If he had been awake during those three weeks… he might have been strong enough to handle both of them alone.
But another thing became clear during his redos: he could only change events that occurred after triggering his ability. The time limit of his power seemed random, yet he doubted it truly was.
He had to learn when it activated, so he wouldn't be caught off guard so easily.
Jessie waved her hand in front of Andrew's face. "You still here?"
"Yeah. I am."
She held out her hand to pull him up, but he ignored it and stood on his own.
"You've got some good reflexes. You're lucky both of us are hurt—otherwise, you wouldn't have time to dodge anything."
"You don't say," Andrew remarked dryly.
The ax-wielding woman introduced herself. "My name is Kinelle. Jessie's my friend."
Lequi chimed in. "I'm Lequi, and he's Andrew. He was in a coma until today, so that's why he looks clean."
"Ohh." Jessie leaned closer, inspecting Andrew's face with exaggerated curiosity. "You've got nice eyes. First time I've seen green ones."
"Got them on sale," Andrew quipped.
Jessie opened her mouth to fire back with a joke about getting her chest on sale but decided it was too inappropriate. She simply said, "I like them."
Andrew barely hid his disgust at her overeagerness. Their earlier interaction before the fight was still fresh in his mind.
Kinelle rolled her eyes and began walking. "Follow me. We've been camping at an abandoned supermarket."
"It doesn't have any monsters in it?" Andrew asked, his voice skeptical.
"We killed it. Took about fifteen of us—only five survived," Kinelle replied bluntly.
"A Tier 2?" Lequi asked.
"Originally, yeah. But so many people tried to attack it for groceries, it got pushed up to Tier 3."
The group walked for a while, winding through debris-strewn streets. Finally, they came to a wooden fence.
Perched in a tree inside the fence, a man stood guard, his sharp gaze fixed on them as they approached. Kinelle knocked on the gate. "We're back. Got guests too."
The man in the tree signaled to the guards below, who stood on either side of the gate. Both were tall, scarred men with crossed arms.
The shorter one asked, "New recruits?"
"Not exactly," Kinelle replied. "One of them has a skill that can help the boss."
"Oh…"
Jessie stepped forward. "We'll head there now."
The guards stepped aside, letting them pass. Andrew frowned slightly. Could Lequi really cure cancer?
Her ability was called Repair. He knew cancer was caused by cells going rogue… so how? And just because she had some medical practice didn't mean she was an expert on cancer patients.
But then it clicked. Cancer cells were damaged cells. Maybe she could repair those, and the body would handle the rest. A fascinating power.
Inside the camp, people bustled about, tending small gardens near makeshift huts. The largest hut stood in the center, clearly their destination.
On a bench in front of the hut sat an elderly woman, perhaps in her mid-sixties. A massive green-furred cat sprawled across her lap, purring as she stroked it. The cat's sharp fur shimmered faintly—clearly a monster, yet it seemed tame.
The old woman looked up at them with a kind smile. "And who might these two be?"
Kinelle gestured toward Lequi. "The girl here is a healer."
The woman's eyes widened in surprise, but Lequi's expression darkened.
The old woman ignored Andrew entirely and addressed Lequi. "What's your name, dear?"
"Masha," Lequi said quietly.
"Mhm, an adorable name. I'm Apolla. I must say, I didn't expect to meet a healer. I heard they were rare—only the big camps have them."
"Today's your lucky day," Lequi replied flatly.
"Indeed it is… So, when can we get started?"
"Somewhere private," Lequi said firmly, glancing at the onlookers who had begun to gather. "I'd rather not attract attention."
Apolla's smile faded. "No."
Both Andrew and Lequi were visibly shocked.
"You'll do it here and now," Apolla continued, her tone unyielding.
Andrew stepped forward to argue, but a knife suddenly pressed against his neck. Jessie's breath was hot in his ear as she whispered, "Your face is nice, but not nice enough for me to let you live."
Lequi gently pushed the knife away, her voice calm. "There's no need for hostility. I'll do it."
Andrew watched her warily. He didn't know her well enough to predict her thoughts, but he knew she despised being treated like a tool. Yet, for now, he had no choice but to rely on her.
Lequi pointed her staff at the old woman and said, "I'll begin. Please show me the area."
With a grunt, the old woman removed the large shell-like object strapped to her back. But even with the shell gone, her silhouette barely changed—the swelling on her back was nearly the same size.
She took off her black shirt, turning her back to Lequi. Her exposed skin was green, and the massive lump on her back pulsed in rhythm with a wet, squelching sound.
Andrew's stomach churned. That wasn't normal. "You guys said cancer—what about this looks like cancer?" he asked, his voice tight with unease.
Kinelle answered, "She had a tumor before everything went to hell. Over time, it just grew into… this."
Lequi frowned, leaning closer. "Did it get infected by a monster animal or anything like that?"
"No," Apolla snapped, her voice sharp with impatience. "This thing is excruciatingly painful, so please, just start healing."
Lequi's staff began to glow with a soft yellow light. The same glow surrounded the enormous lump on Apolla's back, but it was faint and flickering, struggling to take hold.
"How long will this take?" Apolla demanded.
"Approximately seven to eight hours," Lequi replied calmly.
The yellow glow extended beyond Apolla, faintly enveloping Jessie and Kinelle as well. Jessie noticed and frowned. "What about me? Why am I glowing?"
"It's an area skill," Lequi explained. "I already healed Andrew earlier, so he's not being affected."
"Oh…" Jessie shrugged, her expression relaxing. "Well, I'm not complaining."
Andrew stood silently, watching, his mind racing. What is she planning? He kept his expression neutral, careful not to let any of his confusion show.
Suddenly, Jessie swung an arm around Andrew's shoulder, leaning close with an infuriating grin. "So, big guy… what do you think about staying here?"
Andrew clenched his teeth so hard he thought they might crack. His fists tightened at his sides, but he forced himself to remain calm.
Jessie noticed the tension and laughed, her tone mocking. "You know, this is kind of funny. Your reaction and all. Like, two weeks ago, I'd never have dared to talk like this. Hell, I didn't even think this way back then. I was just some college grad trying to figure out life. Stupid fantasies were just that—fantasies. Something I could only lose myself in with books or shows. But now? With levels, powers, stats…" Her eyes lit up with excitement. "Now, I can say what I want. Do what I want. Take what I want."
She moved behind him, her fingers trailing lightly across his neck. "Honestly, I don't even find you that attractive. But the fact that I can treat you like this? It makes me like you."
Andrew inhaled deeply, forcing himself to stay still. He gave no reaction to her words, but Jessie wasn't done.
"I bet you had the same thoughts when you woke up here," she continued, her voice oozing with self-satisfaction. "That all your fantasies could finally become reality."
When he still didn't respond, her grin widened. "Are you just pretending not to like me?"
No, Andrew thought, his disgust sharp and clear. It's because your personality is repulsive.
But he stayed silent, his expression carefully blank. Eventually, Jessie grew bored and stopped talking, slumping onto a nearby bench with a sigh.
Kinelle wasn't much better—she, too, sat in silence, looking equally disinterested. Meanwhile, Andrew remained standing, his mind busy devising methods to kill both women should the opportunity arise.
Out of nowhere, Kinelle spoke up, like a thought had just struck her. "Andrew… Melsh."
Andrew stiffened, his gaze snapping to her. How does she know my last name?
Kinelle tilted her head, studying him. "Do you know someone by the name Dalton?"