Apocalyptic World: Surviving with my husband and my cute little babies-Chapter 268: The Anxious Grandpa

But it seemed that the protective charms were still holding firm, preventing Ethan from harming him fatally.

’Too troublesome.’

So, the standoff dragged on, both sides testing each other’s limits—talismans clashing against shadows, fire and force colliding in bursts of light and darkness.

Each strike shook the air, leaving crackling energy hanging between them.

And this commotion didn’t go unnoticed.

Residents peeked through half-open doors and cracked windows, disturbed by the sudden chaos that shattered their once-quiet building.

Their eyes widened in disbelief at the sight before them—something far beyond their understanding.

It felt unreal—like a scene straight out of a science fiction movie, where people could command the elements themselves.

The older ones hid, trembling, locking themselves away from what they couldn’t understand. But the younger ones couldn’t look away.

Awe filled their faces as they watched Ethan fight, wielding shadows that moved like living creatures.

To them, it was terrifying yet mesmerizing—a glimpse of power they could only dream of.

In a world where disasters came one after another, power meant survival, and they silently wished they could awaken, too.

Ethan, meanwhile, kept his focus sharp.

He used the shadow tentacles to restrain the captive abbot, slamming him repeatedly against the walls and floor.

It looked brutal, even cruel—but necessary.

The talisman protecting the abbot was far stronger than any Ethan had seen before, likely a high-grade charm, nothing like the flimsy ones back at the military evacuation center.

It endured strike after strike, glowing faintly each time it absorbed the impact.

Still, Ethan refused to relent. He would keep pounding until that barrier shattered.

"Release our brother now, or you will face my wrath," Brother Terry warned, his voice sharp and menacing, eyes blazing with fury as if he could tear Ethan apart on the spot.

But the longer the fight dragged on, the clearer it became—Ethan was no ordinary opponent.

His balance between defense and offense was overwhelming, forcing the abbots to treat him as an actual threat.

"All talk, no bite. Stop barking when you’re already useless," Ethan snapped back, his tone dripping with contempt.

It was the first time he had ever cursed out loud—and it showed just how done he was with them.

The patience and restraint he once had were long gone.

He wanted to end this fight quickly, to return to his wife and make sure she was safe. But the abbots were stubborn, their strength still holding despite his relentless attacks.

Even so, Ethan could sense their spiritual energy waning; their movements grew slower as their talismans became weaker.

Unlike them, his core pulsed steadily within, supplying him with stable energy that could last far longer.

He could also sense traces of spiritual energy naturally flowing into their bodies—clear signs that they were on the verge of awakening.

That meant they would soon need to rest, their bodies already shifting toward the awakening stage.

Time was on Ethan’s side, but he was impatient. He needed to end this—as soon as possible.

So he unleashed shadow tentacles left and right, confusing the abbots while forcing the bound one’s protective talisman to crack.

For now, his strategy was working—using real guns to tear the shadow-sucking talismans, then striking with tentacles to break the others’ rhythm and keep them busy. But it still wasn’t enough.

He needed someone to handle the distractions so he could focus on his power.

Fortunately, backup arrived. Oslo and Xander quickly repositioned themselves, assessing the chaotic scene before taking action.

"Chief," Oslo called out through telepathy.

Ethan scanned the area until he spotted them, standing near a few military officers.

"Don’t involve the military," Ethan ordered firmly. "Convince them to leave."

This was not the time to reveal their abilities. He and Elena still needed the cover of Paradise Shop, and for now, they intended to keep their powers hidden for as long as possible.

Oslo nodded and immediately pulled the soldiers aside. The military personnel, tasked with securing the building, were baffled.

They were confused about why the abbots were targeting the Caldwells.

They knew the couple lived on the highest floor—General Mason himself had instructed them to protect them.

But now, seeing the abbots, who were supposedly allies, attacking them left the soldiers conflicted.

Still, since the Caldwells refused their help, they withdrew, deciding to report everything to General Mason as soon as possible.

Once they were gone, Ethan gave new orders to Oslo and Xander.

"Interrupt their talismans. Shoot them down if you have to. Don’t hold back—they’re our enemies now."

The two men nodded and swiftly moved into position.

As they advanced, the air on the so-called ground floor—actually the second floor—was thick and foul, heavy with the stench of decay from decomposing matter. Breathing was difficult, but they pushed through.

Moments later, loud bursts of gunfire erupted as Oslo and Xander opened fire.

Bang! Bang!

The abbots staggered as they desperately tried to defend themselves, unleashing their elemental talismans in haste—but their advantage was fading fast.

Even with their protective charms, the abbots were overwhelmed by the sudden arrival of new foes armed with submachine guns, unleashing relentless bursts of fire.

And at last, Ethan could fully release his power without interruption.

But just as he prepared to finish off the bound abbot, a sudden telepathic voice broke through his focus.

"Ethan, where are you?" Grandpa Caldwell’s voice came, filled with worry and tension.

"Grandpa, I’m in the middle of a fight. What happened?" Ethan responded sharply, already sensing something was wrong.

"Come back soon," Grandpa said anxiously. "Your wife... she’s in labor. It started suddenly, and it’s not looking good."

Ethan froze. His heart skipped a beat at the news of Elena’s struggle.

"I’ll finish this as soon as possible," he said firmly. "But let Aunt Liza handle Elena first—I can’t leave right now."

Leaving now would put Oslo and Xander at a disadvantage, and if they retreated, those damn abbots would surely follow, risking Elena’s safety during childbirth.

He couldn’t allow that, so he had to stay.

"Alright," Grandpa replied after a pause. "I’ll send more backup to your side. But be careful. If things get too rough, pull back for now."

Then his tone hardened. "Still... it would be best to eliminate them—for our safety." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

It sounded harsh, especially since they had once worked together—he had served as a military advisor and had even collaborated with the abbots.

But their betrayal, their decision to target Elena, had changed everything.

The kind old man was gone; what remained was the decisive strategist—ready to cut down any threat.

He sighed deeply. He hadn’t wanted to disturb Ethan, but seeing Elena’s pain, he had no choice.

Ethan should know so that he could be there for her.