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He never would have imagined that Kisha had a way to aid with stamina and Spiritual Energy recovery.

And Kisha was secretly relieved he didn’t know—otherwise, Duke would undoubtedly take full advantage of her overpowered support skill, making it possible for them to go round after round without ever tiring.

As a businessman, he was accustomed to exploiting any loophole, and Kisha’s passive skill would be no exception.

With his insatiable desire for her, it could easily work to his advantage.

But since he believed his energy was recovering simply from being in her comforting presence, Kisha had dodged a bullet—for now.

Duke handed Kisha a plate of food he had carefully selected, thinking she would enjoy it after their long and grueling battle.

He himself felt utterly drained, as if his stomach might turn from the exhaustion. Having depleted his Spiritual Energy multiple times and returning to the fight after recovering, his head throbbed with an intensity that felt like it might burst.

But with Kisha by his side, the overwhelming fatigue had gradually begun to ease. It hadn’t disappeared entirely, but Duke was feeling noticeably better than before.

Kisha could tell how much he had overexerted himself.

Unlike her, who had the system’s support and significantly boosted stats from recent rewards, Duke was still at level one.

Using his awakened abilities as though he were a level three had clearly put a heavy strain on both his energy core and his body.

Kisha was genuinely surprised to see him still standing, rather than collapsing into a coma after assessing his current state.

As she glanced at his status window, it was clear he had barely any SP left.

During the fight, she had been closely monitoring Vulture, Sparrow, and Duke’s spiritual and health gauges to ensure they were all holding up, but Duke’s condition was more alarming than she expected.

Kisha noticed that Duke had nearly depleted his SP to zero multiple times after recovering. She wanted to rush to his side, stop him, or at least offer him a vial of black liquid to help, but she couldn’t leave her post at that crucial moment.

With everything happening so quickly and the chaos surrounding them, Kisha forgot to give Duke a vial of black liquid, unlike Sparrow who had already received one.

As a result, Duke could only recover slowly, while the other awakened ability users took the lead in handling the remaining zombies after his elemental power had rained down on them.

After decimating the first wave of zombies, Duke hadn’t anticipated a second wave.

So, even with only half of his spiritual energy recovered, he threw himself into another relentless killing spree.

"I think you should eat something before resting," Kisha suggested softly, noticing Duke’s eyes fluttering shut as he leaned against her shoulder.

"Just... give me a moment," Duke murmured, his voice rough and strained. "Your scent... it comforts me." He paused, eyes still closed. "While I rest, make sure you eat. Don’t let yourself go hungry."

Before Kisha could say anything more, Duke had already fallen asleep, too exhausted to hear her. His awkward position made her worry he’d wake up with a stiff neck.

She quickly ate some of the food he brought, then placed both her plate and his into her inventory to keep the food fresh for later.

After satisfying her hunger, Kisha used her telekinesis to adjust Duke’s position, gently laying him on his back with his head resting on her lap.

His long legs dangled over the side of the crate. As she shifted him, the tension in Duke’s forehead eased, and he appeared remarkably serene in that moment.

"No wonder you’re the most sought-after bachelor in the country. This handsome face truly is a gift from the gods," Kisha murmured, gently tapping the tip of Duke’s pointy nose.

As if her soothing voice reached him, a small smile played on his lips. Moments later, Kisha, too, drifted off to sleep, while keeping watch over Duke.

Aston, searching for Kisha to seek further orders, looked everywhere for her, only to find her and Duke peacefully sleeping in a secluded spot, oblivious to the world around them.

Shaking his head in resignation, he stationed two loyal soldiers at the end of the alley to guard them, ensuring that Kisha and Duke could rest undisturbed while still being protected in their vulnerable state.

While Kisha and Duke rested, Aston and Vulture took charge. Aston led the reorganization of the entire base, meticulously ensuring everything was in order, while Vulture focused on securing the perimeter around the wall and reinforcing their defenses.

Together, they worked diligently to prepare for any potential emergencies that might arise.

Now, more than ever, everyone grasped the urgency of Kisha’s words about reinforcing their defenses and constructing a stronger wall.

Despite the height and weight of the cargo trailers they had used as makeshift barriers, it became clear that they were insufficient to withstand the relentless force of the zombies or prevent a breach.

Everyone remained vigilant as they awaited Sparrow’s team’s return, ready to begin the wall’s construction as Kisha had advised.

Their determination to bolster their defenses was palpable, each member committed to ensuring their safety.

The warriors and soldiers collaborated to reassure the frightened survivors within the base, working diligently to maintain a sense of calm.

They understood that if even one person succumbed to despair, it could trigger a domino effect, spreading negativity and impacting everyone’s morale.

Their efforts were crucial to ensuring that emotions remained steady, allowing them to focus on the tasks at hand.

Especially now that Kisha and Duke needed to rest, a sense of unity blossomed among everyone.

Each person found their own way to contribute, whether it was preparing breakfast, carrying ammunition from the warehouse to designated spots along the wall for easier access during combat, or helping to clean and secure the perimeter.

This collective effort showcased their commitment to supporting one another in any way they could.

The survivors eagerly pitched in, assisting with any tasks the soldiers and warriors needed help with.

They even volunteered to help clean up the charred remains of the zombies outside the wall, demonstrating their commitment to reclaiming their space and contributing to the group’s efforts.

The warriors and soldiers welcomed the assistance offered by the survivors, recognizing their current lack of manpower.

They allowed the survivors to help with various tasks, carrying supplies and moving equipment.

However, they refrained from letting them participate in the cleanup outside the wall, as there were still concerns about whether the danger had truly passed or if another wave might be coming.

They also ensured that those in need of rest, particularly the awakened ability users who had shouldered the bulk of the work, were sent to recuperate.

It was evident they were exhausted from using their abilities to fight off the zombie raid while helping save up the ammunition.

The awakened ability users who were still able to stand guard while others rested seized the opportunity to consume some Scarlet Honey.

They aimed to enhance their strength and fortify their foundations, acutely aware of their vulnerability during the recent zombie raid.

Determined to emerge stronger than before, they were motivated by the desire to better protect their community in future crises.

They were inspired to take action after witnessing the impressive power displayed by Kisha, Duke, and Vulture—an evident contrast to their own abilities.