Chapter 60: The Invitation

The ruined church was soon left far behind, along with the despair and redemption that had once taken place within its walls.

The Rezvani SUV moved through the increasingly dim streets, its low engine rumble the only comforting sound in this otherwise dead and silent world.

Inside the vehicle, Luna remained curled up in the passenger seat, still wrapped in the slightly oversized blanket.

She cautiously examined the unfamiliar interior, her curious gaze wandering over the various controls and features before occasionally stealing a glance at Aiden, who remained focused on driving.

The ghostly cityscape rapidly receded beyond the window, its abandoned buildings and empty streets making her uneasy. Yet the silent, powerful man beside her felt like a towering mountain, shielding her from the dangers lurking beyond the vehicle and providing a long-lost, almost luxurious sense of security.

Aiden could feel her subtle movements and occasional glances, but he paid them no mind.

His attention remained focused on the road and the route ahead.

He needed to find a place that was both secure and sufficiently hidden to serve as a temporary stronghold. At the same time, he needed to properly consider what Luna’s presence meant for his plans going forward.

Eventually, he drove the SUV toward the outskirts of the city and arrived at a semi-underground parking garage that he remembered from his previous life.

It had been relatively safe back then, and more importantly, it was easy to defend.

The garage possessed a concealed entrance, a sturdy structure, considerable interior space, and multiple emergency exits. For establishing an initial stronghold, it was almost ideal.

After parking the vehicle, Aiden stepped out.

He activated his [Power Gauntlets] and used [Root Entanglement], effortlessly dealing with the few low-level zombies wandering through the parking garage.

Once they were eliminated, he carefully inspected every corner and checked each exit, ensuring there were no immediate threats lurking nearby.

Only after confirming the area was temporarily secure did he begin setting up.

From his ring space, Aiden retrieved several portable lights and positioned them around one corner of the garage, illuminating the otherwise gloomy surroundings.

He then brought out folding tables and chairs, food, fresh water, and several other basic necessities.

In a matter of minutes, the cold, abandoned parking garage had been transformed into a simple but functional resting area.

Luna watched him work in silence.

She had seen Aiden eliminate threats with an almost frightening efficiency, yet the same man who could dispatch zombies without hesitation was now meticulously arranging their temporary shelter and making sure she had somewhere comfortable to sit.

It was completely different from the so-called "strong" people she had known before.

Those people possessed strength, but rarely cared about anything beyond themselves.

Aiden was different.

The contradiction between his terrifying strength and unexpected consideration made Luna’s curiosity toward him grow stronger with every passing moment.

"It is temporarily safe."

After finishing everything, Aiden sat down opposite Luna and handed her a pack of compressed biscuits and a bottle of water.

"Eat something."

"Tha... thank you." Luna whispered her thanks, accepting the food with both hands before carefully opening the package.

She began eating in small bites.

It didn’t take long for Aiden to realize just how hungry she was. He quietly watched her for a moment. She ate like a frightened little animal, as though even the food in front of her might suddenly be taken away.

Seeing this, Aiden’s thoughts gradually settled.

His plans for the future were becoming increasingly clear.

He waited until Luna had eaten enough to regain some strength before speaking.

"Luna, your class, Heavenly Karmic Dice, possesses the power to influence the course of a battle and, under the right circumstances, even alter the outcome of fate itself. That much is beyond doubt."

Luna paused. She slowly raised her head, her amethyst-like eyes meeting Aiden’s. There was still a trace of nervousness in her gaze, but beneath it was something else.

A faint glimmer of recognition. "But the apocalypse is cruel."

Aiden’s expression became serious."On your own, especially during the early stages when you haven’t learned how to properly control your class, surviving will be difficult. Unleashing its true potential will be even harder."

His eyes sharpened. "Those thugs you encountered today were nothing more than the most insignificant danger you’ll face in the future."

Luna’s body trembled slightly. The words immediately brought back unpleasant memories.

She lowered her head and quietly responded. "Mm..."

Aiden didn’t press the matter. Instead, he continued calmly. "And I need your power."

Luna’s fingers tightened around the biscuit in her hand.

Aiden noticed the subtle change in her expression but continued before she could misunderstand his meaning.

"Not because I intend to exploit you. I’m talking about cooperation. Mutual support."

His voice remained steady. "My class leans heavily toward offense and individual growth. In direct combat, I have enough confidence in my abilities. But there are areas where my power has shortcomings, particularly when dealing with probability, causality, and the unpredictable nature of fate."

He looked directly into her eyes. "Your Heavenly Karmic Dice can make up for those shortcomings."

A brief silence followed. Then Aiden spoke the words that would determine Luna’s future. "Therefore, I want to invite you to join my team."

Luna’s eyes widened slightly.

"Not as a subordinate," Aiden added. "But as a partner."

His gaze remained unwavering. "You will be one of the core members of my team. Someone whose existence is indispensable to what we build in the future."

"Together, we’ll survive this apocalypse. We’ll grow stronger, face whatever comes our way, and eventually take control of our own destinies."

There was no grand speech. No empty promises. No exaggerated assurances that everything would be fine.

Aiden simply laid out the reality before them and explained exactly what he wanted.

They had something the other needed. Their strengths could complement one another. And by working together, both of them would have a greater chance of surviving this cruel world.

That straightforwardness made his words feel even more sincere.

Luna stared at him in silence. ’Partner... Core member...’

Those words felt strangely foreign and heavy.

She had spent most of her life being excluded, feared, and bullied because of her supposed misfortune.

People had looked at her as a burden. Some had even treated her as though her existence itself brought bad luck.

Never once had she imagined that someone would look at her and see something valuable.

Yet Aiden had. He had saved her. He had acknowledged the power hidden within her class. He had even described her Heavenly Karmic Dice as a potential seed of hope.

And now, rather than demanding anything from her, he was offering her a place beside him.

Luna’s gaze slowly lowered. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the package of biscuits.

The feeling spreading through her chest was unfamiliar. Warm, almost painfully so.

It was the feeling of being needed. Of being valued. For the first time in a very long time, Luna felt as though someone wasn’t looking at her with fear, pity, or disgust.

Aiden’s strength was overwhelming, and his personality was calm and intimidating.

Yet the small details, the blanket he had given her, the food and water, the effort he had put into establishing a safe shelter, revealed a consideration that his cold exterior concealed.

And in his eyes, she saw no greed. No contempt. No desire to take advantage of her. Only an appreciation of her strength...

And the acknowledgment of a potential companion. That realization sent a warm current through Luna’s long-frozen heart.

For the first time since the apocalypse began, she felt that perhaps...

She wasn’t alone anymore.