finally left the area of The Dead City where all the detection devices were installed and arrived at the edge of a forest.
"We can drive once we get through here."
Paige Summers nodded and charged in with the others.
Their pace slowed considerably as they moved through the dense forest.
Paige Summers cautiously followed in the footsteps of the person ahead, but suddenly felt a sharp, pecking pain in her back!
Marcus Monroe noticed her momentary hesitation. "Whatâs wrong?"
While maintaining her pace so as not to fall behind, she resignedly opened her backpack. Sweetie hopped out innocently but with extreme speed onto her shoulder.
The corner of Marcus Monroeâs mouth twitched. He glanced at her embarrassed face and could only say, "Just make it stay put for now."
She gave a soft murmur of agreement; that was something Paige Summers wasnât worried about.
Although Sweetie was just a bird, it seemed to understand her.
Before they left, it had stubbornly refused to leave her backpack, so she had sternly warned it that she would only bring it along if it behaved.
It must have been desperate after being cooped up, which was why it had pecked her. But after perching on her shoulder, it didnât make a sound or do anything to disturb her.
She patted it comfortingly, and Paige Summers refocused on the journey.
The forest was naturally not as calm as the wilderness; there were clearly more mutant plants here. However, these Superpower Users were obviously experienced. Often, before the plants could even attack, a group or two would work together to take them down.
By dawn, they had successfully reached the other side of the forest.
Not far off was a rather tall mountain. This place must have been frequented by people in the past, as there was a clearly visible winding road up the mountain. But now, there wasnât a soul in sight. Fortunately, the mountain road wasnât too badly damaged. Aside from some particularly large cracks that they would have to climb over, most of it was still navigable with superb driving skills.
"Rest up, then get in the vehicle!"
After giving the order, Marcus Monroe took a vehicle out of his ring space. The team hurriedly scarfed down their combat rations in a few bites and climbed aboard one after another.
The driverâs job could only go to Isaiah Langley, while Martin Warren sat in the passenger seat. The others took turns on watch, finally free from having to rely on their own two feet.
Only then did everyone have time to notice the bird on Paige Summersâ shoulder.
"My pet, Sweetie," she introduced simply.
Throughout the journey, Sweetie had perched very steadily on Paige Summersâ shoulder and was extremely obedient. Marcus Monroe felt it had some potential, so he said, "Itâs not bad."
Paige Summers nodded. "Its flight speed is decent, too. It just needs some training."
Across from them, Clark Chandler carefully watched Sweetie, who was acting cute and nuzzling its ownerâs face, and suddenly spoke up. "Want me to help?"
Paige Summersâ eyes lit up as she looked over. âFor him to say that, could it be heâs an expert in this?â
Clark Chandler gave her a friendly smile. "As long as itâs willing, I can communicate with it. So, I should be able to help."
Paige Summersâ eyes beamed. She immediately held out her hand, offering up Sweetie.
As it turned out, a superpower that lets you communicate with animals was really practical!
Under Clark Chandlerâs guidance, Sweetie soon left the vehicle, full of vigor, to begin its first aerial reconnaissance mission. And after Paige Summers heard the various precautions Clark Chandler suggested for Sweetieâs flight, she was filled with admiration. âHeâs definitely an expert!â
Clark Chandler said with an amused laugh, "Itâs nothing. I grew up in an aviary, so Iâm very familiar with the habits of birds. If youâd like, I can tell you more. Sweetie is a Mutant Bird with high intelligence. It knows how to express itself. You should be able to understand its needs easily and even have simple conversations."
Paige Summers, naturally, couldnât ask for more!
So, during the vehicleâs ascent up the mountain, whenever she or Clark Chandler werenât on watch, the two of them would huddle together, whispering.
On the other side, Grant Yardley watched them, an indescribable, twisted feeling in his heart, though he couldnât quite pinpoint what was making him uncomfortable.
The mountain road was rugged and winding; they traveled for a whole day and still hadnât made it out.
That night, the group had no choice but to make camp deep in the mountains.
In the latter half of the night, it was Grant Yardley and Howard Everettâs turn to stand watch. The campfire had already gone out, and the mountain temperature had dropped below freezing. However, for a Superpower User like Grant Yardley, whose power enhanced his body, his combat suit was enough. After finishing his patrol, he plopped down by the extinguished fire and sighed inwardly. He raised the newly-made blade in his hand, his fingers tracing the spine, which was thicker than any other bladeâs, before moving to the incredibly sharp edge, his gaze flickering uncertainly.
Howard Everett returned from the other side and saw his expression. He couldnât help but sit across from him and whisper, "You... the look on your face when you were watching those two today was a little off."
Grant Yardley opened his mouth. He knew what he meant but didnât know how to respond.
Howard Everett found his behavior even more unusual. Probing, he asked half-jokingly, "Whatâs up? Got a crush on someone? Clark Chandler or Paige Summers?"
Grant Yardleyâs face instantly flushed red. "Iâm not into guys!"
Howard Everettâs gaze shifted to the blade in his hand. It was one Paige Summers had brought this time, and it was indeed a fine blade; just looking at it sent a chill down oneâs spine. But, remembering the fierce look in Grant Yardleyâs eyes when several of them were clamoring for the blades, he pressed his lips together. "You know sheâs not someone you should be thinking about. So, forget her. The sooner, the better."
The certainty and warning in his voice made Grant Yardleyâs rugged face turn pale.
He stared blankly at the blade, uncharacteristically not arguing back.
âDo I have a crush on Paige Summers?â
âActually, no.â
âMaybe I had a good impression at first; after all, there arenât many women on the team.â
âBut later, I started paying attention to her involuntarily because I thought she was amazing, and I... was... envious...â
As an Original Ability User himself, he was unwilling to even look back on the hardships he had faced to get to where he was today, even if others saw him as just a brute. But her, whose superpower alone was weaker than his, had easily won the bossâs favor with her skills. Even Clark Chandler, who normally preferred talking to animals over people, had taken the initiative to befriend her.
âPerhaps only someone like her is better suited for this apocalypse.â
âAnd me... no matter how hard I try, I canât compare.â
Howard Everett frowned. Sighing inwardly, he patted Grantâs shoulder and walked to the other side. He thought the other man would figure it out sooner or later, but he didnât realize they were on completely different wavelengths. A person who was usually so carefree and even a bit dense could become abnormally stubborn when they got fixated on something.
Just as they were lost in their own thoughts, a sudden scream tore through the night sky, shattering the silence of the deep mountains!