Zombie Apocalypse: I Have Safe Zone Superpower Chapter 166: Interview

She didn’t let her surprise show. Instead, she asked calmly, "How many zombies can you kill in an hour, on average?"

Lucas shifted uncomfortably. "Thirty. Sotis more. Depends... depends on the situation."

Ivy leaned forward. "Any criminal record?"

"No," Lucas answered quickly. "Never."

She studied him again, noting the way his shoulders slumped, the tired look in his eyes, the way he seed almost afraid she would reject him.

"What do you want from this base, Lucas?" she asked softly.

He hesitated for a long mont, then finally whispered, "A chance to survive. A place to belong. I don’t... I don’t want to wander anymore."

"So why not join the military base instead?"

Ivy looked at Lucas without blinking. "So why not join the military base instead?" she asked flatly. Her voice carried no sweetness. She wasn’t here to comfort anyone. She only wanted the truth.

Lucas’s eyes widened like he didn’t expect her to say that. He swallowed hard, then shook his head.

"The military base is strong, sure... but it’s not really a place to live. The food there is too limited. They give us rice, sotis at, but even then, it’s rationed. You can’t buy more, no matter how much you earn. I have killed a lot of zombies, saved up crystals, but I still had to starve. I couldn’t take it anymore."

Ivy tapped her fingers lightly against the desk, thinking.

’So he isn’t just running away. He has a reason. Hunger... that’s sothing many can’t handle.’ She leaned forward, her gaze steady.

"So you think this base is better because you can eat as much as you want?"

Lucas gave a small nod. "Yes. That’s part of it. But also... I want to belong sowhere that feels human. Sowhere, I don’t feel like just a weapon."

For a brief second, Ivy almost felt sorry for him, but she hid it quickly. She just nodded and wrote sothing down. "We’ll see if you fit here. Next."

........

The next candidate was a tall woman with short black hair. She walked in with a confident stride.

"Na?" Ivy asked.

"Clara," the woman said. "Earth-type ability."

"How many zombies can you kill in an hour?"

"Ten. Sotis more if I’m in a group."

"Any record of cris?"

Clara shook her head. "None."

Ivy studied her carefully. "Why not stay with the military? Why risk moving here?"

Clara smirked a little. "Because in the military, they treat us like dogs. We do the work, and they throw scraps at us. I heard here we can buy what we want as long as we follow the rules."

Ivy narrowed her eyes. "And what do you want to buy?"

Clara hesitated, then shrugged. "Food. A bed. Maybe clothes. I don’t need much."

’She’s hiding sothing. She answered too fast and then tried to cover it up,’ Ivy thought. She tapped the table. "Clara, are you sure you have no record? No theft, no fights?"

Clara’s eyes flickered. "I... I might have stolen food before. But only because they wouldn’t give enough. I’m not dangerous."

Ivy didn’t let her expression change. "I see." She made another note. "We’ll check your background. If you lie, you’ll regret it. Next."

Even though she said so, Ivy had already crossed out the person. Such person might beco a citizen and Ivy will have no problem but if they end up becoming the defense line of her base, who knows what type of stunt they might pull out.

........

The third candidate was a thin man who looked nervous before he even sat down. His hands shook a little.

"Na?" Ivy asked.

"R-Ryan. Fire-type."

"How many zombies per hour?"

"Uh... eight? Maybe ten if I push myself."

"Any cris?"

Ryan bit his lip. "No... well... I once got into a fight. But no serious cris."

Ivy tilted her head. "Why do you want to join my base?"

Ryan sighed and said in a wistful tone, "Others think my superpower is way too inferior. Though I want to train and beco powerful, they won’t give a chance to practice beside them."

For a mont, Ivy stayed quiet. She could see how nervous he was. His eyes darted like a rabbit ready to bolt. ’This one is weak, but maybe honest. At least he isn’t pretending to be great.’ She finally nodded. "We’ll test your ability later. If you’re telling the truth, you might stay."

Ryan’s shoulders slumped with relief.

One by one, more candidates ca. So were proud, so were desperate, and so were clearly lying. Ivy sat there through each one, her eyes sharp and her voice calm.

Another man, burly with scars across his arms, sat down.

"Na?"

"Derek. Strength-type."

"How many zombies?"

"Thirty."

"Criminal record?"

He grinned. "Only if you call breaking bones a cri."

Ivy’s eyes narrowed. "Explain."

Derek leaned back, smirking. "Sotis I get in fights. People say I’m too rough. But I get the job done."

’Arrogant. Dangerous. Might cause trouble inside,’ Ivy thought coldly. She shook her head. "We don’t need people who can’t follow rules. Leave."

Derek scowled. "You’ll regret turning away."

Ivy didn’t flinch. "Next." Edward, who had co to assist, quickly escorted him out.

After him ca a young girl, probably no older than seventeen. She looked thin, like she hadn’t eaten well in weeks.

"Na?" Ivy asked.

"Lila."

"Ability?"

"Wind-type. I can move fast. I can distract zombies."

"How many can you kill in an hour?"

Her voice was small. "Five. Maybe six. But I can scout. I can help teams avoid danger."

Ivy studied her. "Criminal record?"

The girl shook her head quickly. "No. Never."

"And why do you want to join here?"

Lila’s eyes watered. "Because outside, I’ll die. In the military, they didn’t take seriously. I just want to live sowhere safe."

For a long mont, Ivy stayed quiet. ’She’s weak and is unfit to beco a soldier, considering she is seeking to find a safe place.’

Yet she asked, "If you are considering staying in a safe place, why opt for this base? And why did you even think of applying for a soliders position."