My 100th Rebirth a day before the Apocalypse - Chapter 128

Chapter 128: Chapter 128 Preparation
Kisha and the team stayed at the gas station, waiting for Sparrow. As they looked up at the sky, Kisha noticed dark clouds gathering. A sense of foreboding began to build in her heart.

She felt uneasy. In her previous lives, the first rain came after six months, carrying significant meaning not just for her but for humanity and survival itself. Considering the recent explosions, Kisha estimated that even with Sparrow’s agility and wind abilities, he would take at least three to four hours to return at full speed. Despite this, she wanted to head back to the shelter immediately, where the sturdy walls offered protection. Whenever she felt uneasy, she always sought the safest place she knew. But then, she remembered that the shelter wasn’t that safe either.

Duke noticed her unease and gently patted her head. “Are you okay?”

Kisha shook her head and looked up again. “I don’t think we’ll be fine,” she answered honestly. They had just dealt with one problem, and now another was looming. She felt her temper rising; it always seemed like the world was against her. If it wasn’t the mission, then circumstances conspired to give her a hard time without respite.

“What’s going on in your mind?” Duke asked, smoothing the tight furrow between her brows. “Care to share?”

Kisha pointed at the darkening clouds. Duke noticed the impending storm. “Are you worried about the rain?” He caught onto her train of thought just by observing her expression and subtle actions. They were in sync, yet he couldn’t fully grasp her concern until he recalled a crucial detail she had shared the first time they met.

After recalling that information, his expression also turned grim. However, neither of them panicked. Instead, they looked at each other, searching for worry in the other’s eyes but finding none. They both smiled, determined to think of a solution together.

They definitely didn’t want to return to the shelter without Sparrow. Besides, they couldn’t be sure if any Coltons were still inside, making the safety of the shelter uncertain. Regardless of their choice, they would face unknown dangers. Kisha and Duke decided it was better to confront the known dangers outside rather than risk being blindsided upon their return to the shelter.

Kisha and Duke didn’t speak of their concerns again, not wanting to alarm their people without a solid plan in place. Kisha discreetly sent out the Scarlet Bees to scout for a more favorable position than the gasoline station. While waiting for the Bees to return, she ventured out to gather any remaining fuel. She hoped to find a truck with a full tank, but luck was not on her side. There were no fuel trucks around, and the underground gasoline reserves were mostly depleted. It was likely that survivors from the shelter regularly stopped by this station, explaining its emptiness. If not them, it must have been the Coltons who drained the supplies.

But either way, it wasn’t as if they could steal it back now, regardless of who had emptied the gas station. After confirming there was nothing left to salvage, Kisha and Duke decided to have everyone gear up while they waited for the Scarlet Bees to find a better location. When everyone heard this, they sensed something was up. However, Kisha and Duke remained tight-lipped, increasing their suspicions.

It didn’t take a genius to realize that Duke and Kisha were preparing for something significant. Mrs. Winters, along with everyone else, including the guards, was required to don protective layers, ensuring their arms, legs, necks, and torsos were covered by thick clothing. While they geared up, they also ate to maintain their strength and avoid becoming irritable later.

The Scarlet Bees returned with valuable information about the best vantage point for their protection. They were fortunate to find one of the most secure, high-end banks in the sector, which belonged to the Winters’ banner. This familiarity with the bank’s layout meant they wouldn’t have to spend much time figuring out the intricacies of its interior and exterior.

Kisha felt like slapping her forehead when she heard the Scarlet Bees mention the secure bank. Due to her nervousness, she had completely forgotten about it. ‘I guess I’m becoming rusty and too laid back these days; my brain isn’t as sharp as it used to be,’ she thought to herself. She had become reliant on the Bees’ ability to scout and map the area, forgetting that this was her home territory before her hundredth reincarnation, long before she even knew of the Bees.

Kisha took a deep breath. ‘Truly, the more people who are important to you, the more anxious you feel about protecting them and nervous when danger is near.’ Before, it was always just Duke and Kisha. They only needed to protect themselves against the harsh environment and the zombie onslaught. But now, they had Duke’s family and their people to consider.

After calming her nerves and composing herself, Kisha led everyone to the nearby bank. Meanwhile, Duke left clear trails for Sparrow to follow when he arrived. He didn’t use discreet markings; instead, he made them as large as possible, knowing Sparrow could spot them from the rooftops.

After ensuring they left clear markings for Sparrow, they didn’t worry much about other survivors seeing them; time was of the essence. They had only 30 minutes to secure a good location. Kisha led everyone inside the bank and made sure to close the fiberglass door. Being a high-end bank catering to high-ranking officials and business tycoons, and the largest bank in City B, all its facilities, including the fiberglass, were top-of-the-line. Even a machine gun wouldn’t be able to penetrate the glass.

After securing the first floor, Duke and Kisha each led a team while Vulture protected the Winters in the bank lobby. Thanks to Kisha and Duke’s powerful awakened abilities, they swiftly cleared the first floor, secured the basement, and locked it to ensure no one could enter from outside. With limited time, they focused on clearing as many upper floors as possible.

To keep everyone from succumbing to their nerves, Kisha and Duke turned the situation into a competition. They challenged their teams to see who could clear the most floors the fastest. This not only motivated their members but also created a sense of camaraderie and fun. The team members believed this was just a game and that Kisha and Duke’s earlier uneasiness was due to the explosions at the Coltons’ camps. They assumed the leaders were being cautious in case any survivors showed up. Even if there were discrepancies in their conclusions, no one pressed for details, trusting that Kisha and Duke had the situation under control. Besides, knowing more might not change what needed to be done.

Kisha darted down the hallway like a loose cannon, killing zombies with ease thanks to her skill and the efficiency of her abilities. She hardly needed any assistance, so when she judged that only a few zombies remained on a floor, she moved ahead to the next one, leaving her team to handle the stragglers. Unbeknownst to her, Duke had the same strategy. To avoid overusing his abilities and tiring himself out, he relied on his explosive strength and his spear, efficiently dealing with zombies without depleting his awakened ability.