CHAPTER 354: CHAPTER 354: BELLA IN SIIVY BASE

"Times are difficult now. You can’t stay in the military base anymore. I’ll write a letter for you. Submit it at the front gate, and you’ll be allowed into the SiIvy base you saw earlier. Go there without hesitation."

Bella had blinked, confused and overwhelmed. "Why help me...?"

Dante’s expression remained heavy, but his tone softened ever so slightly.

"Once you enter the base, inform Ivy... the representative, about your power. She’ll understand your value and arrange a proper job for you. Surviving is your top priority. You’re important. Don’t forget that."

Bella had felt her throat tighten with emotion. "You... you’re not using me?"

Dante met her gaze steadily.

"If I wanted to, I could have. I could’ve controlled you, exposed your ability, or forced you to work under me. But I didn’t. I’m sending you away because I know how dangerous the military has become."

Talia nodded, standing protectively near Bella.

Then Dante continued,

"Once you enter the SiIvy base, do not tell anyone else about your power. Otherwise, people will panic, and someone might accuse you of being linked to the zombie virus."

Bella understood immediately. If people knew she could influence zombies or make them listen, many would assume she was the cause of the outbreak itself.

Only a few would believe it was simply a power she had gained.

She clenched the letter tightly now, staring at the SiIvy base ahead of her.

’I just have to survive... and I hope Miss Ivy will understand.’

With a deep breath, she began walking forward.

................................

Bella finally shook herself out of her daze and handed the letter directly to the guard.

The man took one glance at it, his brows pulling together sharply before he jerked the paper closer, eyes narrowing at the content.

The moment he finished reading, he paused, looked up at her, and gestured toward a plastic chair beside the booth.

"Sit down for a moment. I need to confirm something. It won’t take more than two minutes."

Bella stared at him, stunned by the sudden shift in tone.

’Why... special treatment? Why me?’

Until now, she had watched how everyone else in the line was handled.

People were constantly being herded forward to receive their rationed food or to buy whatever they could afford... usually nothing more than a handful of stale biscuits or a cup of weak broth.

Those who couldn’t afford anything at all were given small freebies, barely enough to satisfy hunger but enough to keep them from collapsing on the spot.

Each time someone approached the reception desk, the same routine occurred: a barrage of questions, suspicion-filled scrutiny, and long waiting periods.

The interrogations lasted so long that five different receptionists had been stationed there just to prevent the crowd from turning into a stampede.

Even then, the line stretched so far back that people had begun arguing and shoving each other just to secure a place.

Bella had already accepted that she would have to endure the same process... hours of questioning, judgmental stares, fear of being turned away.

But instead, she was asked to sit.

She waited quietly, hands resting on her knees, feeling dozens of restless bodies shifting in the crowded space around her.

Sweat and dust mixed in the hot air, sticking uncomfortably to her skin.

As she looked around absently, her eyes suddenly met those of a girl standing far away from the line.

The girl had pale black hair that hung neatly down her back, and she stood with three others: a middle-aged man, a woman, and a young man.

The moment their gazes clashed, the girl’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if evaluating her... or targeting her.

A cold shiver crawled down Bella’s spine.

’Why is she looking at me like that...? It feels wrong... dangerous.’

She forcibly looked away, fixing her gaze on her clasped fingers.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed over her.

Bella jerked her head up and froze.

The same black-haired girl stood right in front of her, now wearing a sweet, almost saccharine smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

"Are you here to enter the base?" the girl asked gently.

Bella nodded, unsure why the girl had approached her at all. Her body stiffened instinctively.

The black-haired girl smiled wider.

"My name is Hannah. I used to live here. But... I offended someone I shouldn’t have, and they kicked me out. Now I have no choice but to camp outside. I’m hoping to meet the representative and explain everything. She’s very kind; everyone knows that. If someone gives me just one chance to enter, I’ll be eternally grateful. I can even pay their rent in the future, truly."

Bella nodded again, saying nothing.

’Why is she telling me all this? Why does it feel rehearsed?’

Hannah’s smile twitched when she saw Bella remain silent.

Her fingers curled tightly, knuckles whitening before she forced her expression back into sweetness.

"Aren’t you going to say anything?" Hannah asked, her voice dipped in false warmth.

Bella hesitated, then responded softly, "Your situation... is indeed very difficult."

Hannah nearly choked on her own fury.

’Difficult? Difficult?! Why didn’t she follow the script?! She’s supposed to offer to help me in! Why is this idiot not playing along?!’

Her nails dug into her palms, but she kept her face pitiful.

"As long as you can help me get inside, I... "

Bella lifted her hand immediately, stopping her.

"I can’t," Bella said gently but firmly. "I’m only entering because someone helped me. If I take risks for someone else... who knows what trouble I might cause? I really can’t."

Hannah froze. She stared at Bella, disbelief twisting her expression before she let out a dramatic sob.

"I only need a little help! Can’t you help me even a little? I’m so helpless right now... Someone kind needs to pull me out of this horrible situation."

Her pitiful cries stirred the crowd. A middle-aged man standing behind Bella, pot-bellied, tall, and carrying the air of someone who loved drama, looked moved.

"I can help you," he announced with righteous pride.

Hannah turned toward him but shook her head slowly, pretending sorrow.