Chapter 28: Hazel

Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Hazel ’This is exactly as described in the novel... but the time on what’s happening is not correct’ Betty’s grip on Sophia’s hand tightened instinctively. "So," she asked casually, masking her tension, "how many survivors here have powers?" The soldier nodded, continuing to lead them while speaking. "There are around 179 powered survivors in this base. Among them, Miss Hazel is the strongest—she can kill zombies like they’re nothing." His eyes shone with admiration as he spoke her name. Betty’s brows furrowed slightly. ’Hazel... Hazel... where have I heard that name? I’m sure she appeared somewhere around mid-volume in the novel...’ The soldier finally stopped in front of a tall building and pointed toward one of the upper apartments. "That’s the room you’ll be staying in. It’s larger than the others since you have your daughter with you. I suggest that after settling in, you head to the registration office to officially log your presence in this base." Betty nodded politely to the soldier and entered the apartment. The moment she opened the door, she blinked in surprise. Sophia immediately dashed inside, exploring every corner with excitement. "Didn’t he say this was a large apartment? What kind of room do single people get if this is considered big? This is even smaller than my previous one," Betty muttered, stepping in. She sat on the double bed that took up nearly half the room. Though the bed wasn’t huge, it dominated the cramped space easily. ’Oh, I remember now... wasn’t Hazel portrayed as a mysterious figure? And Noah hated her more than anyone. Even by the end of the last volume, she was barely mentioned...’ "Careful, Sophia. Don’t jump around in such a small space," Betty scolded lightly, shaking her head as Sophia hopped around the cramped apartment. "Okie dokie" "Knock, knock." Betty’s gaze shifted to the white wooden door as the knocking continued. "Huh? Who could that be? I don’t know anyone here... tch probably another checking" When she opened the door, a woman in a military uniform stood there with a clipboard in hand. The woman froze slightly, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks as her eyes lingered on Betty, who was now leaning against the doorframe with her hands crossed. ’Gulp... whoa, when did such a handsome guy appear in the base?’ Betty tilted her head in confusion, noticing the lady’s eyes wandering everywhere except meeting her own. "Hello...?" Betty waved her hand in front of the woman’s face. "Are you there?" ’What’s with her’ The lady snapped out of her daze, the faint pink tint still lingering on her cheeks. "H hello, sir. I’m here for the initial registration. Can you tell me your age, name, and if you have any symptoms?" Betty rubbed her temples, straightening her posture. "Didn’t the soldier say I have to go myself for registration?" The woman nodded quickly, hiding half her face behind the clipboard. "Yes, but I only need to confirm some standard questions." Betty sighed. "Ask." "Age?" "Twenty." "Name?" "Bennett." "Any symptoms... or scratch marks?" "Nope." After some more basic questions, the officer put the clipboard between her Arms. "Thanks for answering..." The officer hesitated, then added shyly, "By the way, my name is Claire. If you need anything, you can tell me anytime." She extended her hand for a handshake. Betty nodded and shook her hand firmly. Claire’s eyes widened as she noticed the little girl peeking curiously from behind Betty’s legs. "Ah... who is this, Sir Bennett?" Betty glanced down to see Sophia scanning Claire up and down with wide, wary eyes. "Sophia, go play." Sophia pouted but obeyed, grumbling under her breath as she walked back. Turning back to Claire, Betty cleared her throat. "Ahem, she’s my daughter." Claire’s expression dimmed slightly upon hearing that, but she nodded politely. "Oh... okay. Please make sure to register officially at the government office within one day." Betty gave a brief nod. Claire turned to leave, but as she walked away, she muttered under her breath with a tiny pout, "Tch, he’s handsome, but he’s already taken. Why does God hate me so much..." Halfway down the hall, she froze. Her stiff body turned slightly as her thoughts caught up with her. ’Wait a damn hella minute... he said he’s twenty... and that little girl looks about five or six...’ Claire’s face went pale as a shiver ran down her spine. ’Don’t tell me... what I’m thinking is true?!’ Without daring to look back at the closed door, she quickly sped up her pace, disappearing down the corridor. Lying back on the bed, Betty stared blankly out the window at the dark grey sky. ’What was with that lady? Staring at me like I’m some animal in a zoo. Hmph. I miss my old life—just messing around, enjoying myself, scamming scammers for money, tch.’ She closed her eyes, a sly grin curling on her lips as memories of her thug life resurfaced. ’Hehe, I hope Cassie got out of that misery quickly.’ Slowly, her mind drifted into sleep. --- When her eyes opened again, a faint smile touched her mouth as she saw Sophia asleep, using her body as a pillow. "Yawn..." Betty gently scooped her daughter into her arms, laid her on the bed, and tucked her under the quilt. After placing a soft kiss on Sophia’s forehead, she stood up and walked outside the apartment. --- "Master, can you come to the pavilion now? You just have to think about it to enter—you don’t even have to touch the mark anymore, please." Calista’s desperate voice stopped Betty mid-step on the stairs. Her lips twitched at the bird’s tone. ’Why is she so desperate for me to go there?’ "Why don’t I have to touch the mark anymore?" Betty asked, continuing down the stairs. "B-because now the space is at Level Two, and I also have good news for you," Calista stammered. Betty raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Yeah, yeah, same thing you said when you hyped up that useless pavilion... wait, did you say level? Since when did this become a gaming system? Why didn’t you say before that the space has levels?" Silence. Betty’s eyes twitched at the lack of response. "Okay, okay, tell me the good news—you’ve got me curious now." "Hehe, this great phoenix will tell you now..." Betty clenched her fists, taking a deep breath. ’Why is she wasting my time? Suddenly going from meek to proud—what a dodo bird.’ "Ahem, the good news is that you can now enter with your clothes on. Your body is fully cleansed, and because it needed purification before, that’s why you had to wear the space’s clothes previously." Betty’s eyes lit up. ’Really? That’s actually good news. But what’s the connection between cleansing and clothes? Hmph, I still firmly believe it’s the ancient phoenix’s strange fetish.’ "Hehe, I knew you would like it." Calista proudly stated. Thinking about the pavilion, Betty’s body vanished—this time, leaving no trace behind. --- On the floor beneath the stairs, a woman stood silently, staring at the spot where Betty had disappeared. Her white hooded coat concealed most of her face, leaving only the curve of a mysterious smile visible. "Hehe... interesting, interesting... a new type of power," she murmured to herself. "Miss Hazel." The smile instantly faded at the sound of her name. Turning her head slightly, she saw another woman descending the stairs, eyes filled with curiosity. "Nothing," Hazel replied coldly, her tone leaving no room for questions. "Let’s go." --- "So, what do you want from me now?" Betty crossed her arms and glared at Calista, her stance firm with one hand on her hip. Calista grinned and fluttered toward the bookshelf, wings beating with excitement. "Come, come, read this book! I promise it will make you strong." Betty’s expression darkened; her eyes narrowed at the book as if it were her sworn enemy. "Y-you want me to read books? Nah... reading will only make me weak." Calista’s grin froze before sliding right off her face. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN—huff, huff... calm down, calm down." Betty flinched at her sudden scream, instinctively dropping into a random karate stance that didn’t even exist. "What do you want from me? I was a backbencher in school! I hate books— unless they’re novels." Calista nearly fell, her eyes twitching. "This is not a textbook; this is a way to gain strength. I promise it will be cooler than those superpowers you desire." Calista’s face was full of hope as she just wanted her to read somehow. Betty blinked, then stood straight, coughing. "Why didn’t you say this before, dodo bird?" Hearing the dodo bird, Calista frowned. "What is this dodo bird?" Ignoring this particular question, Betty walked near a random book and picked it up. The book was an ancient type attached with a rope. Opening the book, Betty started reading. She had only read one page and closed it, looking at Calista disdainfully. "Are you joking with me right now, for this did you call me inside."