Chapter 83 - 72: Everyone Levels Up

"Cynthia, I’d like to ask you about the situation at the Azuregard City Naval Base. Specifically, about who’s in charge."

Cynthia Grant’s relaxed expression instantly tensed upon hearing Flora Bloom’s question. As a soldier, she was instinctively wary of anyone asking about the camp.

’But Flora Bloom doesn’t seem like a bad person. Why would she be asking about the camp?’

Flora Bloom found Cynthia Grant’s reaction a little amusing, but she knew she had to explain herself. "We were heading for the Naval Base when we decided to come to Azuregard City," she said. "I want to borrow a ship to go to Morhaven and find my brother, Joel Bloom."

Cynthia Grant finally let out a sigh of relief after hearing Flora Bloom’s explanation. But then she immediately grew tense again. "You can forget about borrowing a ship to go to sea," she said. "I don’t think General Lynch will agree to lend you one. The military has its regulations. Besides, the seas aren’t safe right now. A shipment of military supplies from the City of Argent went missing at sea, and I don’t know if the search and rescue teams have found it yet."

"Oh? General Lynch, you mean Sherman Lynch?"

Flora Bloom had heard of the old general in her past life. He had led his subordinates to victory against zombie hordes multiple times, was rich in combat experience, and was said to be a decent person. ’If it’s him,’ she thought, ’I might be able to find a way to persuade him.’

"Hey! How can you say our old general’s full name like that!"

Seeing how respectful Cynthia Grant was toward Sherman Lynch, Flora Bloom guessed the young woman might have some connection to the general. So she asked, "Is there any way for me to meet the old general?"

Cynthia Grant paused. After thinking long and hard, she nodded sharply. "I can find a way for you to meet the General, but you can’t pull any tricks! The old general is a good man, and he’s good to us subordinates."

Flora Bloom looked at Cynthia Grant with amusement. "I know, I know. Do I seem like that kind of person? I can’t believe you don’t trust me."

Suddenly, Cynthia Grant’s expression turned serious. Her eyes seemed to be gazing into the past, and even her usual lively demeanor faded.

"You don’t understand. The old general has dedicated his entire life to serving the country and its people, and the power dynamics at the Azuregard City military base are complex. I’m just very worried about him."

Flora Bloom could tell from Cynthia Grant’s expression that there was a story there, but she didn’t press for details. Just then, Cynthia looked at Flora as if she had suddenly remembered something important.

"Flora Bloom, if I help you meet General Lynch, can you do me a favor?"

Flora Bloom paused before replying, "What favor?"

"Years ago, General Lynch suffered a severe injury while saving someone, and it still flares up often. I was hoping... could you use that water of yours—the kind you gave to Old Mr. Monroe that healed his injuries in an instant—to treat the General’s injury?"

Flora Bloom froze for a moment, then a cunning look spread across her face as she looked at Cynthia Grant. "And why should I agree to that?"

"Huh? You...?"

Cynthia Grant hadn’t expected the usually gentle and kind Flora Bloom to refuse her so bluntly, and for a moment, she didn’t know how to react.

"In other words, what’s in it for me if I help you treat Sherman Lynch?"

"Wasn’t that the condition for my taking you to see General Lynch?"

"But now *you’re* the one asking *me* to go treat him, aren’t you? So how can our previous arrangement still stand? Right, my dear Cynthia?"

Cynthia Grant glared at Flora Bloom, huffing with indignation. "Fine, then. What do you want? As long as it’s within my power and doesn’t cross my bottom line, I’ll agree."

Flora Bloom smiled mysteriously. "That’s what I was waiting to hear. If I heal your General Lynch, you have to come with me."

"Huh? Come with you?"

Flora Bloom nodded. She cast a meaningful glance at the stunned Cynthia Grant, then said softly, "You have plenty of time to think about it before I meet Sherman Lynch."

The group ate breakfast, then went downstairs to hunt zombies for Crystal Cores to level up their superpowers. A level-one superpower was enough to handle three or four zombies without much trouble. However, more than ten days had passed since the apocalypse began, and the number of zombies had only grown. It was rare to encounter one by itself anymore.

The street they had cleared last night only had three stragglers that had wandered in from who-knows-where this morning. After taking care of them and digging out one Crystal Core, the group headed toward the nearest village.

Sure enough, on their way to the village, they passed a small market whose entrance was blocked by a dozen or so zombies.

The market entrance was only wide enough for two people to pass through side-by-side. The zombies were packed several layers deep at the opening, making it impossible for anyone to get in or out.