CHAPTER 167: NICHOLAS

Nicholas stood outside the small shop, with two bags, each held in his hands. He looked no older than thirty, his shoulder-length dark hair as smooth as silk, tied up regally in a ponytail, and secured by a hairpin. His eyes were dark as night, his features so dashing that one would think he was an immortal. His natural charm was so overwhelming that women found themselves stealing glances at him despite their best efforts, while a few men…ahem, were far less subtle about their interest.

Waiting for his wife to come out, his perception easily wrapped around the entire city, and almost everything was laid bare to him. Almost, because the central area of the Dawn Citadel, as it was now called, was protected by the Nexus’s head authority. Of course, he could easily break through if he wanted, but he didn't see the need to.

If anything, he quietly respected the young leader. She was a woman with ambition, and enough power to back it up.

Well, it wasn't as if he could easily act even if he wanted to, what with all the restrictions placed on him.

The citadel now looked completely different from how it did when it was first formed. The asphalt streets were now cleared and free, with none of the damaged vehicles in sight. The ruined buildings had already been taken care of, and people moved with purpose as they continued their everyday lives in the apocalypse.

Some of these people were responsible for processing meat brought from the outside, some helped in processing the ores, and some took care of the special plants. With an entire large area now dedicated to growing crops within the citadel itself, many of the foods of the old world were once more accessible. In fact, the crops were even more nutritious than their old-world counterparts, having grown in an environment enriched by the ambient mana in the air and deep within the earth.

His eyes lingered on the high walls, hundreds of meters high and supported by reinforced mana metals, that surrounded the entire citadel. Further away from the walls was a dome-shaped barrier, one made by the System that enveloped the entire area in darkness. This barrier acted as the second wall of the citadel’s defenses. And even farther outside was another wall, this one about a hundred meters higher than the inner walls that surrounded the dome of darkness. This three-pronged defense was established by the Nexus’s head, Diana. With over forty thousand survivors, each an Awakened, it was not surprising how much they could accomplish in a short month.

That was just humans for you. With their race teetering on the brink of extinction and enemies closing in from every direction, humanity had been forced to adapt, cooperate, and accomplish what would once have seemed impossible.

Teams of small groups ventured beyond the citadel after passing through security checks. Some searched for survivors and scavenged for essential supplies. Others were tasked with mining ores or gathering rare plants, while a few ventured out specifically to hunt beasts and retrieve their cores.

These cores had already proven immensely useful. Although consuming them to strengthen one's mana during cultivation was often considered a waste of resources, they could also be used as energy sources. They now powered much of humanity's technology, with the streetlights illuminating the citadel's streets serving as a prime example.

Of course, Nicholas didn't believe one woman could achieve this alone, no matter how talented she might be. And that was true, as she was aided by the Council, which handled matters within the city and reported only the most important details back to her. Many on the Council were old, powerful, and renowned men of the old world.Even though many of them lacked personal strength, their business acumen and experience allowed them to contribute greatly to the Council and play a vital role in running the city.

As for the main battle force of the citadel, it was headed by a popular man known as the General. The armies that patrolled the streets and ensured order, along with most of the task forces that left the city, answered to this man, making him the second most powerful person in the city, with only Diana above him in authority. Aside from her, only the Council could barely match his influence.

“Nick!” An excited voice filled with warmth suddenly drifted into his ears, making Nicholas sigh within his heart. He pulled back his perception and turned towards the middle-aged woman who was holding a paper bag filled with freshly baked bread rolls.

His right brow subtly rose at the familiarity with which she called out to him, but he still forced a small smile onto his face and nodded in greeting.

“Mrs. Jenkins, I hope you woke up well this morning.”

“Haha, my body does feel a bit sore, but it's nothing a little massage couldn't solve.” At the mention of a massage, a suggestive smile graced her lips. But when she failed to receive the reaction she had hoped for, however, she smoothly changed the subject, pretending nothing unusual had happened.

“Are you already off to work?”

Nicholas lingered for a moment. He didn't really need to do this labour now that the apocalypse had descended. But since he was also a member of the citadel, he felt he should do his part and not simply enjoy the benefits of living here.

He responded a moment later, tilting his head slightly towards the small shop beside them.

“Indeed. I’m only waiting for my wife, so we can head off together.”

At the mention of his wife, Mrs. Jenkins's warm facade nearly cracked, and an ugly smile threatened to mar her features.

“I see, I see…” she repeated twice, as she quickly regained her composure. Unwilling to dawdle any longer, she stretched the paper bag in her hands forward.

“Here. These are for you…and your wife. They're fresh out of the oven, so I hope you enjoy them.”

Nicholas looked at her hand for a moment before shifting one of the bags to his other hand and extending his now-free hand to receive the gift.

“Thank you for your kind…” His words paused for a moment as he felt the woman’s two hands wrap around his, lingering longer than necessary as her fingers brushed against his skin.

“…ness.”

“Haha…there is no need to mention that. Our houses are just a few streets away from each other, so we are neighbors,” she responded as she pulled back and fought against the feeling of loss that almost overwhelmed her.

“I just hope you could drop by at my shop anytime you are free. I wish to show you around.”

Not waiting for Nicholas to respond, her eyes lingered on his lips for a moment before she quickly turned and left. Hearing the sound of the shop door opening behind her, her steps hastened as she rushed to reach the end of the street.

Just as she was about to disappear around the corner, four irritated words reached her ears despite the considerable distance.

“Who is that bitch?”

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AN: Energi is back in action guys! Sorry for the longer than intended break🙇.

Also, current update schedule is Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 5pm GMT. (More chapters might be published, but this is what I am comfortable with for the moment)

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