World Evolution Apocalypse: I Possess The Extraction Ability

After composing himself, Leon headed to the room where his three subordinates were, and he quietly stepped inside.

Cassie’s gaze snapped towards him, while Fel only glanced at him. Just from the look in her eyes, Leon could tell that she was thoroughly exhausted.

He walked closer to the bed Marie was lying on and sighed in relief when he saw not even a scratch on her body.

"Thank you, Fel," He said, patting the healer’s back. "How bad was her injury?"

She replied in an exhausted voice. "She had a hole through her stomach, and she was severely poisoned. She was lucky enough to hold out until I arrived. If Cassie hadn’t teleported and I’d arrived a minute later..."

She didn’t continue, but the implication was clear.

Leon covered his face with his hands, suppressing another sigh.

’At least she didn’t die...’ He thought, trying to be positive.

"What about the other Evolvers?"

Cassie answered him, her tone solemn. "I’m not too sure, but it seems about half of them had been killed. We couldn’t retrieve the bodies since we were in a rush, so..."

Leon’s gaze darkened and he silently mourned the dead men. Although he didn’t even know their names, he still felt pained by their deaths. After all, they were all members of his Eternal Night City.

’I really need to make the people around me stronger. Being a powerhouse doesn’t mean I can protect everyone.’

"I’ll handle the funeral tomorrow. Please relay my message to Nicolas."

Cassie nodded and walked out of the room, immediately moving to deliver his message.

Leon turned to Fel and said, "You should get some rest, Fel. Thanks for saving her."

She smiled slightly. "It’s fine, Boss. Marie is like my older sister too."

She also left the room, returning to her own room to rest.

Today’s expedition was exhausting and dreadful. If possible, she didn’t want to face anything of such anytime soon.

Leon sat beside Marie’s bed and closed his eyes.

A few minutes later, Richard and Miguel walked in, and only after seeing Marie did they connect the dots. They patted Leon’s shoulder and said a few words, then left after lingering for a while.

Leon remained seated for hours, and only after three hours did he open his eyes. He immediately locked gazes with Marie who was also looking at him.

"So I survived..." She muttered, dazed.

She hadn’t really thought about what would happen after being stabbed by the scorpion. Only after it escaped did the reality of what she had done—and what she could have lost—hit her.

’My daughter...’

Her heart clenched tightly, but seeing Leon’s face, she confirmed that she hadn’t died. A small smile formed on her face.

"I’m sorry," Leon suddenly said, startling her.

"Sorry? Why?" She blinked, managing to turn to him.

He shook his head, a conflicted expression on his face. "I don’t really know... I just thought I should say that. It all feels like my fault."

Marie frowned and shook her head. "What nonsense are you saying? How is it your fault that I ended up fighting the scorpion? Did you send it to me?"

"Uh... no," Leon shook his head awkwardly.

"So?" Marie continued. "I don’t see how it’s your fault, Leon. This is simply how the world has become. You can’t be responsible for everyone. That’s only a childish burden you’ve placed on yourself."

"Huh?"

Marie’s eyes narrowed, and she sounded displeased. "Are you God?"

Leon shook his head.

"Then why should you feel responsible for everyone? I get that you’re a leader, but this is not a chess game, and you’re not some mastermind that can control everything around you," She said, looking straight at him. "You can only do your best to help others. You can’t always control what happens to them. Just like you couldn’t control the apocalypse from happening."

Leon’s head dropped, and he muttered slowly, "... I see."

The room was silent for a few minutes, then Leon spoke again.

"How are you feeling?"

Marie got off the bed and answered, "All good, but I still feel some pain. It should be gone soon, though."

She paused, then looked at him with narrowed eyes. "I’m curious, though. How did you know I was injured?"

Hearing this, Leon chuckled. "Well, the scorpion suddenly appeared right in front of us, and after seeing its state, I could confirm that it had been fighting you before escaping."

"What...?" Marie gasped, astounded. "Talk about crappy luck. From frying pan to fire, huh?"

Leon rolled his eyes. "I’m not the one who has fire-related skills, though."

The two laughed for a while, allowing their disturbed hearts to ease.

"You should go find Nora. She must have been looking for you," Leon said as he stood up, rolling his shoulders.

The auburn-haired woman nodded and stood up, stepping outside with him. Just before they went their separate ways, Leon spoke again.

"Thank you, Marie."

She turned back, a curious look in her grey eyes. "For what?"

Leon took a deep breath and answered, "You protected them. I appreciate that."

Marie grinned and responded with a thumbs-up. "Hey, you made me their commander, didn’t you?"

Leon laughed lightly. "I guess you’re right, Commander Marie."

The two of them separated, with her going to find her daughter while Leon headed to find Nicolas.

The death of over two hundred Evolvers weighed on his mind, but it wasn’t something he could allow to weigh him down.

He quickly found the man talking to the surviving Evolvers who were grieving their fallen comrades.

Leon’s presence silenced the place, and they all turned to him. Leon stared at them for a full minute, not saying a single word.

’They are my soldiers... my warriors...’

He closed his eyes, then spoke calmly.

"I know what has happened to you all today, and I am by no means pleased to hear of it.. Everyone person we lost was a human life taken away from us by the seeds of the apocalypse."

The air grew heavy, and he could feel the burning emotions of the Evolvers.

"That is why we can grieve. We can mourn. However, we cannot break, neither can we afford to falter. Or else, more will die."

Leon opened his eyes, his black pupils staring at them with quiet heaviness.

"You have lost comrades today. People you fought beside. People you may have laughed with, trained with, or simply passed by without ever learning their names."

"Mourn them," His voice hardened. "Then remember why you’re still alive."

"You survived because there is still a future waiting for you. And if you want to make sure their deaths were not meaningless, then become stronger. The apocalypse will not stop for our grief."

"So neither will we."

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