Floating Island
In the cozy living room of the villa, the team gathered on the plush sofas, the atmosphere light but charged with anticipation. Yuto Saito glanced at Yun Yun, curiosity in his eyes.
"Xiao Yun, how are your parents doing? You mentioned last time you called them," he asked, his voice steady but concerned.
Yun Yun smiled, her relief palpable. "They're safe now. They've been taken to the shelter in Y City, and everything's fine."
Ni Shuang chimed in with a smile, "My parents are there with them too, so I know they're in good hands."
Yuto nodded, reassured. "That's great news. What about you, Natto?"
Natto grinned, her tone light despite the topic. "Thanks for asking, Brother Su. My parents are safe as well. And my younger brother has awakened his talent for strength. He's got this crazy power now, so he's protecting them."
Yuto shifted his gaze to Mina. "What about your family? Do they need any help?"
Mina's smile faltered briefly. "My parents are abroad. I've tried contacting them, but I haven't heard back since they told me to take care of myself. I'm hoping they're okay."
Yuto nodded solemnly, then turned to Ruoruo. "And you, Ruoruo?"
Ruoruo, ever calm, didn't seem phased. "My parents both awakened talents. My dad's super fast, and my mom can teleport. They're probably better off than I am!"
Orange, wide-eyed with admiration, exclaimed, "Wow, your parents sound like superheroes!"
Ruoruo nodded, grinning. "I was shocked too when I found out. They even offered to come get me, but I told them I was with an amazing team. They didn't believe me."
Ni Shuang laughed, "When they meet us, they'll get it."
Yuto turned to Orange, his voice softer now. "Orange, how are your parents doing?"
A cloud passed over Orange's face. "They're in Modu, but the city's not doing well. I read the news; it's fallen. Brother Su... I want to go there, bring them to safety."
The room fell silent as everyone considered the gravity of her words. Yuto broke the silence with a determined nod. "We'll go to Modu. Save your parents and help the survivors. We'll fight off those zombies and earn some experience along the way. Plus, we'll gather more spar to expand the floating island."
Yun Yun immediately supported the idea. "I agree. It's a solid plan."
Ni Shuang chimed in, "Count me in. Let's do this."
Ruoruo added with excitement, "Modu, here we come!"
Mina smiled warmly at Orange. "You're so lucky, Orange. We've got your back."
Orange's eyes welled with gratitude as she looked around at her teammates. "Thank you, Brother Su. Thank you, everyone."
As they planned, Yun Yun gracefully stood up, stretching. "I'll start prepping lunch. It's going to be a long day."
Orange hopped up to help, leaving Mina on her phone, chuckling at a message from a friend.
Zhou Shuyi: Mina, you were incredible! I saw you take down those giant rats! Are you close with Yuto Saito now? Can you introduce me?
Mina replied quickly, Not yet. We're not looking for new recruits, but maybe in the future.
Zhou Shuyi teased, I bet you're already Yuto Saito's girl, aren't you?
Mina burst out laughing. What? No way! We're just teammates. And anyway, his girlfriend is way out of my league. That blue-haired beauty you saw? She's amazing.
Meanwhile, Yuto noticed Mina texting and asked, "Who are you chatting with?"
Mina giggled, "Just Sister Zhou. She's interested in joining us. I told her we're not recruiting for now, but maybe later."
Yuto smirked. "Sister Zhou... the one who's silent and stunning, but as soon as she speaks, the charm shatters?"
Mina laughed harder. "Exactly! Everyone says the same thing about her."
Ruoruo, who had been quietly listening, perked up. "Brother Su, I was talking to Nazi earlier, and she's really eager to join. Can we give her a shot?"
Yuto paused, considering her words. "Alright, let's give her a test. Go meet her, Ruoruo, and take these rings with you. One's for her—she can help us gather spar. The other's for Li Shiqian. He's building something on the ground and will need resources."
Ruoruo's face lit up with excitement. "Got it, Brother Su! I'm on it."
As she left to meet Nazi, Yuto's mind raced. He knew that helping others was the right thing to do, but he also saw the strategic advantage. Saving Orange's parents would not only expand their team's strength but also give them the chance to secure more resources and territory. In a world where survival meant growing stronger with every fight, this journey to Modu was more than just a rescue mission—it was a stepping stone to something greater.