Soon, the group got back to Ivy’s shelter, and the moment Ivy saw them from afar, she immediately opened the gate, allowing them to drive the truck inside before quickly shutting the gate behind them again.

The moment the truck came to a halt, the group jumped down one after another with excitement and happiness written all over their faces.

“We did it again!” Darren was the first to speak, unable to hide the excitement in his voice. “We killed all the monsters, acquired the territory, and even got ourselves supplies and this truck.”

“Oh, good!” Ivy replied with a satisfied smile as her gaze swept over the truck. “You all should come and eat first. Albert prepared hot pot for everyone.”

“Yes, brothers! Come over before the food gets cold!” Albert shouted from the outdoor kitchen area while waving at them enthusiastically.

“Looks like someone has fallen in love with kitchen duty,” Josh muttered under his breath jokingly.

The others immediately burst into laughter, including Ivy, while Albert rolled his eyes dramatically.

“Laugh all you want,” Albert scoffed. “You people won’t be laughing once I stop cooking for you.”

“That’s impossible,” Nathan replied immediately as he walked toward the tables. “You enjoy this too much already.”

More laughter echoed through the shelter as the group made their way toward the chairs and tables that had already been arranged outside.

Albert soon began bringing over steaming pots of food alongside drinks and bowls while the soldiers sat down eagerly.

“I’d like to check up on the captain first. I’ll be back shortly,” Darren suddenly said with a tired sigh.

Before anyone could respond, he had already turned around and headed toward Ivy’s shelter.

Ivy watched his retreating figure for a moment before silently following after him. She already knew Darren would have questions, and she also knew he deserved answers.

Once inside the shelter, Darren was already seated beside Erick on the couch while gently holding his hand.

The moment he felt Ivy’s presence behind him, he turned toward her with a deep frown etched across his face.

“Why is his hand so cold?” Darren asked worriedly. “I tried waking him up just now, but he didn’t respond at all.”

Ivy’s expression darkened slightly.

I’ve already given him all the medicine the system provided, she thought inwardly with a heavy sigh. But Erick is still just a normal human without any ability or element. He inhaled too much monster toxin... even swallowed some of it.

Her eyes drifted toward Erick’s unconscious figure.

The poison has already been removed from his body, but now his body has to recover on its own. If he had awakened an element, recovery would’ve been easier. But right now... his body itself is struggling to survive.

Even if he dies now, he won’t turn into a monster anymore since the poison has been eradicated completely.

But whether he survives or not... depends entirely on him.

“Is there a problem?” Darren asked again after noticing Ivy’s silence. He stood up and slowly walked toward her. “You can tell me.”

Ivy hesitated briefly before finally speaking.

“He may never wake up,” she said quietly. “Or he might.”

Darren’s eyes widened instantly.

“What do you mean by that?” he asked, terror flashing across his face. “He was awake before. What do you mean he might never wake up?”

“The monster poison is gone,” Ivy explained seriously. “But Erick is still an ordinary human without an awakened element. If someone with abilities had gone through this, their body would’ve adapted much faster after the poison was removed.”

She paused briefly before continuing.

“Right now, his body is trying to recover, but it’s also fighting against itself at the same time. Him regaining consciousness earlier didn’t mean he was fully healed.”

Darren clenched his fists tightly.

“So what are you saying?” he asked hoarsely.

“I’m saying only Erick can decide this now,” Ivy replied honestly. “If his body gives up... then he dies. But if he continues fighting, then he may survive.”

“Fuck...” Darren cursed under his breath while running a frustrated hand through his hair.

He turned back toward Erick before grabbing his cold hand tightly.

Ivy silently watched him for a few seconds before releasing a soft sigh.

“Anyway, I’ll head outside first,” she said quietly. “Take care of him.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned around and left the shelter, giving Darren some privacy with Erick.