Apocalypse: Reborn with a Soul Sync Farming Space System-Chapter 159 Encountering Survivors

The boy remained in the hole, peeking through the slightly raised wood. His fingers tightened around the edge of the wooden cover as his eyes moved cautiously from one face to another, lingering longer on the weapons before returning to Laurel.

While the woman behind him pulled him back slightly and leaned forward again, her sharp and guarded gaze drifted over one after the other as if trying to decide whether they were telling the truth or simply waiting for the right moment to attack.

"You said you’re not infected," she said, her voice low and strained as though it had not been used properly in a long time. "Then what are you all doing here?"

Her eyes flickered briefly toward the soldiers before returning to Laurel, her grip tightening against the wooden edge as if ready to pull the cover shut at any second.

Laurel remained crouched where she was, her expression calm as she met the woman’s wary gaze without flinching. "Because we are on a very important mission," she said, her voice steady. "We only happened to hear a noise coming from underneath the ground. And we have no intention of harming you or your son.

We can help you find safety... if you want."

The woman did not respond, her breathing grew uneven as she continued to study Laurel’s face, searching for something she could trust, while the boy shifted slightly in front of her and glanced back as if silently asking her what to do next.

Chris took a small step forward, his movements slow so as not to startle them. "If we meant you harm, we wouldn’t be standing here talking," he said. "You can stay there if you want, but hiding won’t keep you safe forever."

The boy’s fingers tightened against the wood, and his lips parted slightly as if he wanted to speak, but he hesitated and looked back at the woman again.

A few seconds passed before the woman slowly pushed the wooden cover open further, her movements cautious and deliberate as she climbed out first, pulling the boy up with her, and even as she stood up, her body remained slightly angled to shield him, her eyes never leaving the group.

The moment she stood fully above ground, her arm wrapped tightly around the boy, pulling him against her chest while her other hand lifted a butcher knife, the blade worn but still sharp as she pointed it toward them.

"Stay back," she said, her voice trembling slightly but firm enough to carry across the space between them.

The soldiers lifted their weapons in response as tension filled the air, the faint sound of shifting grips and footsteps breaking the silence.

"It’s alright," Laurel said, raising her hand slightly to signal them. "She’s protecting her child."

The woman’s eyes flickered, her gaze unfocused for a brief second before sharpening again. Her grip on the knife tightened and her breathing remained uneven.

The boy looked up at her before turning toward Laurel, his voice soft but clear. "She’s just... distressed," he said, his brows pulling together slightly. "We’ve been in that hole for a long time... I don’t really know how long...but I know it was during the time the red mist was in the air."

Laurel’s gaze moved over them, taking in their appearance without speaking, the dried blood on their clothes, the dirt covering their skin, the exhaustion in their posture, and the way the woman’s hand trembled slightly despite how tightly she held the knife.

Gabriel stepped a little closer, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the stains on their clothes. "That blood... why is it on you?" he asked.

The boy answered before the woman could speak.

"It’s my father’s."

The words made the air grow thicker, turning it heavy as several soldiers exchanged glances, their expressions darkening as the meaning settled in.

The boy continued, his voice calm even as his fingers tightened against the woman’s clothes. "He got bitten by those human monsters," he said. "At first he was still himself, but then he started changing... and after that he tried to attack us."

The woman’s arm tightened around him, pulling him closer as if she did not want to hear those words again.

"He wasn’t my father anymore," the boy added, his gaze lowering briefly before lifting again. "So she had to kill him... to protect us."

Silence followed, stretching quietly between them.

Tina narrowed her eyes slightly as she looked at the boy, her head tilting to the side. "Don’t you feel sad?" she asked.

The boy looked at her, his expression hardened for a moment as if he was thinking about how to answer, before he slowly nodded his head.

"I do," he said quietly.

He paused for a moment, his fingers tightening slightly before he continued, his voice softer this time. "That’s why I have to be strong... because my mom..." he glanced at the woman briefly before looking back at Tina, "...she became a little crazy after killing my father."

Silence stretched through the air after his words. A son watching his mother killing his father was more traumatic than it sounds.

Laurel immediately felt compassion for them. "Sister Ling Xuan, can we take them with us? Look at the boy, he is very young but already knows how to control his emotions... he will be a good soldier in the future." Laurel said inwardly. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

She was well aware that if she asked while being emotional, Ling Xuan would reject them. But if she showed she was only interested in their value, there was a higher chance that she would accept.

"Hmm... he does look strong and daring. Make sure they are not bitten, and if they are clean, you can take them along." Ling Xuan replied with a bored tone.

A small smile broke on Laurel’s lips. It was the first time she suggested something without them fighting over it.

"Were you bitten?" Laurel asked with a slightly hardened gaze but her heart pounded heavily in her ears as she was afraid that if they were... they would have to be put down.