Chapter 1320 Visiting The Leader

Things that survivors on Earth might risk their lives to obtain could sometimes be found growing naturally in large quantities there.

Watching his sisters eat with gusto, Timi began considering whether he should spend more time exploring the Land of Origin.

Fruit was good, but he wanted to bring them something better.

A proper hot meal would be nice.

His attitude toward the Land of Origin had changed considerably after Lily explained exactly how death worked there.

Death in the Land of Origin wasn't true death.

If that body died, he would suffer a ten percent reduction in his attributes and temporarily lose the ability to enter.

Painful consequences, certainly.

But compared to actually dying?

Timi could accept that.

It had made him considerably more casual about his visits.

His body in the Land of Origin was currently hidden deep within a wooded area. Most of the time, Timi would enter, carefully check his surroundings, make sure nothing dangerous had discovered his hiding place, and then return his attention to the Origin Battlefield.

Perhaps he should take it more seriously now.

With access to the Land of Origin thanks to Michael's network, continuing to live as though every scrap of food needed to be hoarded no longer made much sense.

Timi watched as Nia bit eagerly into another piece of fruit.

Amara was eating more slowly.

Halfway through her fruit, however, the older twin suddenly stopped.

Her eyes shifted toward Timi.

"Brother..."

Timi looked at her.

Amara hesitated.

"I think someone tried to come inside earlier."

Timi's expression didn't change.

Nia stopped eating.

Amara seemed uncertain herself.

"I don't know. We didn't see anyone. But there was a loud noise upstairs. Like something hit the door."

For a moment, Timi said nothing.

The slightly loose handle flashed through his mind.

And the gaze he'd felt shortly before entering the apartment.

None of that appeared on his face.

Timi simply reached over and gently rubbed Amara's head.

"It's fine."

His hand moved to Nia next.

"Nothing happened. Just relax and eat."

The tension in the twins gradually eased.

Timi smiled as though the matter meant nothing and pushed another fruit toward them.

Soon, both girls were eating again.

Timi remained beside them, his expression equally relaxed.

But his black eyes had become noticeably colder.

The old bastard is getting impatient.

That was the most likely explanation.

Everyone living within the settlement had to contribute in some way. With more than a thousand mouths to feed and dangers constantly surrounding them, nobody capable of working could simply enjoy the settlement's protection for free.

Timi was no exception.

For the sake of his sisters, he had contributed his share from the beginning.

The estate wasn't the safest place in the world, but it was still a place they could call home. It had walls, armed guards, food, and enough powerful survivors to discourage most monsters from approaching.

In exchange, Timi had participated in expeditions for food and supplies, killed monsters around the settlement, and occasionally helped drive away hostile survivors from neighboring settlements.

After his awakening, some of his contribution had become almost symbolic, as his reputation alone was enough to deter certain threats. Even so, everything he had done for the settlement had earned him a considerable say within it.

The problem was that he had never placed himself under the leader's command.

The old man had never liked that.

He could tolerate another powerful individual within his territory, but not one he couldn't control.

The old man had tried to recruit him several times, and Timi had rejected or avoided him every time without creating an outright conflict.

If someone had really tried entering his apartment while he was away, then the old bastard might finally be resorting to the same devious methods he had used against others who refused to fall in line.

Timi glanced toward his sisters.

The coldness in his eyes deepened.

For a moment, killing intent surfaced within Timi.

Once I find somewhere safe for Amara and Nia, I will kill that old bastard.

Timi stared at the two girls for several seconds before slowly shaking his head.

No. Killing him would cause others to suffer. Beating him half to death should be enough.

Timi wasn't a saint, but he wasn't exactly evil either, and he still had a moral bottom line, even if it was somewhat low.

As much as Timi disliked the man, he couldn't deny that the old bastard was partly responsible for the continued existence of this settlement.

His strength and the forces under his command had protected more than a thousand survivors on multiple occasions.

Without them, this place might have already been swallowed by one of the stronger neighboring settlements.

I still need to calm the old bastard down for a little longer.

He was already close to securing something far better for himself and his sisters. The last thing he needed was for the old man to become desperate and interfere before everything was ready.

A few days.

Perhaps even less.

That was all Timi needed.

After that, whether the old man trusted him or not wouldn't matter anymore.

Timi pushed the thought aside and looked at his sisters.

"Your flashlight still works?"

Amara nodded.

"Yes."

"The other one too?"

Nia picked up the second flashlight. She switched it on, producing a steady beam.

Timi nodded.

He looked around the room once more.

"You have enough water, right?"

"Yes, Brother."

"And if anyone comes down here?"

Amara gave him a look that seemed to ask whether he really needed to repeat this again.

Timi ignored it.

"Don't open the door unless you're absolutely sure it's me. Even if they say I sent them."

"We know."

"And don't come upstairs because you hear something."

"We know."

"Even if you hear me?"

The twins exchanged glances.

Nia sighed dramatically.

"We know."

Timi stared at them for another moment before finally nodding in satisfaction and standing up.

"Good. I need to go meet someone. I shouldn't be gone long."

Neither girl looked particularly happy about him leaving again, but they didn't complain, making Timi feel guilty.

He rubbed both their heads before turning toward the stairs.

"Finish the fruits and rest well."

"We will."

Timi smiled faintly before climbing the narrow staircase and carefully returning everything above it to its original position.

Once he entered the apartment again, his smile disappeared.

Timi walked back toward the living room, opening the coolers one after another as he made his way to the door.

Soon, thick serpentine bodies were spreading throughout the apartment again.

Some disappeared beneath furniture. Others moved toward their previous resting places. One climbed along the side of the couch before curling itself beneath it.

Timi watched until most had dispersed.

He put the coolers back into his storage space.

His gaze briefly settled on the slightly loose door handle again.

Timi locked it before turning away.

Timi left the apartment building and made his way deeper into the estate.

It didn't take him long to reach the leader's residence.

Compared to the other buildings within the settlement, it was noticeably better maintained. The large house had once belonged to one of the wealthier families in the estate, and now several armed men constantly guarded its surroundings.

Two guards stood near the entrance.

Both straightened slightly when they saw Timi approaching.

"Lord Timi."

"I want to see the leader."

Neither objected, but one raised a hand.

"Please give me a moment."

He disappeared inside.

Timi waited patiently, his hands resting casually at his sides.

Less than a minute later, the guard returned.

"He'll see you."

Timi nodded and stepped inside.

The interior was brighter than his apartment.

Electric lamps illuminated the hallway, immediately reminding Timi that the settlement's electricity shortages apparently didn't apply equally to everyone.

Of course.

Everyone else has to ration batteries and electricity, but this bastard needs his entire house lit up.

Timi's lips twitched faintly.

He wasn't particularly surprised.

There were advantages to being the strongest person in the settlement, and the old man had never been shy about enjoying them.

Timi followed one of the guards deeper into the residence until they reached the hallway leading toward the old man's office.

The guard stopped.

"He's inside."

Timi was about to continue when a sound reached his ears.

Strange moans were coming from behind the office door.

Still doing this shit.

Timi's expression didn't change.

He already knew what kind of man the old bastard was.

The old man had done plenty of disgusting things since gaining power. People simply rarely spoke about them openly.

Some were afraid.

Others benefited from his rule.

And most had enough problems of their own without risking their lives for someone else.

Timi belonged to the last group.

He didn't like the old man, but he'd never pretended to be some hero who would correct every injustice in the settlement.

Not my problem.

At least, that was what he'd always told himself.

The apocalypse had made minding one's own business an excellent survival skill.

Timi simply waited.

Several seconds later, the sounds stopped.

The office door suddenly opened and a girl hurried out