Apocalypse: Reborn with a Soul Sync Farming Space System-Chapter 146 We Leave Tonight

"Ling Xuan," she said after a moment, her tone turning thoughtful. "There is someone else we could take along."

Ling Xuan glanced at her lazily. "Who?"

"Stefan."

Ling Xuan’s brows lifted slightly, though her expression remained calm as she waited for Laurel to explain further.

Laurel sat up slowly before continuing, because although she had not originally planned to involve Stefan in the expedition, the deeper she thought about the unknown dangers beyond the fortress walls, the more she realized that having someone with his ability might become the difference between life and death if things spiraled out of control.

"His teleportation power could be extremely useful," Laurel said calmly. "If we encounter something we cannot handle, he could evacuate people instantly, and if we need to retreat or escape from a large swarm of infected, his ability could buy us the few seconds we might need to survive."

Ling Xuan did not respond immediately, her gaze lowering slightly as she began weighing the idea in her mind, because although Stefan’s ability was undeniably valuable in dangerous situations, trust was something she never gave easily, especially when they were about to venture far away from the fortress where any betrayal could become fatal.

"He is useful," Ling Xuan admitted after a moment.

Laurel nodded faintly.

"But usefulness and trust are two different things," Ling Xuan continued calmly. "I will think about it and observe him for a while. If he proves reliable, I might allow him to join the expedition."

"That’s fair," Laurel replied, leaning back again as the tension in her shoulders loosened slightly.

If the wrong person joined them outside the fortress walls, the consequences could be catastrophic.

...

While Ling Xuan and Laurel were discussing their plans, the atmosphere within the residential district of the fortress had begun to tense quietly beneath the surface.

Helen stood near one of the crowded supply streets with her arms folded across her chest, her sharp blue eyes sweeping across the restless crowd as she spoke in a low but persuasive voice, because unlike the soldiers and powerful families who still believed the fortress remained under control, she had long since stopped trusting the stability of the place.

"This fortress is no longer safe," Helen said calmly to the small group gathered around her. "Do you really think those three powers will settle their differences peacefully? They are already pointing knives at each other, and when powerful people begin fighting for control, it is always the ordinary people who end up dying first."

A murmur spread through the group.

Standing beside her was a tall man named Luke, whose calm demeanor and polite voice made him appear trustworthy enough to reinforce her arguments.

"She is right," Luke added quietly. "The red mist is gone now, which means the only reason most of us stayed inside these walls no longer exists."

Several people exchanged uncertain glances.

The red mist had once been the greatest terror outside the fortress, suffocating entire regions with its deadly presence and forcing survivors to seek shelter behind fortified walls. But, now that the mist had disappeared and the sky had cleared, the outside world suddenly seemed less like a death sentence and more like an opportunity.

"The world outside is empty now," Luke continued slowly. "Cities, farms, warehouses, entire towns without owners. Anyone brave enough to leave this place could claim land, resources, even entire settlements."

The temptation in his words was unmistakable.

Some of the people listening began whispering among themselves, their eyes flickering with uncertainty and greed.

However, not everyone was convinced.

Manu stood near the back of the crowd with his arms crossed tightly over his chest, his expression filled with disbelief as he stared at Helen.

"You are all insane," he said bluntly. "The infected are still roaming outside those walls, and you want to wander out there chasing imaginary opportunities."

Helen turned toward him slowly.

"You can stay here if you want," she replied calmly. "But when the three powers inside this fortress begin tearing each other apart, don’t say no one warned you."

Manu snorted. "I would rather deal with soldiers and politics than starve to death in the wasteland."

A few people nodded in agreement with him.

But others remained silent, their expressions filled with hesitation as they weighed the two terrifying possibilities before them.

Helen studied the faces around her carefully.

Fear, uncertainty, and opportunity mixed together perfectly in their expression.

"Think about it," she said slowly. "The red mist was the only thing trapping us here. Now that it’s gone, why should we remain inside a cage controlled by powerful families who treat us like pawns?"

Her words planted seeds of doubt in their minds.

Luke spoke again, his voice calm but persuasive.

"We are not forcing anyone to come," he said. "But those who leave early will have the greatest advantage before others realize the opportunity outside."

The group slowly began dividing. Manu shook his head in disgust before turning away.

"You people are digging your own graves." He left without looking back.

However, despite his warning, several individuals stepped forward toward Helen and Luke, their expressions filled with nervous excitement.

"How many of you are willing to leave tonight?" Helen asked.

Hands slowly rose in the air.

Helen’s lips curved faintly.

She had always hated the fortress.

From the moment she arrived, she had despised the way the powerful families controlled every resource while ordinary survivors struggled for scraps, and if the red mist had not made the outside world uninhabitable, she would have left long ago.

Now the opportunity had finally arrived.

"We leave tonight," Helen said firmly.

Luke nodded in agreement. "If we wait too long, the commander might forbid anyone from leaving."

The small group exchanged nervous looks.

...

Hours later, darkness settled over the fortress like a thick blanket as most of the civilians retreated into their homes, unaware that a quiet rebellion was already unfolding within the shadows of the inner district.

Near the massive outer gates, seventeen figures stood gathered in silence beneath the dim lantern lights.

Helen stood at the front of the group with Luke beside her, while the others shifted nervously behind them as they stared up at the towering fortress walls that had protected them for so long.

For many of them, this would be the first time stepping outside since the apocalypse began.

Helen stepped forward and called toward the guards stationed above.

"We want the gate opened."

The soldiers on the wall exchanged surprised glances before leaning over the edge.

"Opened?" one of them asked. "Says who?"

Helen crossed her arms calmly. "Says me. We are leaving the fortress."