"Hmph!"
From a distance, a cold snort echoed, and it felt as though the surrounding temperature dropped several degrees.
Mo Chen looked up to see the ever-aloof Eunhwa. She shot him a frosty glance, muttered, "Good thing you're alive," and turned to leave.
Emma, who had been following behind Eunhwa, walked up to Mo Chen.
Glancing at Eunhwa retreating in the distance, she leaned closer and whispered, "Actually, she was really worried about you. She even went to the battlefield to look for you—searched for over an hour."
"Emma!"
Eunhwa abruptly turned her head, glaring daggers at Emma. Her usually icy face was now tinged with a hint of anger, bordering on embarrassment.
"Struck a nerve, did I?"
Emma, unbothered by the glare, merely covered her mouth and giggled, leaving Eunhwa seething with indignation.
She went to the battlefield?
Mo Chen adjusted his stance slightly, his expression shifting as he processed the revelation.
Seeing that she didn't deny it, he knew it was true.
"Thank you," he said softly.
And he really meant it.
Eunhwa, just as in the original, was truly someone cold on the outside but warm on the inside.
"Don't get ahead of yourself. I was only confirming whether you were dead or not. If you had been, I'd still have to file a report to HQ."
Eunhwa showed no sign of acknowledgment, turning her head away with a faint snort through her nose.
"A commander's actions don't just concern their own life but also the people around them. Only third-rate commanders recklessly throw themselves into danger without considering their responsibilities."
Having said her piece, she turned and strode away without a backward glance, leaving nothing behind—except, perhaps, a subtle smile that no one noticed.
Mo Chen stood there, stunned.
Was that... her way of showing concern?
At the doorway, Eunhwa paused and turned back to look at him.
"You knew Chatterbox would appear on the western front, didn't you?"
"More or less."
"'More or less'? Just admit it outright. Hypocrite."
She clicked her tongue in disdain and left.
Mo Chen: "..."
She's still holding a grudge, huh?
After over a month of relentless battles, the outpost base had suffered severe damage. Most of the fortifications were destroyed, buildings had collapsed, particle cannons and other weapons were rendered unusable, and more than half of the Nikkes were injured, requiring replacement parts for their bodies.
Additionally, basic infrastructures like electricity, water, and energy supplies were damaged to varying degrees.
Subsequent investigations revealed that the Rapture attack on the outpost base might have been premeditated by Chatterbox.
However, no one knew why it had acted this way—except Mo Chen.
It seemed like Chatterbox had been looking for someone.
No, more specifically, it had been looking for a particular individual.
He recalled how, in the original story, Chatterbox was indeed searching for someone. But the original never explained why.
Could it have something to do with a rare blood type?
The thought made Mo Chen wonder if he should get his blood tested.
With Chatterbox gone, the concentration of Alva particles dropped significantly, and communication with the Ark was restored.
Rapi submitted a report detailing everything that had happened over the past weeks.
It took the Ark three days to respond.
The reply, however, was lackluster.
It was full of platitudes: commending the heroic resistance of the outpost base, praising their unyielding spirit, and highly recognizing the efforts of the commander and the Nikkes. It ended with the usual empty rhetoric about striving for humanity's survival and reclaiming the surface.
But when it came to the base's request for supplies? Not a single word.
It was as if the Ark had selectively ignored it.
In simpler terms: No resources for you.
"This is outrageous!"
Anis erupted in fury upon hearing the news. "How could they be so stingy? If it weren't for us, the Raptures would've reached the Ark by now!"
"Exactly!"
Neon joined in, equally indignant.
They had risked their lives, almost losing them, only to be rewarded with empty words and nothing more.
It was infuriating—insulting, even.
Hands on her hips, Anis began her signature sarcastic rant.
"The bigwigs in the Ark are just so considerate. To ensure we stay healthy and maintain a great figure, they've kindly withheld all our supplies! Letting us live off fresh air—how generous of them!"
Mo Chen nearly burst out laughing at Anis's remarks.
Clearly, her resentment ran deep—and rightly so.
Anis loved carbonated drinks and soda more than anything. She had been hoping that their big contribution this time would at least earn them some recognition—maybe even a celebration. It would've been the perfect excuse to bring in some drinks, right?
But not only had her coveted carbonated drinks failed to arrive, they hadn't received any supplies.
"Hey, Commander, say something already!"
Anis turned to Mo Chen, expecting him to vent alongside her.
Instead, he simply deleted the message and shrugged.
"This is just how the Ark operates—it's not like it's the first time."
Others might not see it, but Mo Chen understood all too well what the people in the Ark were thinking.
The outpost base had earned recognition. That much might have pleased them. But if the base stood out too much, things changed.
Especially with those corrupt officials at the top. Useless for anything productive, but masters of infighting.
To them, the success of the outpost base was likely seen as a threat.
And the Ark's bureaucratic parasites? They were probably withholding resources to keep the base in check.
Just as Anis had said: If you want supplies, you'd better play the obedient dog for the central government.
But Mo Chen had no intention of relying on the Ark: that wasn't a place worth trusting.
Even if they decided to betray the outpost right now, he wouldn't be surprised.
"Knowing all that just makes it more infuriating!"
Anis flopped face down onto the sofa, her legs dangling idly, kicking the air in frustration. She seemed utterly deflated by the mental blow. "At this rate, how are we ever going to reclaim the surface?"
She had no idea how alluring her posture looked—the way her curvy figure pressed into the cushions, her shapely legs and perfectly rounded hips emphasized by her snug shorts.
Mo Chen found himself glancing her way a few times despite himself.
Seeing her so downcast, a thought suddenly occurred to him. He had won a pack of cola in a random prize draw not long ago.
He took out the cola and tossed it to Anis.
Thunk!
The can hit her square on the head.
"Ah—Commander, ow… huh?"
Rubbing her forehead, Anis looked down at the can in her hands, turning it over curiously. "Is this…?"
"Open it and see."
"Whoa! It's soda!"
Anis's eyes lit up with excitement.
Her long-desired treasure!
She tore open the pack, popped the tab, and immediately tipped the can to her lips, gulping it down in one go until it was almost empty.
"Ahhh—!"
She let out a contented sigh, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand before launching herself at Mo Chen with a gleeful cry.
"As expected, soda is the best! Commander, I absolutely love you!"
Mo Chen had been prepared for this. He deftly blocked her with one hand, pushing her face away.
"Don't. I'm not settling for love that's only worth a single can of soda."
Anis clicked her tongue in disappointment, finally relenting in her teasing. But she replied with unwavering confidence:
"Tch, don't downplay it. Soda is the greatest thing in the world!"
Mo Chen couldn't help but feel exasperated.
"Then this 'greatest thing' sure comes cheap."