“The ability to extract life essence from corpses?” Axel thought, his mind racing.

Awakener abilities were diverse, with combat powers being the most common. But there were also those with life-related powers, which, though rarer, could be just as valuable. For example, some people could accelerate plant growth—an ability that was incredibly precious in a world where land was scarce.

Axel looked down at the last crystal in his hand. It was slightly larger than the others, and he recognized it as the one he had taken from the "scar-faced" man.

“Hm?” He felt a distinct difference as he held the crystal. This one provided much more force than the previous ones.

“It seems... the strength of the crystal depends on the strength of the person who died.” Axel could feel the power pulsing in his fingers, but a new question gnawed at him. Was this ability only effective for people he’d killed himself? Or could it work with any dead body?

For now, though, there was no time to test it. The sound of something scraping the earth outside suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

A low, wheezing breath echoed through the cracks in the walls. Along with it, a thick, suffocating stench of blood flooded through the open window.

Axel’s senses went on high alert. He and Annabelle both stood up in unison.

“Infected.”

He motioned for Annabelle to be quiet. The breathing grew louder. The infected was getting closer.

“The smell of blood...” The words came from somewhere deep in the chest of the creature.

Knock knock.

It was faint at first—almost like a drumbeat against the door—but the sound made their hearts race. Axel’s eyes quickly flicked to Annabelle’s face, where the red in her pupils had deepened.

He pulled the dagger from his boot. The seconds dragged on like an eternity. Then, suddenly, the sounds stopped. The heavy footsteps began to fade away, retreating into the distance.

Axel and Annabelle let out breaths. But their relief was short-lived. A voice suddenly came from the outside.

“It’s been here, but now where it went?” Axel recognized the voice. It was the man who had warned him to stay inside after dark.

In the major cities, the law enforcement bureau employed many awakened individuals to handle infected people and monsters. Axel had hoped to avoid them for now, but it seemed they were getting closer.

A woman spoke up. “It’s been fatally injured. It shouldn’t be able to run far. We’ll search the area.”

Axel’s heart skipped a beat. The strange and dangerous things in their house—the blood, the syringes, the covered bodies on the floor—none of it could be explained away easily.

"Okay, I’ll check on this house," the woman’s voice said.

Axel acted quickly, stepping up to the door and yanking it open. "Is it... is the infected gone?"

The two law enforcement officers standing outside saw the terrified boy before them, then their eyes moved from Axel to the small, trembling girl standing just inside the door, her wide eyes peeking through the crack.

The room behind them was dimly lit, with no other figures in sight.

Skye, the taller of the two, smiled kindly. "It’s okay. You’re safe now. Don’t worry, we’re here to protect you."

He reached out to pat Annabelle’s head, but the little girl flinched away, she quickly closed the door, leaving just a tiny gap.

Skye chuckled. "A smart one, isn’t she?"

Freya, standing beside Skye, smiled softly. "Probably been through a lot."

"Annabelle, don’t be afraid. These two are from the law enforcement. They’ll keep us safe." Annabelle nodded, though she kept her distance. Axel turned back to Skye.

Skye then nodded to Axel, a small grin on her face. "You did good, kid. Staying quiet... I’m impressed." He paused for a moment. "Are you two the only ones here? Where are your parents?"

Axel’s face darkened slightly, his gaze dropping to the floor.

Skye placed a hand on Axel's shoulder, her expression softening. There were too many orphans in the slums. Parents who went into the wilderness, hoping to make a living, never returned. They were taken by mutated beasts, or worse, and left their children behind to fend for themselves.

Just then, the radio on Skye’s belt crackled to life, the voice coming through sharp and urgent. “Captain, I searched the area. There’s no sign of infected #2. It looks like it’s fled far.”

Skye frowned, glancing over at Freya, who shared her confusion.

“What do you mean it fled? It should’ve been seriously injured,” Freya remarked, her brow furrowing. “It couldn’t have gotten far.”

Axel, standing near the door, looked out into the distance, his ability kicking in. Out beyond the dilapidated church, a flash of green light flickered.

Axel looked at the green ball and felt a moved. The scar-faced man was not an awakener, but only a thug stronger than ordinary people. The crystals provided were enough to increase his force.

If it was the life crystal produced after the death of the infected.... If he could become an awakener, then he had the capital to move to a safer city with Annabelle.

"Where will it be?" Skye frowned. There were two infected people in total. If they killed one, they would not need to act separately, and things would be much easier.

“I know where it went. I can take you there.”

Skye looked at him, surprised. “You saw it? Where?”

Axel nodded. “I saw it when it fled. I peeked out through the window. And I can show you the way.”

Skye and Freya exchanged a look. Skye said, a slight smile tugging at her lips. “Alright, lead the way. Just keep within three meters of me. If we don’t find it, I’ll get you back here safe.”

Freya raised an eyebrow. “Captain, is it really a good idea to bring a child along? It’s dangerous.”

Skye waved her hand dismissively. “It's okay. The other infected is still unaccounted for, and this one’s injured and is under control. We’ll handle it.”

He turned to Axel again. “By the way, I’m Skye, captain of the law enforcement detachment. This is Freya, my deputy.”

Axel nodded, his eyes drifting back to the distant green glow. “Axel,” he said quietly.

Before Axel stepped out the door, he paused and exchanged a brief glance with Annabelle. Under the cold moonlight, she gave him a small nod and turned back into the room.

The fear they had both felt moments ago hadn’t just been from the infected. It was the law enforcement officers—Skye and Freya. If that those law enforcement officers had seen how Axel silently took down four strong men, they would definitely turn their attention to him.

Axel knew that once the Law Enforcement Bureau started investigating, their lives would be under a magnifying glass. And if they focused on Annabelle, her identity would be exposed. That would be dangerous for both of them.

Once Axel and the others left, Annabelle returned to the room. She worked quickly, tying the bodies of the four men with hemp rope and wrapping them in rough cloth. Then, with surprising ease, she hoisted the bodies up, holding them in her small arms...

Her dark eyes widened slightly in surprise. She realized that her strength was greater than before....