Chapter Sixty-Five: Seeking Help

“Scavenger Squad?” Hearing the man's words, Faeron narrowed his eyes, recalling carefully before his expression shifted to one of sudden realization.

“Oh… so it’s you…”

The man standing before Faeron was none other than the wounded captain of the Scavenger Squad whom Faeron had rescued from the energy leeches in the subway tunnel. Back then, he’d seemed spirited enough, but now he looked no different from a dried-out salted fish.

“You look terrible. You must have run into something troublesome. How pitiful…”

Despite this, Faeron’s smile remained unchanged, his eyes narrowed as he regarded Tyke with a cheerful gaze. Tyke, however, had no mood for banter. On the contrary, upon seeing Faeron, he clung desperately to Faeron’s hand as if grasping a lifeline, his anxious eyes fixed on him.

“Please help us, Doctor! We’re in big trouble!”

Through Tyke’s halting account, Faeron finally understood how this unfortunate soul had come to his current plight—after Faeron rescued the members of the Scavenger Squad, they returned to their settlement. Though casualties were heavy, the squad’s core had survived. Tyke and the others were confident that, with some rest, they could regain their strength. Unfortunately, the world seldom unfolds as one wishes.

The electromagnetic storm that swept across the wasteland did not spare their small settlement, but fortunately, it only grazed it, allowing them to survive. Yet, soon after the storm dissipated, a fully armed, powerful military force appeared at their doorstep—equipped not only with advanced weaponry but also with tanks and other heavy machinery. Such a force was far beyond anything the small settlement could resist. Though unhappy, they ultimately bowed to intimidation.

This was the fate of settlements like theirs. With network energy restrictions, the major powers could no longer expand as they did before the disaster, but that didn’t mean they would spare the small settlements. Soon enough, most inhabitants of the Scavenger Squad’s settlement were rounded up and taken away. This was their inevitable destiny: either grow strong enough to become a power, or be devoured by one. Their fate, it seemed, was the latter.

Tyke was deeply dissatisfied with their treatment, but there was little he could do. In the apocalypse, no one cared about human rights. Battle-hardened veterans like Tyke were typically conscripted into the army, while others were assigned according to their skills, whether as slaves or technicians. Tyke had expected this, but when they were transported to a larger settlement in the rear, things turned out quite differently from what he imagined.

“They didn’t put us to hard labor. Instead, those damned bastards separated us based on our physical condition, and every day they took some people away. I don’t know where they took them, but none of those people ever came back… Everyone started to feel uneasy… Their actions are too strange, and we suspect those taken away are being killed. In this situation, emotions ran high, and eventually… some among us tried to resist and escape, but they were all gunned down…”

The fate of the rebels shocked Tyke, and he grew increasingly suspicious that the group’s motives were not simply to collect slaves. What’s more, as time passed, Tyke noticed more and more people arriving at this temporary settlement—slaves brought from other small settlements. Like them, these newcomers were examined and separated, and periodically some were taken away, never to return.

Growing increasingly uneasy, Tyke finally decided to act. He resolved to take a desperate risk and discover what these mysterious figures were really up to. On a moonless, windy night, Tyke seized a moment when the sentries were dozing, escaped the surveillance zone, and followed his recollections to the place where those taken away were kept.

What he saw next filled him with horror and dread.

“They were all killed, their brains removed and soaked in formalin. I don’t know what these mad demons are planning, but from what I overheard, it seems they’re trying to create some kind of ability users… I don’t really understand, but I know one thing: if this continues, death is the only path left for us. So I risked everything to escape, hoping to get far away from these damned monsters…”

“How fascinating…”

Hearing Tyke’s story, Faeron narrowed his eyes, pondering with evident interest before turning once more to the man before him.

“So? Judging by your current state, I’d say you got your wish. What is it you need help with now?”

“Well, Doctor…”

Faced with Faeron’s inquiry, Tyke hesitated, lowering his head in thought for a moment before gritting his teeth and looking up.

“I hope you can help me rescue my men, and Beth and the others. I’m too weak alone, and those bastards are far too powerful—I can’t possibly succeed on my own. But if you’re willing to help us…”

Before Tyke could finish, Faeron interrupted him.

“And what about payment?”

“Huh?”

Tyke was taken aback by Faeron’s question, then his expression darkened.

“You mean…”

“It’s simple. If you have something worthwhile, bring it out and let’s discuss. If I’m satisfied, I’ll help. If not, I’m sorry…”

As he spoke, Faeron shrugged.

“Sorry, my principle is to do one good deed a day, and today’s quota is already filled. If you want to negotiate, you’ll have to use the proper channels.”

Tyke could only remain silent at Faeron’s reply. He knew full well that someone of the Doctor’s caliber wouldn’t act at others’ behest for nothing. It was only because Faeron hadn’t demanded payment when he rescued them before that Tyke harbored such unrealistic hopes—but now it was clear that this was mere wishful thinking. Faeron was eccentric, not foolish.

Thus, the matter was settled. The attack by the familiars on Apricot Village had merely been to search for food for Tyke. Now that the “culprit” was here, the familiars no longer had any reason to trouble the humans. Faeron brought Tyke back to Apricot Village, handing him over to the old village chief—after all, Tyke was a seasoned soldier, which was valuable for a small settlement like Apricot Village. After hearing Faeron’s account, the old chief agreed to take Tyke in.

Once all was finished, Faeron politely declined the chief’s offer to stay the night, and instead returned to the Harmony with the three sisters and Derlin.

For he had a simple reason: it was time to awaken his second familiar.