Chapter 172: Telepathy and the Approaching Threat

During those five days, Ethan hadn’t forgotten to test his newly acquired S-Rank Telepathy Ability.

The results had been rather interesting.

His first target had been Sofia.

He wanted to know whether she truly understood that Rose wasn’t her biological mother.

The answer had surprised him.

Sofia had known for quite some time.

Miriam had apparently contacted her privately after leaving, but Sofia had blocked her.

Her thoughts had been simple and firm.

’Aunt Rose is my real mother.’

Ethan had felt a little relieved after reading that.

At least Sofia wasn’t secretly longing to reunite with the woman who had abandoned her.

Then there was Clara.

He had occasionally read her thoughts when they were together.

The little scatterbrain was genuinely happy whenever she spent time with him. Her requests for help with her Earth Manipulation Ability were partly an excuse to see him.

One thought in particular had caught his attention.

’Brother Ethan isn’t as bad as I thought.’

Ethan had been speechless.

’What exactly did you think of me before?’

He had also read Kate’s thoughts.

Although her injuries had healed, she remained suspicious of him. She was still considering taking Bella and Clara away from the Survival Space.

One of her thoughts had been particularly amusing.

’If we don’t leave soon, that scatterbrain Clara is going to end up completely under Ethan’s influence.’

Ethan had only shaken his head.

Then came Sasha.

He had run into her near the lake and decided to see what was going through her mind.

The result nearly made him choke.

The long-legged beauty had apparently been wondering why he hadn’t made a move on her.

She had even started questioning whether he had lost interest in her figure.

’Does he prefer someone like Evelyn?’

Ethan had almost spat out the water in his mouth.

’What the hell?’

He hadn’t expected her to be thinking about something like that.

Finally, he had tested Telepathy on Bella.

Her thoughts were considerably less amusing.

She remained deeply suspicious of his intentions and was strongly opposed to becoming dependent on him.

She had even made a private promise to herself.

’If he thinks he can buy my loyalty with a few valuable gifts, he’s mistaken.’

Ethan shook his head.

It seemed gifting Bella a Core wouldn’t be as simple as handing her one.

He would have to find another opportunity.

Sixth Morning.

Ethan gathered everyone near the lake.

The women assembled in small groups, waiting to hear what he had to say.

He looked toward the surrounding trees.

Although the Survival Space had become much greener, the vegetation was still nowhere near sufficient for the number of people living inside.

His expression grew serious.

"We have a problem."

The conversations gradually died down.

"The trees inside the Survival Space aren’t enough to sustain everyone indefinitely. And the gasoline we collected can only keep the backup power system running for another five days at most."

Several women exchanged worried glances.

Ethan continued.

"We need to transplant more trees as soon as possible. The sooner we expand the vegetation, the better our chances of maintaining a stable environment."

He paused, looking toward the distant mountain range.

"The suburban forests are our best option. There are plenty of mature trees we can bring back."

His expression darkened slightly.

"But there’s a problem."

Everyone knew what he meant.

The Eagle King.

The powerful mutant creature had already proven how dangerous it was. Its lightning attacks and incredible speed made it a threat even to Ethan.

Before anyone could respond, Kate stepped forward.

"I’ll go with you."

Ethan turned toward her.

Kate’s expression was firm.

"My Wind Ability should be useful, especially if you use your Lightning Whip. We might be able to deal with the Eagle King together."

Ethan considered her suggestion.

Her Ability could provide both offensive support and mobility. More importantly, she was experienced enough to understand the danger they would be facing.

After a moment, he nodded.

"All right. You’re coming with me."

He didn’t waste any more time.

Ethan focused his Spiritual Power on the Space Anchor Point he had left inside the Underground Casino in the suburban mountain forest.

A faint spatial distortion appeared around him.

Then a flash of light swallowed his figure.

He disappeared from the Survival Space.

Not long after Ethan left, a massive figure suddenly stopped on a road about a kilometer from Crestview Villa District.

Its enormous body towered over the surrounding vehicles.

Dark scales covered its limbs, and a powerful aura radiated from it.

The creature lowered its head.

Its pupils burned with an eerie blue light as it sniffed the air.

Something was wrong.

It had clearly sensed the familiar energy of the Life Crystal Stone nearby.

The scent had been growing stronger as it approached.

Yet now...

It was gone.

The creature slowly raised its head.

Its blue-flamed pupils swept across the surrounding buildings.

Where had it gone?

It lowered its head again, sniffing the ground.

Nothing.

The scent had vanished completely.

A low growl rumbled in its throat.

Then its patience snapped.

"ROOOOAR!"

The deafening roar rolled across the eastern district.

Windows trembled.

Loose debris fell from rooftops, and the nearby Mutant Beasts immediately scattered.

Even the Mutant Birds circling above the buildings panicked, flapping wildly as they fled in every direction.

The creature roared again, its frustration shaking the streets.

Inside the luxurious mansion at the center of Crestview Villa District, Elon was examining the dark green Core in his hand.

The strange object had a faint glow beneath its surface.

He turned it slowly, studying the energy swirling inside.

Then a thunderous roar reached the mansion.

Elon’s hand stopped moving.

He looked toward the window.

"What the hell was that?"

He stood up abruptly.

A moment later, his expression changed.

"Could that be a Tyrannosaurus Rex?"

He frowned.

The King-Rank Mutant Beast had been known to inhabit the area around the Museum in the southern district.

Why would it suddenly appear in the east?

And judging by the fury behind that roar, something had clearly provoked it.

Elon walked toward the window.

The strange blue mark on his left cheek twitched beneath his skin.

’What could have brought it all the way here?’

His eyes narrowed.

Then a possibility occurred to him.

"Ethan..."

A faint smile appeared beneath his silver mask.

"Could it be you?"

He stared in the direction of the roar.

If the Tyrannosaurus Rex had been tracking the energy of a Life Crystal Stone, then perhaps Ethan had something to do with its sudden appearance.

Elon chuckled softly.

"Things are getting more interesting."

Meanwhile, Ethan had just arrived at the Underground Casino in the suburban mountain forest.

A flash of light faded around him.

He steadied himself and looked around.

The casino was quiet.

Beyond the surrounding buildings, the mountain forest stretched into the distance, its thick canopy swaying gently in the evening breeze.

Ethan didn’t notice anything unusual.

He had no idea that a King-Rank Mutant Beast had already picked up the scent of the Life Crystal Stone and was following his trail.

And it was getting closer.