C12 Su Kouye's Fate(2)

"It's true, I really do care about you," Jiang Feng said with a voice full of strength, his tone resolute and unwavering.

Urendir had always been seen merely as a tool for completing missions, her existence only acknowledged upon their completion. She stayed by Jiang Feng's side because her final assignment was to protect him. But now, Urendir realized that safeguarding Jiang Feng had ceased to be just a mission—it had become something she genuinely wanted to do.

Blinking back tears, Urendir turned away from Jiang Feng and spoke softly, "We can take our time to figure out what to do about Su Kouye. I respect your decision. If he can be of use to us, that would be ideal. But if, if he truly betrays you in the end, I won't let him pose a threat to you."

The room was faintly illuminated by a handful of candles. Unbeknownst to Urendir, who had her back to Jiang Feng, his tears were already streaming down his face. He was deeply moved to have someone like Urendir by his side—what more could he possibly wish for?

The next morning at 6 AM, Jiang Feng was abruptly awakened by Jiang Wei's cries of hunger. Stirred from sleep, he quickly got up and began preparing breakfast. Urendir, observing Jiang Feng's promptness, was taken aback. Despite never having had a serious girlfriend, he was already embodying the responsibilities of a father.

Yet, there was something irksome: every time Jiang Feng cooked, Su Kouye was eager to assist. Urendir had never minded her own lack of culinary skills, but watching the two men bustling about in the kitchen made her feel oddly out of place.

"Su Kouye, have your sharp nails and fangs vanished?" Jiang Feng inquired, as Su Kouye chopped tomatoes.

"Since the feast last night, I've gained control over them. Didn't you notice I stopped making any beastly noises?" Su Kouye replied.

"I did notice. If you hadn't, I would've gagged you by now. But I'm surprised you can control your sharp teeth and claws so quickly."

"I hadn't eaten since the crisis began. Thanks to your generosity, last night's meal significantly strengthened me. By the way, are you some kind of prophet or a deity in disguise? You managed to stockpile so much food before the outbreak. It's incredibly satisfying."

"Haha, just go with that."

Once they finished their hearty breakfast, Jiang Feng and Urendir got ready to head out.

"Are you guys leaving? Shouldn't we stay put and wait for rescue?"

"There's no rescue coming. The whole world is in crisis. No one has the luxury to look out for others, and help won't be arriving anytime soon."

"But why go out at all?"

"Like I said last night, we're all new humans now. New humans grow stronger through battle. We can't afford to waste a single day. This is how we get stronger at the beginning. Just don't ask too many questions and follow my lead."

With that, Jiang Feng and his companions resumed their training regimen of monster-slaying and leveling up.

Two days later, Jiang Feng's reflexes had soared to new heights, achieving a perfect hit rate with his shots, but Urendir's ammunition was nearly depleted.

Urendir started to formally teach Jiang Feng hand-to-hand combat, focusing on his natural aptitude for kicking techniques. Su Kouye picked up a few moves as well, but Urendir didn't seem to care for him much, offering no guidance and leaving him to work things out on his own.

After another two days, Jiang Feng's kicking techniques had significantly improved. Yet, when sparring with Su Kouye, he couldn't seem to get the upper hand. Technically, Jiang Feng was far superior, but Su Kouye's resilience meant neither could best the other.

The next day, Little Jiang Wei was easily casting fireball spells to fend off zombies, though she could only muster the strength for five a day, limiting their impact.

On the eighth morning, as had become routine, Urendir took Jiang Feng to an empty room for a private lesson in kicking techniques.

"Again, and faster this time," Urendir instructed, bracing herself.

"Here I come."

Jiang Feng launched a kick at Urendir with increased speed. The battle-hardened Urendir blocked with her arm effortlessly. But after parrying over twenty rounds of attacks, she suddenly realized Jiang Feng's speed was escalating, and she was struggling to keep up.

"Boom!" Jiang Feng's foot finally connected with Urendir, marking the first time she had been hit by him.

Urendir staggered backward after a blow to her abdomen, retreating several steps and crashing through a window. Her body teetered on the brink of the building's edge.

"Urendir!" Jiang Feng dashed forward, diving with lightning speed to grasp her hand.

Jiang Feng lay sprawled on the 17th-floor ground, while Urendir dangled from the building's exterior. Looking down, Jiang Feng saw a horde of zombies below, their gazes fixed upward at him and Urendir.

"That was too close, Urendir."

Urendir looked up at Jiang Feng with a smile. "I didn't expect you to make it in time."

"Enough talk, I'm pulling you up now."

Once Urendir was safely back inside, she noticed Jiang Feng's eyes were slightly wet.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I was terrified. If you had fallen... Just the thought is unbearable."

"Don't worry, I wouldn't necessarily die even if I fell..."

Urendir's words were cut short as Jiang Feng suddenly embraced her. Initially taken aback, she quickly responded with a back throw.

With a thud, Jiang Feng hit the floor so hard that it cracked.

"Why did you hug me out of the blue?"

Lying on the cracked floor, Jiang Feng winced in pain. "Ouch, that hurt!"

Urendir pressed him again, "Why hug me without any reason?"

Jiang Feng looked up at her with a wry smile. "I've hugged you three times, and you've thrown me three times. I wonder when I'll learn."

"What's gotten into you? Let me make it clear—don't touch me again."

"I understand," Jiang Feng murmured, his voice barely a whisper, lacking conviction.

Indeed, Jiang Feng's confidence was waning. He found his feelings for Urendir growing stronger, despite knowing he shouldn't harbor such affection. He felt increasingly powerless to stop it.

Just then, Su Kouye arrived with news. "I've completed my investigation. On the fifth floor, there are three formidable mutated Dodos and one vicious mutated Tibetan Mastiff."

"Damn, they've even got a Tibetan Mastiff," Jiang Feng grunted, fighting through the pain as he slowly got to his feet.

Subsequently, the group of four joined forces, dedicating an entire day to scouring the fifth floor clean.

Two days later, Jiang Feng and his companions had stormed their way through the third floor.

Throughout this time, both Jiang Feng and Urendir kept a close eye on Su Kouye's every move and utterance, but nothing seemed amiss.