Elara’s POV
I’d have to head out again.
I had a little money now, but it would only buy a few Feral Cores. Hunting them myself was way more rewarding. Now that I understood Feral Cores boosted aqua power, I could take my ti—I’d concentrate on my wood power for now.
My power screen displayed both wood power and aqua power capped at Level 15. The experience needed shot up dramatically at higher levels. It seed like only 15 levels, but the journey ahead would be grueling.
I rolled my eyes when I saw that ridiculously long experience bar. This was insane.
Level 6 marked a major milestone. Even draining every guy in the facility wouldn’t max out.
Thinking about the n in the wards, I grinned. I’d survived thanks to the weapons my husbands had provided—and naturally, my own skills didn’t hurt either.
I’d been knocked out for days, so I decided to cook them sothing special.
I dug up loads of potatoes, then gathered tomatoes and strawberries.
I was sick of the sa als anyway. I’d hit the shops this afternoon to get so fresh air.
When I entered the kitchen, Alistair was already there cooking.
He dropped the raw at the mont he spotted and said anxiously, "What are you doing up? Your injuries just healed. You need more rest."
Right then, a blue bubble popped from the soup in the clay pot.
Alistair hung his head in defeat.
"So you’ve been cooking this whole ti I was unconscious?" I asked.
Alistair nodded.
"And this is what you’ve all been surviving on?" I pressed.
Blue soup, blackened at, bizarrely colored fish that was painful to even look at...
Alistair nodded again.
Honestly, I couldn’t decide whether to feel moved or crack up laughing.
After a long pause, Alistair muttered, "Am I really this hopeless?"
"No, it’s okay. At least everything’s cooked," I smiled.
Alistair went quiet.
I grabbed an apron and tossed all the disaster food. Just as Alistair was about to spiral into sha, I cupped his face. The snake froze, his eyes instantly morphing into hearts.
Their senses were connected. Even though I was touching the robot’s face, he experienced every sensation.
I laughed at his ridiculous expression and said gently, "I’ll show you how."
I had a warm, soothing voice that lted Alistair’ defenses.
I smile at him, my hands still framing his face.
Without hesitation, Alistair reached up and covered my hands with his. He nodded, swallowing his thundering heartbeat, and answered roughly, "Alright."
"Alistair?"
"Yeah?"
"When I touch the robot, do you feel it too?"
Alistair went silent.
Was he allowed to confess that?
I rose on my toes and kissed his lips briefly. Before Alistair could react, I was already at the counter slicing vegetables.
"It’s a thank-you," I said while chopping.
For looking after all those days.
——
Alistair was completely overwheld by Elara’s tenderness. His heart hamred, his thoughts scattered.
Had she actually just kissed him?
The robot’s eyes flashed erratically, then short-circuited and rebooted.
Back in Chamber Five, Alistair fought to stay upright, gripping his chest, his face blazing red. The composure he’d maintained crumbled entirely.
The control panel announced again, "Chamber Five, Alistair: Spirit collapse level reduced by 5 points. Current spirit collapse level: 63."
Everything exploded into mayhem.
Ignoring the loud shouting from the other four, Silas’s icy voice sliced through first. "Commander Alistair, what did you do?"
His asured tone leaked murderous intent. Red flas flared around his fra.
Silas understood that touch lowered their spirit collapse levels—but regular contact only worked once; to reduce it again, they’d need much deeper intimacy. Previously, it had dropped by 3 points, which could be simple contact. But today, it fell by 5 points.
Did he need to spell out what that ant?
Finnian’s voice followed imdiately. "Care to elaborate?"
They all knew Alistair’ ability was infiltration. What had he been pulling?
Only Silas and Alistair knew Elara had been hurt. That’s why Silas was livid—furious he hadn’t been the one caring for her, furious Alistair had taken advantage while she was vulnerable.
It was all Alistair’ doing.
"Stay calm. She didn’t do anything. She just brushed against accidentally," Alistair said.
"Accidentally?" Silas’s voice turned razor-sharp. "What kind of accident? Where did she touch you?"
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