Chapter 117: To Avoid Unforeseen Trouble

"They claim to follow the principle of voluntary participation,

only taking Superpower Users who are willing to rejoin The Alliance."

A cold glint appeared in Ian Chandler’s eyes as well.

It was supposed to be a secret meeting, yet those people had started openly handing out recruitment flyers.

The benefits offered on the flyers were so attractive that even people who had never heard of the Superpower User Alliance were tempted.

"At a time like this,

it seems these people are not to be underestimated,"

Nina Jacobs said.

Just this morning, the shelter had announced that in three days, they would no longer provide free meals.

All meals would have to be purchased with Points.

Points could be obtained in exchange for Crystal Cores, Gold, or by contributing to the construction of the new base.

Construction of the new base was imminent, requiring a great deal of labor and resources.

Anyone willing to participate in the construction could register to receive Points for their work.

This was all meant to encourage survivors to actively participate in building the base.

But unexpectedly, the Superpower User Alliance chose this moment to interfere.

The words "Unconditional Free Meals for Life" were printed in large letters on the recruitment flyer, a promise that would surely tempt many.

The fact that the offer was limited to Superpower Users made it seem like the ultimate, destined home for them.

"But you don’t have to worry,

the shelter has done its own recruitment outreach before,

and among the people we brought back, quite a few have a grudge against The Alliance."

Ian Chandler’s expression turned regretful as he finished speaking.

"I thought we could’ve wiped them all out in one go."

"What do you mean?"

Nina Jacobs was also curious. Why didn’t Myra Lawson just arrest everyone who had walked right into their hands?

"They’re willing to provide the shelter with weapons,

and they’re even willing to help with the base construction,"

Ian Chandler replied.

"Where did they get weapons?

Didn’t the military confiscate all the weapons?"

Nina asked.

"I heard they’re imported?"

You don’t turn away someone offering a gift. Unlike Myra Lawson, Justin Lawson was more inclined to seek an overall strategic advantage.

The shelter’s demand for weapons was indeed high.

That’s why these secret talks were happening.

"So they came prepared."

Nina Jacobs understood.

’So they’re aiming for peaceful coexistence?’

’But handing out flyers here is still a scummy move, isn’t it?’

Nina shook her head.

’Looks like these talks won’t be over anytime soon.’

After stopping by Vera Coleman’s workplace to say hello, Nina saw she still had some time and decided to head up to the second floor.

She planned to sell more of her supplies.

It would not only free up some of her storage space but also earn her some system experience.

"Claire Warner is here!"

The moment Nina, in her guise as Claire Warner, appeared on the second floor, a crowd immediately gathered around her.

"Hey, Claire, what are you selling today?

Got anything with a kick? I’ve got Crystal Cores."

A man in baggy clothes leaned in and asked.

Nina recognized him. He was the owner of the neighboring stall and had bought compressed biscuits and instant noodles from her before.

She’d heard him complain that he’d lost seventy or eighty pounds since the apocalypse began, purely from starvation.

"Of course I do. Come help me with something, and this is yours for free."

Nina pulled a bag of insanely spicy pork jerky from her storage space.

Bowen Paxton’s eyes immediately lit up when he saw it.

"Done! I’ll do anything you ask!"

Nina could even hear him swallow hard.

"Help me count Crystal Cores later."

In the past couple of days, Bowen Paxton had voluntarily stepped up to help her count Crystal Cores when she got busy.

It was evening now, and the survivors who had ventured out for the day had all returned.

Nina expected there would be no shortage of customers.

With an extra person counting Crystal Cores, she’d be able to sell more goods.

"That’s nothing! You can count on me!"

Bowen Paxton agreed without a second thought.

Just as Nina had predicted, she had barely sat down before a crowd swarmed her.

Nina decided not to even bother laying out her goods.

Whenever someone named an item they wanted, she would simply pull it out of her storage space and make the trade.

Claire Warner’s stall was the only one in the entire trading area with such a complete stock of supplies, and the only one that accepted Crystal Cores.

Word spread quickly, and before long, a long line had formed in front of her stall.

"Forty, check!

Ninety, check!

Sixty..."

Bowen Paxton counted Crystal Cores at lightning speed, and Claire Warner produced the goods just as decisively. The second-floor trading area was more bustling than ever before.

No one knew just how much she sold in total.

Three hours later, Claire Warner closed her stall.

It wasn’t because she had run out of customers, but simply because it was getting late.

Just as Bowen Paxton was about to say something, a package was tossed into his arms.

"This is for you."

Watching Claire Warner’s retreating back, Bowen Paxton finally opened the package.

Canned ribbonfish, instant noodles, and ham?!

It was the first time Nina had ever sold so much.

If not for the time limit on her "Facial Adjustment" ability, she could have sold even more.

"Nina Jacobs!"

Nina had just reached the first floor when someone called out her name.

"What do you want?"

Nina’s voice turned cold in an instant.

It was Liam Grant.

His expression was nonchalant as he walked up to Nina.

"About what happened before... I don’t blame you."

"???"

Nina was speechless.

"In fact, I’m happy to have you as my rival,"

Liam Grant continued.

"I know you’ve channeled all your hatred for me into improving your Superpower,

but next time, I won’t lose to you again."

"Did you get hit in the head too hard?"

Nina even wondered if Liam Grant was on something.

"Miss Jacobs, there’s no need to be so harsh.

We’re all on the same side, so why make things so unpleasant?

Right?"

Myron Sinclair emerged from the side, a smile plastered on his face that didn’t reach his eyes.

Nina raised an eyebrow.

’No wonder Shirley Lucas and Chester Pearson had told her that Myron Sinclair and Liam Grant were on good terms.’

’The only question was what these two wanted now.’

"Spit it out. I’m busy."

Even knowing Myron Sinclair worked for Myra Lawson, Nina had no intention of wasting words on him.

"Nina, let’s make up.

What happened before is in the past. We can still be friends,

comrades, or even competitive rivals."

Liam Grant looked at Nina, trying his best to appear sincere.

"He’s not a bad guy. Even after you beat him so badly last time, he hasn’t tried to get back at you.

Why not just forgive him this once?"

Remembering his purpose for being there, Myron Sinclair’s tone softened.

"My rival?

Is he even worthy?"

Nina ignored the two men, whose faces had darkened, and walked away.

’She had no idea why Liam Grant and Myron Sinclair had suddenly put on such a show.’

’But based on what she knew of Liam Grant...’

’...he must be in some kind of trouble.’

People were already maintaining order inside the shelter.

The flyers that had been scattered all over the floor were now gone.

Nina glanced at the vehicles still parked outside and realized the secret meeting wasn’t over yet.

’Looks like they’ll be staying the night.’

Nina decided she wouldn’t let Wayne Warner go out the next day, just to avoid any unnecessary complications.

"Melody Barron wants Liam Grant to return to the team,

but Lawson hasn’t agreed yet."

Back at their quarters, Daniel Hale spoke up after hearing what Nina said.

"So he thinks I’m the problem?"

Nina asked.

’Wasn’t the issue Liam Grant’s own character?’

"He probably sees that you’re close with Myra Lawson,

so he wants you to put in a good word for him,"

Daniel Hale replied.

"Of course he’s getting desperate.

His family causes a scene all day long,

and if he doesn’t get back on the rescue team, they might all end up homeless soon."

Leo Hale’s tone was tinged with schadenfreude.