Watching Calvin and his team walk away, Ethan stood in the middle of the now-empty luxury home, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.

He was torn.

The lightning-type ability was one of the top-tier elemental powers—fast, lethal, versatile. It was exactly the kind of ability he wanted in the Fallen Star Squad. And Calvin? He was strong, respected, and clearly capable.

But getting him to join? That was going to be a problem.

Calvin's personality didn't exactly scream "Fallen Star material." He was too straight-laced, too… decent. Ethan wasn't sure if that kind of man could survive in a team like theirs, let alone thrive.

There was another option, of course.

Kill Calvin. Let Big Mike absorb his ability.

But Ethan couldn't bring himself to do it.

He was ruthless, sure. But he wasn't a monster. He didn't kill good people just because it was convenient. Calvin had shown him nothing but respect, even after getting his ass handed to him. That counted for something.

Ethan sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Screw it. We'll stay here a couple days and see how things play out."

...

Elsewhere in the compound…

"This is bullshit," Travis growled, pacing like a caged animal. "Captain, we should rally everyone and show them who really runs this place!"

"It's pointless," Calvin said, shaking his head.

"That guy's not just a Tier 6 Enhanced—he's an Awakened too. That move he used? Definitely spatial-type. Even if we brought everyone, it wouldn't matter."

"Then we take the others hostage," another young man suggested. "Force them to back down."

Calvin gave him a look. "You think the rest of their team is weak? That kick came from one guy. The others? At least Tier 5 peak. You want to try your luck?"

"…"

"So what, we just roll over and take it?"

"What do you want me to do?" Calvin snapped. "They didn't kill us. That alone makes them more merciful than most. You've all seen what kind of people are out there now."

"…"

"They won't stay long," Calvin added, voice calmer now. "We'll find another place to sleep for a few nights. It's not the end of the world."

"Fine…"

...

That night, the scent of food drifted through the air from a large warehouse-turned-dining hall. Fires crackled in makeshift stoves, and the residents of Silver Lake Ridge lined up with trays and bowls, chatting quietly as they waited for their turn.

At Calvin's request, someone even came to invite Ethan's group to join the meal.

Ethan declined.

They had enough supplies to last a few days, and he wasn't in the mood to play nice just yet.

Instead, the group stood on the rooftop of the luxury home, watching the scene below.

The warm glow of firelight. The clatter of dishes. Laughter.

It was… peaceful.

And it hit harder than Ethan expected.

He'd seen too much in the past month—too much blood, too much betrayal, too many people turning into monsters long before the virus ever touched them. But here, in this little pocket of calm, people were still smiling. Still living.

Calvin had built something real here.

Ethan didn't say anything, but he could feel the weight of it settling in his chest.

"Ethan," Henry said quietly, "maybe we let him go."

It was the first time Henry had spoken up like that since Ethan had chewed him out weeks ago. But this time, his voice wasn't naive—it was thoughtful. Earnest.

Ethan didn't snap at him.

Because he felt it too.

This place, these people… they were different. And Calvin, for all his straight-arrow ways, had done something rare—he'd made a corner of the apocalypse feel like home.

Ethan exhaled slowly, eyes still on the firelit crowd below.

Yeah. Maybe this time… they let it be.

Ethan stood quietly for a moment, thinking it over. Then he gave a small nod. "Alright. We leave tomorrow."

He was ruthless, yes—but not heartless. Some things were worth preserving, even in a world gone to hell. Let this little pocket of peace stay just that—a memory untouched by blood.

Lightning-type Awakened were rare, sure. But not irreplaceable. He'd find another.

That night, he gave the order.

Skinny Pete dragged Alicia out behind the house. She didn't scream. She knew what was coming.

A clean kill—quick, efficient.

Then Ethan transferred her ability into Skinny Pete.

By dawn, the Fallen Star Squad had six Awakened among its seven members. Only Big Mike remained without a power.

Chris and Henry were already at Tier 5 peak. Sean had consumed four Tier 5 crystal cores—by tomorrow, he'd be there too. And with Tier 5 zombies becoming more common, taking down ten or so a day wasn't out of reach anymore.

After a night spent stargazing, they caught a few hours of sleep. At nine sharp, they were up, packed, and ready to move.

As they stepped out of the house, they ran straight into Calvin and his team coming up the path.

Calvin blinked, surprised. "You're… leaving?"

"Yeah," Ethan said with a relaxed smile. "Got a good night's rest. No need to overstay our welcome."

Calvin and his crew looked stunned.

After yesterday's show of dominance, they'd half-expected Ethan to try and take over the entire base. Now he was just… walking away?

Ethan clapped a hand on Calvin's shoulder. "Listen, if you're serious about building a base and growing your influence, don't do it in the city. You're not ready to go toe-to-toe with the government yet."

Calvin nodded solemnly. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."

Ethan gave a small grin. "And hey, if things ever go south for you, come find me. I don't know where I'll be by then, but I guarantee one thing—by that time, everyone will know the name Fallen Star Squad."

"…"

The others gave Ethan a collective side-eye.

Confident was one thing. This guy was practically writing his own legend.

But Calvin? He nodded, dead serious. "I believe it. And if that day comes, I'll find you."

He meant it. Anyone who could reach Tier 6 this early… wasn't someone you bet against. Calvin was willing to bet even the government didn't have a Tier 6 Awakened yet.

"Ethan," he asked suddenly, "can I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

"After Tier 6… is there a big change?"

Ethan's eyes glinted. "Huge. Your strength doubles. And you awaken a second ability—randomly. That's why I don't call it Tier 6. When the first star in your constellation lights up completely, that's a whole new stage. I call it Stage D."

"Stage D…" Calvin and the others stared at him, wide-eyed.

No wonder. No wonder Calvin hadn't been able to land a single hit. The gap between Tier 5 and Tier 6 wasn't just a step—it was a chasm.

"Well, we're off," Ethan said, turning away. "Hope you all make it."

He waved once, then led the Fallen Star Squad out of Silver Lake Ridge without looking back.

Calvin and his team stood there, watching their silhouettes shrink into the distance.

"…Captain," one of them said, frowning, "what was that all about? Yesterday they were all fire and fury, and now they're just… gone? Didn't even bring up recruiting you again."

Calvin shook his head. "No idea. Maybe they decided I wasn't a good fit."

He paused, then turned to his team. "Alright. Spread the word. We're relocating. Start packing."

"What? You're really going with what he said?"

"He's right," Calvin said firmly. "We're not ready to stand against the government. If they find us, we'll either be absorbed or wiped out. They won't tolerate independent factions growing unchecked."

"Damn… moving this many people's gonna be a nightmare."

"Yeah," Calvin said with a sigh. "But we're weak. That's the price of survival. Maybe one day, when no one fears bullets anymore… that'll be the real age of warlords."

"Let's hope we live to see it," someone muttered.

Calvin didn't answer. He just looked out at the horizon, where the Fallen Star Squad had vanished into the morning light.

He had a feeling he'd be hearing that name again. And soon.

...

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