Chương 14: Guests

Joe jogged steadily in a wide circle along the border of Kai's brand-new City. Well, currently, it was more of a plot of land than a city. With virtually no buildings. The reason for Joe's current jogging session was that he had decided to cover as much ground with grass as possible before they resumed their search for family members. This would allow him to keep the entire city visible on his mini-map and help him level up in the process.

Additionally, it would make traversing the city far easier for him with Nature's Step. Another part of his plan involved planting vines around the border. The idea had struck him after encountering a small group of wolves lingering near the edge of the safe zone. Although the wolves hadn't entered or ventured too close, their presence was unsettling. A wall of vines might conceal the area and act as a potential deterrent. When Joe proposed the idea over the Party Chat, Kai readily agreed.

Meanwhile, Kai used the opportunity to trim some vines near the Pillar and made his first two building purchases: a house and a water well, the latter at Joe's insistence. Though they didn't need to drink as often since the system arrived, having a constant water supply was still essential. Joe completed a full lap around the zone and slowed to expand the grass coverage further. He found the most efficient method was to stop every hundred metres or so, waiting about three minutes to promote growth.

The process was slow, but it maximized the area he could cover. It would take a couple of days to grow enough grass to make a noticeable impact along the city's edge, but Joe didn't mind the steady pace. Ding! Profession Nature's Custodian has reached level 3 - stat points distributed.

"That was fast," Joe said aloud, grinning in satisfaction. More stats. He was starting to enjoy the surge that came with each level-up, the sudden influx of mana into his body as his stats increased. He paused momentarily, his focus shifting to the grass growing around him. Was it faster now? It felt like it was. Though he couldn't be certain. Three hours had passed since he began this lap, and the steady pace had rewarded him. [Just hit level three. How are things over there, Kai?] - Joe. [It's good. We were just about to send you a message,] - Kai. A system notification blinked into Joe's vision. City Mayor Sarah Monreau has offered you the position of City Protector. Do you accept? Y/N City Mayor? That was new. Joe mentally clicked Y. Congratulations on your new position as Protector of Heliopolis New Title earned - City Protector Heliopolis? They had named the City. [What does the name Heliopolis mean?] - Joe. [It means the City of the Sun,] - Kai. [I like it. But no way in hell did you think of that name. Sarah made the suggestion, right?] - Joe. [How can you doubt me?] - Kai. [Yes, it was mine,] - Sarah. [Betrayal.] - Kai. Joe smiled. At least everyone's spirits were still high. Night had fallen by the time Joe returned to the Pillar. As he stepped into the clearing at the centre of the vine field, the house Kai had purchased came into view. It was a rustic-looking log cabin with two floors, surprisingly spacious at a glance. A wide overhang and porch adorned the front, with two balconies positioned above.

Joe inhaled deeply. The air smelled crisp and fresh, like a mountaintop, a stark contrast to the city's usual scent. It left his senses momentarily disoriented. He caught a glimpse of the cabin's interior from the open door. Furs hung on the walls, giving the space a rugged warmth, while a sturdy wooden table sat in the centre of the room, surrounded by mismatched chairs. A stone fireplace dominated one wall. The faint flicker of embers, adding a cosy glow within.

A large woven rug, frayed at the edges, lay beneath the table, its earthy colours complementing the cabin's rustic charm. But something else caught Joe's attention, and his eyes lit up. A mirror leaned against one corner of the room, its wooden frame ornately carved with twisting vines and leaves. How long had it been since he last saw his reflection? Before the system, certainly. Even during his and Kai's trek through the city, every pane of glass they passed had been shattered.

Since everything changed, this would be his first real chance to look at himself. Kai lounged casually on a chair on the porch while faint sounds of Sarah rummaging upstairs filtered through the air. Joe stepped inside, heading straight for the mirror. When he finally saw his reflection, Joe froze, gob-smacked. The face staring back at him was his, but at the same time, it wasn't. He barely recognized himself.

His tall frame and golden-brown skin were familiar, but now his complexion seemed to carry an unnatural vitality, almost glowing under the soft light of the cabin. His short, unkempt brown hair framed a face marked by sharp angles and rugged stubble, giving him an air of confidence that felt foreign. His eyes, once ordinary, now shone a vivid green, glinting with a faint sheen of mana that seemed to swirl just beneath the surface.

The white spider-silk sunglasses perched on his nose couldn't entirely mask the ethereal glow emanating from his gaze. The fur-lined cloak draped over his shoulders added to the wild, untamed look as if he were some wandering warrior from another era. He flexed an arm, smiling at the substantially thicker muscles rippling beneath his torn clothing. He really needed some new clothes. While the change in Kai and Hakeem had been subtle yet distinct, his transformation was far more pronounced.

He could only conclude that his race change was a major factor in his new appearance.

"Kai, have I always looked like this?" Joe asked. Kai glanced up briefly from his book before turning back to it.

"Fix your face, man; you are scaring the vines." Joe sighed. Why did he even bother asking? Getting a serious answer out of Kai, or Hakeem, for that matter, was a lost cause.

"I wish I had better friends," he muttered as he stepped back outside.

"Where's the wife?" Joe asked. Kai was immediately overcome by a fit of coughs, nearly tumbling out of his chair. His face flushed a deep red as he struggled to regain composure.

"Haha, you deserve that, bastard," Joe said with a laugh, turning toward the stairs as Sarah descended from the second floor.

"Welcome back," she greeted him.

"How were the grass-growing escapades? Kai mentioned you can't control the leakage," she added with a teasing wink. Was she making fun of him? He wasn't sure, but he found himself starting to like this girl. She also looked a lot healthier. The gaunt hollows under her eyes were gone, and her expression no longer carried the shadow of recent loss. Instead, she had a lightness, a subtle resilience that hadn't been there before.

"Yeah, it's a major problem. I need to get it checked when I find a doctor," Joe replied with exaggerated seriousness.

"Good luck finding one of those around here," Sarah said with a smile.

"Anyway, would you like a tour?"

"Yes, ma'am," Joe said with an overly formal bow, catching the faint blush that crept across her cheeks before she quickly composed herself.

"Now, now, I'm no, ma'am; I'll have you know," she said playfully, looping her arm through his and leading him inside. Joe took in the house as they walked.

"I'm still surprised it came fully furnished. I didn't think the system would be so generous," he remarked.

"Only the city owner's house comes furnished," Sarah explained.

"It's one of the perks of ownership. Plus, it has running water, a shower, and a kitchen that can run on mana. There is also some kind of mana battery we can charge to store mana for the lights at night." Joe caught her use of the word "we" and couldn't help but smile. Would he have to sleep outside to give them privacy? The thought amused him, but Sarah didn't seem to notice his reaction as she continued the tour.

"So, will we get to eat some of your cooking again? You come highly recommended," she teased.

"For you and Kai, of course," Joe replied with a laugh. The tour ended, and Joe found himself in the kitchen, cooking up some spider meat steaks. As the meat sizzled in the pan, he reminded himself to plant some of his seeds tomorrow before heading out. He'd been dreaming of adding potatoes to meals like this. Would the ones he planted taste like regular potatoes, or would they be mana-infused? Would mana-fed potatoes restore mana when eaten?

The thought amused him as he flipped the steaks, the aroma filling the room. The smell was so enticing that it wasn't long before he had company. Two figures appeared in the doorway, noses in the air, drawn by the heavenly scent.

"Oh my god! Those smell amazing. Is it wolf meat?" Sarah asked hesitantly, her curiosity piqued.

"If I said it was spider meat, would that put you off?" Joe replied with a teasing grin. Sarah's face paled visibly, her expression caught between a mix of emotions.

"Trust me," Joe said, holding up a perfectly browned steak on a spatula.

"It's better than it sounds. I mean, the smell is proof, right?" Sarah didn't look convinced.

"Only if you guys eat them first," She countered, crossing her arms.

"I'll go first", Kai volunteered enthusiastically, stepping forward without a moment's hesitation. Before long, the steaks were ready, and the trio gathered in the dining room, yes, the house had a dining room. They sat at the sturdy wooden table, digging into the perfectly cooked spider steaks with gusto.

"I take back every complaint I've ever made. These are so delicious!" Sarah exclaimed between bites, her earlier reluctance forgotten.

"I can never eat normal meat again," Kai declared, already halfway through his fourth steak. Joe smiled as he watched them devour the food. After the meal, Joe sat outside the house, cross-legged on the grass with the egg resting in front of him. He flipped through the tutorial 101 book, skimming for information about levelling up. He hoped to uncover hints about alternative ways to advance his profession.

As he scanned the pages, he came across a description of a profession called Gardener, the closest he could find to his own. Intrigued, he began reading. Gardener - The best way to increase your gardening proficiency is to infuse your mana into plants to help nourish them into growth. Planting new species of plants will also offer a bonus amount of experience. Meditation is also a good way to attune your mind to your surroundings, encouraging a connection between you and nature itself.

This may also help with profession advancement. Mana infusion and meditation. He made a mental note to try both methods soon. He was mulling over the possibilities when Kai appeared and sat down beside him.

"Sarah's asleep. I think she crashed from her adrenaline high," Kai said, stretching his legs out in front of him.

"Makes sense. I doubt she's had a day this crazy in a long time," Joe replied. A quiet moment passed before he added, "I heard her mention before that her daughter passed away."

"Yeah," Kai said softly.

"While you were out, she cried a lot. She didn't want to be seen like that."

"I wouldn't either," Joe admitted, his voice low.

"It happened just after the Gates broke, almost a year ago," Kai continued.

"She's mostly over it. But something like that never truly goes away."

"Yeah," Joe murmured, closing his eyes briefly. The two sat in silence, the stillness of the night surrounding them. After a moment, Joe cracked an eye open.

"You get any more annoying quests?"

"Just an open quest, no time limit. About expanding the city and filling it with residents. Looks like I might be stuck here. But I still need to go to that camp in Hertford first. I need to find my parents if they are even…"

"Don't finish that sentence; I'll find them," Joe interrupted firmly. Kai looked at his friend, surprised.

"I have an idea if you'll humour me," Joe continued." While I was walking around, planting seeds and leaking grass…" Kai chuckled.

"I felt a, I don't know how to explain it. A calling? Was it part of what I was supposed to do? I'm telling you, man, I think this system is fucking with me. Or maybe it's this Bloodline and profession. It's like it's pushing me to go out into the world, and I dunno, get in touch with Nature." Joe paused, scratching the back of his head.

"So what I'm saying is, I'll go to that camp and find out if your parents are still there. Plus, there is this stupid one-hundred-boss quest I need to do. I have no idea how I will travel around the entire planet and do that. But guess I'll figure it out." He stopped, a little surprised by how open he was being. It wasn't like him to shy away from talking, but this had veered into heavier territory than he'd intended.

"So what do you think?" Joe asked, eager to shift the conversation back to something lighter. Kai stared ahead for a long moment, lost in thought. Nearly two minutes passed before he finally spoke.

"That's a relief, and it'll be a big help. As bad as it sounds, I feel like I need to stay here and work on this city. What did you call it? The system messing with us? I feel that, too. It would be a mistake if I left now, even to find my parents," He lowered his head into his hands, frustration evident.

"I hate it."

"It's decided then, I'll go, find them, bring them back here. You and Mayor Sarah do your thing," he said in his most positive voice.

"I'll hang around until Hakeem gets here, though, first. I wanted to plant some of my other seeds. I have potatoes. Oh shit, that reminds me, you guys mentioned a shop on the Pillar, any seeds at all?" Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"You really are a Farmer now," Kai chuckled, pulling a small bag from his storage.

"I have these; I can't even remember where I got them from." He handed the bag to Joe. As soon as it touched Joe's hand, a notification popped up. System Message Seeds - Asparagus added to seed menu"Fuck off!" Joe muttered under his breath, earning a hearty laugh from Kai. Ding! Profession Nature's Custodian has reached level 7 - stat points distributed. Over the next two days, Joe threw himself into his work, growing grass, planting vegetables, and meditating to attune himself to nature.

He finally covered the entire Safe Zone of Heliopolis with grass, transforming the once-barren land into a vibrant green haven. His proudest accomplishment, however, was completing the giant vine border around the city. While the vines weren't as tall as those he'd summoned during his fight with the spider queen, those had drained far too much mana for his natural recovery to handle; they still stood an impressive seven feet high. He'd left four prominent gaps in the north, south, east, and west as entrances.

That same day, the city of Heliopolis had its first visitors. A group of four blue dots appeared on his mini-map, approaching through the northern entrance to the safe zone. [Kai, Sarah. Four people just entered the safe zone,] - Joe sent out as soon as he noticed. On his mini-map, the blue dots representing Kai and Sarah were near the city's centre. Joe, meanwhile, was further south, busy planting seeds in the area he had claimed as his small farm. He'd even gained a level from the constant work.

[We got a notification when they entered,] - Kai. [Scared the heck out of me,] - Sarah. That was reassuring. It was good to know they'd always be alerted when someone entered the city area. However, Joe couldn't determine the visitor's strength just from looking at the mini-map. [Want me to go check them out? Flash my protector title?] - Joe. [Join us. We'll go see them together,] - Sarah. [Sure, on my way,] - Joe.

It didn't take Joe long to catch up with Kai and Sarah as they made their way toward the northern entrance to meet their first visitors. __"What is this place? Can you feel that?" Trevor asked, his voice tinged with wonder. His three companions paused to take in their surroundings, their expressions reflecting the same awe. The moment they stepped through the gap in the strange wall of plants, a wave of peace and safety washed over them.

The pack of wolves that had been chasing them abruptly stopped near the edge of the wall, unwilling, or perhaps unable, to approach any closer. The wall's mere presence seemed to act as a barrier. At first, none of them had wanted to pass through the gap. Its deliberate, man-made appearance sparked unease. Who could have constructed something like this? But the appearance of the wolf pack had removed any choice they had.

"You think this has to do with that City Global message?" Kim asked. She stood tall and composed, her dark hair tied back to keep it out of her sharp eyes. As Trevor's second-in-command and the second-highest level in their group, she carried her level thirty Archer status with confidence.

"I think it might," Trevor replied, scanning the verdant surroundings with his keen Scout senses. Despite his slight and gangly frame, there was an energy about him that hinted at his level thirty-four experience.

"This place feels too amazing not to be connected. And the Beasts, they won't even go near the wall. I've never seen anything like it before." His gaze shifted to the other two members of the group. Anna, their healer, stood quietly. Her dark skin and weathered features gave her an air of wisdom, though her meek demeanour often betrayed her. At level twenty-six, the Priest had saved their lives more than once. Beside her was Josh, the team's level twenty-nine Warrior.

A towering man with a full beard and grizzled face, he carried his sword and shield with a practiced ease, though his wary eyes betrayed his unease.

"It feels like I'm being watched," Anna said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"It's a weird feeling," Josh agreed, his gruff tone laced with suspicion.

"I don't know if this was such a good idea." Trevor felt it too. From the moment they entered this place, the sensation of being watched was unmistakable. Yet, despite his enhanced vision from his Scout's eye skill, he couldn't see anyone. Still, there was no hostility in the feeling, just an ever-present awareness. He reassured his companions, urging them to keep moving. It wasn't long before three figures appeared in the distance, walking toward them.

Trevor spotted them first and instinctively moved to the front of the group, his sharp eyes fixed on the approaching strangers. A minute later, Josh grunted as the figures came into view for him, adjusting the shield on his arm. The tension in the air thickened. With the world as it was now, strangers were not easily trusted. Desperate times had pushed too many survivors to do desperate, violent things.

"Three people ahead," Trevor informed the group.

"Only one has a visible weapon, a blade at her hip. Sarah… The two men with her are levels thirteen and fourteen." His brow furrowed in confusion. Sarah had not returned to camp for a few days, and now he found her in this strange area with two men. How were they here at such low levels? How had they survived this long? Something didn't add up.

"One of the men has a strange race," Kim said, her tone sharp.

"What is a High Human?" She looked at Trevor, her unease mirrored in his expression. His gaze snapped back to the man in the cloak and white sunglasses. How had he missed that detail? A High Human. Trevor froze mid-step, and the others halted abruptly behind him.

"I have no idea what a High Human is," he said, his voice low.

"Everyone, stay here." Trevor's instincts screamed at him. There was something deeply unsettling about the cloaked man. When he'd used his Scout's Eye to identify him, it felt like their eyes had locked briefly, even through the sunglasses. A chill had shot through Trevor, gripping him with an unfamiliar fear. He couldn't explain it, but every fibre of his being told him one thing with absolute certainty: that man was dangerous. __"Oops," Joe said. Kai and Sarah turned to look at him.

"What happened?" Kai asked as they continued walking towards the group of four.

"I may or may not have accidentally stared at the guy in front for too long," Joe admitted.

"And he may be a little terrified now. I think we both used Identify at the same time. He has a Class called Scout." Sarah stopped abruptly.

"Scout? That means he is a Diver; what level is he at, and what's his name?" she asked, her words tumbling out in rapid succession. A flicker of concern crossed her face.

"Level thirty-four, Trevor," Joe replied. Sarah let out a small sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness. They're from the group I was with before meeting you both. I've met him several times, and probably the others in his team. He's known for being an excellent Scout and regularly comes to the city to look for supplies and survivors." Joe nodded thoughtfully.

"That's good then, you don't mind handling this?"

"I don't know him very well," Sarah admitted, "But yes, this should go smoothly when he recognises me." Joe was glad to take a backseat this time. He figured it would be a good opportunity to observe how people interacted now and to gauge how strong this Diver was. Trevor had moved forward independently, leaving the rest of his team waiting in the distance. His expression shifted visibly as he approached, and Joe saw his gaze linger on him more than the others.

"Hi Trevor, Welcome to Heliopolis," Sarah said smoothly, her tone calm and welcoming.

"Sarah! So glad to see you alive. We had heard you had not returned from your trip to the city," Trevor said, relief evident in his voice. His expression darkened slightly as he asked his next question.

"Where is Malcolm? And… what is Heliopolis?"

"He died," Sarah replied, her voice sombre.

"That's why I couldn't make it back. Afterwards, I met some old friends here, and things got a little busy." She gestured towards Kai and Joe. Joe remained a step back, but he noticed Trevor's eyes flickering in his direction.

"Heliopolis is the name of this place. If you heard the Global announcement, well, this is it," she spread her hands out, gesturing to the area around them. On the way to meet Trevor's group, they had agreed it was pointless to hide the truth. The peaceful aura of the safe zone was unmistakable and would make it obvious to anyone entering that this was no ordinary place.

"I'm sorry to hear about Malcolm," Trevor said, his voice heavy with sincerity.

"How did you find this place, if you don't mind me asking? And… are the Progenitors here? Do you know who they are?" His gaze darted to Joe again before returning to Sarah. Joe couldn't help but smile faintly, failing to mask his amusement.

"My friends here are the Progenitors," Sarah said.

"Trevor, this is Kai and Joe." Joe responded with an exaggerated bow, while Kai simply nodded.

"Nice to meet you, Trevor. Welcome to my city," Kai said, his voice noticeably deeper than usual. Joe glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, struggling not to laugh. Trevor stood frozen, shock etched across his face. Disbelief radiated from him as he looked between them.

"No, seriously. I'd like to meet them," Trevor finally said.

"Are they further in?" Joe couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter.

"I told you he wouldn't believe it," he said gleefully. Trevor stared at him, slack-jawed, while Joe's laughter echoed around them. Once he'd calmed down, Joe gestured toward Trevor.

"Sorry. But she isn't lying. Ignore the levels for a moment and check out our titles."

"Titles?" Trevor asked, his confusion evident.

"I apologize for Joe," Sarah said with a small sigh.

"He has a flair for the dramatic, but what he said is true. You can see his titles if you use Identify on him now." Sarah watched as Trevor hesitated briefly before following her suggestion. A moment later, his eyes widened in understanding. Joe had mentally highlighted his Progenitor title and a few others he wanted to show off, basking in the reaction he'd been waiting for.

"This is a bit awkward with your friends standing back there," Joe said, gesturing toward Trevor's group.

"Tell them to come over, and we will go further into the city centre. Are you guys hungry at all? I make a mean steak." Not waiting for a response, Joe turned on his heel and disappeared from sight. He had activated Nature's Step, vanishing into the distance for maximum dramatic effect. Now just over a hundred metres away and heading toward the Piller, he grumbled to himself, wishing the skill let him dash farther, it would've been much more impressive. Still, he couldn't help but smile.

As cringeworthy as his performance probably looked, the stunned expression he'd caught on Trevor's face had made it worth it. __ Trevor sat with Kim, Anna, and Josh at a dining room table, staring at the most delicious-smelling steak he had ever encountered. The rich aroma wafted up from the ceramic plate in front of him, and it took every ounce of self-control not to devour it in seconds. He glanced over at Kim, who was staring back at him, her hunger barely concealed.

"Thank you for the meal. You said this is wolf meat?" Trevor asked cautiously.

"Yes, please, eat," the man opposite him replied enthusiastically. Trevor couldn't make sense of everything that had happened since entering this city. On the way here, he had met a level fourteen high human, a race he had never even heard of, sporting the Progenitor and giant Killer titles. The latter alone was terrifying; it stated this man had killed a Beast twenty-five levels higher than himself. That was an almost unimaginable feat.

As if that weren't enough, the same man had then vanished from before him, teleporting over a hundred metres away in a second before moving faster than Trevor, a level thirty-four Scout, could keep up with. His Agility must be absurdly high, at least fifty, maybe even sixty.

During the walk to the city's centre, and the house in which they now sat, Sarah had casually explained that this same man had killed a Giant Spider over level fifty to claim a City Pillar, which in turn led to the creation of the first system-sanctioned city. Trevor had nodded along, but deep down, he didn't believe a word of it. Yet here he was, in said city, feeling the undeniable safety of the zone it produced.

And now here they were, sitting in a log cabin in the middle of a city, eating wolf meat cooked in a mana-powered kitchen. A kitchen that somehow infused the air with the most mouth-wateringly delicious aroma he had ever encountered. It was almost too surreal. Trevor felt like he must be dreaming. So, he did the only thing that made sense: he ate. Thanking the High Human across the table, he cut into the steak and took a bite.

The flavour was beyond anything he had imagined, even better than the smell, and for the moment, all the strangeness of the day melted away. Trevor found himself utterly lost in the sheer perfection of the meal, forgetting everything else. __ Kim sat with a full stomach, leaning back comfortably beside her companions while the strange trio sat opposite them. Well, not all of them were strange, she supposed.

There was Sarah, whom she'd seen occasionally back at the camp, a familiar face in an otherwise surreal setting. But the other two were complete enigmas. The first was a towering six-foot-tall Mediterranean man with muscles that made even Josh look puny by comparison. He wore a thick beard, and though Kim had never been drawn to bearded men before, this one seemed to break the mould. He looked like he'd stepped off a movie set, effortlessly handsome, with a magnetic presence that made it hard to look away.

And then there was the High Human. Whatever he was, he was a sight to behold. He was taller, standing just over six feet three inches, she guessed, with a cloak that appeared to be made of Lion fur draped over his shoulders. Perched on his face were the most ridiculous-looking spider web sunglasses she'd ever seen, but somehow, they added to his mystique rather than detracting from it. What really drew her attention, however, was the massive red egg strapped to his back.

The thing looked like it belonged in a dragon's hoard, with glowing lava-like cracks running along its surface. Sarah had asked him to remove the egg while they ate, but he had refused outright, his tone making it clear the matter wasn't up for discussion. There was something distinctly off about him, something that made her both wary and intrigued. But none of those details truly captivated her. No, what held her attention most was his face.

She could say without a shadow of a doubt that he was the most handsome, tanned man she had ever seen. She felt her heart race as she realized, much to her shock, that she was completely smitten. __ Sarah leaned forward slightly, her hands resting lightly on the table's edge, a warm smile brightening her face.

"Did you enjoy the meal?" she asked, her tone inviting and cheerful.

"Yes," all four of their guests replied in unison, satisfied, leaning back in their chairs and patting their bellies. Sarah smiled to herself, pleased with how things had gone so far. Considering the initial tension during her reunion with the camp members, she counted this as a success. Joe's antics had thrown everyone off balance, but that had given her the perfect opportunity to step in as the calm, reasonable counterpoint to his eccentric behaviour.

It was strangely dynamic, but one that worked surprisingly well. Throughout the meal, Joe had been speaking over the Party Chat about his thoughts and observations, much to Sarah's amusement and occasional irritation. She was beginning to believe he was either a mad genius or just plain insane. Either way, their guests seemed captivated. By the end of dinner, they practically had all four eating out of their hands. Unfortunately, one guest in particular had taken this to a new level.

Kim was openly fawning over Joe, her gaze fixed on him with a mixture of astonishment and something far more suggestive. She laughed a little too loudly at his jokes, stared a little too intently at his movements, and practically radiated infatuation. Sarah shuddered inwardly. Had she no shame at all? Clearly not. None of this escaped Joe's notice. Even he couldn't be so oblivious as to miss Kim's blatant admiration. [I can't take it anymore; this woman is insufferable,] - Joe complained.

"Well, Ladies and Gentlemen. I have things to do. Bye!" Joe said abruptly, cutting off all conversation as he stood and left the dining room. The suddenness of his departure left everyone sitting in stunned silence. [All yours, Sarah,] - Joe. Sarah shook her head and seamlessly took over the conversation.

"Well, now that he's gone," she said with a small smile, "What do you think about our idea of moving everyone here?" She directed the question at Trevor, catching his attention.

"I honestly think it's the best possible choice," Trevor replied.

"You mentioned there would be systems in place to help the growth of citizens?"

"Yes! Once someone is registered on the pillar as a citizen of Heliopolis, they will be given benefits such as credit income, access to profession books, quests issued by the city, and even commissions from other citizens. The endless possibilities would take me days to go over them all." Sarah said enthusiastically. Suddenly, Kim stood up, her chair scraping against the wooden floor.

"I need to use the bathroom," she blurted, rushing out of the dining room without so much as asking where it was. Sarah watched her go, raising an eyebrow. Was she going after Joe? She couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and pity for Kim's persistence and the inevitable disappointment that awaited her.

"I would agree right away," Trevor said, bringing Sarah's focus back, "but as you know, I'm not the top voice in the camp." Sarah nodded. She knew that all too well. Having Trevor on her side would be a significant step, but the real decision rested with Harry and Peter, the two highest-level Divers in South England. A level forty-four Hunter and a level forty-six Berserker, respectively. She had spoken with both men numerous times, and each encounter had sent chills down her spine.

But now, she felt ready to face them. She turned to Kai and squeezed his arm lightly, drawing strength from his steady presence. After all, she had the backing of the World's Progenitors, who trusted her to manage this city. This is my task, she thought with quiet determination, and I will fulfil it to the best of my abilities. __ Joe sat just south of the Cabin, deep in meditation with the egg resting in his lap.

He was on the verge of slipping fully into a peaceful harmony of nature around him when he noticed the blue dot on his mini-map moving closer. With a sigh, he opened his eyes, already knowing who it was without needing to turn.

"Can I help you, Kim?" Joe called out, his voice breaking the stillness. She jumped, startled at being noticed.

"Sorry to bother you," she said quickly, her tone overly casual.

"I just wanted to get some air. I didn't realize you'd be here." The lie was obvious. Joe's head dropped in resignation. He had hoped she'd take the hint by now, but he had clearly underestimated her persistence.

"Please, sit," he said, motioning to the spot beside him. She took that as an invitation and settled in, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with him. Joe resisted the urge to clench his jaw. She opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off.

"I think there has been a bit of a misunderstanding." His tone shifted, losing the jovial edge he had used earlier and returning to his usual straightforward manner.

"I have no interest in you, Ms Kim. I apologize for being blunt, but I am not looking for friendship or romance right now. I hope you understand." He paused, bracing for an emotional reaction. But to his surprise, she just sat there, not meeting his gaze.

"I, too, am sorry. I've made a fool of myself. It won't happen again," she said evenly. Joe blinked, shocked at how well she was taking it.

"Not at all," he replied.

"We all have moments where we get carried away."

"I'm still sorry, Joe." She stood, brushing the grass from her leggings.

"I hope things won't be awkward between us; I'll leave you alone." Joe looked up at her, surprised again when she winked at him before walking away. He watched her retreating figure, a sinking feeling settling in his gut. No way it was that easy. There's no way.