Chapter 96: Chapter 96: I Just Want to Know if They Are Willing

The girl’s voice was filled with delight, and a brilliant smile lit up her face. She was so full of life and energy; it was obvious she was in a truly wonderful mood.

Dr. Hayes was also all smiles. "So? What Superpower did you awaken?"

"A Gold Element Superpower."

"That’s great, too!"

"Thank you, Dr. Hayes! Without you, I might never have awakened a Superpower in my entire life!"

As the girl spoke, her gaze suddenly fell upon Sierra and Jayce.

"You two," she asked, "are you also here to see Dr. Hayes about awakening a Superpower?"

Hearing this, Sierra immediately latched onto the key points.

’Also?’

’To see Dr. Hayes?’

"You came looking for Dr. Hayes yourself?" Sierra asked in return.

"That’s right!" The girl nodded. "I begged Dr. Hayes for a long time, and he even ran all sorts of exams and tests on me before he finally agreed to help me awaken my Superpower! The process was a bit of a hassle, but the result was worth it! I’m a Superpower User now, too! I can finally fight those despicable Aberrant Beasts! I’m going to kill every last one of them!"

Though her words were seething with hatred, her eyes reddened, and tears began to well up.

There was no need to ask why.

Her reaction alone was enough to know what she had been through.

The girl quickly composed herself and looked back at Dr. Hayes. "Dr. Hayes, can I go now? Is there anything I need to watch out for?"

"Don’t go just yet. I need to observe you for a while longer and record some data."

The girl was very compliant. "Okay! I’ll be sure to cooperate fully!"

Dr. Hayes called over the researcher in the white lab coat who was responsible for taking notes and gave him a few instructions.

The girl and the researcher quickly left, heading into another, windowless room.

At that, Jayce turned to Dr. Hayes. "All these people who awaken their Superpowers here... they all sought you out themselves? They’re all volunteers?"

"Mm."

"Then why did you say what you did earlier?"

"Because I felt like it."

"..."

Jayce was so exasperated he let out a short laugh.

’This Dr. Hayes is quite a character.’

’He’s an old man, but he speaks and acts like a child.’

’How could he say something so childish?’

Sierra said nothing.

’She wasn’t sure what to say, either.’

’The situation now was completely different from what they had expected.’

’If things here were like what Harvey Cheney described, they could have just started fighting.’

’But this wasn’t like that at all!’

’The people coming to awaken their Superpowers were doing it voluntarily, and the results were good. What reason did the two of them have to tear this place down?’

Neither Sierra nor Jayce spoke, and Dr. Hayes didn’t seem to care.

"I have work to do."

With that, he headed toward another room.

For the next while, Dr. Hayes bustled between the various rooms, constantly communicating with the researchers inside each one.

He didn’t stop for two solid hours.

At first, Sierra and Jayce stood and watched.

Eventually, their legs grew tired, and they found a place to sit down.

It wasn’t until Kevin Everett’s voice crackled from the walkie-talkie that the two of them snapped out of their daze.

"Jayce, how are you two doing?"

Kevin Everett’s voice was filled with concern.

Jayce hesitated a moment before answering, "Dad, don’t worry. We’re fine, but the situation is a little different than we expected. When I get back, I’m going to have a serious talk with Harvey Cheney and find out what’s really going on."

"Different?" Kevin Everett sounded puzzled. "Well, as long as you’re both okay, that’s what matters. We can talk about everything else when you get back!"

"We’ll be back as soon as we can!"

Jayce had just put the walkie-talkie away when there was a knock at the door.

One of the researchers went to open the door.

The person outside hadn’t even stepped in, but a booming voice already echoed throughout the entire room.

"Dr. Hayes! How many Superpower Users did we get today? Son of a bitch! The sandstorm outside is getting worse. Good thing no Aberrant Beasts have shown up, or I’d be worked to death! We need to awaken more Superpower Users, and fast, to share the load. Otherwise, this base is gonna fall sooner or later—huh? Who are you two?"

Sierra got a clear look at the man who entered.

The man looked to be in his forties. He was powerfully built, like a small mountain.

’No wonder his voice is so loud!’

He made no attempt to conceal his aura, and his presence was extremely oppressive.

’Based on his aura alone,’ Sierra knew, ’this is a very powerful Superpower User.’

’Though probably not as powerful as Jayce.’

’But he’s definitely more powerful than me.’

The higher a Superpower User’s level, the stronger their perceptive abilities.

What Sierra could sense, the man could clearly sense as well.

"You’re both Superpower Users, but you don’t live in this building. So why are you here? My boys downstairs... that was your handiwork, wasn’t it? Are you here to cause trouble? To wreck the joint?"

By his last words, his expression had turned menacing.

He looked ready to attack at any moment.

Just then, Dr. Hayes emerged from one of the smaller rooms.

"If you want to fight, take it outside. No fighting in here."

Dr. Hayes was completely unafraid, his voice as cool and detached as ever.

But those few words were enough to make the man’s imposing aura vanish in an instant, and he started laughing again.

"Don’t worry, Dr. Hayes, I won’t lay a hand on them! My boys and I went through hell and high water to get all this equipment. If it gets broken, I’ll be more upset about it than you are!"

Sierra and Jayce stood up together.

Jayce was the first to speak. "I’m Jayce. My father is Kevin Everett."

"You’re Kevin Everett’s third son? The Water Ability User? No wonder you’re so strong! I’m General Aldridge. It’s a title folks have been kind enough to give me."

’So it really is General Aldridge!’

Just as Sierra was thinking this, General Aldridge turned to look at her. "You must be Sierra Sullivan, right?"

"You know me?" Sierra asked, a little surprised.

’Am I that famous in this base?’

’Is it because of my relationship with Jayce?’

"You’re the only known Sand Ability User. Of course I know you!"

Hearing General Aldridge’s words, Sierra subconsciously raised an eyebrow.

’There’s no way General Aldridge didn’t know about her relationship with Jayce.’

’But he didn’t mention that at all. Instead, he brought up her Superpower.’

’He looks like a big oaf, but he’s actually quite sharp!’

’How interesting!’

"It’s an honor that you know of me, General Aldridge," Sierra said with a smile. "Did you help set up this laboratory? Are you the one who finds the people who come here to awaken their Superpowers?"

"Is that why you’re here?" General Aldridge frowned. "That’s right! What’s the problem? More Superpower Users can only be a good thing for the base and a good thing for the survivors!"

"Of course," Sierra didn’t deny it. "I just want to know if these people are here voluntarily."