After washing up in the bathroom, Leon changed into a set of comfortable clothes he found in the room’s wardrobe, then went up to the fourth floor.

As expected, everyone including the three cooks were present in the dining area, quietly eating while a heavy silence hung over them.

Once in a while, their gazes would shift to Nora who was being fed by her mother—Marie.

The girl was quiet and reserved, probably because she was in the presence of many strangers. However, as soon as Leon came inside, she did something surprising.

Her eyes lit up the moment she saw him, and she jumped off her mother’s lap. Then, she ran towards him and hugged his legs.

"Daddy!"

The air seemed to freeze, and someone’s spoon dropped in shock. Still, nobody turned to look. Everyone’s attention was fixed on the girl and Leon, watching them with incredulous gazes.

"Uh..." He was tongue-tied, not knowing what to say.

He wanted to correct her that he wasn’t her father, but he kept his mouth shut. That might have been too cruel.

So instead, he picked her up and smiled, "Hm, little princess. Say, ’Daddy’."

"Daddy!" Nora grinned brightly, her face filled with joy. It was as though she was truly enjoying herself.

Smiling, Leon brought her to the table, then sat beside Marie while placing the girl on her lap.

He turned to the others, his smile dimming, "Good morning."

Selene, Reymond, and a few others nodded casually to his greeting. Only Gwen and Richard offered him words in return.

"It’s good to see that you’re fine, boss!" Richard grinned, giving him a thumbs-up.

Leon nodded with a faint smile, then began eating. The dining table was soon enveloped by an awkward silence again, until Reymond spoke minutes later.

"So, Leon. What was the zombie you fought like? Seeing that you’re alive, did you kill it?"

Everyone at the table paused, and they all turned to look at the black-haired guy. Even Marie was curious and relieved. When she had gotten back to the hotel, her heart was on the verge of exploding with worry. Thankfully, he was safe. If he had died fighting that thing, then she wouldn’t have been able to forgive herself.

"I didn’t kill it. I merely escaped. Barely, even," Leon answered solemnly, stunning them.

Selene’s eyes widened, "You barely escaped? Was it that strong?"

"Probably Level 40 or above," He answered, then continued. "It’s not a normal zombie either. Regardless, I’m lucky to be alive."

At her seat, Cassie’s jaw clenched, and something inexplicable flashed in her eyes.

Richard gulped in fear, "If... if it’s really that strong, then it isn’t safe for us to be here. What if it comes for us?"

His question made the group’s morale plummet further, and they began having negative thoughts.

Marie clutched her daughter tightly, causing the girl to murmur, "Mommy...?"

Cling-Cling!

Leon tapped his spoon against the ceramic plate twice, drawing everyone’s attention to him.

"That zombie is strong, and to be honest, I don’t want to fight it again. But if we’re ever dreaming of leaving Manhattan, we might have to face it whether we like it or not."

The grim mood thickened, but he still continued.

"That said, we might still have a chance at fighting it. If and only if every one of us is strong enough. And I don’t just mean Selene, Gwen, or Reymond. I mean every single one of us. Including you three."

He said, pointing at the three chefs that were instantly stunned by his last sentence.

"We’ve been doing that already, but I don’t think it will be safe anymore, right? After all, there’s a terrifying zombie out there lurking around," Miguel frowned, feeling a seed of worry bloom in his heart.

Leon nodded, "You’re right. And that’s why we’ll be limiting the perimeter of our hunt. From now on, twenty blocks away from the hotel is your limit. Anything beyond that, and you risk being killed."

"Your limit?" Selene repeated, tilting her head with a sharp gaze directed toward him. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Leon’s lips twitched, and he corrected himself, "Our limit, I mean."

She nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Reymond, "Note that. I might forget soon."

The brown-haired guy nodded with a serious expression.

"Anyway, that’s all. I’ll be returning to my room."

Placing the spoon on the now-empty plate, he stood up and headed down the stairs. A moment later, he heard footsteps approaching him from behind, causing him to pause.

Turning back, he saw Marie standing a few meters from him, fidgeting, with a guilty expression on her face.

"What is it, Marie?"

The instant she heard his voice, she dropped to her knees.

"I’m sorry. I made you risk your life twice because I wanted to save my daughter. Marcus tried to kill you because of my choice, and you almost died trying to protect Nora and me from the zombie. I am really sorry for all the trouble I have brought you."

Her jaw clenched tightly, her knuckles white against her knees.

"I haven’t even been useful in any way, yet I—"

"Alright, that’s enough," Leon interrupted her, already growing tired of the speech.

Walking over to her, he held her shoulders and made her raise her head to look at him.

"Do you remember what I wanted you to be after you became Level 5 and stayed?" He asked.

She nodded and answered, "Yeah, I do. You said you wanted me to be your spear."

"Good. You remember that," Leon nodded. "Then, you should know that your apologies wouldn’t change a thing. Instead, make yourself useful. I will support you as much as I can."

He smiled faintly, then helped her up.

"Enough about yesterday. Where’s Nora?"

As if hearing her name, the cute little girl rushed down the stairs and called out to them.

"Mommy! Daddy!"

Leon’s lips twitched, while Marie’s face turned red. She immediately turned around and picked up her daughter.

"Nora, Leon is not—"

"It’s fine," He interrupted her, smiling at the young girl. "Let her do what she wants."

He reached out and gently pinched her cheeks, causing her to giggle.

’If I can bond the child with myself, then she’d become a strong reason for Marie’s loyalty.’