Chapter 429: Paul Payne Shows Up, a Sharp Blade

Chapter 429: Chapter 429: Paul Payne Shows Up, a Sharp Blade

When Sean Chandler brought up Connor Webb, a cold glint flashed in Seraphina Sullivan’s eyes, but her tone remained calm.

"Connor Webb... With an Ability like his, keeping him in the base is a disaster, especially for the female survivors.

"Besides, it seems he’s already developed some inappropriate ideas about me."

Seraphina Sullivan paused, her voice dropping lower.

Tinged with a cold, murderous intent, she continued, "Find an opportunity. Figure out his patterns, the places he frequents, and especially the situation with those ’wives’ of his.

"Then... find a suitable time and place, one that won’t attract too much attention."

She didn’t finish, but Sean Chandler understood completely.

He nodded slightly, a cold glint also flashing in his eyes. "Understood. I’ll keep an eye out."

He was the kind of scum who trampled on humanity, treating the lives of others as mere toys and consumables.

Eliminating him would be a Purification of their environment, a service to the public.

Making a move inside the Central Base, where order was relatively well-established, would require a more meticulous plan and a cleaner exit, but that didn’t stop them from preparing in advance.

Seraphina Sullivan’s gaze returned to the distant Warm Crystal greenhouses and the broader silhouette of the base.

Here, they had to deal with the impending, brutal natural disasters while also guarding against the malice and schemes of their own "kind."

The road ahead was still long.

However, before Seraphina Sullivan had a chance to proactively deal with Connor Webb or Ethan Soto, someone came looking for her first.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

Someone knocked lightly on the RV door.

Seraphina Sullivan was organizing some supplies in her Space. Hearing the sound, she froze, signaled for Sean Chandler to be on alert, and went to open the door herself.

Standing outside was someone who surprised her—Paul Payne.

The Paul Payne of this moment was much cleaner than the grief-stricken, blood-soaked man she’d seen at the entrance.

He had changed into a set of standard clothes issued by the base, but his face was still pale, and his expression was filled with an awkward unease and indescribable anxiety.

He stood at the door, his mouth opening and closing as if he wanted to say something but didn’t know how to start, looking completely at a loss.

’His mind was a mess.’

He had come looking for her specifically.

After he had calmed down, the more he thought about it, the more terrified he became.

He knew Connor Webb’s character all too well. The man was a complete Demon in human skin.

Especially after seeing that Seraphina Sullivan was not only stunningly beautiful but also possessed an astonishing healing Ability, he knew Connor Webb’s twisted possessiveness and desire for Control would never let her go.

Paul Payne could almost foresee that if Seraphina Sullivan wasn’t on her guard, she would likely follow in his sister’s footsteps.

Controlled and toyed with by Connor Webb’s bizarre Ability, until finally... He didn’t dare to think any further.

He felt that, no matter what, he had to come and warn the benefactor who had saved his life.

"You... Hello,"

Paul Payne’s voice was a bit hoarse, and he spoke quickly. "Um... I’m Paul Payne. Before... thank you for saving me."

Seraphina Sullivan was indeed a little surprised that Paul Payne would seek her out, but her expression quickly shifted to a warm and pleasant smile.

"It was nothing. As a Player with a healing Ability, I can’t just stand by and watch someone get hurt right in front of me."

She was now subconsciously maintaining her public image.

’Seraphina Sullivan, the kind, responsible, and helpful young Player.’

’This persona is great for lowering people’s guard, making it easier to gather information and establish initial trust.’

Looking at the sincere and gentle smile on Seraphina Sullivan’s face, Paul Payne was dazed for a moment, as if he saw the shadow of his own sister, Maisie Payne.

In the past, his sister had been the same. No matter what trouble he got into, she would always stand before him, gentle yet strong, protecting and caring for him... But now, his sister and niece were gone, because of that animal...

A powerful wave of grief and bitterness surged in his heart. Paul Payne’s eyes instantly turned red, but he forcefully held it back.

"Miss..." Paul Payne didn’t know how to address her.

"You can call me Seraphina Sullivan, or just Sullivan is fine."

Seraphina Sullivan’s tone was natural, carrying a reassuring peacefulness.

"Sullivan," Paul Payne took a deep breath, suppressing his turbulent emotions, his eyes becoming urgent and serious.

"I came this time mainly to warn you. You must be careful of Connor Webb!

"He’s not an ordinary person, he’s a Player, and... his Ability is very strange, very sinister!

"It specifically targets women! He’s a complete pervert!"

He seemed to feel that just saying "pervert" wasn’t enough, and he struggled to organize his words.

"He... he seems to have some kind of Ability to bewitch and Control women!

"My sister... my sister was... and those women around him, they were probably all tricked and Controlled by him using this Ability!

"Sullivan, you... you’re so beautiful, and you have such a powerful healing Ability.

"He... he definitely won’t let you go!

"You have to be careful, don’t ever be alone with him, and don’t listen to anything he says!"

Seraphina Sullivan hadn’t expected Paul Payne to come all this way just to warn her about Connor Webb.

There was a certain sincerity in the gesture.

"Thank you for coming all this way to tell me this, Paul Payne." Seraphina Sullivan’s voice held a trace of genuine warmth. "I’ll be careful."

Paul Payne nodded, but the worry on his face didn’t lessen.

He lowered his head, his hands unconsciously clenched into fists so tight his nails nearly dug into his palms. His voice carried a suppressed pain and helplessness.

"If I... if I were a Player too, if I had Power... I could have gotten revenge for my sister and my niece with my own hands!

"Not like now, just having to watch my enemy get away with it, and even worrying about my benefactor being..."

He didn’t finish his sentence, but the bone-deep hatred and the loathing for his own weakness were perfectly clear.

Hearing this, something stirred in Seraphina Sullivan’s mind.

An idea quickly formed.

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Paul Payne, her tone carrying a subtle, leading quality. "You want to have Power?"

Paul Payne’s head shot up, his eyes burning with an almost paranoid Flame, without a trace of hesitation.

"Of course! As long as it gives me the Power to get revenge, I’ll do anything!

"Even... even if I have to sell my soul to a Demon!"

He spoke with absolute conviction, clearly consumed by hatred. As long as he could obtain Power, he was willing to pay any price.

This was exactly the attitude Seraphina Sullivan was looking for.

She needed someone who harbored a deep-seated hatred for Connor Webb and was willing to do anything—someone to be her "blade" against him.

At the same time, he could also help her investigate some internal information about the base, especially about the faction behind Connor Webb.

’Paul Payne seemed like a good candidate.’

Her face still wore that same gentle and kind expression, but deep in her eyes, a hint of scrutiny and calculation had appeared.

"I can help you."

Seraphina Sullivan’s voice wasn’t loud, but it reached Paul Payne’s ears clearly. "However, you’ll need to agree to two conditions."