"Looking at those bulging backpacks, tonight's harvest must have been legendary." Lawson leaned against the workshop door, arms crossed.
"It's because Sister Katie and Brother George gave all the materials to us..." Emma explained softly, her voice brimming with gratitude.
"I feel like we don't deserve this. I don't even know how to repay them," Valerie added, looking fidgety.
"Then use those resources to become stronger, Emma, Valerie," Lawson said earnestly.
"In this world, making yourself powerful is the greatest service you can do for your comrades."
"I want to... get stronger too." Phyllis's voice was barely a whisper.
Her slender index finger unconsciously rubbed against the side of her thigh. Her gaze drifted past the crowd, landing quietly on George.
Her eyes were complex, a dark mirror of inner turmoil—a churning sea of rage and agonizing pain, strangely interlaced with a sliver of pitying tenderness.
It was a gaze that carried the weight of a history no one else knew.
George's sharp senses caught that gaze—and that familiar, nervous habit. His heart felt like it had been struck by a buried memory. His brow furrowed as waves of shock crashed through his mind.
That look... that movement? Could it be... No, impossible!
He instinctively turned his head away, beginning to re-evaluate this shadow-shrouded girl.
Just then, Emma's soft hands rested on the shoulders of Valerie and Phyllis, her bright laughter shattering the heavy silence.
"Alright! Then let's the three of us get stronger together!" Emma's voice was full of energy.
"To stand side-by-side! So that next time, we won't need someone else to protect us!"
"Since we're doing this, why don't we ask Sister Katie to be our Master?"
Emma suggested, dragging the other two toward Katie.
"This... this is so sudden!" Katie waved her hands in a panic.
"I have to help Lawson manage the workshop; he can't handle it alone... I'm afraid I won't have time to guide you."
"That's fine! We can help out at the workshop too! Right, Valerie? Phyllis?"
"No problem at all! Please take me as your disciple, Master!" Valerie responded without a second thought.
She had been completely captivated by Katie's butterfly-like combat style.
"I... I..." Phyllis hesitated, her finger scratching her thigh again.
Her voice was thin as silk. "I need to consider it..."
"Girls, the workshop isn't the place to get strong," Lawson interjected. "There's only cold machinery and a 'crafting geezer' like me here.
If you want to grow, follow Katie to the front lines. Learn survival in the heat of battle. My job is just to make sure your armor is top-notch."
Those words acted like a key, unlocking Phyllis's heart. "I've decided! I want to fight! Sister Katie, please take me as your disciple!"
Facing three pairs of burning, expectant eyes, Katie fell silent. "I'm sorry... please give me the night to think about it. I'll give you an answer tomorrow. I'm... a bit tired."
As Katie fled toward the depths of the base, Lawson watched her go with a complex expression.
Katie, where is the home you truly desire?
"I want to follow Master and train too! Please, whip me into shape with the harshest discipline possible, Master!!"
Luther suddenly lunged toward Dodge, bending into a perfect 90-degree bow.
"Whoa! There's really no need for the constant bowing!" Dodge scrambled to pull Luther upright.
"Doesn't your back hurt from being bent like a piece of sheet metal?"
Lawson strolled over. "Mr. Luther, even though Dodge looks unreliable, his combat instincts are first-rate. You'll definitely learn how to survive by following him. However, you must learn to filter out the 'junk knowledge' he'll try to feed you."
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Dodge jumped. "I teach survival wisdom! It's all high-quality 'dry goods' for growth!"
"Look at you, you're practically sweating guilt," Lawson snorted.
As the three were chatting, Victor slapped his forehead.
"I almost forgot! Miss Ester! She's still passed out back there!"
Lawson bolted back to the lobby.
A crowd had gathered around the unconscious Ester.
She remained in a deep, unresponsive slumber.
"Out of the way! Let me handle this!" Lawson pushed through with supreme confidence. "Guaranteed cure. Works instantly!"
"What are you doing?" The crowd watched in confusion as Lawson slowly untied his laces and pulled off his socks.
Everyone's face twisted in horror. "Mr. Lawson, why are you taking off your socks?!"
"This unique 'fragrance' is the key to awakening the soul!"
A lethal, pungent "aroma" began to spread like a toxic mist. Ester's nostrils twitched weakly.
Then, she instinctively took a deep breath.
The next second, a miracle occurred!
Ester shot up from the ground like she was spring-loaded!
Her eyes flew open, locking onto Lawson, who was still waving the "Biochemical Weapon" in his hand.
"See? I told you it would work!" Lawson stood with hands on his hips.
"I can't believe... Brother Lawson actually made me..." Ester's head was lowered, her killing intent radiating in waves.
"...SMELL THAT DISGUSTING THING!! GO TO HELL!!"
Before Lawson could react, Ester blurred like a streak of lightning.
She snatched the socks and shoved the "Super Weapon" directly into Lawson's half-open mouth!
"Mmph... MPHHH!!"
Lawson let out a desperate muffled groan, his face turning a deep shade of purple as he struggled to spit out the socks.
The crowd stopped fleeing to watch the show, with someone even letting out a mock whistle.
Emma, Valerie, and Phyllis walked side-by-side toward the Living Quarters.
"I'm covered in sweat; it's so sticky..." Emma yawned, muttering listlessly.
"I just want to dive into a hot shower and fuse with my bed."
"Yeah, my clothes are soaked through." Valerie looked down at her white shirt, the fabric clinging to her skin.
"Sister Valerie, you look totally scandalous right now. That silhouette is super sexy," Emma teased with a mischievous grin.
"Stop making fun of me! It's embarrassing..." Valerie's face flushed crimson, and she hurriedly crossed her arms over her chest.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop." Emma turned to the silent girl beside them.
"Phyllis, I always see you in that school uniform. Don't you have any other clothes to change into?"
"I don't have anything I specifically like..." Phyllis replied softly. "The uniform is easy. Wash it, dry it, wear it."
"That won't do! Let your Big Sister Emma pick out some cute outfits for you. Quick, send me your room invite code."
"No thanks... I like the uniform..."
"Such a stubborn little sister. Fine, I won't force you." Emma shrugged helplessly. "We're here! Our sanctuary!"
The hatch slid open silently, revealing a bright, spacious corridor.
Unlike the rest of the base, the lighting here was warm and soft, and the air carried a calming scent of cedar.
The moment Emma stepped inside her room, her combat-drained spirit was miraculously revived.
The smart sensors flickered on, filling the room with a cozy glow. The decor ditched the cold metal aesthetic for warm-toned walls and smooth wooden floors.
This was a masterclass in automated comfort:
[Smart Cleaning System]: Toss dirty laundry into a recovery hatch, and it's automatically washed, dried, and folded.
[Smart Dressing System]: Browse fashions on a holographic screen. Select an outfit, and data streams materialize it into a physical garment on a hanger.
[Voice-Controlled Bathing]: Voice commands define water temperature and spray patterns for a hands-free soak.
[The "Laziness" Power Grid]: Universal charging ports reachable from every corner of the plush bed.
[High-Security Lockdown]: Once locked, the room becomes an impenetrable fortress.
"This is heaven..." Emma sighed in bliss, heading for the bathroom.