Chapter 33 A Fair Trade


    She strolled away nonchntly with her dog following closely at her side.


    The man felt a surge of panic as he observed her departure, confusion overtaking his expression.


    No way!


    He considered himself intelligent. Early in the apocalypse, he had already gathered from the news that things were moreplicated than they appeared. When the zombie outbreak struck his neighborhood, he acted swiftly-mmed his doors shut, kept his entire family secluded in silence, and managed to


    weather the turmoil.


    Later, his luck turned again-he unlocked a nt-based ability that allowed him to grow vegetables, securing his family’s basic food supply. But vegetables alone weren’t enough; while the adults could endure, the children were already showing signs of malnutrition.


    Still, he firmly believed that the fresh produce he was growing must hold value out there. In a world like this, who else had ess to fresh vegetables?


    B


    He was convinced-this could be traded! But he hadn’t anticipated that Theresa didn’t even flinch and simply didn’t care.


    Just as she was about to walk away, the man called out to her, “Miss! What do you need? Money? We have some! Whatever you want-if we have it, we’re willing to trade!”


    That finally made her stop. For the first time, a hint of interest appeared on her face. She nced toward their house-the 9th Vi.


    “I want your house,” she stated.


    He was shocked. What in the world?! It’s the freakin’ apocalypse, and she wants a house? That’s not food or clothing!


    “I’ll offer you 500 pounds of rice, 50 pounds of meat, 100 eggs, and ten cases of milk in exchange for your house,” she dered.


    It was a great deal. Before the world copsed, all of that might not have even amounted to $700-it couldn’t have purchased even a single square foot of the property.


    But now? In this world? That kind of bounty for a house was a bargain.


    Still, uncertainty flickered across the couple’s faces. We could give up the house, sure… but then, where the hell


    would we live?


    “Miss, if we sell you the house, can we still live here?” The man adjusted his sses and appeared to have a notion. His gaze sharpened as he regarded Theresa. “What if we stay on as workers? We’ll give you half of everything we grow-every single day. In other words, we’ll be your employees!” the man inquired.


    It was a clever strategy. It’s basically like being tenant farmers from the old days… but honestly, it’s the smartest move we’ve got. We don’t have to move, we keep a roof over our heads, just give up half the harvest—and best of all, she’ll


    protect us.


    It’s clear from the start-this girl is anything but ordinary.


    It’s the smartest move we’ve made by aligning with her and putting our trust in her.


    And honestly? It’s not a bad deal for her either!


    Theresa had already set her sights on their residence-no intention of living there, but to incorporate it


    into her domain.


    I need support-and with my territory growing so quickly, a lot of it’s still wide open and vulnerable. Having this family here to help guard it? Not a bad deal. They’re offering half their food every single day, and he’s a nt-based ability user on top of that? Yeah, that’s definitely a fair trade.


    In that moment, a mechanical voice resonated in her mind. Beep-new territory residents’ allegiance detected. epting them will yield +300 territory points and unveil special resident traits!


    She was startled. Special traits?!


    “I ept!” she dered without hesitation.


    As soon as the words exited her lips, an unseen force surged forth, linking her to the three individuals before her. A transformation urred.


    David Weston and his wife were suddenly engulfed by a wave of reverence. Though unable to articte it, as they gazed at her, it felt like looking up at a divine figure-someone deserving of worship. Instinctively, hey feltpelled to bow their heads in submission.


    Meanwhile, Theresa sensed a peculiar, potent energy flowing through her. She extended her hand towards a box of vegetables cultivated by David, and instantly, the nts thrived, growing vigorously, even faster han when he utilized his own abilities.


    The couple finallyprehended why she had previously looked down on their crops after witnessing his. He thought, She’s got nt-based ability too. And clearly, hers are way stronger than mine.


    A blend of emotions surged within them-thankfulness, wonder, and a hint of fear.


    She doesn’t need our help… but she still decides to include us. Her kindness is something else-deeper than any cruelty could ever be.


    Theresa officially acquired their home.


    At the entrance, she inscribed arge ‘Tess’ onto the mailbox, marking it as hers. Her territorial map was atstplete-each segment in its rightful ce.


    “From this day forth,” she proimed, her voice firm, “I am your leader.”


    She provided the couple with specific instructions—they were to remain and manage this section of the


    territory. No outsiders were permitted to intrude. They would cultivate crops, safeguard thend, and in return, she would offer them protection. And if they contributed effectively, she would even reward them.


    David and his wife were profoundly touched-they nodded eagerly, overwhelmed with emotion. T-This is exactly what we’ve been longing for.


    Before the world copsed or after, it was irrelevant-ordinary people always desired one thing: a secure ce to call home, under the guardianship of someone powerful enough to fend off the encroaching


    darkness.