My 100th Rebirth a day before the Apocalypse - Chapter 226

Chapter 226: Chapter 226 The Salary I Want
Kisha was a bit taken aback. She hadn’t considered this and still wanted Duke to lead the HOPE Base as he had in her previous life. It was what he excelled at, and it was what she was accustomed to.

Little did she realize that her actions had already changed many events and won the hearts of the people, including Duke, who saw her as the most suitable leader.

“I can still be our group’s leader, but you should be the City Lord of our base. Even if we expand in the future, you’ll still be the one leading,” Duke said, his arms slowly wrapping around Kisha’s small waist as he hugged her from behind.

‘Being a City Lord’ She thought. ‘Right, I haven’t checked that title yet!’

[Title: City Lord]

[Description: Given to the person who was chosen to lead a group of survivors to proper, the hope of humanity.

Stamina Regeneration: 20% per minute

Spiritual Energy Regeneration: 30% per minute

Poison Resistance: 50%

Leadership: +10

Mental Capacity: +10]

…

Upon seeing the City Lord title and the accompanying stats, Kisha couldn’t help but gasp in shock. The benefits were incredibly valuable, especially the spiritual regeneration. With these boosts, she wouldn’t need to rely on the black liquid vials or stamina boosters to replenish her stamina as much whenever it was needed. The enhanced stamina and spiritual regeneration would be crucial assets in any battle.

With the additional mental capacity, she could use her telekinesis more effectively and control heavier objects. Kisha began to get excited as she imagined the possibilities. In all her previous lives, she had never gained any title, as it was always a battle between her and the system. But now, things were different.

She realized that titles were incredibly helpful and amazing. Gaining her first title felt like a just reward for enduring the ordeals the system put her through. It was as if she had finally received something good after overcoming all the challenges.

Now that she thought about it, there was another title awaiting her if she completed the new mission. Kisha realized that the system was skilled at drawing her in; it knew exactly what she needed and used that to entice her into taking risks and completing missions, no matter how impossible they seemed or how harsh the punishments were. With rewards like these, who could complain?

Now, she couldn’t help but wonder if the system had undergone a change in management, similar to how company policies shift with new leadership. She didn’t dislike this change. Although the challenges were still tough, they didn’t feel as unfair as before.

This time, she was accumulating more points than she ever had in her previous 99 lives combined. The titles she received now were incredibly beneficial, far beyond anything she had been granted before.

Then, she decided to check her stats, curious about the changes since she hadn’t done so in a while.

[Kisha Aldens]

Level 0 (Exp: 0/100 X 0.5)

Strength: 30 (+ 10)

Stamina: 31 (+ 10)

Defense: 27 (+ 10)

Agility: 32 (+ 10)

Mental Capacity: 48 (+ 20)

Charm: 34 (+ 10)(+3)

Leadership: 46 (+ 20)

Title: 100th Life (additional 10 stat points in all stats), City Lord (See Description…)

Skills: Telekinetic Level 0 (5 SP for 20 seconds of continuous use and 1 SP per second)

Talent: Close Combat, Heightened Senses

Gift: Pheonix’s Nirvana, Eye of Truth Level 1

Ability: Telekinesis (Mental)

….

Kisha was elated to see her stats increase after the continuous fights she and her people had gone through, along with the effects of the title she had just gained. Luckily, there were no restrictions limiting her to only wear one title, and could only get benefits for one title, as that would have been disappointing.

Kisha giggled happily, her eyes turning crescent-shaped, just as Duke was still hugging her and persuading her to take on the leadership role of the base. Seeing her reaction, everyone assumed she had finally relented due to Duke’s persuasive efforts, and their tense bodies relaxed into smiles.

“I’m glad you’ve agreed,” Duke whispered into Kisha’s ear as he hugged her closer, a proud smile playing on his lips. He enjoyed seeing Kisha in the limelight and supporting her with everything he had. It felt more fulfilling than his own personal achievements.

‘What did I miss?’ She asked herself after hearing Duke’s words.

“Host, they just asked you to be the City Lord—the one to lead the base and any future bases if you and your people decide to expand further. And guess what?” 008 giggled as it caught Kisha up on what she’d missed while absorbed in her stats window and new title. “You giggled happily, and everyone took that as your agreement. Hahaha! Your ambition to laze around has been thwarted!”

“If 008 had a body, it might have been rolling around on the ground laughing at Kisha. But contrary to 008’s expectation, Kisha didn’t feel angry. First of all, HOPE Base had been established by Duke in her previous life, and she had joined later after he scouted her from outside.

Duke had provided her with a home and taught her many things she hadn’t known before. If she had to thank someone for how far she’d come, it was Duke. If this was what Duke wanted, then she would happily follow through.

Kisha found herself lost in nostalgia when Duke whispered in her ear once more. “I didn’t mind being your shield and sword, ready to eliminate anything in your path or protect you with all I have, as long as you paid me a salary.” He leaned in closer, his breath tickling Kisha’s ear as he continued softly, “The only salary I’ve ever wanted is you. How about tonight? Hmm?”

Kisha instantly set aside her sentiments and choked up at Duke’s increasingly brutish behavior. Looking around, she noticed everyone else was focused on the positive steps they were taking—moving away from the chaos of fighting and running from zombies—instead of paying attention to her and Duke.

“Duke! You’re shameless!” Kisha said through gritted teeth, her face flushing red. Her heart skipped a beat the moment the words left Duke’s mouth. Describing herself as nervous was an understatement; her nerves were consuming her. She hadn’t felt this anxious even during their fights outside.

She knew Duke had been holding back from going beyond kissing and touching because they were constantly monitored, lacking privacy. Now, with a break from those who had been watching them 24/7, Duke seized the very first opportunity.

“Wifey, don’t tempt me. I can be even more shameless,” Duke teased with a chuckle, though his gaze was earnest as he awaited Kisha’s response. “Tonight?” he murmured, nibbling sneakily on Kisha’s ear and giving it a slow lick that sent delightful shivers on her skin.

Kisha appeared livid, but beneath the surface, she felt a deep anticipation. Her heart raced within her ribcage, and her hands grew clammy. She and Duke had never gone beyond kissing, and her lack of experience left her uncertain about what to expect and how to proceed.

She wanted to feel embarrassed, but her mouth was more shameless than his. “Then you’d better serve your City Lord well tonight,” she quipped, smirking at him in a challenge, just like their banter in her past life. Duke felt a surge of excitement greater than when he had first asked her for it.