CHAPTER 59: INVITATION TO JOIN ONE OF THE FOUR GENERALS

Cassel — POV

I truly didn’t know how I was supposed to react.

I mean, the moment Rosalia started crying—when I saw her beautiful eyes turn red and tears roll freely down her cheeks—I could only think of giving her everything she wanted.

Everything I had, and even what I didn’t have, just so I wouldn’t see her cry.

I do love seeing her cry, but not out of sadness. I prefer her happy tears... or the ones she sheds because of me.

Even though I knew she wasn’t crying out of sorrow or injustice.

Come on, I had been standing here for a while. I saw everything.

I liked the way Rosalia tricked that idiot and made a fool out of him.

And now she was acting like she had been wronged.

...She looked unbearably adorable.

I felt her small hands trying to wrap around my waist, and my clothes growing damp from her tears.

Well, there’s no harm in playing along.

If she wants to play, I’ll accompany her.

Who told me to fall in love with a girl this cute?

"It seems I’ve been too lenient with you, hasn’t it?"

I acted the part of the strict one, and without letting Mary or Cecile speak, I said in a firm, unquestionable tone:

"I’m the boss here. From now on, this room belongs to Rosalia. Get out. Now."

Even though Cecile was used to being spoiled and getting everything he wanted, perhaps because of the fear and pain from his broken arm, he didn’t argue much. After giving me one angry look, he continued crying while Mary helped support him as they walked away.

I lowered my gaze to the soft girl in my arms, and just as expected, she was smiling as she wiped away her tears.

In the past, I would have found this kind of behavior disgusting—pathetic even. Mary used to act exactly like this: pretending to be sweet and gentle while exploiting everyone around her.

But now, for some reason, all I felt was tenderness and warmth in my chest.

As they say, love is blind—and it turns anyone who falls into it into a complete fool.

"Um... Cassel, thank you. I actually exaggerated a little. I’m fine. I just wanted to teach them a lesson."

A little?

Well, at least she was honest. My smile grew when she admitted her little act.

"It’s fine. This is your room now. If you need anything, tell me and I’ll take care of it."

"Boss! Boss! You’re here. Some men came looking for us. They said they need to speak with our leader."

"Oh? They’re starting earlier than I expected."

After thinking about who could be at our door, my smile faded, replaced by a look of disdain.

"Let’s go see who these guests are."

In the living room stood four huge men, all wearing expressions of arrogance, as if they were above us—like nobles looking down on the lowborn.

Henry was standing in front of them with a cold smile.

It was obvious he was angry.

"Henry."

I said his name calmly.

I told him I wanted peace for a while, that I didn’t want to attract any attention. But judging from Henry’s expression, I was afraid he might jump on them and kill them... or at least use his ability to slice off a piece of human steak.

"Are you the boss here?"

One of the men stepped forward. His enormous body looked unnatural. Before the apocalypse, he would’ve been seen as someone who lived at the gym and overdosed on supplements.

However, his size likely stemmed from his type of ability. There were many powers besides elemental ones—poison manipulation, telekinesis, physical enhancement...

"I am their leader. Do you need something from me?"

"Ahh, brother! Hello, hello. We’re from General James’s men. Perhaps you’re not aware, but our base is home to four generals—representing four major factions. Naturally, our team is the strongest. Since we handle missions like securing supplies and capturing people the base wants... we welcome powerful newcomers to join us."

The man grinned, showing yellow teeth, his scruffy beard making him look like a thug.

"We heard you and your men have some potential. So we came to invite you to join our forces."

He acted as if he were offering us a great honor.

He seemed a little familiar. Maybe I’d dealt with him in my previous life. But I rarely remembered unimportant people—if I can’t recall him, then he wasn’t worth remembering.

"Thank you, brother. I don’t know your name?"

"Mario. My name is Mario."

"Well then, Brother Mario, thank you for the invitation. But as you can see, my team and I just arrived. We’ve been fighting nonstop these past days and we’re exhausted. I’m not planning to join any faction right now. After we settle in, I’ll think about your offer."

As expected, the moment he sensed my reluctance, his expression—and those of his companions—changed.

Clearly, they had shown the carrot first, and now came the stick.

The man sighed, then spoke in a deeper, sharper tone:

"Little brother, you’re still young. In a world like this, if you want to survive, you need to enter the tiger’s den to snatch a piece of meat. Otherwise, you won’t even get the bones."

A blatant threat.

Meaning that if we didn’t join them, they’d make sure our lives became difficult.

Well, as if I cared about their empty threats. With my strength now, it won’t be long before I reach level ten. Who could defeat me?

But right now, I shouldn’t bare my fangs. If I do, they’ll unite to eliminate me. I’m not afraid, but the power balance in the base would shift—changing the future I know, leaving me blind.

I want to use my knowledge of the future as effectively as possible. I can’t let them ruin that.

But if they think I’m easy to bully, they’re very mistaken.

"Thank you for the advice, Brother Mario. I’ll remember it."

When he looked into my steady eyes, and at Henry and the others standing calmly around me like personal guards—well, some of them were my guards—he seemed to realize I wouldn’t budge. He no longer wanted to stay and left after a short farewell.

"Boss, it seems we need to gather information about this place as soon as possible," Henry said, staring at the door with a serious, thoughtful expression.

"It’s fine. We have plenty of time."

"Gather everyone. We’re discussing our future plans now."

"Of course, Boss."

I need to assign roles to everyone and organize us properly.

And then I must find a way into General Zan’s residence and befriend him before that tragic incident happens—so I can save him without raising any suspicion.