NTR Rogue in the Apocalypse-Chapter 230: Nothing to Offer
John and Octavia were deep in the city centre. Rubble and debris littered the streets, and the air was thick with dust and smoke.
"We should split up. It’ll be faster," Octavia suggested.
"No. We stick together," John replied.
"Fine," Octavia said.
As they walked through the city, the atmosphere was tense. The city was eerily quiet and that made it even more strange.
Scouts had reported Luminar vehicles around this area, and John guessed Nova might be hiding somewhere around here. The stillness of the city only served to reinforce his suspicions. If there were no monsters here, it could only mean someone was clearing them out, considering how quickly they were growing in numbers everywhere else.
"What’s that?" Octavia asked, her green eyes glowing as she spotted something.
John looked in the direction she was pointing and saw a humanoid figure.
"A Luminar?" John asked, his hand tightening on the hilt of his dagger.
"I don’t know," Octavia answered.
With caution, they approached the figure and found a man lying unconscious. He was bleeding from multiple wounds and was badly burned.
"It’s one of the Luminars!" Octavia exclaimed, rushing to the man.
"Careful," John warned.
Octavia kneeled next to the man and examined him.
"He’s hurt bad, but he’ll live," Octavia declared.
"We need to take him to the base. Maybe we can interrogate him and find out what’s going on," John said.
"We need to keep looking for those vehicles. We don’t know for how long they will be here."
"Then take this," John handed her his Vanishing Orb, "use it and take the Luminar with you."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Go and inform the others. I’ll look for the Luminars," John said.
"Ok. Be careful, John," Octavia said, and vanished with the wounded Luminar.
After she left, John started walking again. The street was deserted, and there were no signs of anyone else, but now that he was alone, he could improve his efficiency.
He jumped high into the air and a shockwave propelled him forward, sending him soaring through the sky. He landed on a rooftop and then jumped to another one, and then another, zigzagging across the city, using his Shockwave Skill to gain momentum.
Suddenly, a bright light appeared in the distance. A small white sphere materialised, and from it emerged a group of five men.
"Is that a portable base like Echo?" John’s eyes narrowed. He recognised the white sphere; he had seen it before when he built his base.
A haze enveloped him and jumped across rooftops until he standing atop the five Luminars. While claoked under his Haze Veil, he willed the Appraisal screen into view.
[Name: ??]
[Class: Magic Warrior]
[Strength: 39.4]
[Vitality: 31.1]
[Agility: 38]
[Energy: 47.3]
All had similar stats, and there were five of them. If he wanted to win, he would have to take them by surprise, as a rogue should.
John used the Shadow Claw Skill and extended his hand, letting his shadow fingers extend towards the first enemy to grab him by his neck, but he called back his Shadow Claw when a white-haired Luminar female stepped out of the sphere.
The five men surrounded her.
[Name: Nova]
[Class: ??]
[Strength: ??]
[Vitality: ??]
[Agility: ??]
[Energy: ??]
She wore a black uniform with a long cloak. She was carrying a white staff and a white sphere in her left hand.
John’s eyes narrowed. Her stats were hidden.
"Where is the girl?" Nova asked, her voice sharp.
"She escaped. The portal is unstable. We can’t find her," a man replied.
’It’s now or never,’ John thought and jumped down behind the Luminars.
"Nova," John said and all of them turned around, their weapons at the ready.
Nova’s eyes widened as she recognised him, "John!"
The man who had spoken to Nova raised his hand, but she stopped him, "I’ll handle this."
The men stepped aside, giving her space.
"What are you doing here, John?"
"I’ve changed my mind. You’re still trying to unite your kind?"
"Yes, that is our goal," Nova answered.
"Let’s join hands, then. Help us find the mining operations and we’ll help you overthrow the other faction."
"I can’t," Nova answered, "we are not allowed to share information."
"Who told you that? Your leaders?"
"Yes."
"Talk to them."
"I don’t think they will agree, John."
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"Why is that?"
"Don’t take this as an insult, John, but you have nothing to offer."
"Nothing?"
"Your people are weak and untrained. They have no fighting capabilities, and even if you somehow managed to get the mining locations, you wouldn’t be able to defend them."
"You can help me train them and trust me, we have a large number of experienced warriors. I can’t tell you the specifics, though. If you want me to trust you, then trust me," John said, and reached out his hand.
Nova looked at him and then at his hand. Her eyes narrowed and then she looked at the men behind her.
"Very well. But if you try anything funny, you will regret it," Nova answered.
"Talk to your leaders and meet me at my base. Here, add me on the system comms and I will share my location when you’re ready."
Nova nodded and added him.
"Thank you, Nova," John said and disappeared from the scene, using his Haze Veil.
"You think the commander will agree to this, ma’am?"
"It’s his call," Nova answered.
John’s figure streaked through the desolate city. The night sky was filled with stars and the moon cast a dim light, making the city seem even more ominous.
John stopped and turned around, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a dark shadow following him. He took a deep breath and dashed towards it, using his Shockwave skill.
His speed increased and he covered the distance in an instant, but the shadow disappeared and John stumbled forward, almost crashing into a pile of rubble.
He regained his balance and stood still, listening intently.
A loud hiss was heard and John turned around just in time to block a sharp claw with his dagger. The impact sent him flying and he crashed into a nearby wall, causing it to crumble.
The creature that attacked him was a monster, and not just any monster, it was a 4-star monster.
