Chapter 280: Animal Players, Crystal Lynn’s Invitation

Chapter 280: Chapter 280: Animal Players, Crystal Lynn’s Invitation

Seeing that Justin Brooks and Jasper Drake had finished their trade, Seraphina Sullivan prepared to leave.

Suddenly, she remembered the crucial intelligence about the Monster Rabbit’s Player status and immediately shot Sean Chandler a look.

Sean Chandler understood instantly and called out to them.

"Captain Brooks, Researcher Drake, please wait."

Justin Brooks and Jasper Drake, who had been about to walk away, paused and turned back in confusion.

But what Sean Chandler said next was absolutely staggering.

"Since we’ve just concluded our trade, I have an important discovery that I feel compelled to share. This might not only concern the future of our safe zone, but it could also be another potential crisis for the entire Azure Star."

At these words, the expressions on Justin Brooks and Jasper Drake instantly turned grave.

’A crisis more terrifying than the extreme cold disaster we’re currently facing?’

They exchanged a look, each seeing the alarm and disbelief in the other’s eyes.

"What is this discovery? Please, Mr. Chandler, tell us," Justin Brooks asked, his tone deep and incredibly serious.

Sean Chandler didn’t beat around the bush.

He got straight to the point. "You both witnessed the terrifying power of the Monster Rabbit we fought. During the battle, I used a valuable detection-type item and obtained a definitive piece of information: that rabbit was an animal with ’Player’ status."

"What?!"

"How is that possible?!"

Justin Brooks and Jasper Drake cried out in shock, almost in unison.

Their faces were etched with utter disbelief.

The news was so subversive it completely shattered their existing understanding of the world.

However, both men were leaders and elites in the safe zone. After the initial shock, their minds immediately began racing.

Jasper Drake was the first to compose himself. He pushed up his glasses, his eyes sharp.

"No wonder... No wonder a monster so illogical, with such bizarre growth in power, appeared in Kaelen.

"If animals can also be chosen as Players, entering those dangerous instances and gaining Abilities... By surviving in a ’survival of the fittest’ environment, their power would inevitably snowball.

"For an Azure Star still dominated by human civilization, that is indeed an unprecedented and extremely grave threat!"

Justin Brooks took a deep breath, forcing down the turmoil in his heart. He stared intently at Sean Chandler and asked for confirmation again, "Mr. Chandler, are you absolutely certain this information is accurate? This is no joking matter."

Sean Chandler met his gaze and nodded without hesitation, his tone firm. "I’m certain. The feedback from the item was unequivocal."

"Then this is very bad..."

Justin Brooks’s heart sank, his expression turning grim.

"If this is true, then that Monster Rabbit is likely not an isolated case! In corners of the world we know nothing about, there may already be more animal ’Players’ with powerful Abilities quietly on the rise..."

He immediately realized the gravity of the situation. This was a threat on a strategic level, far worse than a single powerful monster.

He gave a solemn nod to Sean Chandler and Seraphina Sullivan.

"Thank you! Thank you so much, Mr. Chandler, for this vitally important intelligence!

"We must report this to High Command immediately to re-evaluate the risks and develop new strategies! This is too important. We must be going!"

With that, Justin Brooks and Jasper Drake spared no more time for pleasantries. They left in a great hurry, almost at a run, their figures quickly vanishing down the corridor.

Seraphina Sullivan watched their hurried departure and let out a soft sigh of relief.

"Telling the officials this important news means we’ve done our part. We can rest a little easier now."

She looked up, as if her gaze could pierce through the safe zone’s ceiling to the perpetually gray, snow-filled sky outside.

The road ahead was sure to be bumpy, but for now, they had dealt with one imminent crisis and given the human side a crucial heads-up.

"From now on, we just have to focus on surviving, getting stronger, and staying alive in this damned apocalypse."

Seraphina Sullivan murmured to herself, her eyes once again becoming resolute and calm.

Back in the RV parking area, she saw the Lynn sisters, Crystal and Freya, from a distance, sitting on small folding stools in front of their dilapidated motorhome.

Seraphina Sullivan noticed that the Dancing Grass Crystal Lynn had failed to trade earlier was now planted in a simple little flowerpot at Freya Lynn’s feet.

The bizarre, self-twisting plant seemed to have resigned itself to its fate.

At the prodding of Freya’s fingers, it swayed its leaves listlessly, having become the little girl’s new toy.

Crystal Lynn sat beside her, holding yarn and knitting needles, intently knitting what looked like a sweater for Freya.

Her movements weren’t practiced, but she was exceptionally focused.

The White Spirit Snake, Beau, coiled around her wrist, also seemed to be enjoying the peaceful moment.

Instead of its usual constant vigilance, it was loosely coiled nearby, dozing lazily.

"Sullivan! You’re back!" Freya’s sharp eyes spotted Seraphina first.

She immediately darted over like a cheerful little bird and snuggled up to Seraphina’s side.

Looking at the little girl who had endured so much yet retained her innocence, Seraphina’s heart softened. She bent down and gently stroked her head. "Mhm, I’m back. What are you up to, Freya?"

"I’m watching the weird little plant my sister brought back dance!" Freya said excitedly, tilting her little face up and pointing at the Dancing Grass.

The Dancing Grass: "..."

’I’m not a toy!’

Crystal Lynn set down her knitting and explained with a smile, "No one at the trade hub wanted this Dancing Grass. Rather than let it go to waste, I figured I’d pot it to keep Freya entertained. It works out well."

Crystal Lynn paused, her expression growing more serious. "Sullivan," she said to Seraphina, "I’m planning to head out in a couple of days, before the next instance opens, to scavenge for supplies. Do you want to come with me?"

She sighed softly, her gaze softening as she watched her sister playing with the Dancing Grass. Her voice dropped. "The food I get from completing missions in the safe zone is barely enough for me alone. But with Freya going through a growth spurt, she’s eating so much more. I have to build up our reserves."

Though Freya seemed preoccupied with her game, her little ears were pricked, listening intently to her sister’s conversation.

The moment she heard her sister was going out on another expedition, she dropped the Dancing Grass, scrambled back, and clung to Crystal Lynn’s arm. Fear was written all over her small face as tears instantly welled in her eyes.

"Don’t go out, big sis! It’s so dangerous outside! I’ll only eat half my food from now on... no, just a tiny bit! I’m not afraid of being hungry, please don’t go out, okay?"

The last time her sister had gone out to fight monsters, Freya had been left in the motorhome, terrified, for what felt like an eternity. She never wanted to experience that feeling—like she’d been abandoned by the entire world—ever again.