CHAPTER 84: FLUFFY’S HEALING

She wasn’t about to fool herself into thinking such warmth could last, not here, not now. Still, she let Fluffy bask in the attention, watching quietly as her companions welcomed the little creature.

The so-called leader was watching too, though his smile never faltered. She could see the flicker of calculation in his eyes, the way he measured Fluffy’s unusual presence and her calm demeanor. He was already wondering how best to use them for his camp’s image.

Ling Yu met his gaze coolly, her expression unreadable.

Let him think what he wanted. She had survived one lifetime of his tricks, seen the cracks beneath the honeyed words. This time, she wasn’t here to play his game. She was here for Song, Nie Ziyu, Ye Qingxue, and to prepare for what she knew was coming.

The moment Ling Yu’s eyes swept over the survivors milling about the station, her vision shimmered faintly as the ’Appraisal Skill’ activated. Thin streams of pale light traced her gaze, overlaying translucent screens above the people’s heads, like faint, floating banners only she could see.

Above most of them appeared simple bronze-colored icons, dull and unremarkable.

[Skill Book: Bronze – Common]

[Class: Basic Survivor]

[Abilities: None]

Some had small add-ons: "Minor Strength Enhancement I,""Scavenger’s Instinct I," or "Weak Endurance Buff." But all of them were just meager, shallow abilities, barely above what an unawakened human could achieve. It was as if the wave had spat them out into roles too frail to withstand the true storms to come.

Ling Yu’s lips curved, a faint humorless smirk tugging at her mouth.

’So this is the strength of the ones gathered here? A nest of ants playing at building a kingdom.’

Her gaze lingered on the so-called leader. Unlike the others, his aura glowed faintly brighter, tinted with a faint silver outline that hovered behind his skill banner.

[Skill Book: Bronze – Spearman]

[Sponsor: Active]

[Class: Spear User – Minor Ascended]

[Ability: Precision Thrust I, Crowd Control Aura (Minor)]

So that was it. His edge wasn’t his own, it was borrowed. He had accepted a sponsor, one of those voyeuristic beings watching their struggle from beyond the veil. It explained the confidence, the charisma sharpened like a blade, the way people seemed to lean unconsciously toward his words.

But even so... it was shallow. A single bronze class, bolstered only slightly by a sponsor’s blessing. She had seen men like this rise quickly in her past life, only to burn out just as fast when the waves grew crueler.

Her smirk deepened.

Interesting. He thinks himself a king when he is no more than a pawn.

The leader, as if sensing her cool gaze, looked up and flashed her another charming smile. He was sharp enough to notice her appraising eyes, but he didn’t confront her. Instead, he raised his voice to rally another group of survivors with promises of safety, distracting them with false warmth.

Satisfied, Ling Yu dismissed the appraisal screens and turned her back on the charade.

"Come," she murmured to Song, Nie Ziyu, and Ye Qingxue.

They followed her quietly, weaving through the restless groups until they reached a dim, less-crowded corner of the station, half-hidden by broken crates and the skeletal remains of a derailed train car. It was quiet here, away from prying ears.

As soon as they settled, Fluffy leapt lightly from Ling Yu’s shoulder. With surprising agility for its plump body, it hopped between Nie Ziyu and Ye Qingxue, cooing with delighted chirps as if greeting them both personally.

Ye Qingxue laughed softly, the sound delicate but weary. She reached down to stroke its fur, her eyes lighting faintly with warmth she had rarely shown during the chaos. Nie Ziyu, usually stubborn and prickly, bent down as well, his lips twitching despite himself as Fluffy nudged at his hand insistently.

"It... really does seem like it’s talking," he muttered, almost embarrassed by how quickly the creature had charmed him.

The system’s voice hummed faintly in Ling Yu’s ear:

[Host, look... they’re smiling. They haven’t smiled since the waves began. Fluffy is... healing them.]

Ling Yu didn’t answer. She only folded her arms, leaning against the cold wall of the station, watching them quietly. A part of her, buried deep, felt the faint echo of something she’d long thought lost, yet she shoved it down quickly.

"Report," she said at last, her voice low, directing her gaze at Song.

The butler inclined his head, his composure as firm as ever despite the exhaustion lining his features.

"The first wave here was chaotic, as expected. Many fell. Those who survived clustered together under that man’s banner." He tilted his chin subtly toward the leader without speaking his name. "He speaks well. Offers promises. Claims he has connections with... external support."

"A sponsor," Ling Yu confirmed flatly.

Song’s brows lifted slightly. "You’ve discerned it?"

"Obvious," she said coolly. "None of the others have even basic potential. Only he shows a borrowed glow. He’s nothing on his own."

Song’s lips curved faintly, as if her sharp analysis had affirmed his own suspicions.

Nie Ziyu scowled. "That man’s a fraud. I don’t trust him."

"Neither do I," Ling Yu replied.

The young prince blinked, as if surprised at her ready agreement, then glanced down at Fluffy, who was batting playfully at his sleeve. His scowl softened unconsciously. "...Then why do the others trust him?"

"Because they want to," Ling Yu said, her voice dry. "People crave safety more than truth. He offers the illusion of it. That’s enough."

Ye Qingxue’s fingers stilled in Fluffy’s fur, her eyes narrowing. "Then we can’t rely on this camp."

"Exactly." Ling Yu’s tone was final. "This is a temporary shelter, nothing more. Stay long enough to rest, gather information, maybe supplies. But when the third wave nears, we leave. If we stay, we’ll be chained to their weaknesses."

Silence settled over them as her words sank in. The firelight flickering from the main camp painted shadows across their faces, deepening the weariness etched there.

Song broke it softly. "What of the second wave? Did you fare well?"