Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Superpower Upgraded to the Second Level

Closing the door left Sierra Sullivan with a mix of complicated feelings.

It wasn’t just because she hadn’t been separated from Jayce at all recently; it was more the worry she felt for him.

The post-apocalyptic world was fraught with danger.

Once you stepped outside the base, you never knew what you might encounter from one moment to the next.

Although yesterday had gone smoothly for them, that didn’t guarantee today would be the same.

’What if he runs into a powerful Aberrant Beast...’

As Sierra was lost in thought, she felt a gentle tug on her hand.

She looked down and met Candice Tate’s big, shimmering eyes.

"What’s wrong? Are you unhappy?"

Sierra composed herself and slowly shook her head. "I’m not unhappy. Just a little worried."

"You don’t have to worry. Jayce will be back tonight!"

"You’re right!" Sierra nodded with a smile. "He’ll be back by tonight! He’s out busy, and we can’t just be idle. It’s time for us to get busy, too."

"Busy with what?" Candice seemed full of interest. "Are we going to read or write? Or sing and dance? Do paper-cutting and drawing?"

Just from hearing Candice’s questions, you could tell she must have done these things often with her mother.

It was clear her mother had been very good to her, always caring, always by her side.

’If it weren’t for this sudden apocalypse, they would have...’

Sierra took a deep breath, pushing down the jumble of thoughts in her mind.

’It’s pointless to think about that now.’

’We need to focus on the here and now, on the future.’

"None of those!" Sierra led Candice by the hand and sat down on the living room rug. "What we’re going to do is enhance our Superpowers."

Sierra took out the Crystal Cores, handed one to Candice, and told her how to use it.

Candice listened intently, her eyes full of curiosity, not fear.

Kids are like that; they’re often braver than adults.

Although sometimes, their fearlessness born of ignorance could get them into trouble.

But more often than not, it was a good thing.

This was one of those times.

After listening carefully to Sierra’s explanation, Candice immediately gave it a try.

And she succeeded on her first attempt.

Seeing Candice open her eyes, Sierra quickly asked, "Candice, how do you feel?"

Candice’s eyes were filled with confusion. "I don’t feel much! It’s like... eating a piece of candy that isn’t sweet. And then... my body feels warm inside. Like I have a lot of strength. Nothing else."

She was just a child, after all, and couldn’t explain many things clearly.

Although the description was overly simple, Sierra understood.

"Can you handle another one?"

From her previous research with Jayce and the others, Sierra knew that the more Crystal Cores one could absorb at a time, the stronger their Superpower talent.

This had already been proven by her and Jayce.

’I don’t know exactly how strong Candice’s talent is, but it’s definitely much stronger than an average person’s!’

Candice nodded. "Yeah, I can!"

"Then keep going, Candice. When you feel like you can’t anymore, just stop, okay?"

"Okay!"

Absorbing Crystal Cores to enhance one’s Superpower was actually a very dry and boring task.

It required a lot of time.

But Candice showed no impatience whatsoever.

She consumed one Crystal Core after another as if she didn’t know the meaning of fatigue.

Sierra was surprised by Candice’s talent and happy for her.

But at the same time, she also grew more and more nervous.

She was afraid that Candice, not knowing her own limits or being too eager to prove herself, would accidentally cause a mishap.

So, as Candice continued, Sierra focused her attention more and more, watching her without blinking.

Finally, after absorbing more than forty Crystal Cores, Candice stopped.

Candice rubbed her tummy with her small, pale hands. "Sierra, I’m full!"

Sierra, who had been quite nervous, couldn’t help but laugh when she heard this.

’I’m full...’

It was a description that, one way or another, made you want to laugh.

But on second thought, it wasn’t wrong. It was actually a very apt description.

"As long as you’re full. Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"

"No." Candice yawned. "I’m just a little sleepy."

’Sleepy?’

Sierra herself hadn’t felt that way before.

Although she didn’t know why Candice felt this way, it wasn’t a big deal.

’If she’s sleepy, she should just sleep!’

"Then go back to your room and sleep, Candice! I’ll be right outside. Just come find me when you wake up!"

Candice agreed and went back to her room.

Watching Candice close the door, Sierra took a deep breath, collected her thoughts, and without further delay, began to absorb Crystal Cores to enhance her own Superpower.

Lately, Sierra had been setting aside time every day to train.

Although she could clearly feel her Superpower growing, she hadn’t broken through the barrier to the next level.

Today, she had enough Crystal Cores, enough time, and a relatively safe environment. It was a good time to try.

For the time that followed, Sierra became completely immersed in her training, deaf to the world around her.

She didn’t know how much time had passed, nor how many Crystal Cores she had absorbed.

Finally.

The invisible barrier, under her relentless assault, finally cracked.

It was like an invisible mirror.

After the first crack appeared, it quickly spread like a spiderweb.

With a CRASH, Sierra felt a powerful energy surge into her body.

She didn’t dare to think, using all of her mental strength to control the energy as it circulated within her.

Only when the energy gradually calmed and merged with her own being did Sierra slowly open her eyes and exhale a long, turbid breath.

’I should be... at the Second Level now.’

Going from the First Level to the Second Level was more than just a simple doubling of power.

Sierra stood up and walked toward the window.

Looking through the window at the yellow sand swirling outside, Sierra activated her Superpower.

The sand within a ten-meter radius seemed to gain its own consciousness, completely obeying Sierra’s commands.

With just a thought, the sand would transform into any shape she desired.

Sierra was like a child with a new toy, completely lost in the fun.

"What are you playing with?"

Hearing Candice’s voice, Sierra snapped out of it, stopped manipulating the sand, and turned to look at her. "I’m testing my Superpower. You’re awake! How are you feeling? Are you hungry?"

As she spoke, Sierra raised her hand and looked at the watch on her wrist.

She had been so immersed in her training that she hadn’t paid any attention to the time.

A glance at her watch surprised her—it was already three in the afternoon.

The two of them had long since missed lunch.