Inside Grandpa Caldwell’s unit, everyone wore tense expressions as they discussed the recent attack by the unknown beast lurking nearby.
"Massacring the residents? That’s way too much," Grandma Ford said with a deep frown, reacting to the anxious chatter spreading among the residents back at the shop.
People shared different versions of what happened, but they all arrived at the same chilling conclusion—an unknown beast had slaughtered everyone inside one of the buildings in the Golden Tower.
"I don’t think it attacked just for food," Uncle Anthony said grimly.
"The bodies were destroyed—some crushed into paste, others with clean holes through their chests. If it was just hungry, why waste the bodies like that? It didn’t even try to eat them. It’s like... it was looking for something—or more likely, someone."
They felt uneasy about the unknown creature.
They wanted to understand their enemy—at least enough to prepare—but for now, all they could do was stay alert.
"Then it’s definitely the mutated cat," Daniel replied, concerned.
"It looks like it’s getting more and more impatient while searching for Sister Elena. She must’ve angered it so much that now it’s frantically hunting her down."
"You’re right—it is looking for me," Elena replied calmly.
"But not because it’s furious. It’s desperate... starving. It’s searching for food that can truly satisfy it. In short, it’s just incredibly hungry," she said, picturing the ugly, mutated cat.
"What kind of food?" Grandpa Caldwell asked, a bit taken aback that the mutated cat was now targeting Elena.
She then continued, "Its food comes from living beings with spiritual energy. Imagine a human with a spiritual core suddenly vanishing right in front of it—who wouldn’t go crazy, especially when it’s starving?
Yes, it’s frantically searching for Elena as its food.
"So, in short, does that mean us too? Since we borrow spiritual energy from the Golden Tablet. Am I right, Elena?" Uncle Anthony asked.
She nodded seriously, sensing their growing tension. "Yes."
Everyone was stunned by her confirmation; they now fully understood—they were also the target of this mutated cat.
"Then, it’s only a matter of time before it finds us. We must either run or get ready to face this mutated cat."
"For now, let’s stay here—but remain alert. If you sense danger or feel uneasy, enter Paradise immediately."
Elena then explained the special function of the Golden Tablet marks—it could hide a person’s spiritual energy.
That’s why the mutated cat still couldn’t find them.
Hearing this, everyone let out a sigh of relief.
But Elena quickly warned, "Don’t be complacent. We still don’t know what this mutated cat is capable of."
Everyone nodded, fully grasping the danger that loomed over them.
But before they could continue, a sharp knock on the door broke the tense atmosphere, followed by a voice calling from the hallway.
"Anyone here?" a soldier called.
Butler Aki moved swiftly to the door and peeked through the small crack. Recognizing the soldier as one of General Kaiser’s subordinates, he turned and quickly informed the group.
Ethan stepped forward and opened the door just slightly, careful not to let anyone see inside.
The heating devices scattered throughout Grandpa Caldwell’s unit were too conspicuous—they could draw unnecessary attention.
Upon seeing the Caldwells, the soldier got straight to the point.
"Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell," the soldier said formally, glancing at Elena and Ethan, "General Kaiser sent me to inform you—they’ll be heading back to the military base later today."
"Hmph, they finally made the call," Grandpa Caldwell muttered with a small sigh. "It’s been delayed long enough. I suppose it’s time I said goodbye."
He then turned to Ethan, adding, "Ethan, go with them and help carry their belongings downstairs."
Ethan nodded and glanced at his wife to see if she wanted to come along.
When she gave a quiet nod, the two of them followed the soldier and his team downstairs, ready to send off Brother Elias and General Kaiser.
When they entered the unit, they saw the two men busy packing up the remaining supplies and checking over the equipment needed for their journey back to the military base.
Bundles of rations, thick ropes, and gear were neatly stacked by the door, along with skates and skis for crossing the icy terrain.
"Brat! Elena!" General Kaiser greeted them with a broad smile. "You’ve heard, I assume? We’re finally heading out."
"Yes," Elena replied. "By the way, how exactly do you plan to return to the military base?"
"We’re using skates and skis," the general explained. "It’ll be slower, yes—but if we leave early enough, we should arrive before nightfall."
Elena glanced at her watch. It was just past 9 a.m., which meant they had about eight hours before darkness fell.
"Then, I wish you both a safe journey," she said sincerely. "May we meet again."
Seeing Elena and Ethan looking at him as if it might be the last time they saw each other, General Kaiser chuckled and waved a hand.
"We’re coming back next week," he said with a grin. "We made a deal with the Paradise shop."
Elena raised her brows, pretending not to know anything about it.
"Oh? I see... Well then, you’re welcome to use this unit again once you return."
Ethan then stepped forward to help them finish packing. As they worked, the conversation shifted naturally to the recent events in the area.
"Have you heard about the situation at the other building?" Ethan asked.
"Yeah," General Kaiser replied with a nod. "I went there to investigate. It was brutal."
Elena and Ethan exchanged a look.
"Stay alert until we return," he added, tightening the straps on one of his bags.
"We’ll bring this matter up with the military. If all goes well, we’ll station some troops here to help maintain peace and cut down on any trouble."
"Well, that’s a good approach."
"Brat, take care of yourself and your wife," General Kaiser added, patting Ethan on the shoulder. "Send my regards to your grandfather and Mr. & Mrs. Ford."
"Alright. Take care out there," Ethan said sincerely.
"Same to you," the general replied with a faint smile.
With that, General Kaiser, Brother Elias, and the rest of their team headed downstairs, leaving the unit quiet once more.
Ethan then turned to his wife, gently taking her hand.
"Wife, let’s have some snacks first," he said, a warm smile playing on his lips as they began walking back toward Grandpa Caldwell’s unit.
But just as they were about to enter, Elena received a message through [Telepathy]—Lydia’s voice echoing clearly in her mind.
"Elena, the shop in Building A is overwhelmed! There’s a huge crowd lining up outside. We need more people—it’s getting difficult to manage!"
Without hesitation, Elena responded mentally, "Alright, I’ll head there with the others."
Her brows furrowed slightly. It looked like trouble was brewing at Paradise shop again.