Reboot: Mechanic

Vanessa, despite her often devious and cunning demeanor, had moments of genuine concern and self-doubt. The revelation of Shi Tian's past had left her somewhat bewildered and questioning her own actions.

As Mary sighed and turned in for rest, Vanessa remained seated, lost in thought. 

She couldn't help but reflect on her choices and the web of deception she had woven. Deceit was a tool she wielded with finesse, but it also came with consequences.

She pondered Shi Tian's potential reaction to her deceit and feigning innocence toward him. 

Would he seek retribution or vengeance for her actions? 

Or would he adopt a more pragmatic approach and prioritize their collective survival?

"Nah, I doubt it. That bastard still owed me it for using me as a gambling chip. So if he dared to seek vengeance, then I'll make sure he'll suffer." Vanessa murmured and clenched her fist. 

Despite that, she still decided that it was to prepare for the worst-case scenario. Nothing was for certain, and she had played a somewhat dangerous game, so the consequences could be catching up with her.

'Whatever, Nathan isn't the type to actively look for troubles.' Vanessa concluded in her mind, walking to the makeshift bed and preparing for sleep.

Today was truly quite the turbulence event she had experienced, having to discover Theobold's nefarious intention and many deductions and plans. All of them were exhausting, to say the least, and she was somewhat regretting her decision to leave Chronosworth City. 

As everyone gradually went into a slumber, the wilderness continued to be a restless place for many, including those who were still frantically searching for the supposed dense area location leak.

"Goddamn it, where is the strange energy?" A person clad in a fancy military uniform shouted in frustration.

"Dear Egg Benedict, are you trying to make a fool out of me?" 

The person turned around and smiled bitterly. He was Benedict, the military commander of the Green Snake team. And naturally, the only person that dared to question him would be someone in the same rank as him, Phoebe.

"I'm not making a fool out of you, Phoebe," Benedict explained, seemingly trying to pacify her anger. He had confidently said the strange energy would be nearby, but it had already been quite some time already.

And other than the occasional monsters they spotted that had scattered around due to the Gilaso variants' monster wave, they could barely see anything around. 

Phoebe's patience had long been tested to the limit by now. At first, she was merely bored and found it humorous to mess with Benedict. 

But as time passed by, and Benedict kept doubling down that the strange energy was nearby, it became quite clear that he had lost his senses. 

"Enough, I have listened and followed your nonsense for a long time now. I should have known it wouldn't be an amusement, but a clown show through and through." Phoebe raised her hand up and said, telling Benedict to just stop.

She thought maybe an idiotic fool might strike gold someday and they might actually encounter something good. 

However, reality was different from movies or fantasy-like elements. 

There was no gold dropping from the sky, and there sure wasn't going to be a miracle where Benedict might lead them to the correct place. 

"Wait a second, Phoebe. You have to believe me. My senses are truly telling me that we are really close." Benedict panickingly said, attempting to fake an act that he was sensing the strange energy.

Alas, Phoebe merely rolled her eyes in response. 

She was now wondering just how Benedict managed to rise up to the position of a military commander. His intelligence was worse than her most ordinary soldiers. 

'The Carlson Family is indeed doomed to fall when they could promote such a man as their commander.' Phoebe thought to herself. 

Just when Phoebe thought about how to kill her boredom, she suddenly received a report from her communication device.

Taking a look, Phoebe's smile curled upper and wider, almost as if she had just received great news. 

The same was happening to Benedict, who seemed to be excited by the report he had gotten as well. 

"You know what, Phoebe. I think you might be right and that the strange energy location is bogus. Though I'm sure to find the one responsible for it by posting the location when it's not confirmed." Benedict smirked evilly. 

"Looks like your soldiers aren't that incompetent either." Phoebe ignored Benedict's remark regarding the responsible person for tricking them.

Instead, she asked whether he got the same news as her. "You received the news, right?" 

Benedict nodded his head. 

"If such explosive news occurred and I still don't know about it, then I should just pack my bags and go home." He said, even started giggling at the same time. 

"Mhmm, that Theobold has surely got some rotten luck lately. To have one of his elite soldiers' platoon heavily injured and returning to the camp like a bunch of defeated rats is such a disgrace." Phoebe mused. 

"I know right. This is the best news out of the shit show we have." Benedict placed his hands by his hip, laughing heartily.

Not an ounce of sympathy or pity could be seen in these two military commanders' faces. They might not be able to fight against each other, but that doesn't mean they aren't allowed to enjoy the other side's misery.

Theobold's elite platoon soldiers weren't harmed by them, so why should they be concerned or worried. It was his fault for not managing his soldiers well and allowing them to receive such disastrous failure. 

"Anyway, I'm done searching for this nonexistent strange energy. I'm going to head back and see Theobold's expression." Phoebe exclaimed, turning around and ready to leave the area. 

"Wait for me as well! I could care less about some strange energy when I could see Theobold's darkened expression. I bet he's malding real badly right now." Benedict chuckled loudly, echoing his hands to signal his soldiers to get ready to return.