Apocalyptic World: Surviving with my husband and my cute little babies-Chapter 286: The only outcome is death

"Stop!... Sir, I’m afraid you’re not allowed to go any further," an officer guarding the upper floor said suspiciously.

"Officer, I have important matters to discuss with your leader," Ethan replied calmly and directly. "Please inform them that the Paradise staff are here."

The officers exchanged glances.

Their orders were strict: no outsiders could enter, as the situation with the generals was critical, and their safety was the top priority.

"What exactly do you want to discuss?" one of them asked cautiously, eyeing the masked man whose uniform differed from the usual Paradise staff.

"Supplies," Ethan answered without hesitation. "We’ve brought a large quantity and wish to sell them. Please pass this message along."

As Ethan spoke, Ramon then took out the transaction book that the military and the Paradise shop had been using for their dealings.

At the mention of supplies—and the sight of proof—the guards’ expressions shifted.

They nodded quickly, and one of them stepped inside to relay the message.

"Wait here," the officer instructed.

Moments later, another officer returned, signaling the others to step aside, finally allowing them to enter.

Ethan and Ramon then followed the officer ahead, quietly observing as they ascended to the higher floors.

Just as the Paradise kids had reported, the situation was extremely tense.

Soldiers were stationed everywhere on the upper levels; their expressions were alert.

And each unit had a standby officer guarding it, a clear sign that the person inside was an important figure.

After a few minutes, the officer stopped, opened a unit, and gestured for them to enter.

"Comrades, please wait here. General Mason will arrive shortly."

"No problem. We’ll wait," Ramon replied calmly. "If you have other duties, you may attend to them, officer."

"Call me if you need anything. I’ll be stationed outside," the officer said. And after Ethan and Ramon nodded, he then closed the door and left.

Once they were alone, Ethan closed his eyes and spread his senses, carefully scanning the surroundings.

He searched for hidden threats or anyone capable of wielding spiritual energy within the center.

But there were none.

Instead, he sensed faint strands of spiritual energy flowing into several bedridden officials.

There were only a handful of high-ranking individuals who were unconscious, and one of them was likely General Kaiser.

"I sense five," Ethan said quietly. "And I can’t perceive much beyond that."

"That brings the total to ninety-five," Ramon added, "including soldiers and civilians currently undergoing awakening here in the center."

"That’s a massive awakening," Ethan murmured.

The two exchanged a brief discussion, their thoughts drifting to other cities and evacuation centers—wondering if they, too, were experiencing the same overwhelming wave of awakenings.

Before they could continue, they heard a knock followed by a door opening.

General Mason entered with a grim expression. Despite his exhaustion and worry, he straightened his posture, maintaining the dignity of a long-time leader.

"Thank you for coming," he said. "I appreciate you looking for us, comrades."

"It’s good to see you, General Mason," Ethan replied.

"I’ll be direct. We’ve gathered a large amount of supplies—food, daily necessities, and explosives. Are you interested in taking all of it?"

General Mason’s eyes lit up at the mention of supplies, but his expression quickly turned troubled.

"Exactly how much are we talking about?" he asked.

"Tons," Ethan answered calmly. "If you take everything, it should allow this center to operate without major issues for up to three months."

General Mason inhaled deeply. Supplies like these would allow them to hold their ground—and even recruit more ability users.

Right now, they were stretched beyond their limits, expanding faster than their existing reserves could support.

And the arrival of these supplies was crucial in sustaining the center.

"I want it all. But I’m worried our payment won’t be enough."

Aside from food and necessities, they also needed practical items—storage equipment and resources to prevent spoilage.

"In that case, I’ll take all the jades and antique items as the initial payment," Ethan said smoothly.

"For the remainder, I’ll issue a promissory note. You can settle it when I visit the military’s main center."

He paused for a little, then added firmly, "I trust you, General Mason."

The offer was deliberate.

Ethan wanted to secure the remaining spiritual items, but he also intended to help the military survive—without putting the Paradise shop at a disadvantage.

More importantly, by placing his trust in General Mason personally, he made it clear whose name would stand behind the promise.

"This... so you already knew we’re leaving?" General Mason asked.

"I only heard some rumors floating around," Ethan replied. "But now that you’ve confirmed it, it seems they were true."

"In that case, let’s sign the note. I’ll make sure you’re paid back, no matter what happens."

"Good," Ethan said, handing over a list. "Here’s the inventory. Please review it first."

General Mason glanced through it before passing it to his secretary, instructing him to check the details while he continued speaking with the Paradise staff.

"You warned us before about the awakening of abilities," he said thoughtfully.

"I have a few questions. Do you mind if I ask while my secretary is reviewing the list? Don’t worry—I’ll put the answers on the tab."

"As long as it’s information we can share, I’ll answer," Ethan replied.

"Alright... Then, when will these unconscious people wake up?"

"It varies," Ethan answered.

"It depends on how long their bodies can form a core. Simply put, a core is the foundation of an awakened ability. Right now, their bodies are forming a core that matches their abilities."

"Is there a chance someone fails to form a core? And if so, what happens?"

"If they fail, the only outcome is death," Ethan answered bluntly. "But based on what I know, people only begin awakening when their bodies are ready."

"What do you mean by ’ready’?" General Mason pressed. "Some of them are malnourished and in poor condition, yet they’re still awakening."

Ethan looked at him calmly. "Are you certain they’re awakening an ability—and not simply fainting from hunger or exhaustion?"

"Of course, Brother Elias confirmed it. You know him, right?"

Ethan nodded. "Then it means their bodies are ready. ’Ready’ doesn’t mean healthy. It means their bodies have accumulated enough spiritual energy and must awaken now to solidify it into a core."

He paused before adding, "Being healthy during awakening is a bonus—it greatly increases the chance of success. But if the process fails..."

His voice lowered slightly. "As I said, death is the only result."

According to Elena, spiritual energy seeps into individuals on the day of a new cycle, triggering their bodies to absorb large amounts of it.

Those with a unique constitution adapt quickly, gathering the energy within their bodies.

This marks the beginning of core formation, during which they fall unconscious as their bodies transform.

As for those who do not awaken, it means their bodies are not yet ready—or have not adapted to the energy yet.

Worse, some are simply unable to gather the spiritual energy within their bodies, leaving them incapable of awakening an ability.

Noticing General Mason’s face turn pale, Ethan was caught off guard and pressed gently, "Is something wrong?"

"It’s nothing," General Mason replied, though his voice was tense. "My wife is awakening, and some of what you said... worries me."

As the leader of the center, countless responsibilities weighed on him—ensuring operations ran smoothly while fearing for his wife’s safety.

He could only hope she would endure this trial.

"Everything will be fine," Ethan said reassuringly. He then handed over a unique bottle filled with well water.

Seeing a shadow tentacle carrying a bottle, General Mason’s eyes widened. He couldn’t help but stare, silently astonished.

This was the first time he had personally witnessed the famed wielder of shadow abilities—the very person whose name had circulated through the building a month ago.

He had heard countless accounts of that battle inside the center, where the abbots had been suppressed with overwhelming force.

Both residents and soldiers had witnessed it, utterly mesmerized by the sheer danger and dominance of that ability.

That incident had also prompted him to seek conciliation and forgiveness for what the abbots had done within the military center.

Fortunately, the Paradise Shop did not hold a grudge and continued to support the military.

"This is..." General Mason murmured as he accepted the bottle and quickly slipped it into his pocket.

"Exclusive to our trusted allies," Ethan said calmly. "It can help your wife during her awakening. Just let her take a single drop each day."

Ethan and Elena had long held General Mason and his wife in high regard, ever since their first encounter in City B during the gang siege at the bridge.

The couple had been willing to die for one another, unwilling to live without each other.

General Mason fighting alone, despite the overwhelming odds, just to save his wife, had left a deep impression on Ethan.

Perhaps it was fate that they met again.

And with his solid military background and shared values, becoming allies—or even friends—would only benefit both sides.

"Thank you," General Mason said deeply.

"For everything you’ve done—for the military, and for my wife. If you ever need anything within my power, I will do my utmost to help."

"Then we’ll be sure to call on you when the time comes," Ethan replied, calmly acknowledging the pledge.

After a few more minutes, the secretary interrupted, having finished scanning the list of supplies.

Based on the spiritual items left in storage, it wasn’t enough to cover everything, so promissory notes would be created—a debt the military would settle later.

"Please, follow me, sir. I will guide you to the jades and antique storage," the secretary said respectfully.

"Alright.....Then I’ll see you again when the time comes, General Mason. Stay alive," Ethan said, extending his hand.

"You too, comrade. Stay alive," Mason replied.

Soon after, Ethan and Ramon followed the officers to the storage unit, leaving General Mason, who was eager to visit his wife.

He also needed to see General Kaiser, as the Paradise staff had provided another bottle intended for him.

’It seems the Paradise Shop is well acquainted with General Kaiser,’ General Mason noted silently.

With the spiritual items secured for months of Paradise operations, Ethan left the military center, leaving Ramon and the Paradise kids to complete the supply exchange.

He then appeared beside Mrs. Bennett to check on his wife first, then prepared to leave again to assess the situation at Building A.

*****

Meanwhile, Brother Elias struggled to defeat the mutated rat, for its toxic saliva and regenerative ability proved overwhelmingly powerful.

They had already deployed a high-grade fire talisman and summoned thunder to aid them, but it wasn’t enough.

The attacks only scorched its surface, failing to deal fatal damage.

Both Abbotts panted heavily, clearly at a disadvantage. To make matters worse, smaller mutated rats began harassing them, snapping with their poisonous fangs.

Fortunately, their protective talismans held strong, but the nearby residents weren’t so lucky—they were brutally killed while trying to defend themselves.

This is what Ethan witnessed as he appeared beside Lieutenant Fern, chaos all around as Fern continuously sniped mutated rats from a secluded, damaged building.