My 100th Rebirth a day before the Apocalypse-Chapter 986 - 984 Abby And Melody

Fortunately, Mr. Winters was overseeing the market stalls, the Supply Center, and most of the financial management. That allowed Tristan to focus on safeguarding the treasury and maintaining overall stability.

"Alright, everyone, gather up! We’re doing a roll call for the supply run!"

Eagle clapped his hands sharply, not giving the six newcomers a chance to study the terrain or even figure out where they were in the hidden base. The sudden command snapped the atmosphere into order.

Before long, Dracon and his team lined up, followed by Gavel and several unfamiliar faces. Behind the rows of tall men, Melody quietly slipped in and hid herself among them, careful not to draw attention.

"You all know how this works," Eagle said as he paced in front of the line, his gaze sharp and unforgiving. "Our base runs supply missions regularly to keep the warehouse stocked. Those who don’t pull their weight here shouldn’t expect free meals."

He stopped and swept his eyes across everyone. "I expect each of you to give it everything you’ve got, and to come back alive."

"Sir, yes, sir!" the group responded in unison.

"Good. I’m glad you understand. Now, let’s go over the mission objectives." Eagle paused, then straightened, positioning himself squarely in front of the group. The casual air vanished instantly. "First, introductions. Six new members will be joining this operation. Among them are two Space-Type Awakened Ability Users."

A subtle stir rippled through the line. "These two are critical to the mission," Eagle continued, his tone firm. "Working together, they can store supplies equivalent to an entire warehouse. That alone makes this operation possible." He let that sink in before going on. "As Space-Type Awakened Ability Users, they are not frontline combatants. You should already understand what that means; we covered this during your crash course on post-apocalypse ability classifications and other topics."

Eagle’s gaze hardened. "They will remain at the center of the formation at all times. Your priority is their safety. No exceptions."

He emphasized each word. "Protect them at all costs. Treat them like treasure."

"As for the remaining four," Eagle continued, his voice steady but firm, "they are warriors from a major base we are officially affiliated with."

His gaze swept across the group. "Most of the supplies you’ve been living on came from their side, whether you realize it or not. Because of that support, we will not freeload, nor will we let them carry us while we sit comfortably behind their backs."

He paused briefly, then clarified coldly. "Let me make one thing clear: everything we’ve gathered so far has not been sent back to their base. No one here is being exploited. We’re stockpiling because this apocalypse isn’t ending anytime soon, and survival favors those who prepare early."

The weight of his words settled heavily. "These four are offensive-type Awakened Ability Users. Show them proper respect." Eagle’s eyes narrowed. "They’re here to gain real combat experience. That means you do not treat them like disposable shields, and you do not expect them to perform miracles just because they’re awakened."

His tone dropped, icy and absolute. "Anyone who pushes them recklessly into danger, treats them like expendable tools, or pulls any underhanded stunt outside will be immediately expelled from this base."

Silence followed. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Understood, sir!"

"Good. I won’t have you fully introduce yourselves one by one; you can do that on the way out. For now, just state your name and your abilities: what you can do, and where you’re most effective. Everyone here needs to know who to go to when issues arise, and it will also help us determine who belongs on the vanguard and who should cover the rear."

Eagle paused briefly before continuing. "We don’t do this regularly during supply runs. But since most of you are new to this base, we need a clear understanding of your strengths and limitations so we can assign you to the appropriate roles and responsibilities."

He added this calmly, though several facts weighed behind his words. It had been days since Dracon and Gavel’s team joined them, yet they had only been given temporary duties. As Tristan had pointed out, they were still under observation, people who could not yet be entrusted with critical tasks. Even though Kisha had already assessed their morality during her time in the hidden base, further monitoring was necessary to be absolutely certain.

For the entire twenty minutes, everyone briefly introduced themselves. So far, Dracon Felix’s team stood out the most because they showed the greatest promise with their skills. All of them were battle-hardened, having served in the military before becoming bodyguards.

Dracon, in particular, drew attention, not just for his abilities, but because he shared many common experiences with Ethan. Their similar backgrounds had forged a bond between them, turning them a little closer over time.

Gavel, on the other hand, came from a wealthy family and knew little about defending himself. Yet, like the others, he was determined to prove his worth. He feared being left behind, especially since he hadn’t awakened any abilities like Eagle and the rest. That fear drove him to demonstrate that, even without powers, he still had value to contribute.

After this brief exchange, they realized that only a few females would be joining the supply run. Among them was Abby, Dracon’s little sister, who preferred to stay close to her brother for safety. They also discovered that Melody would be coming.

"Melody, what do you think you’re doing?" Ethan’s voice was sharp as he strode over, glaring at the rebellious girl who refused to listen to a single word he said.

"Brother, you heard everyone, most of the people coming are powerful, and some even have awakened abilities. I just... I wanted to learn how to fight, too. I’ve been training secretly. Besides, didn’t I do fairly well back when we went out with everyone to gather supplies and drums?"

"Back then, the situation was even more serious and dangerous. I just figured that learning to protect myself is the best option in a world like this, since I never know when things might suddenly change, and you guys can’t always be by my side to protect me..."

Melody murmured this without her usual two-faced act or white lotus innocent act. There was no aggression in her tone, only sincerity. For once, she seemed to have woken up to reality, understanding what she should and shouldn’t do. She realized she didn’t need to act like the pampered princess who annoyed everyone.

"Are you saying we’re abandoning you, so you’re planning to be self-sufficient?" Ethan asked, his expression dark. He wasn’t sure what his sister was up to now, but he could sense a change in her. He just hoped it wasn’t a fleeting shift or another scheme in disguise.

Deep down, his feelings were mixed. Part of him was relieved that Melody was finally acting like a normal human being, letting go of the silent scheming and irritating antics that had once made him dislike her.

But another part of him felt sad. She had to grow up and stop acting like her usual self, possibly out of fear that her family would abandon her when they fully discovered the "real" Melody, a fear that, in truth, wasn’t really unfounded.

After all the disappointing things she had done, everyone had been prepared to leave her be, allowing her to do as she wished while quietly cutting all their ties with her. And yet, she had suddenly changed.

Did the life-and-death experience she had during the supply run with Kisha and Duke change Melody’s temperament, or was she simply playing a different game, planning to catch everyone off guard later? Ethan didn’t know. But no matter how much he disliked her, he couldn’t let her risk her life by leaving the base.

Before, when they went out with Kisha and the others, they had a lot of powerful combatants with them, and Duke and Kisha were too overpowered, which made protecting Melody practically effortless. But now, if she went out with Dracon and the rest, with only a few awakened ability users in the group.

Who would be there to protect her then?

"No one’s going to babysit you on this journey, so don’t expect to be safe out there," Ethan said grimly, gripping Melody’s wrist. He hadn’t even managed to control the strength of his hold because of his frustration with her antics getting the better of him.

"Brother, let go! It hurts..." Melody whined, twisting her wrist in a futile attempt to break free.

"No. You’re not going out," Ethan said, his voice growing colder with every pull she made. "Be good and go back inside. Help Mom in the kitchen, or elsewhere in the base, but you’re not leaving with them."

"But look, even Abby is going with her brother. Why can’t I? I just... I want some battle experience, to protect myself, and help gather supplies, so I won’t feel like a burden," Melody murmured.