Emma was particularly pleased with their performance while going down the ladder. Despite the chaos and danger, none of them had panicked or screamed, demonstrating a level of intelligence and bravery that impressed her. The man in the group, who seemed to be the leader, spoke up on behalf of the group. "What do we do in your territory?" he asked.
Emma glanced back at the man through the rearview mirror, seeing how calm and confident he was. It was clear why they had chosen him as their leader—he seemed like a natural leader, especially in such uncertain times. She estimated he was around forty years old, an extreme contrast to the younger members of the group. He seemed mature and stable, traits that were important in a chaotic world.
"In my territory, you'll need to work for points," Emma explained. "Tasks include planting food, tending to animals, constructing buildings, and various other duties essential for survival." Before the man could respond, another member of the group, a young boy, piped up with his question. "Is there a job where you use computers?" he asked eagerly.
Emma pondered for a moment before posing her question. "Why? What was your previous job?" she asked, curious about the boy's background.
The boy's eyes lit up with pride as he straightened in his seat. "I worked in the HR office," he announced confidently.
Emma couldn't help but chuckle at the unexpected response. She had expected a more technical profession, perhaps a scientist or engineer—individuals she had thought about recruiting to build her team of specialists. Instead, she found herself faced with the reality of the boy's previous occupation. "Then no," she replied simply, her tone laced with amusement.
As she changed onto a straight stretch of road, Emma glanced back at the survivors for a brief moment. "The world is different now," she stated firmly, her gaze sweeping over each of them. "You're either a top brain contributor, or you do strength work. I don't need anyone starting a company for me—yet."
The weight of her words settled over the survivors, casting a deep quietness over the remainder of the journey.
As the RV rolled into her territory, the gate's sensors activated, alerting everyone of Emma's presence. "Owner Sensed, door opening, stay aware," the automated voice announced, prompting the gate to swing open.
The sound of the gate caught the attention of the Kranks, who emerged from their tasks. Lily, ever eager, dashed out from the backyard with her arms outstretched, wanting a hug from Emma. However, Emma halted her in her tracks. "Not this time, Lily," she cautioned, her voice tinged with a bit of tiredness. Her clothes bore stains of blood from the encounter with the zombies, and she was hesitant to make contact with anyone.
Lily, noticing the unusual hesitation in Emma's actions, sniffed the air, detecting the distinct scent of blood. Sensing Emma's discomfort, she lowered her arms and offered an understanding smile. "Okay," she said, accepting Emma's decision without protest.
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Emma removed her gloves, the material slipping off her fingers with a soft rustle, and affectionately ruffled Lily's hair. It was a silent gesture of warmth and fondness toward the young girl.
As Lily beamed up at her, Mr. Krank and Mrs. Krank emerged from the backyard, their faces lighting up with smiles at the sight of Emma. They exchanged small talks and caught up briefly before Mr. Krank's curiosity got the better of him. "Who are these people, Ms. Lin?" he asked, gesturing toward the group coming down from the RV.
Emma turned her attention to the newcomers, studying them for a moment before beckoning them forward with a wave of her hand. "They'll be staying here for three days to try out the territory," she explained, her tone matter-of-fact. With practiced ease, she withdrew ten cards from her pocket, each bearing the word "visitor" atop with a corresponding twenty-five points displayed on the screen.
Distributing the cards among the newcomers, Emma's gaze settled on the girl with the wood power, who had regained consciousness and stood among the group. She offered the girl a warm smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Good job today," she commented, her voice laced with genuine praise. "After these three days, I want you to consider joining my fighting team."
The girl's eyes widened in astonishment and gratitude, her cheeks flushing with a rosy hue. Overwhelmed with emotion, she glanced down momentarily before managing a shy but grateful response. "Okay, thank you," she murmured, her voice filled with sincerity.
In the background, Mrs. Krank shook her head with a knowing smile as she observed the scene unfolding before her. "Mrs. Lin capturing hearts again with her smile," she remarked with a playful tone. "If I were younger, I'd marry her."
Mr. Krank raised an eyebrow in amusement. "What do you mean by that, honey?" he teased, his voice laced with amusement. The couple exchanged playful banter, their affection for each other evident, ending in Mr. Krank planting a tender kiss on Mrs. Krank's lips. Lily giggled by the side, thoroughly entertained by her parents' antics.
Meanwhile, the survivors watched on, their expressions a mix of awe and longing. It had been a long time since they had witnessed such genuine happiness. Since their escape to the rooftop, their lives had been consumed by worry and fear—about food, about the zombies lurking outside, about the uncertain future. The simple sight of Emma and the Kranks' joyous interaction reminded them of a time long before the apocalypse.
After entrusting the Kranks with the newcomers, Emma drove back to her forest, the moon casting a serene glow overhead. Upon arriving, she left the RV to autonomously clean and recharge while she sank in a well-deserved soak in the tub, easing the tension from her body. As she relaxed, Emma reflected on the day's events—the successful rescue operation and the elimination of approximately five hundred zombies; she was halfway through her mission.
As Emma thought about the flaws in her battle strategy today and how to fix her strategies for future battles, she realized the importance of having a reliable teammate by her side. Fighting solo was effective, but having someone to watch her back would make things considerably easier, and it would allow her to keep her powers hidden. Despite the betrayals she had gone through in her past life, Emma remained optimistic about her current situation. She firmly believed that by handpicking her team members, she could make sure they were one hundred percent loyal to her.