Apocalypse: becoming the hidden Ruler[English]

“I accepted the mission, rushed in headfirst, even tried to compete for credit,” Dale said softly. A bitter smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “In the end, I’m the only one left.”

He exhaled slowly. Two cigarette tips glowed faintly in the dim corridor.

“For a long time, I thought the Whisper Syndicate was nothing special.” He paused. “Turns out I was dead wrong.”

Rosaline had stopped crying at some point. Whether she was eavesdropping or had already left, no one knew.

“And now?” Vince asked quietly.

Dale laughed under his breath. “Now I finally understand how inhuman this job really is.”

He brushed a patch of ash aside and sat down casually on the stairwell.

“The tide of mutated beasts is approaching. Stormhold’s spies have surfaced. And now we’ve even run into infected like that thing.” His gaze drifted into the darkness. “I never realized how dangerous this world of ours really was.”

“If I were ten years younger,” he said, “I’d probably still be brimming with cheap heroics, shouting slogans about duty and sacrifice.”

He shook his head and gave a crooked smile.

“But now… I’m scared.”

Dale stood up slowly and bowed.

“So, Mr. Vince, I think our time as colleagues is coming to an end.”

“Thank you for your patience with me before. I’m heading back to Virelia. Dinner’s on me sometime—if we both live that long.”

He dusted off his pants and turned, walking slowly down the stairs without looking back.

......

So sleepy… I just want to keep sleeping.

Under the ancient tree, Axel lay on the ground, his eyes hazy and unfocused. The world around him was silent. Only the Heavenly Spirit Fruit sapling stirred, its tender branches brushing softly against his body.

“So… I’m still being examined.” Axel struggled upright.

Pure energy flowed endlessly through his veins, feeding the roots of the ancient tree. His physique was constantly growing stronger, yet his Force and spiritual power remained eerily unchanged.

In his ears, a gentle voice seemed to whisper again and again:

You’re tired… keep sleeping…

Every time that voice returned, the sapling nuzzled him like a playful puppy, its branches soothing his body.

Axel’s vision slowly cleared. Several Life Crystals lay scattered beside him.

The memories just before he lost consciousness surged back—above all, the woman’s face.

“Riley… Clarissa is her sister?” he murmured.

Before blacking out, Axel had used the last of his strength to collect the Life Crystals—and he had overheard their conversation.

“That woman injected me… that’s why my body’s like this.”

His heart skipped.

Vernon had needle marks. Charles too.

So he guessed—she had tried to turn him into an Infected.

In Millers’ arms, his condition had worsened to the brink. Afraid he was already infected, Axel had swallowed a Heavenly Spirit Fruit without hesitation.

Now that he thought about it… Riley was a medical Awakener. And she was close to Clarissa.

If anyone could detect the effects of the Fruit—it would be her.

Anxious, Axel extended his mental perception outward.

It was already night.

The wall clock showed the date.

A full week had passed since Skyfleet Town.

“…I actually slept that long.”

On a nearby hospital bed lay some of Millers’ personal belongings.

“Looks like the Heavenly Spirit Fruit still hasn’t been exposed.”

Only then did Axel let out a shallow breath of relief.

Back beneath the ancient tree, he carefully sorted through the Life Crystals he had collected.

Valerie’s crystal—palm-sized, almost black-green.

And one more… slightly smaller.

Axel’s chest tightened.

“Mr. Charles…”

Images of Charles’ final moments flooded his mind.

“I’ll see that day for you. That day must be beautiful.”

With solemn care, Axel buried Charles’ Life Crystal not far from the ancient tree.

“Mr. Charles… stay here and watch.”

He bowed deeply.

Then he gathered the remaining crystals.

Valerie had one. Dale’s four subordinates had left behind four more—two high-grade Level Five, two high-grade Level Four.

Enough to sustain him for a very long time.

“But what exactly was that injection meant to do?”

Axel could clearly feel it now—aside from the initial delirium, the drug hadn’t damaged him at all. On the contrary, it was continuously strengthening both his body and his Force.

And the enhancement showed no signs of weakening.

“So… who the hell are you people?”

The dizziness returned.

Darkness swallowed him again.

The moment he fell asleep, a furtive figure slipped through the door.

The man crept in on silent feet, one hand hidden behind his back as he glanced around the room.

“This kid… he really can sleep.”

He frowned—then quickly grinned.

“But that makes things easier. You can sleep a little longer, brother.”

Just then, footsteps sounded at the door.

Riley entered, dressed in a simple plain gown, holding a small watering can.

“Millers,” she said calmly. “Your injuries are fully healed. Why haven’t you left yet?”

The man in front of her froze.

“Ah—my back still hurts! And my legs too!” he groaned dramatically. “Angelica, could you take another look at me?”

It had been a week. Millers’ injuries had healed by the third day—but he had stubbornly stayed behind under the excuse of “watching over Axel.”

Now, with a bouquet of roses in his right hand, he flopped onto the bed and continued to moan pitifully.

Riley laughed softly and took the flowers from him.

“I told you already,” she said gently, “my name is Riley. Don’t call me by my old name anymore.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Millers said solemnly, snapping into mock attention.

Riley set the roses into a glass vase and misted them with nutrient spray. The petals instantly grew more vivid, their color rich and alive.

“Do you like them?” Millers asked eagerly.

Riley didn’t look back, continuing to adjust the arrangement with delicate precision.

“Roses are a natural fragrance,” she said serenely. “They purify the air, relieve fatigue, and even help with certain sleep disorders. Aside from people with allergies, I can’t think of anyone who would truly dislike them.”

Millers’ lips twitched.

“That… that answer is way too academic.”

Riley turned, took a seat beside the bed, and opened a medical text without urging him to leave.

“You could also call it practical.”

Millers studied her calm profile, feeling oddly powerless. Every trick he’d mastered in the past seemed completely useless against her.

What do I do now…?

His mind raced through countless past experiences. After a long pause, his expression slowly shifted.

The playful, carefree boy faded—replaced by a surprisingly composed and mature man. He adjusted his posture and lowered his voice.

“Yes… the world is far too chaotic these days. Reading truly helps settle the mind.”

To his mild frustration, Riley didn’t react at all.

He cleared his throat awkwardly.

“I can sense that you’re a woman with a story.”

This time, Riley finally looked up—and for the first time, a genuine smile appeared on her face.

Millers felt his heart tighten.

Damn… she’s beautiful.

“Millers,” she said calmly, “you’re trying to pursue me, aren’t you?”

Millers nodded without hesitation and continued in his deeper voice,

“Yes, ma’am. Would you be willing to spend a beautiful afternoon with me?”

Her smile slowly faded. After a brief thought, she replied gently,

“Alright. Next week. Axel will need about one more week to fully awaken. I’ll give you one day then—let’s see if you can change my mind.”

“R-Really?!” Millers shot to his feet in excitement.

Riley nodded lightly.

“But don’t come by for the next few days. I still have research to do.”

“No problem, I’m totally healed now! Look—pure muscle!” Millers flexed his biceps exaggeratedly.

Riley gave him a polite thumbs-up.

“You’re in great shape. That also means you don’t need treatment anymore. You can go.”

Millers froze.

…Was he just smoothly kicked out?

Still, the promise of a date alone was enough to send his spirits soaring.

The moment he stepped out, he was already pulling out his phone, searching restaurants, bookstores, and theaters all over Everton—busy crafting what he believed would be the perfect date.