Apocalypse: Reborn with a Soul Sync Farming Space System-Chapter 45 Clue

In a secluded building outside Luxebridge city, a man stood over a table, with both hands pressing firmly against the hard surface. The room was dimly lit, but it was bright enough to see the deep scar running across the man’s face.

His jet black hair was gelled back without a strand falling out of place. His expression was stoic and rough, and his gaze was as calculating as that of a predator.

Right in front of him was a man strapped to a chair. Both his hands were tied behind the chair with his head hung down.

"Wake him up." The man’s order resonated through the dimly lit room.

One of the two men standing by the door, carried a bucket of cold water and splashed it on the man strapped to the chair.

"Argh." The man groaned.

His eyes squinted, his mind a little bit unclear and unfocused. The guard grabbed a handful of his hair pulling his head up.

"Argh." The man winced in pain, his eyes widened in fear as he realized where he was. His bloodied face and swollen eyes contorted in pain as he burst out in tears.

"Boss... Please, have mercy.... No," the man shook his head. "Give a little more time, I swear on my life, I will find the person who blew up the base." He sobbed. "Just give me a little more time."

The man with the scar, his expression twisted in a dissatisfied frown. Suddenly, a dangerous glint flashed through his eyes.

He raised his hand, signaling the men to put an end to his misery.

The man’s eyes widened in horror as he realized what they were about to do. "Boss! Boss!..."

His words were cut short with a single bullet to his forehead. Blood dripped down his face, his eyes remained open as the life inside them grew colder.

Silence fell on the room the moment the gunshot was fired.

After a second, one of the men approached the boss. "Boss Mackerel, what should we do now? It has been a week now since the base in the north had been blown up... and no clues were left behind." He lowered his head.

"I don’t believe they didn’t leave a clue... except the one behind the attack is very powerful. Run a check on everyone who has a grudge against us, find out what they have been doing for the past couple of weeks." Mack said with a deep cold voice.

"Yes, boss."

"And increase the security in the remaining bases." He exhaled deeply. "Now that we are in the final step, nothing can go wrong. Make sure to send another message to all the citizens in the country, we can’t give them enough time to think. Pressuring them would make them join us faster."

"Yes, boss."

"And bring Camile to me." He said, turning his back on the men.

....

Back in the Wayne mansion.

Laurel was back in her room. She sat on the edge of the bed, her phone resting loosely in her palm. Mr. Lennox’s name glowed on the screen, unmoving, as if waiting for a decision she had yet to make.

Her fingers curled around the phone, then slowly relaxed to her side. The room felt smaller than before, and the tension in her chest made it harder to breathe.

She leaned back against the headboard and stared at the ceiling. The broadcast replayed itself in her mind. The way each word was said sounded reassuring, and trustworthy. She had heard that tone before, long ago, spoken by different people, yet they all led to the same endings.

Hope offered too early always demanded repayment in blood. Her grip tightened around the phone.

Laurel swallowed, her throat felt dry. Was it right to take that hope from the people?

She turned her head toward the window. The city lights flickered in the distance, scattered and scanty. Somewhere out there, people were already making choices without knowing the cost. Some of them would live because of it... Others wouldn’t.

Slowly, her thumb hovered for a brief moment before pressing down.

The call rang once, the second time it was answered.

"Laurel?" Chris’s voice came through, low and alert. "What a surprise?"

She exhaled softly, the tension in her chest tightening rather than easing.

"Yes," she said quietly. "A great surprise, I must say." She paused for a moment, as if recollecting her thoughts. "I needed to talk to you. And... I need your help."

The line went silent for a second.

"What do you need my help with?" he replied.

Laurel stared out at the city again, her reflection faint against the glass. "You must have heard the Severance speech today..." She paused, letting the silence settle between them. "I need your help to find their base," Laurel said.

Chris remained silent for a moment. "Their base? Why?"

"We need to make sure they can’t recruit people, it will be too much of a problem," Laurel muttered, not fully convinced by her own words.

"Oh, I see," Chris drawled. "I already blew it up..."

"You what?" Laurel’s voice came out a little louder than she intended.

"I noticed Camile was using my money to stockpile for them... It’s my money, and I’d rather have it burnt than let them use it." He said calmly.

"But seeing their message, I guess it wasn’t just one base... I’ll send someone to check it out." He added.

"Oh okay. Thank you very much, Mr. Lennox." Laurel muttered under her breath.

"You are very much welcome, Mrs. Wayne," Chris replied.

"Laurel... call me Laurel."

Chris paused for a second, before his deep calming voice echoed from the other end of the phone. "Laurel, sure. And call me by my first name too."

Laurel fumbled with her hand. "Sure, Chris."

"That’s much better. I’ll call you the moment I get information about them."

Beep.

The call ended. Laurel exhaled deeply, It seemed Camile didn’t just tell the Severance about the apocalypse, she was also helping them gain power.

Just then a blue screen popped in front of her.

[Mission 006: Cultivate medicinal plants (Grade C)

Hosts must cultivate at least 2 medicinal plants.

Reward: 1000 points

Failure will be penalized with a fine of 800 points, and 50 coins.

Time: {50:59:59}]