Chapter 41 - 35: A Zoo Emerges

The coming of the apocalypse was a test for humanity, but it was an even more severe test for all living creatures. In the later stages of the apocalypse, humans might develop an immunity to the virus, meaning they would neither turn into zombies nor awaken a superpower. But animals were different.

Their resistance to the virus was weaker than that of humans. Once infected, they only had two paths: become a zombie creature and join the zombie horde, or mutate into an evolved creature. But the probability of the latter was far too small.

Just then, something occurred to Flora Bloom.

’Why are there so many evolved creatures in Janton? This doesn’t make any sense. Normally, a city might not even have a single evolved creature. But right now, the collection in my space is practically turning into a zoo.’

’Could there be something in Janton that helps animals successfully mutate into evolved creatures?’

’But I never heard anything about it in my past life.’

But she didn’t have time to worry about that right now. She walked over to Boss Marshall and stroked the mane on its back.

"Do you want to come with me?" The thought of riding freely on horseback sparked a whim in Flora Bloom. Even though her space was getting a little crowded and couldn’t fit all the horses, taking in just Boss Marshall would be easy enough.

Hearing Flora Bloom’s words, a flicker of conflict appeared in Boss Marshall’s intelligent eyes, but it ultimately shook its head in a very human-like gesture of refusal. Then, it nudged her hand with its large head as if begging for something.

After hearing Flora Bloom’s offer, Lianne Kendall suddenly lost her composure.

"What’s the matter with you, young lady? Snowy is a horse I raised! Why would he go with you? Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. You want to take Snowy for yourself. Let me tell you, don’t even think about it!"

Flora Bloom ignored her, simply sighing as she said, "I don’t have the ability to take all of you with me right now." Her space couldn’t possibly hold over a dozen horses.

Boss Marshall snorted and began to stomp its hooves in place.

Lianne Kendall was about to say more, but Oscar Owen stopped her. He knew clearly that Flora Bloom had changed. The Flora Bloom of today, whether in looks or strength, was no longer someone he could match.

’To win a girl like her, I have to become just as outstanding. But right now, I’m still very weak. I must build and maintain a good relationship with Flora Bloom.’

Flora Bloom walked to the back of the area where the horses were resting. She found a depression in the ground and filled it with Space Spirit Water.

Boss Marshall smelled the familiar scent and came over with a CLIP-CLOP of its hooves, lowering its head to drink.

The small depression wasn’t very large, and Flora Bloom quickly filled it. It was located in the innermost part of the cave, which had an opening in its ceiling. There were several similar depressions here, a few of which still held some stagnant water, likely rainwater that had collected, serving as the horses’ water source.

Flora Bloom filled all of these small pits with water, glanced at Boss Marshall, and then walked over to Neal Wallace and the others.

"Let’s go."

Unwilling to give up, Lianne Kendall tried to go back to Boss Marshall, wanting to take it with them. But at that moment, Boss Marshall and the dozen or so other horses all had their heads down, drinking, and paid her no mind at all.

’Among this herd of horses, only Boss Marshall and Blackie, the horse previously raised by Timothy Underwood, are evolved creatures. I hope they can survive in the apocalypse. If I have the chance in the future, I’ll definitely come back to get them all.’

The three of them left the horse farm with Lianne Kendall and got into the luxury van.

Seeing Flora Bloom return safely, Luna Thorne and Leigh Atwood suddenly hugged her and began to cry. It was a mix of joy from having survived the ordeal and gratitude, but more than anything, it was a release of all the fear they had pent up since the apocalypse began.

Flora Bloom gave each of them a bottle of water. This water was diluted with her Space Spirit Water; it would help them recover some of their stamina, though not too obviously.

Having witnessed Flora Bloom conjuring water for the horses in the cave, Lianne Kendall now knew that this young girl had a special ability. ’Even though I was a bit harsh back in the cave,’ she thought, ’I’m an elder. As a junior, Flora Bloom should be understanding.’

"Ahem, young lady, I’m thirsty."

Seeing Lianne Kendall’s awkward yet superior attitude, Flora Bloom felt an instinctive revulsion. But after a glance at Oscar Owen’s apologetic expression, she decided not to make an issue of it.

She took the backpack from Neal Wallace’s hands and pulled out a bottle of mineral water. This was one she had bought from a supermarket before the apocalypse, not water from her space.

Lianne Kendall didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed, taking the water and drinking it down. Flora Bloom caught Oscar Owen’s apologetic gaze and gave him a nonchalant nod. She wasn’t petty enough to bicker with a spoiled woman.

After the ordeal of the past night and morning, everyone was exhausted and hungry. Combined with the constant tension, everyone except for Flora Bloom was in poor shape.

Using her backpack as a cover, Flora Bloom distributed cookies, chocolate, and water to everyone. While they were resting for a moment, she suddenly looked at Oscar Owen.

"Oscar Owen, have you two decided where you’re going?"

Oscar Owen was taken aback, then gave a bitter smile. His father was dead, and they could no longer go back home. The world was so vast; where could they possibly go in this apocalypse?

Lianne Kendall quickly interjected, "Oscar, what about that friend of yours? Isn’t his father the top official in our city? With something like this happening, their family must have a way to get through this. Let’s go find them."

Hearing Lianne Kendall’s words, Flora Bloom gave a faint smile. ’Thomas Underwood really does have the connections to find shelter,’ she thought. ’And not long after the apocalypse began, he regained great power and took control of his own faction.’

’In my past life, Oscar Owen relied on that very faction when he established his base city. But as for where Thomas Underwood went later, even I don’t know. Otherwise, Timothy Underwood wouldn’t have lived such a miserable life.’

’Thinking about it, for Oscar Owen to have been able to build a base city and swallow up Thomas Underwood’s faction, Lianne Kendall must have played a crucial role. A powerful woman like her has the means to rise again no matter where she is, no less than any man.’

However, her priority right now was to return to Sinia City to find her parents. So, she said, "Oscar Owen, Auntie, I have to go back to Sinia City to find my parents, so I won’t be going with you to find Uncle Underwood."

Oscar Owen knew that this Flora Bloom was no longer the naive girl she once was. He nodded and said, "Okay. Be careful on your journey."

To be honest, Oscar Owen really didn’t want to part ways with Flora Bloom just like this. But as he was now, he didn’t have the right...

"Hey? Wait, what do you mean?"

Lianne Kendall chimed in hastily.

"You’re not coming with us?" Although Lianne Kendall didn’t particularly like Flora Bloom, she had a feeling this young woman had some hidden abilities. Anyone who could go up the mountain alone to rescue her was definitely not simple.

Flora Bloom nodded. "Auntie, Janton is basically full of zombies and monsters now. Even if there are other survivors, it would be very difficult for them to escape. It’s highly likely that Uncle Underwood and his people went to Phoenix City. I heard there’s a military garrison there. If you want to find him, you might have some luck there. It would also be less dangerous."

After hearing this, Lianne Kendall nodded. "Is that so? Alright then. Son, let’s go to Phoenix City."

Flora Bloom then turned to Leigh Atwood and Luna Thorne. "What about you two? Have you decided where you want to go?"

Leigh Atwood and Luna Thorne glanced at each other and shook their heads helplessly.

"Our families are in Argent, but we don’t know how to get back. Flora Bloom, why don’t we go with you? But, if it’s convenient, could we ask you to escort us home in the future?"

Leigh Atwood and Luna Thorne had a clear understanding of the strength of Flora Bloom’s group. It was impossible for the two of them to get back to Argent on their own, but it would be a different story if Flora Bloom was willing to protect them.

That fatty named Ethan Monroe and the superpowered Neal Wallace were on Flora Bloom’s side. As long as Flora agreed, their safety on the road would be much more secure.

But Flora Bloom refused immediately.

"After I find my parents in Sinia City, I have to go to Morhaven. Morhaven and the City of Argent are in opposite directions, so we’re not going the same way."

Hearing Flora Bloom’s explanation, the two women sighed in disappointment.

"I suggest you go with Auntie and the others to Phoenix City. There’s a military presence there, so you’ll be safer."

"The military." Hearing that the military was there, the two women thought for a moment and immediately decided to leave with Oscar Owen and his mother.

"We’ll part ways once we’re outside the city. Don’t worry, you can have the van."

Flora Bloom saw the suspicious and hostile look in Lianne Kendall’s eyes and knew the woman was about to say something unpleasant again. For the sake of her own peace of mind, she proactively offered them the van.

Lianne Kendall was seen muttering incessantly, "The van was ours to begin with. What does she mean, ’leave it for us’? Such a little girl, putting on such airs. Completely unreliable."

"Mom!"

Lianne Kendall knew she shouldn’t make her son lose too much face, so she finally shut her mouth.

The luxury van was spacious and comfortable, but it wasn’t suitable for a long journey. Flora Bloom had never intended to use it for long anyway.

Finally, Flora Bloom looked at Mervin Warren.

Mervin Warren just waved his hand and said, "My home is pretty far, too, but it’s on the same route as yours. How about I tag along with you all for now?"