Chapter 82 Awakening
A faint fragrance lingered in the air, and a cool sensation flowed through his lips and teeth, easing some of the soreness.
"When you're awake, sometimes I find you quite annoying. You're always so cold, looking at people as if you can see right through them. It's like you don't care about anyone, and everyone owes you something," Lucy said.
The voice slightly took William aback. He had thought he was unconscious and that Natalie, who was his biggest supporter and always eager to prove herself, would be the one taking care of him.
At the very least, it should have been Candice. She had left her team to join his, likely having realized many things, and taking care of her future benefactor wouldn't be too much to ask.
But why was it Lucy, this somewhat unreliable woman? She seemed to dislike him quite a bit.
"What are you so proud of? You're just a bit more skilled, a bit more capable, and yet you're so harsh to me! I've been shaving your beard for the past few days! I've never done anything like this for anyone in my life!" Lucy said.
William pondered for a moment, considering whether he should show signs of waking up to stop this beautiful teacher from her tirade against him.
"Do you think that by keeping a cold face around me all the time, you can hide the fact that you know me? That you were my student? You want to avoid the awkwardness between us, right? You know, I don't say it out loud for your sake.
"Back then, you and your pretty girlfriend were so eye-catching. Do you think I'm blind? How could I not notice you? Of course, I am mostly looking at the campus queen. You were just a sidekick," Lucy continued her relentless chatter while William swore he was innocent.
He really had no impression of this teacher, or maybe he did once, but he had forgotten over the 'ten years.'
"But William, tell you, once a teacher, always a teacher. Strictly speaking, you should call me teacher!" Lucy said.
Perhaps she realized how shameless that sounded. Lucy, who was deeply lost in her world, lowered her voice and said softly, "That title makes me sound old. Just call me sister. Yes, call me sister!"
After saying that, she reached out and gently patted William's cheek, speaking in a smug tone, "William, you're still too young."
This terrifying rambling paused for a moment, replaced by a sigh full of worry and helplessness.
"But, youngster, you need to wake up soon. Our situation is really bad right now. Every day, we have to risk our lives for food and water, we're constantly being hunted, and we have to fight every day—against zombies, monsters, and even other people. I've even learned to use your knife, and... I've killed someone," Lucy said.
This sudden shift made the emotions that William felt because of 'youngster' instantly disappear, replaced by deep confusion.
He understood fighting zombies for food and water, but why were they being hunted?
"It's not just that. The team isn't peaceful, either. Jacob Russell and his group are extremely annoying. They are Candice's former colleagues. Since they helped us during the retreat a few days ago, they think they can demand a share of the loot.
"They've clashed with Natalie several times—each time, Candice has had to suppress them. But I know it's hard for her, especially since her instructor seems to have other ideas, which makes Candice very upset. But Mrs. Smith is a nice person, fair in her words, though it doesn't help much since no one listens to her," Lucy said.
At this point, Lucy sighed again. "Even I feel exhausted. Candice and Natalie must be even more tired. William, wake up soon. This world still belongs to you, men. Without you, we women can't hold on much longer," Lucy added.
Her voice grew softer and softer, and by the time she finished her last sentence, it was barely audible.
Lucy stared blankly for a moment, then packed up the water bottle and the remaining half bowl of porridge, preparing to leave.
"How long have I been asleep?" William asked.
But his voice interrupted her steps. After two seconds, the room was filled with Lucy's startled scream.
Leaning against the corner, William looked at the various expressions on the faces of the people in front of him, his heart full of cold laughter.
Candice, Natalie, and Lucy were absolutely overjoyed. They couldn't hide the smiles on their faces, their happiness genuine.
During the four days William was unconscious, they had truly experienced real hardship. They had so many things to consider every day. In peaceful times, it might have been fine, but now it was the apocalypse, a world overrun by mutated creatures. For them, with no experience in such a world, they were constantly making mistakes.
These past few days, they had truly realized how easy life had been under William's leadership. Not only was it easy, but they had also become evolvers. And these past few days, they had remembered to improve their strength. They had struggled just to survive.
Besides the three women, there were seven or eight other people in the room. William recognized two of them, likely the ones Candice had brought that day.
One was a young man, still looking quite innocent, curiously staring at him as if he had something very interesting on him. The other was older, with a blank expression and a hint of wariness in his eyes as he looked at William.
The remaining five people were strangers to William. The leader was a middle-aged man with a bit of a bald spot, arms crossed, looking at William coldly.
He was Jacob, the one Lucy had mentioned, a former colleague of Candice. He had held the title of deputy director. These past few days, he had been the loudest about dividing the loot.
The other four were his subordinates. Three of them were unremarkable, but one woman caught William's attention. She was nearly thirty, with an excellent figure and appearance. Most importantly, she exuded the charm of a mature woman. Even in this room, charred black by fire, her allure was undeniable.
She should be Michelle, the fair and just woman Lucy had mentioned.
After scanning the room, William's gaze fell on the Pill that had been nuzzling against him and occasionally licking him with its big tongue since he woke up.
In just a few days, its yellow fur had grown out, thick and dense, even covering the gray magic crystal on its forehead.
William reached out to stroke its fur, finding it very pleasant to the touch.
"Where is it?" William gently scratched Pill's chin and asked softly.
Pill seemed to understand, barked once, and then darted out. Moments later, it returned with a black object in its mouth—the piece of Devil's Gold that William had risked his life to obtain!
