Chapter 1912: True Fire Seed

Seventy-two hours later.

"Leader! The Western Capital Safe Zone is beginning to gather Awakened Ones!"

"Those guys aren't even bothering to hide; they directly declared on the battle channel that they'll kill us all! They say we're rioters who destroyed this place!"

"I... I see many Safe Zones responding to him; what should we do!!?"

Inside the well-preserved Safe Zone Leader's residence, the young man's face looked calm, but he was actually gripping his fists tightly as he listened to his subordinate's report.

All that could be seen was him forcing a smile, feigning composure:

"It's fine; as long as we keep our faith, we will surely win! God is with us! What we represent is unwavering resolve, it is light!"

"Our strength will only grow stronger! No matter what, I will stand at the front!"

Taking a deep breath, the young man slightly avoided the excited, admiring gazes of the crowd and hastily changed the subject.

"Well, we do have our own Safe Zone after all. Open the warehouse! Let everyone eat their fill!"

"All supplies will be evenly divided among everyone! These things rightfully belong to each of us!"

After saying that, the young man glanced at a few of the surrendering mid-level officials, his expression suddenly turning cold:

"Don't call me Leader! I'm not that trash that oppresses the lower classes!"

"Here, no one stands above another; we all strive together for our faith and ideals!"

"Our way of addressing each other is certainly not superior-subordinate; everyone is equal! You should address me as..."

"Call me.."

After a brief hesitation, it was sincere feeling.

To the young man, when these surrendering Awakened Ones flatteringly called him Leader, he would always recall his sister's humble kneeling on the ground, and picture people like him desperately trying to please those big shots.

For a sip of water, a bite of food, or even just to avoid being driven away, to be able to sleep in a sheltered corner.

As long as they have a shred of skin and an identity, anyone can freely bully them.

He despised this inequality! He despised why these strong ones flaunt their power before the weak! Those big shots strut arrogantly, yet in the face of monsters they cling to life and fear death!

"Leader? Leader my ass! This internal rank oppression, he will not allow!"

"Between us, we should address each other as!"

"Comrade!"

After the crowd dispersed, the young man let out a light breath, the confusion and fear in his heart temporarily suppressed.

It must be said, this feeling of being entrusted with great expectations truly can strengthen one's resolve and bolster courage. He clearly felt that the power from God seemed to have grown stronger after he finished speaking just now.

His gaze swept over the table, where some surrenderers had sent over luxurious delicacies, and the young man unconsciously swallowed.

It was meat, and fruit.

But soon, a surge of hatred rose in his heart.

In the things sent over, besides seeing the premium beef, he even saw fresh apples. It's hard to imagine, after the Apocalypse, to produce these things, just how much spiritual energy and material resources would be wasted!

Soon, the young man, without hesitation, carried these things outside and distributed them to the wounded.

"I won't eat these things!"

"For the sake of appetite, for enjoyment, to let those below starve to death—I will not allow this!"

Another round of cheers rose.

The young man proudly raised both hands; at this moment, he felt his resolve strengthen considerably.

Looking at the distant scene of the warehouse being opened and grain distributed, seeing that pile as high as a mountain, yet inside the Safe Zone there was plenty of food, even the "legendary" spiritual-energy crops; the young man immediately recalled the words God had spoken to him.

It's true; those big shots would rather let them starve than share food with them.

It's not just reluctance; it's exploitation, fearing that if they ate their fill they'd gain strength to rebel and threaten them.

"These damn bastards!"

The young man's heart burned with fury; he clearly remembered that people like him, who were just a bit away from becoming Awakened Ones among the lower classes, weren't lacking talent—it was long-term malnutrition that left their attributes just shy of the standard.

Even though, once they became Awakened Ones, they could kill more monsters and contribute strength to the collective.

But this bunch of idiots would rather watch them die, would rather hide like rats, instead of retaking the industrial cities!

"God's words are correct! These people have already lost the courage to fight the Apocalypse, to end the disaster! Instead, they've merged with the Apocalypse, becoming another kind of disaster!"

"I will never, never become like them!"

One hundred twenty hours later.

"Comrades! Follow me to fight to the end! Charge! Charge!"

"We will never accept defeat! We will surely save more people! End this Apocalypse!"

Two hundred forty hours later.

"Comrade Li Xianming, we can't save them! Withdraw first! Break out first!"

"This isn't fleeing, it's just a tactical retreat!"

On the battlefield where cries of slaughter shook the heavens, the young man desperately clutched at his intestines that were about to spill from his belly, his face covered in blood; at this moment he looked somewhat savage and furious.

Listening to the pleas of the Awakened Ones beside him, he writhed his mouth, wanting to say something but unable to speak.

This was the second time they had been surrounded and slaughtered.

When they first faced the Awakened Ones of the Western Capital Safe Zone, although his faith wavered, he ultimately resolved to fight to the death.

God favored him, or rather, they truly grew stronger through their own steadfast faith.

However, this increase in strength seemed limited to that; under immense pressure, the young man clearly realized that merely maintaining his current "strength" was already his limit.

Unable to meet the desperate gazes in the encirclement, the young man lowered his head and could only flee desperately.

He actually appeared gravely wounded, but according to past experience, as long as he still dared to rush in and fight desperately, that power of faith would make him stronger!

But...

He would think, he was also third rank.

After cramming a large amount of knowledge from the Awakened Ones, his rationality told him that with his current strength it was impossible to win the battle.

This is reality! Reality is very cruel!

He didn't dare to gamble.

"I'm not afraid... I'm not afraid... I just can't make a meaningless sacrifice; charging in might not even let me win!"

"That's a dead end... the enemy is too strong! Wait until I get a bit stronger, a bit stronger!"

Like self-consolation, self-brainwashing, the youth flew faster and faster, even subconsciously wanting to plug his own ears so he wouldn't hear those screams that seemed to be questioning him.

But for some unknown reason, when there was no sound behind him anymore, he suddenly realized that his power began to retreat.

480 hours later.

"Comrade Li Xianming, the hostility of the surrounding Safe Zone toward us has lessened; of course, it's also thanks to the strength you've shown, which has earned their admiration."

"But they are still preparing to continue attacking us, unless..."

"No unless! I cannot possibly hand over my own people, let alone join them! I said it, from the moment I stepped forward, I will not give up!"

Before the wide conference table, the youth firmly rejected the negotiation terms offered by the surrounding forces.

Strength is revered; even though his strength has stagnated, to the surrounding Safe Zone, the value of wiping them out outweighs the loss.

Of course, the premise of negotiation is handing over some people, especially those who followed him and inexplicably grew stronger.

"Then, Comrade Li Xianming, we are likely to face another major battle soon."

"I have to remind you, our food consumption is huge; you let everyone eat as much as possible, trying to improve everyone's physique as much as possible."

"To be frank, this actually isn't useful. If you still can't find a food source, we will soon fall into a food crisis."

A mid-level Awakened One who had surrendered hinted at something in the past; looking at the youth while speaking, his eyes faintly carried an inexplicable meaning.

The resource points and dungeons that can yield food and system rewards have long been occupied by all factions.

If food becomes a problem...

Heh.

Still want to persist? No, he has noticed that the youth is no longer the person he once was.

Hearing the subordinate's report, the youth froze, subconsciously put down the grape in his hand, hesitated for a moment, then slowly spoke:

"Then... then let's reduce the food supply a bit... women and children, eat a little less."

"But tell them! This is only temporary!"

After saying that, the youth, feeling a bit guilty, stuffed the last grape into his mouth.

He hasn't been hungry for a long time; he's almost forgotten what hunger feels like.

"Then, respected Comrade Li Xianming, today's banquet?"

He bowed respectfully, and the mid-level who had surrendered heavily emphasized the words 'banquet'.

After a brief silence, the youth's voice finally answered him.

"Banquet? The banquet will of course continue; it's a reward for the most valiant performance! We can't let people feel chilled, can we?"

"Equipment, equipment will be given to those brothers... comrades who stood with me from the start."

Having said that, the youth hurriedly rose, as if eager to end the meeting that made him restless.

Walking out the door, hearing the respectful greetings from the hallway outside, the youth dazedly felt as if he had become those who once stood above him.

"No.."

"I haven't changed, I haven't changed my original intention..!"

"I still dare to keep fighting! I'm just... I'm just too tired; I also need better rest, better food, better..."

"\"Your Excellency Li Xianming, do you still remember me? \""

A sweet, gentle voice suddenly startled the youth awake.

Seeing a girl who was once a descendant of the Safe Zone High Level, she now looked at him with admiration, gazing at him carefully.