Zombie Domination-Chapter 31- Plea

The atmosphere in the shelter’s conference room was heavy with urgency. The founding members of the shelter had gathered around a large, worn wooden table. Gabriel stood at the head, his expression stern as his eyes swept over everyone present.

"Where is Derrick?" Gabriel asked, voice calm but edged with concern.

One of the members, a middle-aged woman with a tired face, answered quietly, "Derrick is resting, sir. He exhausted himself using his skill."

Gabriel exhaled, nodding firmly. "Let him rest. He’s done more than enough."

He straightened, his voice ringing with authority as he opened the meeting. "We are here to discuss what happened to group expedition." He paused, eyes darkening. "Ken returned alone, severely wounded, and reported that his team was ambushed by a group of mutated zombies. The others... they were either killed or captured."

Murmurs spread around the table, faces grim.

Gabriel continued, "Those survivors are still out there, injured, terrified, and at the mercy of those monsters. We cannot leave them."

Brandon, who sat with his arms crossed, leaned forward, a false smile flickering across his lips. "Then let’s send a rescue team right away," he said smoothly. This is perfect, he thought. If Randoff leads, maybe he won’t come back. One less obstacle.

Several other founders nodded in agreement, but one of them voiced concern, "We’re short on skilled fighters."

Gabriel looked around the table, then his eyes fell on Julian, who stood silently at the back of the room. "Julian... you’ve seen firsthand what we’re up against. Will you lend us your strength in this mission?"

Brandon seized the moment, his voice sharp. "If you hadn’t beaten Cris senseless, he’d be joining this expedition instead of lying in the infirmary. This mess is partly your fault!"

Julian’s cold gaze met Brandon’s. "Cris chose to duel. The blame is his, and yours, for egging him on."

Brandon’s face darkened, about to retort, but Gabriel slammed a hand on the table, his voice thunderous, "Enough, Brandon! I won’t tolerate your petty bickering. Sit down and stay silent."

Brandon sank back into his chair, gritting his teeth.

Gabriel turned back to Julian, his tone firm but respectful. "Help us, and I will ensure you receive the reward you were promised, and more."

Julian considered it for a moment, then gave a small nod. "I’ll do it."

Relief and determination spread through the room. Gabriel looked to Randoff next. "Randoff, you’ll lead the rescue operation. Gather who you need and move as soon as possible."

Randoff, his eyes burning with resolve, clenched his fists and nodded. "Understood."

--------×--------

Julian gathered his group in their room, the tension in the air thick but focused.

"We’re going to split up," Julian began calmly, his eyes sweeping across the four women. "Clarissa, Veronica, you’re coming with me on the rescue mission. Emma, Aya, you’ll stay here and keep watch."

Emma’s brows furrowed. "Keep watch for what?" she asked softly, worry creeping into her voice.

Julian’s eyes hardened. "We need to be cautious around Brandon. His behavior is suspicious."

The two women nodded gravely. Julian continued, "I’ve already placed my shadows in both of you. If anything happens, I’ll teleport back immediately."

Emma stepped closer to Julian, eyes shimmering as if waiting for something. Julian, understanding her silent plea, leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Aya, who had been fidgeting shyly by the side, blushed deeply. She hesitated a moment before stepping closer too. Julian gave a small smile and kissed her forehead as well, earning a quiet gasp from Aya as her face went crimson.

From behind them, Clarissa and Veronica watched with mixed feelings, both shifting awkwardly. Clarissa pouted, her eyes glistening with mischief and a hint of jealousy. "I want one too..." she muttered almost inaudibly.

Julian chuckled softly. "You’re coming with me. Isn’t that enough?" But when he met Clarissa’s pleading eyes, he sighed, leaned in, and kissed her forehead too. A brilliant smile spread across her face.

He turned to Veronica, who crossed her arms defiantly. "I don’t need that," she said flatly.

But Julian knew her too well, he stepped forward and kissed her forehead before she could protest. "Tch—" Veronica stammered, her cheeks slightly pink as she looked away sharply.

Julian let a rare, quiet laugh escape him. "All right, let’s go."

With that, Julian, Clarissa, and Veronica left the room, slipping out to join the rescue team assembling outside.

--------×--------

Meanwhile, in the dimly lit hallway leading to the infirmary, Brandon’s heavy steps echoed ominously. He pushed open the door to the medical room, where Cris lay on a cot, his face twisted in frustration.

Brandon approached him slowly, his eyes cold and sharp. "So this is what the great Cris has been reduced to," he drawled. "Pathetic."

Cris scowled, fists clenched. "I didn’t know Julian was that strong! How could I?!"

"Excuses," Brandon snapped, his voice low and cutting. "Weak men always have excuses. That’s why Emma doesn’t even look your way."

That hit Cris like a blade. His face darkened with rage. "What the hell do you want, Brandon?!"

A slow, sinister smile spread across Brandon’s lips. "I want you to join the expedition. Out there, you’ll have a chance to prove yourself, and I’ll make sure you become stronger than you ever imagined. Strong enough to crush Julian."

Cris’s eyes flickered with a spark of interest, but he hesitated. "I... I can’t. I’m still injured—"

"Don’t lie to me," Brandon cut him off sharply. He leaned in, his breath cold. "You were treated by Ms. Rei herself. Her healing skill leaves no lingering wounds. You’re perfectly fine."

Brandon pulled a small, dark glass bottle from his pocket, the liquid inside glinting with a strange iridescence. "Drink this," he whispered, voice like poison. "It will unlock power beyond your dreams."

Cris eyed the bottle warily. Brandon’s words slithered into his ears like a siren’s call.

"Are you really going to stand by and watch Emma fall for a man like Julian?" Brandon taunted, his tone silky and poisonous. "If you go on this mission, you can eliminate him quietly. No one will ever know. Emma will have no choice but to notice you."

Cris’s breathing quickened, his anger boiling into a storm. He stared hard at the bottle. "What... what do I have to do?"

Brandon’s smile grew wider, more vicious. "Just drink it. And when the time is right... kill Julian Deaw."

-------×-------

Julian arrived at the gathering point just outside the shelter’s fortified entrance, where the expedition team was assembling under the pale morning light. He quickly scanned the group: Luke stood near the front, calmly checking equipment, while Vivi flitted around, offering tense encouragement to others. Several unfamiliar faces filled the ranks, hardened men and women who looked like experienced fighters.

Randoff, standing tall and resolute at the head of the team, clapped his hands for attention. "Everyone, prepare yourselves! Stay alert. We move as one," he ordered. His voice echoed in the silent courtyard as a pair of guards began cranking the massive steel gate open. The old metal groaned ominously, revealing the dark, empty expanse of the ruined city beyond.

A chill wind drifted through the widening gap, carrying the scent of dust and decay. A few members murmured quiet prayers for safety as they tightened their grips on weapons.

Suddenly, a voice rang out from the distance. "Wait! Hold up!" Everyone turned to see Cris sprinting up the cracked road toward them, armor clanking lightly with each desperate step. His face was flushed with effort, eyes locked on the team.

"Cris?" Randoff called out in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Panting, Cris stopped before them. "I... I want to join the expedition. Please, let me come!"

Randoff eyed him warily. "Are you sure you’re well enough? Your wounds..."

Cris shook his head firmly. "They’re healed. I can fight."

After a moment’s consideration, Randoff nodded. "Very well. We need every fighter we can get."

A ripple of murmured approval spread through the group as Cris took his place. His eyes flicked briefly to Julian, a dangerous glint in them, before he turned away to face the city.

As the team began to move forward, Julian cast a glance back at the shelter walls. There, by the main gate, Emma and Aya stood side by side, waving with worried but hopeful smiles. Julian raised his hand in a calm wave, Clarissa and Veronica following suit beside him.

With the sun rising behind them and the shadowed city ahead, the expedition stepped beyond the shelter’s walls, into the silent, lifeless streets.

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