Rebirth: 100 Days Before Doomsday - Chapter 171

Chapter 171: Starting The Search

“Good job, everyone. We will take a break for the day. Get some rest,” said Grace as Team C returned to Unit 2203.

A total of five teams were created with members who could balance the team perfectly based on their talents and powers. Team A was led by Grace, Team B by Rune, Team C by Davian, Team D by Aleena, and Team E by Kevin.

Since both Kevin and Aleena were still new, though really good, at facing zombies, they were sent on missions only when Davian and Grace were on stand-by to interfere and provide their help if or when the situation demanded. Fortunately, eight days into zombie apocalypse and everything had been going smooth for their team.

[Congratulations on completing the mission!]

The system’s notification lit up the huge transparent digital screen that had become a permanent appearance in the living room of Unit 2203.

[Points earned: 1,010,000]

The moment system showed the points, the living room erupted with cheers of pure joy.

“We finally crossed the milestone. Made it to 1M!” Ryan shouted as he jumped to hug Nathan who was standing closest to him.

Grace smiled as she looked at the pride shining in everyone’s eyes as they enjoyed the achievement that took them eight long days. Her gaze met with Davian’s and they shared a small, but warm smile that was filled with understanding and acknowledgement of what they had achievement.

Once the celebration was over, everyone finally started heading to their respective units, ready to get rid of their clothes that were covered in things that could have made any normal person puke all their stomach contents out. Good thing was that all top three floors were reserved and they didn’t have to worry about the other residents seeing them like that.

Grace returned to her unit and immediately entered her space, heading straight for a shower.

She wanted to wash up quickly since she needed to be somewhere within next half an hour.

* * *

Half an hour later

–

“Your unit is looking… different.” Grace said as she took in the appearance of the living room that was looking nothing like it did when she last came here.

“Is that a compliment?” Rune asked as he offered her a glass of fresh pomegranate juice that he was making when she arrived at his doorstep.

“You can say that, and thank you.” She replied as she accepted the glass of juice and took a small sip, her eyebrows arching as she was taken aback by the rich and fresh taste of pomegranates that hit her taste buds.

“This tastes… really good.” She said while taking another sip, this one longer as she liked the taste.

“Thanks. It has a special flavor added in it just for you… my love.” Rune flirted, smirking and sharing a quick wink which earned him a shake of her head in response.

For next few minutes, neither of them spoke and Grace just enjoyed the juice in silence. Once she was done, she put down the glass on the table and turned her full attention to him.

“So… how are we going to do it?” She asked, ready to fall into work immediately.

Rune sat up straight, focusing his full attention on her as he began explaining. “As you know, I have the power to visit places through my subconsciousness, and I can also cross through those places. I can help your system scan through places around the world.” He became silent for a moment before adding, “I will help if you are ready to trust me.”

Grace didn’t have to ask why he was talking about trusting him. Whatever he was suggesting, it needed her to allow him to form some sort of connection with her system, and that… needed a lot of trust.

She didn’t reply immediately, not even pretending that she was able to make the decision easily. She wasn’t sure for how long she sat there, contemplating on her choice, but he remained silent and waited for her to speak whenever she was ready.

After a while, she let out a sigh and then fixed her gaze on his, looking right into his eyes as she spoke, “I don’t know if I’m ready to trust you or not, but I will. I’m giving you that one chance you deserve from my end.”

She noticed how his gaze flickered as a sudden emotion overwhelmed him. He was quick to pull himself together, but she was still able to pick that it was gratitude she saw in those icy-blue orbs, and that realization left her stunned.

She knew that he had feelings for her, but she never realized that they were so strong to make him feel grateful just by her giving him a chance he had been silently waiting for all this time.

“Rune-”

She wanted to say something, felt like the need to say something even though she wasn’t sure what she was going to say. But before she could have spoken anything more than his name, he surprised her by standing up from his couch and making his way to her. The next thing she knew, she was wrapped up in his strong arms as he hugged her.

She was left surprised by his sudden action, but before she could have reacted, he was already pulling back. He offered her his hand while she stared at him in confusion.

“Come, let’s start with the search.” He said and she finally found herself pulling back from her wandering thoughts.

She accepted his hand and stood up, following after him as he led her to the empty space between the living area and the kitchen. A thick rug was spread across the floor, and the two of them settled down on it in lotus position, facing each other.

“Hold my hands.” He guided as he placed his arms over his knees, spreading his palms open as he waited for her to hold them.

“I will channel my powers first to create a link with you. Once you feel it, let 2025 use that link to start scanning.” He said and she nodded in understanding. He was about to close his eyes when she called out.

“Wait!”

“Is something wrong?” He asked, studying her face as if to see whether she had changed her mind.

Grace exhaled before speaking, “You don’t have to overwork your powers. Stop when you start feeling the need.”

A faint smile tugged at his lips and he gave a nod of his head, his hold on her hands tightening slightly as he closed his eyes.