Apocalypse with my SSS Harem Beauties-Chapter 201: Tension

The ground shook faintly under the force of hurried footsteps as Michael and his group rushed back toward the camp. The closer they got, the clearer the shift became. What should have been the usual hum of conversation had turned into a sharper, louder, and filled with unease commotion.

Voices overlapped in urgency.

When they finally passed through the entrance, the sight in front of them immediately caught Michael’s attention.

At the center of the camp, Myles stood surrounded by a large group of people. His companions remained close behind him, forming a natural line as the others gathered, listening closely to every word he said.

"...it’s confirmed," Myles spoke, his tone carrying enough weight to keep everyone’s focus. "Red is already preparing to attack. We saw movement near their side. They’re not waiting anymore."

The crowd reacted instantly. Low murmurs spread like ripples, fear creeping into their expressions.

"So we don’t have time," he continued, his voice firm. "Everyone needs to prepare now. Defensive positions first. Ranged attackers go to the crystal wall. Melee units stay near the gate and—"

Michael’s eyes narrowed.

A cold feeling rose in his chest as he watched the scene unfold. From the outside, it looked efficient and decisive. Like someone stepping up when needed.

But to him, it felt different.

It felt like he’s taking control of his camp. The thought surfaced sharp and immediate.

"What’s going on here?"

Michael’s voice cut through the noise without effort. It wasn’t loud, but it carried enough authority to silence the crowd almost instantly.

Heads turned toward him.

The people parted naturally, creating a path as Michael walked forward with his group following behind. His steps were measured, but there was a clear edge in the way he carried himself.

He stopped a few steps in front of Myles.

Their eyes met.

"Where did you get this information?" Michael asked, his tone sharp but still controlled. "You saw it yourself?"

"Yes," Myles answered without hesitation. The lie came smoothly, his expression unchanged.

"They’re already near the edge of their territory," he continued. "We don’t have time to wait. We need to organize now. Put ranged attackers on the crystal wall and—"

"I command this camp." Michael’s voice dropped, low and tight, cutting directly through Myles’ words.

The change was immediate. The air between them grew heavy.

Myles saw clearly that anger in Michael’s eyes. The distrust that no longer tried to hide itself.

Myles realized that he might attack right now, reading the tension in Michael’s posture.

One wrong move would break everything.

Myles sighed quietly, the tension leaving his shoulders.

"Alright," he said calmly.

He stepped back without hesitation, raising his hands slightly in a neutral gesture.

His group followed him immediately, moving away from the center and giving space without a single word.

The attention shifted. Now it was entirely on Michael.

His gaze lingered on Myles for a few seconds longer, as if trying to give more pressure into him. But then, he didn’t press further.

Instead, he turned to face the crowd.

"This is it," Michael said, his voice rising enough to reach everyone in the camp.

The murmurs died down completely. Every eye was on him now.

"This is the moment we’ve been dreading and waiting for."

A brief pause followed, just enough for the weight of those words to settle.

"They’re coming."

The tension returned, but this time it didn’t spiral into panic. Michael continued before it could.

"But listen to me. We’re not weak anymore. We will not let them enter this camp!"

His gaze swept across them, steady and unyielding. He raised his hand slightly, pointing toward the towering crystal wall surrounding them.

"As long as that wall stands, they can’t break through."

Something shifted. People straightened. Their breathing steadied.

Fear didn’t disappear, but it no longer controlled them.

"We will fight them outside," Michael went on. "We hold them there. We stop them before they even reach our home."

His voice hardened.

"Me, Rafe, Tobias, Darius, Selene, and Hana... we’ve grown stronger. And today... we will end this."

There was confidence there now. Not empty words, but something backed by experience and strength. His hand clenched into a fist.

He let the silence hang for a brief second before speaking again, his voice colder this time.

"Red will pay for everything he’s done."

That was enough. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

The reaction came immediately.

Cheers erupted across the camp, loud and raw. The fear that had been building turned into anger and determination.

Every single one of them carried a reason to hate Red. Now they had a chance to act on it.

Michael watched them for a moment, confirming the change in their hearts.

This was what he needed. Not fear but determination.

"Positions!" he ordered.

The camp moved at once.

People scattered with purpose, rushing to their assigned roles. Weapons were checked, formations adjusted, and the chaotic energy quickly shaped itself into preparation.

War was coming.

Michael stood still for a moment longer, observing everything as it fell into place.

Then, slowly, he turned his head.

His gaze found Myles again, giving him a long, silent look.

Then he started walking toward him.

Michael closed the distance between them with steady steps, the noise of the camp fading into the background as his focus locked entirely onto Myles.

The tension from earlier hadn’t disappeared. It lingered in the way his shoulders held firm and the way his eyes stayed sharp when looking at Myles.

"You will help me fight them," Michael said. His voice carried authority, but there was something else beneath it. Something tighter. "And I give the command."

The words landed heavier than he intended.

Myles’ eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at him. For a brief moment silence stretched between them, filled with something neither of them tried to hide anymore.

"It seems like you think you own us," Myles said calmly. "We’re not part of your camp."

That hit. Michael blinked once. Then again.

The realization came slower than the words themselves. What he had just said... how it sounded. It was not a request, not even cooperation. It was a command. The kind of tone he had started using more often without noticing.

And Myles... wasn’t one of his people.

His jaw tightened slightly.

For a brief second, an unsettled feeling moved through him. Not doubt. But awareness of his own words.

Then Myles let out a quiet sigh, breaking the tension before it could grow further.

"Don’t worry," he said. "We’ll help you fight."

The edge in the air eased, but just slightly.

Myles didn’t wait for a response. He turned away, his attention already shifting as he looked toward his group.

"Get ready," he said.

His companions responded immediately and they prepared themselves without hesitation.

Michael remained still for a moment, his teeth gritting faintly as he watched that exchange. The control slipped from his grasp again, even if only a little.

But he forced it down. This wasn’t the time for it.

There were more important things than his pride or control for now. He turned sharply, facing his own group.

Around them, the camp had fully transformed.

The crystal wall shimmered faintly under the bright light of the sky.

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