The dark green vines retracted back to Han Ning's side, dissolving into specks of green light that vanished into the air.
"I mean no harm," Han Ning said. "I just hope you'll seriously consider my request."
Zou Yu gasped for breath, his back drenched in cold sweat.
For that brief moment, he had felt death looming over him.
He had no doubt that if Han Ning had willed it, he would already be a corpse.
Swallowing hard, he forced himself to calm down.
"I... we need to discuss this internally."
"Fine," Han Ning nodded. "But you only have ten minutes."
...
On the rooftop drying area of the dormitory building,
raindrops pelted the awning in a relentless drumming rhythm.
Nearly all the survivors in the dormitory had gathered here.
A group of Awakened, led by Zou Yu, stood at the center of the crowd, their expressions grave.
"That Han Ning... his strength is terrifying," Zou Yu said solemnly.
"My flame ability couldn't even last a second against him. If he wanted to kill any of us, it would probably take just a thought."
A burly Awakened scowled and turned to A Jun with reproach.
"A Jun, how could you bring such a monster here? You've just landed us in trouble!"
"I'm sorry... Teacher Zhang, I didn't mean to," A Jun mumbled, keeping his head down.
"Enough, don't blame A Jun. He was nearly dead at the time—what else could he have done?"
A bespectacled, scholarly-looking young man waved his hand dismissively before continuing,
"Maybe this is also an opportunity. If he's truly that strong, he might be able to help us clear the monsters on campus. That way, we could secure more supplies and strengthen our people."
"Don't be too quick to trust a stranger's words," interjected a woman in a black windbreaker, her oval face and arched eyebrows giving her a mature, authoritative air.
Frowning, she added,
"Do we even know why he's taking people away? To farm, or for something else? What if it's for... some twisted experiment? In times like these, you can't trust anyone's intentions!"
Her words darkened the expressions of many, especially the younger female students, whose eyes flickered with fear.
If that freak took them away...
Their minds immediately conjured up horrifying urban legends about sadistic abuse.
Zou Yu sighed helplessly as he surveyed the silent crowd.
"The real question is—do we even have the right to refuse? The power he displayed made his stance clear."
From the outskirts of the group, a young student couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "It's all A Jun's fault! If not for him—"
"Enough!" Zou Yu snapped sharply. Though he too was frustrated, now wasn't the time for infighting.
He turned to the bespectacled young man. "Xiao Luo, go on."
Adjusting his glasses, Xiao Luo lowered his voice.
"My point is—he asked for 'experts skilled in agricultural planting.' He never specified they had to be Awakened."
.
"We have no shortage of people knowledgeable in agriculture here—students, teachers, many are from related fields. Rather than letting a precious Awakened go with him, it would be better..."
His words trailed off, but the implication was clear.
On the outskirts of the crowd, some ordinary students who had been listening began to stir.
"Damn! Is Luo Cheng planning to trade us ordinary folks for benefits?"
"Why? Just because we're ordinary?"
"That's so selfish..."
"Keep it down!"
"Everyone, calm down. Luo Cheng didn't mean it like that..." Zou Yu quickly motioned for silence with his hands.
"Then what did he—no, what do you mean?"
"We ordinary people do all the menial tasks for you every day, sometimes even acting as your..."
"Exactly!"
Just as an argument was about to erupt, a slightly hoarse voice cut through the tension like a lit fuse:
"If that Mr. Han truly needs someone with expertise in agriculture, I can go."
The familiar voice gave everyone pause. They turned to see a middle-aged man with dark skin and weathered wrinkles slowly raising his hand from the corner.
"Professor Ye!" Zou Yu's expression changed, and he hurried forward. "Don't be hasty. This isn't something that requires your involvement."
Professor Ye waved his hand, a faint smile on his face as his gaze swept over Zou Yu and the others, as if seeing right through them:
"No need to say more. I'm old—I have no Awakened abilities, and my stamina can't keep up with you young folks."
"Staying here, I'd only be consuming the food you all worked so hard to find, without contributing much."
"Since Mr. Han needs someone knowledgeable in agriculture, this old man might still be of some use."
He paused, his tone resolute: "Let me go. Using me to secure benefits for everyone is worth it."
"Professor Ye, what are you saying?" a middle-aged male teacher interjected urgently.
"You're the treasure of our agricultural university. How could we let you take such a risk? No matter how tough things get here, we'd never let you go hungry!"
"That's right, Professor Ye! Please don't think like this!"
"Let's find another way..."
Professor Ye maintained his faint smile, as if aware of their true thoughts, but remained silent.
The crowd pleaded with him to stay, their words earnest. Yet how much of it was genuine and how much was out of obligation or face-saving was anyone's guess.
Finally, Zou Yu, as the leader, spoke up: "Professor Ye, we understand your intentions, but this can't be decided so hastily. Let's discuss it further. There must be a better solution..."
...
Tap, tap, tap—
The sound of rapid footsteps echoed through the empty hallway.
The hundred or so people who had disappeared earlier now returned.
"Mr. Han Ning," Zou Yu quickly approached, stopping a few meters away.
"We've discussed it internally. We can agree to your request, but..."
Han Ning gave a slight nod, signaling him to continue.
Zou Yu carefully chose his words:
"We also have a request—or rather, a condition for exchange. We hope you can help us eliminate the monsters entrenched in the northwest part of the school."
He studied Han Ning's reaction closely. Seeing no change in the man's expression, he pressed on:
"That area is extremely dangerous right now. Not only are there Fishmen, but possibly other monsters as well. The terrain is complex, with numerous resource points like convenience stores and cafeterias scattered throughout. We've suffered heavy losses in several attempts and couldn't even get close."
"If you can eliminate the most powerful monsters, the remaining pressure will be much more manageable for us."
"In exchange, we promise to send an agricultural expert with you. However, there are two conditions we hope you'll agree to."
"Go on."
"First," Zou Yu extended two fingers, "you cannot take any supplies from the small shops, supermarkets, or cafeterias we encounter along the way."
"Second, regarding the ordinary Fishman monsters we meet—as long as they don't attack you first or you can easily evade them—please... try not to kill them."
"Your focus should solely be on locating and eliminating the leader monsters. Though individually weak, they're crucial Energy sources for us low-level Awakened."
"About the resources... no. If I come across something I need along the way, I'll take it. I have priority selection rights." Han Ning's voice remained calm, betraying no emotion. "And... I have demands of my own."