Chapter 47 Formation of the Team
In terms of quantity, distributing three bottles of one-star enhancement potions among three people seemed reasonable. However, the issue lay in the varying relationships William had with these three individuals.
Candice was someone highly regarded by William, someone he wished to recruit as a team member. William had made promises to her before, so it was only fitting for her to receive a bottle of evolution potion.
As for Natalie, William didn't see much potential in her from the bottom of his heart. In the post-apocalyptic world, the criteria for judging individuals were quite straightforward. It was all about how strong you were or how strong you would become in the future. However, in Natalie, William saw the typical traits of a woman - gentle and charming. But he failed to see the potential for her to become a strong individual.
While strength could be influenced by how much investment was made, when compared to Candice, Natalie was a tier below in terms of foundational strength.
What's even more troubling was Lucy. Being excessively kind was a major taboo in the post-apocalyptic world, as this trait not only endangered the individual but also those around them. Despite William's personal inclination toward this type of woman, upon discovering Lucy's nature, he immediately excluded her from his list.
However, ever since leaving the Armed Department, Lucy had been following the team. She put in a lot of effort while digging for magic crystals, even going as far as getting into a physical altercation to protect the crystals. This level of dedication from someone who usually paid great attention to her image was truly commendable.
But because of this, William was somewhat hesitant. Should he give the One-Star Evolution Potion to Natalie and Lucy? After all, the potion was quite valuable.
Natalie spoke, "Let me do anything, whether it's fighting or something else."
Although Natalie lacked the combat power that Candice had, when it came to accuracy in problem-solving and decisiveness in decision-making, she was undoubtedly the most formidable among the three women.
Having just injected the immunity potion, this woman had already realized the significance of the One-Star Evolution Potion. She displayed her determination directly to William before he could refuse, laying out her stance in front of him.
Even William had to admit that this woman was truly sharp in her assessments, impeccable in her timing, and her words had the power to move hearts.
"You receiving this doesn't necessarily mean luck. You will face many unexpected situations in the future, each one a matter of life and death. And if you have great power, I won't easily let you leave. I will have you fight alongside me for my goals. Perhaps tomorrow, or even tonight, you might die. Have you thought it through?"
This was the first time William spoke so seriously to Natalie.
"I know, I understand, and I'm aware that you saved my life. As long as you give me the chance, I will stand by your side. Even if we face enemies stronger than us."
On Natalie's face, there were still traces of a slap from William the previous night. But now, she made a solemn and dignified promise to the man who had struck her. William didn't have reason to refuse her.
Despite her poor foundation and potential, she was resolute. He could always nurture her in the future.
"And you." William's gaze turned to the Candice. "I promised to give you this power. Now you can choose, after obtaining this power, will you leave or stay?"
Candice looked conflicted.
Before this, she had intended to leave. Years of education and training had instilled in her a strong sense of duty and trust toward the country and organization, leading to immense loyalty.
But since encountering this man in the middle of the night, experiencing the terrifying events at the tennis court, the escape from the Armed Department, and the intense moments of today, Candice felt that her mindset and thoughts were changing. Deep down, she wanted to maintain her current state and face the new power and world with this man.
However, her past life seemed to be pulling her back like a thread.
"Can you tell me what you're going to do next?"
Instead of directly answering William, Candice posed this question.
After some thought, William replied, "Most likely, I will go to Moon Lake in the evening and be around Starlight Mall tomorrow."
Candice nodded. "I'm sorry, I might have to leave."
Although he was mentally prepared for this, William felt a tinge of regret. Talents like Candice were hard to come by, and her departure would indeed be a loss.
Candice continued, "But I should be back. I just have some things I can't let go of and want to check on. If everything goes smoothly, I'll come to Moon Lake tonight to find you. If something delays me, I'll go to Starlight Mall tomorrow."
This turn of events brought a smile to William's face. He hadn't misjudged Candice. If she had no feelings for the previous group, William would have to reassess her character.
With Candice and Natalie's issues resolved, the attention of their inadvertently shifted to Lucy.
The teacher looked a bit disheveled at the moment, having just fought with a burly man. Her glasses were askew, her clothes torn, and her hair disheveled. There were visible scratches on her delicate skin.
In truth, Lucy desired this type of evolution potion. Despite her reservations about William's methods, she couldn't deny her envy of the immense power he possessed, as well as his composure and resilience in the face of danger.
However, she was aware that William didn't hold a high opinion of her. This was evident in the way he looked at her. Lucy understood that her chances of receiving this potion were slim.
Yes, she had helped out in some ways, but anyone could have done what she did well. She wasn't indispensable.
But if she left these people, where would she go? Candice had a place to go, with an organization and comrades here. Natalie intended to stay with William, not to leave. What about herself? All her relatives were in another city, and with the current level of danger outside, she couldn't even reach the suburbs! Who could she turn to?
Wait for government rescue? It had been over a dozen hours since the disaster struck; if there were really rescue efforts, they should have arrived by now.
Lucy suddenly felt lost.
"Give her a potion, she's actually a good person." Natalie interceded for Lucy, greatly surprising William, especially Lucy herself. She hadn't expected this woman, who had previously looked down on her, to act this way.
"Even if we owe you, I will find a way to repay you in the future. After all, with her overly kindness , she won't survive on her own." Candice also spoke up for the teacher.
William looked deeply at Natalie and Candice, nodding.
"Wait for me here."
With that, he went to the nearby lounge, took out the items he had prepared from his bag, and began to refine the three vials of One-Star Evolution Potions.
"Thank you," Lucy whispered her gratitude to others.
"Don't get too happy yet. If you ever cause trouble for us, I'll be the first to take you out." Upon hearing Natalie's threat, Lucy didn't feel angry; instead, she was touched. She took the hands of the two women and shook them.
When William emerged again, he clearly noticed that the dynamics between the three women had changed. But he hoped to see this positive development.
"It might be painful after the injection. Endure it," he said, injecting the modified One-Star Evolution Potion into the bodies of the three women.
After leaving the supermarket where the green necklace option had disappeared, Candice left on her own while William took Natalie and Lucy, now One-Star Evolvers, to his house.
"I have some things to take care of. Rest here for a bit. If you feel up to it, you can go hunt zombies nearby. Remember, don't provoke too many zombies. If you see zombies with white magic crystals or mutated creatures, run immediately. Understood!"
Although still caught up in the excitement of becoming evolvers, both women obediently nodded at William's words.
After he left, William swiftly moved through the city. He had to go somewhere to check if it held the same treasures as in his previous life. He couldn't let these women surpass his level of evolution.
