CHAPTER 28: 28: THE ARRIVAL

"You’re so awesome!"

"You’re a water-type ability user, right?"

"Can you show me how you did it?"

Aria’s little head popped out from side to side as she followed the male lead working around, putting all the things they had collected.

Among the fifteen men, they had knives, pistols, baseball bats, crowbars, and even a few machetes near their cars.

It’s a great collection!

Aria, who had mostly picked up the small guns and a small knife, contributed this to it.

On the other hand, Caelan had no words and didn’t pay attention to Aria, returning to his usual self of speaking only when necessary.

In the end, Aria let go of her curiosity about the male lead’s power.

Both focused on putting the arms in the car, even placing some next to Lolo in the backseat.

The younger one obediently made space for these items, allowing Caelan to properly place them and make sure they would not hurt anyone.

Lolo watched in silence as the others operated and was stunned to see a knife given to him.

They fell into a silent stare, and reluctantly, Lolo took the knife with its cover.

This was a weapon he could use to protect himself.

Aria had seen the exchange, and she suddenly asked for hers.

"Where’s mine? I want one as well."

Caelan turned to Aria and picked up a yellow baseball bat.

Three spikes jutted from its top, each edge darkened with a grimy black stain.

Bringing it closer, the stench hit her like a boxer’s punch, sharp, foul, and impossible to ignore.

Aria stepped back, her eyes filled with doubt at the other person’s intentions.

"You... want me to take this?"

Caelan nodded, seeming to give it to her as if it were hers, just like he had given the knife to Lolo.

Aria wanted to believe the male lead was being kind.

But the moment she held it, her mind went blank.

It’s f-cking heavy!

Aria wanted to curse out loud.

The moment she finally grasped the yellow bat, a sudden, heavy weight dragged her arms down as if gravity itself had doubled.

Her legs trembled, her knees nearly giving way beneath her.

Caelan and Lolo looked at her at the same time, clearly shocked.

It wasn’t what they expected, and Aria hadn’t expected it either.

The yellow bat hadn’t looked nearly this heavy at all.

"Fluff Ball... what’s wrong with my body... I can feel my heartbeat pounding in my ears..."

Aria whispered, feeling her strength slipping away.

What’s happening...

Why so sudden...

Before she could hear a response from her Fluff Ball System, the last thing she saw was the male lead coming toward her.

His eyebrows were furrowed, and a flicker of panic danced between his two-colored pupils.

Does the male lead worry about her?

Well. That’s impossible.

Everything faded into white, a blinding expanse stretching endlessly above her.

Silence filled her ears, and she finally slipped into unconsciousness.

"Author... where’s the next update?"

"Author... why is the male lead such a scumbag?"

"Author... why aren’t you fixing their lines? So lame."

The comments section on the screen was filled with compliments, hates, and suggestions, one after another, and her mind couldn’t escape reading them.

By then, her fingers had started moving on the keyboard, replying one by one to the readers.

The soft, delicate, and lovely sounds of her mochi-like keys contrasted with the speed of her hands, showing the intense emotions she couldn’t hide, echoing through the darkened room.

"Author... where’s your update... update... update... update—!"

The screeching of the car’s brakes jolted Aria awake from her dream, eyelashes fluttering as eyes slowly opened.

Both golden pupils, looking empty and blank for a moment, suddenly filled with life.

Aria’s mind gradually cleared, and she found herself staring ahead.

In front of the car stood a tall white building, pristine and untouched amidst the ruins of the apocalypse.

A large, gleaming signboard declared [Heavenly Train Station], its bold letters glowing in the light and giving the place an unmistakably extraordinary aura.

Heavenly Train Station...

Wait—isn’t it her magical train?

Aria was instantly overcome with uncontrollable excitement.

Her heart thundered in her chest, and she couldn’t wait to confirm that what she was seeing was real.

With both hands fumbling at the seatbelt in a hurry, she heard the click of it unbuckling.

Then she bolted out of the car.

"It’s really my train station! "

"Caelan! Caelan!"

Stopping in a heartbeat, Aria realized something.

Why was she so excited calling the male lead, as if they were familiar with each other?

In that moment, her voice grew weaker and softer until it finally faded away.

Aria turned her head, and the male lead Caelan had just stepped out of the car, standing still as he looked ahead.

The fresh scent of the ocean stirred his senses, and the sound of waves hitting against the rocks broke the stillness of the shore.

Aria noticed the handsome man standing there in silence, and she thought this male lead was not only ruthless but also a little silly.

"What are you doing, staring like that? Is it your first time seeing something like this? I told you already, I’ll pay you back for your kindness. Supplies, food, everything you shared with me these past two days. I’ll return double. That’s my promise!"

Everything the male lead had given her, she would return double, just as she had promised back in City D.

After all, Aria was not a stingy person, and she always made sure her promises were met, no matter what.

"You did mention it."

"Yes, of course. You just don’t trust me, which I can understand. I’m a stranger to you after all, right?" Aria let out a soft laugh.

When she glanced back at the male lead beside her, his cold eyes were already staring at her.

What? So serious.

It’s kind of unnecessary to give her a look like that, isn’t it?

"Wait, where’s Lolo?"

The sudden memory of Lolo, her Soul Contract Helper, broke her out of that one-on-one staring contest with the male lead.

Immediately, with her heart a little anxious at the thought of the young teenage boy, she turned around.

The car door was open now, and someone was stepping out.

A young man in his teens, with black hair and porcelain-white skin, though dark veins marred his hands.

His striking, almost feminine beauty was impossible to hide, even in a simple cartoon t-shirt and black pants.

At most, he looked like a high school student!

"Lolo? You... you can stand!"