Chapter 422: Gordon Chandler, Offering a Position

Chapter 422: Chapter 422: Gordon Chandler, Offering a Position

From Paul Payne’s account, Seraphina Sullivan and the others began to understand the situation.

It turned out that Paul Payne’s sister, Maisie Payne, and Connor Webb had been married for many years.

The two also had a lovely daughter.

When the apocalypse descended and the Disaster Game suddenly appeared, Connor Webb was unfortunately chosen to become a Player.

Initially, Connor Webb was filled with fear of the changes to his body and the sudden dangers he faced.

It was Maisie Payne who stayed by his side, encouraging him, comforting him, and struggling to survive with him through the initial chaos.

She would tell him, over and over, "Our family has to survive this together."

However, as time went on, and as Connor Webb grew familiar with and mastered the Power of a Player—especially after obtaining a twisted Power from the so-called "God of Lust"—everything changed.

Perhaps it was the corrupting nature of his Power and the sense of invincibility it gave him.

Or perhaps the apocalyptic environment simply amplified the baseness already in his nature.

Maisie Payne was the first to notice her husband’s abnormality.

Connor Webb was no longer afraid. Instead, he began to enjoy the feeling of controlling others, especially women.

All sorts of strange women began to appear at his side.

They looked at him with eyes full of fanaticism and dependence.

And Connor Webb’s attitude toward them was more like that toward a collection of playthings rather than equal partners.

Maisie Payne tried to persuade him, question him, and even argued with him.

She couldn’t accept her husband’s betrayal and depravity, and she couldn’t stand his growing indifference toward their own daughter.

She remembered her daughter once asking innocently, "Does Daddy not like me anymore? He hasn’t held me in a long time." That question was like a knife piercing Maisie Payne’s heart.

The conflict finally erupted.

After a fierce confrontation, Connor Webb—who had long since grown impatient and viewed Maisie Payne as a "stumbling block" and a "relic of the old world"—brazenly made his move.

He used his Ability to easily restrain Maisie Payne.

Then, in what was once their happy home, in front of their own daughter... Paul Payne’s voice choked up at this point. He trembled all over, his eyes bloodshot, almost unable to continue.

"Later... my sister died... and my little niece... she’s gone too! That monster! He killed his own wife and daughter with his own hands!

Just because they were crying and making a scene, because his wife was afraid of the women he kept around!"

Paul Payne practically screamed the last words, tears mixed with hatred streaming down his face.

The tent fell deathly silent.

After listening, Justin Brooks’s face turned ashen. His fists were clenched so tightly they were CRACKING, his chest heaved, and he finally couldn’t help but roar, "That scum! A degenerate! To do something so vile to his own wife and child!

Does the Central Base only care about Abilities and not character?! How could they let a piece of trash like that in and treat him like a guest of honor?!"

Laura Lowell stood to the side, her face burning with both embarrassment and shame.

She wanted to defend the base, to say things like, ’The higher-ups have their reasons,’ or ’Special times call for special measures.’ But faced with Paul Payne’s bloody accusation and Justin Brooks’s furious questioning, she couldn’t bring herself to say a single word.

’In the end, I’m just an administrator following orders. What can I possibly do about the decisions made by those high above me?’

Just then, the tent flap was pushed aside, and a figure familiar to everyone walked in.

It was Gordon Chandler.

The military general who had once led the fight against the Splitting Demon Rabbits in Kaelen, leaving a deep impression on Seraphina Sullivan and the others, was now dressed in a crisp military uniform.

Gordon Chandler’s face wore its usual calm and resolute expression.

He had come this time to personally handle the special issue brought by the Vorlag Safe Zone: the "Deer Herd."

After getting a preliminary understanding of the mutated giant deer’s abilities and the fact that they had been tamed, he believed this was a force that could be utilized. He even planned to arrange a suitable position within the base for the Player who had tamed the Deer Herd, in order to better manage and deploy this special "beast-of-burden corps."

However, just as he approached the tent, he heard Justin Brooks’s furious questioning.

"What’s going on? Why is the atmosphere so tense?"

Gordon Chandler walked into the tent, his gaze sweeping over everyone. He paused on the tear-streaked, grief-stricken face of Paul Payne, then glanced at the grim expressions of Laura Lowell and Justin Brooks.

Finally, his eyes landed on Seraphina Sullivan, and he gave a slight nod in greeting.

Laura Lowell was surprised to see Gordon Chandler. She quickly stood at attention and saluted. "Officer Chandler! What brings you here in person?"

Gordon Chandler waved his hand, signaling for her to be at ease. "I was handling some official business nearby and heard you ran into an issue with mutated animals, so I came to take a look.

These giant deer certainly look impressive."

He looked at Seraphina Sullivan with a gentle gaze. "Comrade Sullivan, we meet again. It seems your journey has been quite fruitful."

Seraphina Sullivan gave a slight nod in response.

But Gordon Chandler had clearly noticed the unusual atmosphere in the tent, especially Paul Payne’s unconcealable grief and hatred.

He turned his gaze to Laura Lowell, gesturing for her to explain.

Laura Lowell didn’t dare to hide anything. Lowering her voice, she used the most concise language possible to report what had just happened, recounting Paul Payne’s accusation of how Connor Webb had tragically murdered his own wife and daughter.

After listening, Gordon Chandler’s brow furrowed deeply, and his expression instantly darkened.

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. He was clearly not ignorant of the name Connor Webb and his deeds; in fact, he might even know more than Laura Lowell.

"This is what happens because of those... those people who only care about fighting for power, currying favor, and gathering combat strength, with no regard for basic decency or the human heart!"

Gordon Chandler muttered, his tone carrying undisguised disgust and a hint of weariness.

But he quickly controlled his emotions and said no more.

The internal factional struggles and ideological differences among the higher-ups were an extremely sensitive topic, not suitable for discussion here.

He turned to Laura Lowell and said in a commanding tone, "Laura, I understand the situation here. First, go make arrangements to properly settle this Comrade Paul Payne, as well as Captain Brooks and Director Moore from the Vorlag Safe Zone, in the temporary residential area.

The subsequent registration and assignments should follow standard procedure, but... give them some special consideration."

"Yes, Officer Chandler! I understand," Laura Lowell immediately replied, sighing in relief inwardly.

’With Officer Chandler’s word, at least Paul Payne and the others won’t be treated unfairly.’

Gordon Chandler then looked at Seraphina Sullivan and the others, his tone softening. "Regarding the plan for the Deer Herd, I’ve just come up with a preliminary idea.

Comrade Sullivan, you tamed the Stag King. Your Ability is extraordinary.

In the base’s surface-level work zone, there is a designated ’Special Creature Management Zone.’ The environment is relatively open, and it has basic protective measures.

I would like to ask you to be temporarily in charge of managing and caring for these giant deer there. In return, the base will provide you with corresponding compensation based on your contributions and the Deer Herd’s performance.

What do you think?"

This was undoubtedly a rather generous and pragmatic proposal. It not only solved the problem of where to place the Deer Herd but also gave Seraphina Sullivan a clear identity and responsibility, all while circumventing the strict restrictions on large mutated animals in the underground areas.