Apocalypse Transmigration - The Card Captor System
Chapter 18: recruitment
Here are the grammar-only corrections. I have not altered the plot, dialogue content, or structure beyond fixing grammar, punctuation, and wording errors.
After taking the medicine from Leo’s hand, Miss Elena went inside another room.
Leo then handed the backpack to Captain Will.
"Captain, you said you ran out of supplies. There is some food in there."
"No, no, I can’t take it. You already gave us medicine. Taking your food as well, I can’t do it. Moreover, I don’t have anything left to exchange for these supplies."
"Captain, don’t be humble now. How many times have you given me supplies back at the survivor base? This is just a small repayment."
Leo was not being kind for no reason. Ever since he met the captain again, he had been thinking about recruiting him.
These days, he had realised that being alone and managing everything by himself would be very inconvenient moving forward.
Even in his last life, he was a loner, and he didn’t make any allies, which is why there was no one to warn him about the organisation’s trap, and he died a gruesome death.
So he had decided that in this life, he would cultivate a group of trustworthy allies who could watch his back in this dangerous world.
Captain Will and his wife were from a military background. They were strong and good people.
Even if not completely, from the predecessor’s memories, he could gauge that he could somewhat trust them.
Moreover, he could completely support a group of people with the system’s help.
And the presence of the anti-viral serum could help him control these people and prevent them from betraying him because, in this world, something that could stop them from becoming zombies was the most important thing.
And given enough time, Leo was sure that he would become stronger than anyone else, and even if someone decided to betray him, he could handle them easily.
Hearing Leo’s words, Captain Will took the backpack from Leo’s hands after some hesitation and went inside the room his wife had gone into.
Meanwhile, Leo found a chair to sit down on and started to meditate.
After a while, both Captain Will and his wife came out of the room. Leo opened his eyes.
"How is Lily now?"
Miss Elena replied, "I have given her the cold medicine. She is sleeping now."
"Hope she recovers quickly."
Then Captain Will suddenly bowed towards Leo.
"Thank you for helping us so much this time. I will never forget what you have done for us today."
"It’s okay, Captain. We should all help each other in these desperate times. Isn’t this what you always told us at the base?"
Captain Will then showed an embarrassed smile.
"My husband told me that you were leaving the town. Why? This town is very safe now. I haven’t seen any zombies wandering outside today."
Then Leo put on a serious expression.
"This town may be safe, but there are no supplies left here. If we stay here because it’s safe, then even if the zombies don’t kill us, hunger will."
Captain Will also nodded.
"I was also planning to take them away from here for the same reason, but Lily suddenly got sick."
"By the way, was the ruckus last night your doing?"
Leo nodded his head.
"I won’t lie to the both of you. For my superpower to grow stronger, I need to constantly kill zombies and mutants."
Both of their eyes widened slightly.
Elena shook her head.
"Leo, you don’t have to explain everything. Everyone has secrets now. The fact that you’re willing to share this much already means a lot."
Leo wasn’t planning on divulging any more, but to help convince them to join him, he had to share some things with them.
Moreover, if they joined him and stayed close to him, they were eventually going to realise the existence of cards sooner or later.
Telling them now could help him build some trust between them.
"Captain and sister-in-law... I won’t force you. But I think all of us know that surviving alone is becoming harder every day."
Leo paused before continuing.
"I have supplies, transportation, and a safe place to stay. You have experience, discipline, and are people I can trust. Instead of struggling separately, why don’t we survive together?"
Both of them became silent for a moment.
"Captain, if it were anyone else, I would never ask them, but I trust you and sister-in-law. We could help take care of each other. Moreover, as long as you join me and help me, I promise that even if I have to go hungry, I won’t let Lily starve."
Suddenly, the mention of Lily’s name made both of them look at each other.
"Leo, don’t misunderstand. If it was just me alone, I would immediately join you. Could you give my wife and me a moment to discuss this alone?"
Leo nodded, immediately stood up, and went outside the room to give the couple some privacy.
He completely understood their reasoning for discussing this matter. By doing this, Leo’s trust in the captain increased even more because if you asked someone to join you and they agreed without hesitation, then that was a problem.
He went outside the building and stood leaning against the truck.
After half an hour, Captain Will came out of the building.
"Leo, no, Captain, Elena and I have discussed it. If you’re willing to take us in, then we’ll follow you."
William’s expression became serious.
"You saved my daughter’s life. As long as you don’t abandon my family, you’ll never have to worry about me abandoning you."
Hearing Captain Will’s words and seeing his willingness to call him Captain, a smile appeared on Leo’s face.
This showed that the captain understood the power dynamics and was showing his loyalty.
Leo didn’t say any flashy words but extended his hand to shake the captain’s hand.
"Captain, I will be entrusting my back to you from now on."
"Captain, please call me William or Will from now on."
"Okay, William."
Even though William seemed much older than Leo, Leo had no hesitation or awkwardness in calling him by his name, as if you added Leo’s previous life to this life, then Leo would be around sixty years old.
"William, come and take a look inside the vehicle. See if you will need anything else besides what is already inside."
Then both of them entered the compartment. As soon as William saw the interior, he was awestruck. This was no longer a vehicle in his eyes. It was a mobile home.
Looking at the supplies and weapons lying around, William nodded repeatedly. When he saw the sniper rifle, his eyes immediately lit up.
He quickly went forward, picked up the rifle, and started inspecting it.
"Good gun. Good gun."
He then put the gun down and said,
"If we have this and a good location, then even those troublesome mutants could be taken down."
After inspecting everything, he said,
"The space will be a little cramped for four people, but we can adjust. This is much better than sleeping outside."
"I will call your sister-in-law down and let her check. She will be much more knowledgeable about what we need and how to arrange these things."
He paused slightly and asked,
"That is, if you agree."
Leo shook his head.
"I don’t mind. Sister-in-law probably knows more about organizing supplies than either of us."
Saying this, both of them went inside the building.