Chapter 497 Illogical
Steven and Elinor hopped out of the car after their chat.
He stared at the white Gothic church, feeling all kinds of mixed up.
'Am I just overthinking this, or is it actually happening?'
If the Snowfall Cult could control the zombie horde, why wait until now to make a move?
And if Natasha was really the mastermind, she could've taken advantage of everyone's weakness a few nights ago and wiped them out.
But it didn't add up. From the looks of her, she didn't seem like she could control the zombie horde.
The more Steven thought about it, the less sense it made.
No matter how he sliced it, the Snowfall Cult didn't seem to have the means or motive for such actions.
Steven's suspicion was purely based on the weird powers she had shown.
'I need to dig into this more on the down-low!' Steven thought to himself.
Just then, he heard Otha coughing nearby.
Steven looked up and saw Lanny and Theron looking at Otha with worried faces.
Otha was covering his mouth with a white handkerchief, coughing like crazy.
Steven frowned a bit. 'Could it be that Natasha is wary of the folks from Silvercrest District?'
Steven felt like he was losing it. He seemed like a conspiracy nut, always seeing shadows everywhere.
Steven shook his head, trying to clear his mind.
Then he walked over to Otha and the others.
The investigation team members had different looks on their faces when they saw Steven. Still, most of them seemed friendly.
Because Otha had mentioned wanting Steven to join their investigation team.
He was on his last legs, with not much time left because of his supernatural abilities.
So he had been looking for new members for the team.
Steven's performance in Starlight City and his impressive feats a few nights ago had earned the team's respect.
Even though his sniping skills overlapped with Leandro's, having two snipers wasn't a big deal, especially since their other abilities were different.
Only Lanny looked at Steven with some hostility.
Steven had no clue when he had ticked off Lanny, but he wasn't one to stir up trouble, so he just ignored it.
"Mr. Soderberg, how's your health?" Steven walked over and asked Otha with concern.
Otha took away the handkerchief, and Steven saw dark red bloodstains on it.
He couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness; Otha was really in bad shape.
It seemed that the last mission had worsened his condition because of his powers.
Steven felt a bit regretful.
Otha had left a good impression on him, being a calm and wise leader with serious strength.
Without their help, Starlight City would've had a slim chance of dealing with the zombie crisis on its own.
Otha said calmly, "I don't have many days left."
Even though he was talking about his own life and death, his face showed no emotion, like he had long accepted it.
Lanny said worriedly, "Otha, don't say that. Let's hurry back to Blizzard City! You can get treatment there, and maybe your condition can stop getting worse."
Otha shook his head. He knew his own body well. Even though the folks in Blizzard City had tried all sorts of ways to keep him, a battle-hardened Level 4 Psychic, alive, the mutation was irreversible. He had to deal with the consequences of using his powers.
Otha turned to Steven and said, "We'll do one last sweep to make sure there's no Zombie King in Starlight City, then we'll head back."
He suddenly smiled and added, "How about it? Starlight City is in ruins now and might not survive another disaster. Want to come back with us? Not just you, but your friends too."
Everyone around Steven was top-notch, and they could find work in Blizzard City.
Steven smiled faintly, "I don't have that plan right now. But maybe in the future."
Lanny snorted, "You think Blizzard City is a place anyone can just waltz into?"
Steven didn't argue, just smiled and said, "I have some friends here. And Starlight City is my hometown; I'm used to it."
Otha didn't push further. "Think it over carefully. With your abilities, you should have a broader horizon."
Steven glanced at the others; Lanny looked displeased, always looking down on people. Steven didn't say much more, just told Otha to take care and was about to leave.
"Steven! I heard you're quite skilled, one of the top in Starlight City. Want to spar with me?" Lanny suddenly called out, staring at him with a challenging look.
Several investigation team members looked at him, some amused, others deep in thought. Otha said nothing, just watched Steven, curious to see how he would respond.
But Steven didn't hesitate for a moment and raised his hands. He smiled at Lanny and said, "Sir, spare me! I'm not good at fighting. My abilities are only useful with a gun and for moving supplies."
"You're an elite from Blizzard City. If you fight me, isn't that bullying? I surrender, okay? I give up!"
Steven didn't know where Lanny's hostility came from. But he wouldn't fight meaningless battles. He knew that those who sought to prove themselves often died the quickest.
Only when he intended to kill would he agree a fight. But clearly, killing Lanny wouldn't benefit Steven at all. So he wouldn't fight.
Lanny didn't expect Steven to be so cowardly, surrendering immediately. He pointed angrily at Steven. "You haven't even fought, and you're giving up? Aren't you supposed to be a Captain of a faction in Starlight City? Where's your dignity?"
Steven waved his hand with a smile. "What Captain? We're just a group of friends sticking together, trusting my leadership."
"I have things to do, let's talk later!"
With that, Steven quickly left, not giving Lanny a chance to pick a fight.
Lanny trembled with anger, pointing at Steven's back and saying to Otha, "Otha, this Steven is such a coward! You plan to let him join us? Look at him, he's not suitable at all!"
Theron laughed heartily. Otha also smiled. He looked at Lanny meaningfully and said, "That's exactly why I think he's suitable. If everyone in the investigation team were like you, we'd be in trouble!"
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