Natasha's eyes were firm now, hardened with resolve that came from deep introspection. She'd already made up her mind after hours of careful consideration.
If she wanted to stay close to Elric… to truly become his woman in more than just the physical sense, she had to win his favor—completely and unquestionably.
Compared to Jenna, she had some advantages in looks—she was older, more refined, with a mature elegance that contrasted with Jenna's youthful beauty. And she knew how to use those advantages when needed, had learned over years of navigating academic politics and social situations.
But that alone wouldn't be enough. Not in this new world where power trumped everything.
Elric had just given them a mission—bring more beautiful women into his camp, expand his network of resources.
And Natasha, thinking carefully through her contacts and friendships, realized she had a few friends who might meet his exacting standards. Women from her social circles, colleagues from the university, acquaintances from conferences and academic gatherings.
But… one of them she absolutely couldn't bring. Wouldn't dare to introduce.
That friend was just too dangerous—beautiful in that effortless way that made men stupid, clever enough to outmaneuver most people in conversation, and ambitious enough to threaten Natasha's hard-won spot beside Elric.
Natasha clenched her fists unconsciously, her nails digging into her palms. She'd have to be careful. Strategic. Selective about who she recruited.
People always had their own schemes, their own hidden agendas. And in this new world, those schemes could be deadly.
Elric, lying back on the couch in their makeshift shelte.
Didn't particularly care, either. As long as she remained loyal, her thoughts were her own business.
He leaned back against the worn cushions, sighing softly. His life had taken on a strange rhythm.
Eat. Rest. Sleep. Use his abilities. Collect resources. Expand his power base.
Life had gotten strangely simple in its patterns, if not in its details.
After the chaos, after the fall of the old world and all its complexities, after fighting for survival every day, this relative comfort felt almost… boring.
The thought surprised him. Boring? In the apocalypse?
Just as that ironic observation crossed his mind—
"BANG! BANG!"
Loud knocks shook the metal door with violent force, the sound echoing through the small apartment like gunshots.
The impacts were aggressive, demanding, meant to intimidate. If Elric hadn't reinforced the lock earlier with metal brackets and additional chains scavenged from the maintenance closet, the door would've already been off its hinges.
Voices carried through the door, muffled but audible:
"You think anyone's inside?"
"Don't care. Orders were to check every room. If there's food or water, we take it."
"Then kick it in!"
"THUD! THUD!"
The sound of boots against metal rang out again, each impact reverberating through the floor.
Jenna jumped at the noise, her body jerking with visible fear. She grabbed onto Elric's arm like a scared kitten seeking protection, her fingers digging into his sleeve.
"Elric, what do we do? Are those people trying to rob us?"
Her voice was high, panicked, all her earlier confidence evaporating in the face of immediate threat
Natasha, however, stayed calmer—demonstrably so.
She quickly threw a bedsheet over the boxes of instant noodles and canned food scattered on the floor, hiding the evidence of their supplies with efficient movements. Then she stepped closer to Elric, positioning herself between him and the door.
"Elric," she whispered, her voice low and controlled despite the tension, "judging by the voices… those sound like staff members. Probably teachers from the university. They must be scavenging too."
She paused, assessing. "Should we hold the door? Or try to negotiate?"
That moment summed up the fundamental difference between the two women perfectly.
Jenna panicked. Natasha thought.
Even when scared—and she was scared, Elric could see that in the slight tremor of her hands—Natasha assessed the situation first. Hid their supplies, analyzed the threat, considered options.
Then asked what to do.
Elric glanced at her, a faint smirk forming on his lips. Approval flickered in his eyes.
"Open it."
"What?" Jenna hissed, her eyes going wide. "Are you serious?"
"Yeah. Let's see what they want."
Elric wasn't afraid. Even if the people outside turned violent, even if they were armed or numerous, he had his new abilities to rely on. The Surgical Fruit gave him options that normal people couldn't comprehend.
If they came peacefully, good. They could talk, maybe establish some kind of arrangement.
If not… well, it would be a good time to test his strength. To see exactly what his powers could do in a real combat situation against multiple opponents.
Natasha hesitated for a moment, her hand hovering over the locks. Then she nodded and went to open the door, her movements deliberate and controlled.
The handle clicked with finality—
—and four people stood outside in the dim hallway.
Two men, two women, all in their thirties. Dusty, tired-looking, clothes stained with sweat and grime. Armed with makeshift weapons—a metal pipe, a hammer, what looked like a sharpened broomstick.
The moment they saw Natasha standing there, the two male teachers froze in obvious disbelief.
"Professor Blake? You're alive?" one of them stammered, his weapon lowering slightly. "We thought you were trapped outside!"
"We heard the science building collapsed. Everyone said you were—"
Natasha blinked, recognition dawning. She frowned slightly, surprised. "Mr. Carter… Mr. Lewis…? You're still here too?"
The men exchanged looks, relief and excitement flashing in their eyes. They'd known Natasha before the apocalypse—had worked in the same department, attended the same faculty meetings.
"It's unbelievable. We've been searching for food for hours, checking every room. We didn't expect to find you here."
The other female teacher—a larger woman with short-cropped hair—elbowed one of them sharply in the ribs, frowning with visible irritation.
"You two, is this really the time to flirt?"
The tension in the air thickened perceptibly.
Behind Natasha, Elric's shadow moved. Jenna peeked out from behind him, her eyes darting nervously between the teachers and the stockpile hidden under the sheet.
The door was open now—and depending on how this conversation went, it could mean new allies... or the first real fight of their post-apocalyptic lives.
"Don't forget what we came here for—supplies," one of the women barked, her voice harsh and impatient. She was the larger of the two, with broad shoulders and a face hardened by recent experiences.
"And don't forget what happens if we go back empty-handed," the other snapped, glaring at her two male companions who were still busy ogling Natasha like she was water in the desert. "Focus, you idiots!"
The two men, both former university staff who'd known Natasha in better times, shifted awkwardly. They tried to act casual as they took another appreciative glance at the blonde woman standing behind the door.
There is 25 chapter Advance with 2 chapters every day, in my patreon. If you are interested can check it out.
patreon.com/B_A_3439