Chapter 71: What Did You Take from Those Aberrant Beasts?

"Your mom was right!"

Sierra Sullivan agreed, feeling deeply moved.

She had never met Candice Tate’s mother, but from the bits and pieces Candice had shared, she could tell the woman was truly a good person and a wonderful mother.

Sierra didn’t want Candice to forget her mother, but she also didn’t want her to be sad thinking about her. She racked her brain, trying to figure out how to subtly change the subject.

Before Sierra could think of anything, Candice spoke up on her own.

"Sister, when is brother coming back? It’s almost dark!"

Sierra froze for a second, then instinctively looked out the window.

The sky had indeed grown dim.

Before, she could see the nearer high-rises, but now, as darkness fell, they were becoming blurry and indistinct.

Worry began to creep into Sierra’s heart as well.

’I hope Jayce gets back soon!’

’It’s even more dangerous outside after dark!’

’Even finding a temporary shelter doesn’t guarantee complete safety.’

「At the same time.」

Two kilometers from the base, a convoy of vehicles was driving for its life.

And behind the convoy, a horde of assorted Aberrant Beasts was in frantic pursuit.

The survivors in the vehicles were screaming nonstop, their noise grating on the ears.

Dominic Crawford was already in a complicated mood, and hearing the incessant clamor only made it worse.

"All of you, shut up! Keep shouting and I’ll stop the truck and throw you all out!"

His words would certainly earn him their hatred, but he had to admit, they were highly effective.

The crowd that had been screaming and shouting just moments ago now stared at Dominic Crawford with resentful eyes, but none of them dared to make a sound.

Dominic Crawford couldn’t care less how they looked at him. His only concern right now was whether they could make it back to the base safely.

Initially, today’s rescue mission had gone as smoothly as yesterday’s.

But just as everyone had boarded the vehicles and was about to leave, countless Aberrant Beasts had suddenly appeared all around them.

The Aberrant Beasts roared without end, charging straight for the convoy as if they wanted to tear them all limb from limb.

If Jayce hadn’t reacted so quickly, leading the Superpower Users in an immediate counterattack to hold back the beasts, the convoy might not have even broken out of the encirclement.

They had barely managed to break free and had been driving at top speed ever since, but even so, they couldn’t shake the Aberrant Beasts.

Even though they couldn’t possibly keep up with the vehicles, the Aberrant Beasts refused to give up, continuing their tireless pursuit from behind.

It wasn’t as if they hadn’t encountered Aberrant Beasts before.

But usually, once those beasts realized they couldn’t catch up or sensed danger, they would stop chasing or retreat altogether.

A situation like today, where they relentlessly chased the vehicles, was truly a first.

Dominic Crawford couldn’t figure it out on his own, so he had no choice but to contact Jayce on the walkie-talkie.

Jayce was in another, smaller vehicle.

That vehicle carried no survivors, only Superpower Users.

Their vehicle was at the very rear of the convoy, constantly using various Superpowers to attack the pursuing Aberrant Beasts and slow their advance.

The effect wasn’t huge, but it was definitely better than nothing.

If they weren’t holding them back, the Aberrant Beasts would have likely caught up long ago.

Dominic Crawford had just picked up his walkie-talkie and hadn’t even spoken when Jayce’s voice came through first.

"Captain Crawford, something is clearly off with these Aberrant Beasts. It seems like they’re after something specific."

"After something specific?"

Dominic Crawford repeated the phrase. His mind hadn’t fully processed it yet, but his eyes were already scanning the survivors in the truck.

It started as an unconscious scan, but when he saw one person instinctively flinch and look away, he immediately realized something was wrong.

Dominic Crawford’s gaze hardened. "I think I know what’s going on. Mr. Everett, give me a moment."

"Alright."

Jayce didn’t press for details, choosing instead to wait patiently.

Dominic Crawford walked over to the man with the shifty eyes, stopping right in front of him. He didn’t say a word, just stared at him intently.

Being stared at, the man subconsciously lowered his head.

But after a few moments, the man looked back up, his face full of displeasure. "What are you staring at me for! What does it have to do with me that those Aberrant Beasts are chasing us? Aren’t you Superpower Users supposed to be so tough? Why don’t you just hurry up and take care of them?"

Dominic Crawford sneered. "You’re giving yourself away."

"Who’s giving themself away?! Don’t you dare try to pin this on me! I told you, those Aberrant Beasts have nothing to do with me."

"I never said it had anything to do with you. I haven’t said a thing, yet you’re already denying it. If that’s not giving yourself away, what is?"

The man froze, his face flushing red a moment later. "I don’t know what you’re talking about! I already said, those brutes have nothing to do with me! Instead of wasting time here talking nonsense with me, why don’t you figure out a way to kill them! Or could it be you just don’t have the skills for it?"

"You’re right." Dominic Crawford nodded. "I don’t have the skill to kill all of them. But I can throw you out. Driver, stop the truck! Let him off!"

"No!"

The man instantly became agitated. "You can’t make me get off!"

Afraid Dominic Crawford wouldn’t listen, the man turned to the other survivors in the truck.

"You all heard him! He admitted it himself! He and the others from the base can’t handle those Aberrant Beasts! He wants to throw me out now, and next, he’ll probably throw you out too!"

In such a tense moment, people are easily swayed by provocation and fear-mongering.

As soon as the man finished speaking, the previously quiet survivors all turned to glare daggers at Dominic Crawford.

Seeing this, a smug look appeared on the man’s face.

Dominic Crawford sneered. "Have you stopped to think why I didn’t question any of you, only him? I hadn’t said a thing, and he already blurted out so much in his own defense. Why is that? Are those Aberrant Beasts chasing us, or are they chasing something he’s hiding?"

Before anyone could say anything, Dominic Crawford had already turned and walked toward the driver’s seat.

"Stop the truck. We’re getting out!"

The driver was very obedient and immediately brought the truck to a stop. Seeing this, the truck full of survivors panicked.

A moment ago they didn’t believe Dominic Crawford, but now, they were completely convinced.

Everyone turned to glower furiously at the man.

With so many people in the truck, they looked like they could tear the man apart with their bare hands.

Despite being stared down by so many people, the man still refused to admit it.

Or rather, he was still clinging to a sliver of hope, so he continued to argue.

"I really don’t have it! I didn’t take anything! You have to believe me, he’s just trying to trick you..."