My 100th Rebirth a day before the Apocalypse - Chapter 460

Chapter 460: Chapter 460 What Really Happened 2
When Bell arrived, it instantly sensed the dire situation Duke was in—he was in serious danger and might even be killed in action.

Bell knew how much Kisha valued and loved Duke, and if anything happened to him, she would be devastated.

At that moment, Rose was busy launching one Ice Crystal Spear after another, piercing a massive cocoon that loomed in the middle of the street.

Without needing to ask, Bell understood what that cocoon contained.

As a spiritual beast, Bell could easily detect the intense, pulsating spiritual energy emanating from it, realizing that an evolving zombie was inside.

Bell knew that Duke and his team were likely trying to eliminate the creature, and it must be the reason why Duke was in such a dangerous situation.

Without waiting for further instructions, Bell sprang into action.

Bell swiftly adjusted its size, allowing it to strike through the opening in the cocoon with ease.

Charging up its Stinger Strike skill, Bell infused its stinger with spiritual energy, strengthening it for a powerful, piercing blow.

Moving faster than the eye could track, Bell attacked with such speed that the team only heard a faint, rapid buzz before the evolved zombie’s head exploded.

In a single, seamless motion, Bell struck through the small hole, emerging on the other side of the zombie’s skull.

Clutched in its forelegs lay the zombie’s crystal core, gleaming as proof of Bell’s precision and skill.

Just as Bell launched its attack, Duke had reached his physical limits, with the strain causing his veins to rupture, covering him in his own blood.

At that precise moment, Bell’s Stinger Strike connected with the evolved zombie’s head, moving at near-sonic speed.

The force of the strike created a sickening explosion, sending the zombie’s blood splattering across the ground.

To those nearby, the sound of flesh bursting was almost overwhelming, but it was simply the impact of Bell’s powerful strike hitting its mark.

Since everything happened in a split second, everyone initially thought it was Duke’s energy core that had exploded from overuse, and a wave of shock and grief swept over them.

Seeing him covered in blood, they feared the worst and hesitated to check on him, convinced that Duke had met a tragic end.

In reality, though, their worst fears had only come remarkably close to being true.

After they safely transported Duke into the building, Bell and the Scarlet Bees followed closely, with Bell still clutching the crystal core in its forelegs.

When Duke finally regained consciousness, Bell buzzed happily, eager to reveal itself both to celebrate Duke’s recovery and to hand over the crystal core it had retrieved.

It also hoped to return to the base soon, knowing it had ventured out without Kisha’s knowledge.

Since Bell couldn’t communicate via mind link with anyone except Kisha, it made its presence known in the only way it could—by appearing in plain sight.

Now that Bell had shown itself, it struggled to convey what it wanted to say.

Instead, it simply flew down to Duke’s side.

As Duke noticed the gleaming crystal core clutched in Bell’s forelegs, shimmering in the light, he immediately extended his hand, his heartbeat quickening with excitement.

He had a strong suspicion about the significance of that crystal core.

Duke suspected that his team hadn’t confirmed the status of the evolved zombie—they’d likely assumed he was dead and rushed him to safety without checking.

Even if he wanted to ask them, they probably wouldn’t have the answer.

When Bell gently placed the crystal core in his palm, Duke inspected it closely.

It was larger than the unique evolved zombie’s crystal core Kisha had acquired back at the base, and its colors were even more vivid—a radiant rainbow that hinted at a higher level.

Judging by its brightness and size, he guessed it could be a level 2 or possibly even level 3 crystal core.

Understanding that Bell would want to return to Kisha, Duke said, “Hold off on heading back. Take this core to my wife, along with a letter, so she won’t worry.”

Hearing this, Bell immediately shrank to the size of a normal bee and perched on top of Duke’s head, ready for its mission.

Only now did everyone start to grasp the unexpected turn of events, as they watched Bell prepare to carry out Duke’s request, astonished by the sight and realization of what was truly unfolding.

“V-Vice City Lord, wh-what is that?!” Rose exclaimed, pointing at Bell.

Realizing that an introduction was needed to prevent any misunderstandings—or worse, an accidental attack on the Scarlet Bees mistaken for mutated ones—Duke quickly stepped in.

“This is my wife’s pet, Bell, the Scarlet Queen Bee. As a queen bee, she commands her own colony and an army of Scarlet Bees. Right now, we’re surrounded by them and under their protection,” Duke explained.

He hadn’t intended to mention the Scarlet Bees, knowing that once they realized the connection, everyone would remember that the scarlet honey they consumed came from these creatures.

However, witnessing their capabilities firsthand, he doubted anyone would dare to challenge and mess with them; otherwise, they might find themselves facing a fate similar to that of the evolved zombie, whose head had exploded at supersonic speed.

After hearing Duke’s explanation, a wave of realization washed over them, leaving their heads buzzing.

They hadn’t even noticed the Scarlet Bees’ presence or when they had arrived, and the knowledge that such powerful hidden allies were surrounding them was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.

While they felt a sense of safety knowing they had such formidable guardians, the gravity of the situation sunk in—none of them could afford to make a mistake.

While they now understood that Kisha had this remarkable pet, they were still unaware that she could communicate with it.

They merely assumed that Bell followed Kisha’s commands and could fight for them when needed.

After the initial shock wore off, they began to gather their thoughts, taking note of Bell’s distinct coloration compared to ordinary bees.

They made a mental note to steer clear of any bees that appeared scarlet, understanding that these were not to be underestimated.

After making a brief introduction and with his team tactfully refraining from asking too many questions, Duke began writing a letter to provide Kisha with a standard progress report and reassure her about his well-being.

As Duke focused on his writing, the atmosphere relaxed, and everyone started preparing the meal with renewed seriousness.

Once Duke finished, he carefully placed the letter and the crystal core into a piece of cloth and secured it with a knot.

Bell, seeing that Duke was ready, transformed back into its larger size, wrapping the cloth tightly in its forelegs, then hug it closer to its stomach.

It then performed a circular motion in front of Duke before soaring toward the window, disappearing into the dark night on its way back to the base.

It was only after completing all these tasks that Duke became acutely aware of the stinging pain that enveloped his body.

“Ugh,” he grunted, reaching for a vial of blue liquid from his Space Ring.

In an instant, he drank it, and within milliseconds, he felt the soothing effects as his body began to heal.

Settling into a cross-legged position, he traced the flow of his spiritual energy, working to mitigate the damage it had inflicted on his body and, most importantly, on his energy core.