The path back to her base was quiet, yet Laura's thoughts churned with unease. Jason Borneo's cryptic words lingered in her mind.
His recognition of her, his hints of shared history—none of it should have been possible. The idea that she might not be the only regressor alive sent chills down her spine.
If others had also gone back in time, what did that mean for her plans? For the world? And how had Jason changed so drastically?
Her steps slowed as she neared the place where the men had stopped her on her way to the resort. The ground was still stained with dried blood, a reminder of the carnage she had unleashed.
She stood there for a moment, her sharp eyes scanning the area. That was when she noticed something—a narrow, overgrown path just off the main road. She hadn't seen it before.
Perhaps it had always been there, obscured by the chaos of the world's destruction, or perhaps it had simply escaped her notice. Either way, her instincts told her to investigate.
With silent steps, Laura moved down the path, her hand hovering near the dagger on her belt. The overgrown vegetation muffled her movement, and the shadows cast by the broken buildings ahead gave her ample cover.
After two turns, the path opened up, revealing a tall but crumbling structure in the distance. Its windows were shattered, its walls weathered and cracked. Yet, unlike most of the ruins she had encountered, this one wasn't deserted.
People were moving in and out of the building, their figures silhouetted against the weak sunlight. Laura crouched low, her keen eyes observing from the shadows. Something about the scene unsettled her.
The individuals entering and exiting the building weren't ordinary survivors—they carried themselves with the confidence of those accustomed to power.
Many of them were armed with makeshift weapons, their expressions cold and calculating. Guards, she realized, patrolling the perimeter like vultures circling their prey.
Her unease deepened as she moved closer. From her vantage point, she could make out more details. The guards weren't the only ones present—there were civilians too, though they moved differently.
Women were being herded into and out of the building, their appearances starkly contrasting. Some looked relatively healthy, though their faces were void of hope.
Others bore clear signs of abuse: bruises, torn clothing, and hollow expressions that spoke of despair.
Laura's fists clenched as she took in the grim reality. Among the women, she noticed a handful of men, but they weren't free. They were locked in makeshift cages, their faces gaunt and weary.
Some glared at their captors with smoldering anger, while others stared blankly into space, their spirits seemingly broken. Laura didn't need to see more to understand what this place was. It was a stronghold—a den of oppression where power was abused, and the weak were exploited.
She slipped further into the shadows, her movements silent as she navigated the perimeter. Every step brought new revelations.
She noted the number of guards stationed at the entrances, the placement of cages, and the general layout of the building. Her mind worked quickly, piecing together the structure's weak points and areas of importance.
Each discovery fueled her simmering rage, but she forced herself to remain calm. Acting impulsively here would be suicidal.
As she moved deeper into the building, the horrors she witnessed only grew worse. Some of the women were barely dressed, their faces marked by fresh bruises.
Chains bound their wrists and ankles, their clinking a cruel reminder of their captivity. Laura's stomach churned at the sight, but she kept her emotions in check. She couldn't afford to be reckless, not when the odds were so heavily stacked against her.
The sounds of conflict reached her ears—shouts, roars, the clash of metal against flesh. The distraction she had orchestrated was working.
The guards outside were occupied, dealing with the beasts she had lured to the area. It gave her the freedom to move unchallenged, though she knew her time was limited.
Laura weaved through the corridors, taking mental notes of every turn and intersection. She counted the number of guards she passed, memorized the location of the cages, and identified potential escape routes.
Every detail was cataloged, each piece of information a step toward a future plan. She knew she couldn't take this place down alone—not yet. But one day, she would return.
She came across a large, dimly lit room where a group of captives sat in silence, their chains clinking softly as they shifted.
Some glanced at her as she passed, their eyes filled with fleeting hope that quickly faded when they realized she wasn't here to save them. The weight of their despair pressed heavily on her, but she didn't stop. She couldn't. Not now.
As she made her way back toward the exit, the distant cries of the beasts outside began to die down. The distraction was coming to an end. The guards would return to their posts soon, and Laura knew she needed to leave before they realized someone had been inside.
She slipped out of the building and melted into the shadows, retracing her steps down the overgrown path. Her heart pounded, not from fear, but from anger and determination.
The atrocities she had witnessed were burned into her memory, each one a reminder of why she had to grow stronger. She wasn't ready to take on the stronghold yet, not with her current level and resources. Even with Eric, Miara, and Essei by her side, they weren't equipped to handle such a large operation.
But one day, they would be.
As Laura reached the main road, the sun had risen higher, casting its warm light over the desolate city. The path ahead was clear, but her thoughts were anything but.
She couldn't stop thinking about the people she had seen—the women stripped of their dignity, the men locked in cages, the guards who walked with cruel arrogance.
"I'll come back," she whispered to herself, her voice low but firm. "When I'm strong enough, I'll return. And I'll destroy every last one of them."
Her steps quickened as she made her way back to the base, the weight of her promise heavy on her shoulders. She would free those people.
She would dismantle the stronghold and ensure that no one else suffered under its oppressive rule. But for now, she needed to focus. She needed to prepare, to level up, to become stronger than she had ever been before.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Laura's determination burned brighter. The apocalypse had taken so much from her, but it had also given her a chance—a chance to change the world, one battle at a time.