Zombie Apocalypse: I Have Safe Zone Superpower

Chapter 189: Chapter 189: Compensation

Annie’s eyes widened a little. She stared at Ivy in disbelief.

”Cut ties... and bribe her?” Annie whispered, almost afraid to say it out loud.

”Yes,” Ivy nodded. Her voice was calm, almost teacher-like.

”If you show her that staying with you gives her nothing but trouble, and leaving gives her food, security, and money, she will go on her own. People like her, Annie, only care about benefits.”

Annie’s lips trembled. She bit them hard. ”But... what if she refuses? What if she still clings to me?”

Ivy leaned forward.

”Then we increase the price. We will not increase the price in terms of food or money, but rather in terms of risk. You make her see that being with you will bring disaster to her. Give her enough to leave, and give her reason to fear staying.”

Annie’s fingers curled tightly. Her heart pounded.

’It sounds cruel... But maybe it is the only way. If I can buy her off, then I don’t need to kill her. I don’t need to dirty my hands. Maybe this way... I can breathe.’

”I... I think I understand,” Annie said softly. ”If I can make her choose to walk away, then I won’t feel guilty.”

Ivy gave a small smile. ”Exactly. You will not carry blood on your hands, and your brother will still be safe. This way, your path stays clear.”

Annie nodded slowly, but her eyes dropped again.

’But will it really work? My mother is greedy, but she is also cunning. What if she senses I’m trying to get rid of her? What if she laughs and refuses to leave?’

Ivy noticed the hesitation. She spoke firmly.

”Do not underestimate yourself. You are sharper than you think, Annie. If you prepare carefully, she will take the bait.”

Annie looked up again. Something flickered in her eyes. A little hope. A little courage.

”Instructor Ivy... thank you,” Anie whispered. ”I was going to... take her life with my hands. But now... maybe I don’t have to.”

Her chest felt lighter. Not free yet, but lighter.

’If this approach works... then I can protect my brother. I can keep my conscience. And I can finally take my first step forward.’

Ivy’s gaze softened. She thought quietly, ’Good. This way she can cut the chain without breaking her soul. She will hate me less, trust me more, and most importantly... she will survive.’

Annie bowed deeply, her hands clenched at her sides. ”Instructor Ivy... since I have been officially hired, I should leave now. Thank you... for everything.”

She bowed again, this time lower, then turned and walked out of the room.

The sound of her footsteps slowly faded. Ivy watched her disappear through the doorway, and only then did she let out a long sigh of relief.

Her fingers touched her own chest lightly.

’Good. That girl will survive. I didn’t expect that my rebirth would change so many people’s lives already. Ravencroft family has fallen into my hands, Patrick is gone, my base has been built, Blackthorn family is slowly avoiding their tragic fate, and now Annie too... Her chain is loosening. But... my path isn’t finished yet.’

Her eyes grew sharp as the memories of her previous life flashed in her mind.

’Damien. Talon base. Those researchers who treated me like an experiment. And there was one person who caused my near-death experience. I don’t know who she really was, but she had a jasmine scent. The scent wasn’t fresh. It wasn’t dull. It was unforgettable. Because of that one push, my whole life collapsed.’

Her jaw tightened as old pain stabbed at her.

’The moment I was shoved away, I lost balance, and I teleported into a different place for unknown reasons. And those researchers... they saw me use my power by accident. They wanted me like I was some kind of prize. That was the beginning of my suffering. This time... I will find that person. I will face her myself.’

She clenched her fists, then slowly loosened them. Her thoughts softened a little.

’And after that... I will save my best friends. They were kind to me in my past life. I owe them that much. I will find my real family, too. No matter what, I will make sure they rise, and they never suffer again.’

Her lips curved into the smallest of smiles. ”This time... I will build a world for my people.”

Suddenly, she thought of Silas and wondered when he would return. More than 2 weeks have passed, and she was starting to wonder if he had encountered some kind of trouble.

’Maybe not...’ She thought, her heart beat quickened, ’I have already taught him about all the possible problems he might encounter in a forest.’

During the time she spent with Silas in his apartment, she made sure to slip some of the common knowledge about plants from her previous life to him.

She provided information on how to tackle the mutated plants, avoid their detection, and attract their attention instantly.

There was also mention of mutated bugs he should absolutely stay away from and, if he encounters them, how he should deal with them.

’With so much knowledge... even if he encounters a problem... nothing should go wrong.’ Ivy consoled herself, and her hanging heart relaxed a little.

’Once he returns... I will seduce him...’ Ivy thought about her plan and felt a bit uncomfortable, remembering Patricia. She never counted herself as a good person... but she indeed thought that she had a good bottom line.

Now... the thought of snatching away someone else’s fiancé filled her with reluctance and guilt, and the compensation she had thought for Patricia doubled in her mind.

..............

Five days passed. Ivy was buried in work, managing her base and giving orders. But one morning, as she waved her hand to enter the temporal storage... her whole body froze.

She blinked in surprise. ”Wait...? The force that was blocking me... It’s gone?”

Her heart raced. She tried again, and this time, she slipped inside smoothly.

The moment she entered, a rush of light filled her vision.