Chapter 415: Arriving at the Central Base

Chapter 415: Chapter 415: Arriving at the Central Base

Sean Chandler was a key combatant and bodyguard whom she had controlled with [Spirit Mutation Spider Silk] from the very beginning.

He was loyal, powerful, and easy to command.

If he couldn’t team up with her regularly, it would mean losing a powerful ally.

’Actually... I’ve always had this nagging worry. Even though Sean Chandler is under my Control, I can’t be completely at ease.’

Seraphina Sullivan’s expression grew grim.

The Effect of the Spirit Mutation Spider Silk was strong, but not foolproof.

What if, in some dungeon, Sean Chandler happened to acquire a special item or Ability that could resist, weaken, or even nullify Mind Control?

Or what if he met a powerful entity specializing in the psychic domain who saw through and broke her Control?

’No, the Spirit Mutation Spider Silk isn’t a reliable enough method of Control.

I have to find a more dependable, more permanent bond or method of Control,’ she murmured.

Her gaze fell involuntarily on the [Desire Candy] she had obtained in the Divine Kingdom of Sweet Dreams.

’I wonder... could the Wish from the Desire Candy solve this problem?’

A flicker of hope ignited within Seraphina Sullivan.

Eureka had mentioned that using it at night increased the odds of success.

The chances were still uncertain, but it was worth a shot.

If she could use the Wish to obtain a more stable, covert, or even a higher-tier control or contract-type Ability, she could ensure Sean Chandler’s absolute loyalty and put all her worries to rest.

’I’ll try it tonight,’ Seraphina Sullivan decided.

...

Meanwhile, in a small "cultivation plot" that the convoy had temporarily cleared.

Justin Brooks and Jasper Drake were anxiously gathered around two strange plants that had just broken through the soil and were now growing at a rapid pace.

These were the very [Healing Blood Grapes] seeds that Seraphina Sullivan had provided.

This was the result of Jasper Drake pushing his [Plant Growth Acceleration] Ability to its limits.

The two grapevines—or perhaps they were more like trees—grew with incredible speed.

The vines were a healthy, deep purple.

Their leaves were a dark red, with veins as distinct as blood vessels.

With Jasper Drake’s continuous infusion of Energy, the vines were laden with clusters of grapes in no time.

The grapes were plump and round, their color a deep purple so dark it was nearly black.

Their skins were smooth, with a faint, dark-red light shimmering across them. They emitted a sweet, fruity aroma tinged with the scent of herbs.

"My God, these seeds are draining me dry."

"I’m exhausted. It’s not asking too much if I try one, is it?"

Jasper Drake carefully plucked a grape and, without even wiping it, popped it into his mouth to savor the taste.

"Mmm!" His eyes lit up.

"It’s so juicy and sweet, with a strange cooling sensation. Tastes amazing!"

A satisfied look crossed his face, but his brow quickly furrowed.

"But... wait, are these grapes seedless?"

His original plan had been to use his Ability on the seeds to continuously sprout new plants.

This would have created a sustainable supply.

But now it seemed that the fruit from these two vines was completely seedless!

This meant they couldn’t be propagated by seed.

"Looks like my plan for a self-sustaining supply won’t work."

Jasper Drake spread his hands in resignation. "We’ll have to rely on these two parent plants to keep bearing fruit.

I’ve checked, and I can shorten their fruiting cycle significantly with my acceleration, but the yield each time is limited. We can’t multiply them exponentially like potatoes."

Justin Brooks was disappointed to hear this, but he quickly adjusted his attitude.

"Seedless is fine!

It’s better than nothing!

From now on, these two Blood Grape vines will be the cornerstone of our team’s medical supplies!

Jasper, your mission, at all costs, is to protect them and keep them healthy and fruiting!

Your Ability is now of strategic importance!"

Jasper Drake shot Justin Brooks an exasperated look.

"Captain Brooks, I feel like I’m turning into a full-time gardener, the 24/7-on-call type.

Does this mean I’m off monster-slaying, exploration, and supply-gathering duty from now on?

So I’m just the guardian of the team’s ’pantry’ and ’medicine cabinet’ now, huh?"

Despite his grumbling, his hands never stopped. He was already carefully picking the fully ripened clusters and placing them into a clean, prepared container.

"Stop smart-mouthing me! Get a move on. We have a lot of sick people in the convoy with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Take these to the patients who need them most and let’s see the Effect!" Justin Brooks urged.

"I know, I know! I’m on my way!"

Cradling several heavy, enticingly glistening clusters of Blood Grapes, Jasper Drake turned and hurried toward the area where the sick were gathered.

Soon, the Effect of the [Healing Blood Grapes] was proven.

It worked on everyone: children with persistent fevers, elders with hacking coughs, and the wounded suffering from infected injuries and general weakness.

After they ate a few grapes, their symptoms subsided at a rate visible to the naked eye.

Those with severe cases needed to eat a few more, but for milder ones, just one or two grapes did the trick.

In addition to Healing illnesses, the Energy contained within the grapes also seemed to restore stamina, leaving those who recovered in much higher spirits.

As news spread, the convoy’s gloomy atmosphere lifted in an instant.

A spark of hope was rekindled.

As the sick gradually recovered, the convoy regained its mobility. They packed their belongings and, under Justin Brooks’s command, resumed their journey toward the Central Base, moving with renewed determination and speed.

...

「After more than half a month of arduous travel.」

Their wheels rolled across one last stretch of land ravaged by some unknown catastrophe.

On the horizon ahead, the faint outline of a massive human settlement finally appeared, a stark contrast to the natural wasteland.

The one-month "disaster ceasefire" buffer granted by the system was also about to come to an end.

A sense of urgency intertwined with the hope of reaching their destination in everyone’s heart.

At last, under the leadership of Wesley Moore and Justin Brooks,

the enormous convoy that had set out from the Vorlag Safe Zone, enduring sickness, battle, and sacrifice, successfully reached the outskirts of the Central Base.

That’s right. The journey hadn’t only been threatened by disease.

Many other survivors, desperate to live, had turned on their own kind.

Along the way, they had clashed with many Players and other lawless individuals who tried to rob them.

And now, finally...

"Finally... we’ve arrived!"

No one knew who was the first to let out a sigh of relief.

Soon, a ripple of soft cheers and choked sobs spread through the convoy.

Tears welled in the eyes of many as they gazed at the towering Wall, faintly visible in the distance.

The journey had been so incredibly difficult.

Dexter Luther and Crystal Lynn rode together on the back of a magnificent Four Seasons Deer.

The deer was one of the companions Crystal Lynn had recently managed to form a contract with.

It was gentle-natured, with excellent stamina.

Crystal Lynn shifted, a little embarrassed, and whispered, "Okay, we’re almost there. You... you can get down now."