My 100th Rebirth a day before the Apocalypse - Chapter 142

Chapter 142: Chapter 142 Last Spurt to Reach the Gate
“Open the gate!” the gatekeeper shouted after regaining his composure as Kisha and her team approached Gate 2. Upon hearing the command, the others exchanged glances but remained silent. They all understood that they needed Kisha’s team’s strength to survive from now on.

They acknowledged that if they had been the ones outside, they might not have survived the frenzied zombies while defending themselves on the run. Kisha and her team had managed to survive in such perilous conditions that had already claimed the lives of hundreds of their men.

When they saw Duke’s menacing and gloomy expression, they all froze, feeling their skin crawl. They had no idea what they might have done to offend him, but they fervently hoped it wasn’t their actions that had angered him. At that moment, Duke looked like death itself, and none of them dared to approach him nor even look at him.

When everyone from Kisha’s and Clyde’s teams saw the big gate slowly opening, Clyde’s team began to cheer, feeling a wave of relief wash over them. They had survived until now and were finally seeing a community where other survivors were working together. Their happiness was amplified by the hope that their families, from whom they had been separated, were also safe inside the shelter.

But unlike Clyde and his group’s jubilant cheers, Kisha and her team felt a sense of dread, as if they were stepping into another hide-and-seek game with the Coltons. Kisha knew that the Coltons they had encountered and killed outside were not all of them. This wasn’t just a hunch; it seemed sound and reasonable to her. She believed that the Coltons, known for their underhanded tactics, wouldn’t have their leader, the so-called ‘Young Master,’ personally venture into danger. Instead, he would likely remain in the shadows, orchestrating from a safe distance while keeping a close watch on the Winters.

That person must be waiting for news inside the shelter. That’s why Kisha was adamant about putting on their disguises again and keeping as much information to themselves as possible. Revealing their awakened abilities would only paint a larger target on their backs, making them more vulnerable once others found out that Kisha and her group could survive outside with ease because of their awakened ability.

As greedy as the Coltons, they wouldn’t pass a chance as big as Kisha and the rest, they would probably approach them, if the whole shelter was under the Coltons or if it was still just being coveted by the Coltons means differently to Kisha and she would be able to decide what to do based on these.

Kisha pushed these thoughts to the back of her mind, choosing to focus on the present. She knew that dwelling on future uncertainties would only distract her from dealing with the immediate challenges ahead.

Duke sensed Kisha’s unease and reached out to gently tap her head with his left hand. This small gesture provided Kisha with the reassurance she needed, reminding her that she wasn’t alone. It was Duke’s way of conveying that, no matter what lay ahead, they would face it together.

Kisha felt her heart warm from Duke’s show of support. He always made an effort to ensure she never felt alone, a stark contrast to her previous life where she faced everything by herself as the leader of a base. In this life, she didn’t have to spearhead all the dangers and challenges alone—Duke was by her side, making all the difference.

Despite the rapid and unexpected change in her relationship with Duke, Kisha couldn’t deny that it felt like the best decision she had ever made. Agreeing to be with Duke felt like a dream come true, but more importantly, it felt right. It was as if they belonged in each other’s arms, where they were truly meant to be.

Kisha’s train of thought was interrupted by soldiers emerging from Gate 2. They were there to escort them inside and eliminate any nearby zombies. However, before they could proceed, Kisha signaled for them to halt. She knew that continued noise would attract more zombies, especially those who came looking for food to aid their evolution. Seeing the confusion on the soldiers’ faces, Kisha then directed Vulture and Sparrow to clear a path ahead.

Sparrow, Vulture, along with Tristan and Bald Eagle, formed a protective ring around the group, facing outward in all four directions. With precision and silent efficiency, they killed any zombies that dared to approach. Kisha maintained a steady pace—not too fast to leave anyone behind, yet not too slow to risk anyone feeling overwhelmed. She aimed to maintain a normal pace suitable for Clyde’s people and Mrs. Winters, who had a frail body, to ensure the safety of all without risking casualties due to haste.

The group, including Mr. and Mrs. Winters, couldn’t help but notice the considerate pace set by Kisha. They felt grateful for her thoughtfulness and skilled leadership as they navigated through the dangers together.

The soldiers providing support to Kisha’s group were astounded by their seamless coordination and effortless killing of nearby zombies. They appeared highly skilled and formidable, almost surpassing the soldiers themselves. Recalling last night’s encounters where a single zombie breached their defenses, requiring a team of five soldiers to subdue it, resulting in heavy casualties, they recognized the urgency of ensuring Kisha’s group’s safety. They feared that without proper escort, Kisha and her team might fall victim to a surprise attack before they could be effectively deployed.

Now, they were concerned that they might slow down Kisha and her team. Surprisingly, they didn’t need to resort to firearms to kill the approaching zombies, saving valuable ammunition for crucial moments. The soldiers simply stood in front of the gate, awaiting Kisha and her team’s arrival before sealing it shut behind them.

When Kisha noticed that the soldiers weren’t coming out to assist them anymore, she breathed a sigh of relief. Not that she was concerned about their well-being, but she understood that if those soldiers got into trouble, it would fall on her team to rescue them. With gunfire attracting more zombies, it was a scenario she preferred to avoid.