Girl's Doomsday Rebirth Revenge & Survive novel Chapter 518

**Doomsday Rebirth 518**

**Chapter 518: Negotiation**

In the stillness of the moment, an unspoken understanding settled between them, as if the air itself had thickened with anticipation.

The taller of the two men, lean and wiry, swallowed hard, his throat working as he struggled to find his voice. “Alright, just ask already!” he managed to choke out, his tone a mix of impatience and anxiety.

His companion, a darker, more gaunt figure, shifted nervously from foot to foot, his eyes darting around like a trapped animal, desperately trying to gauge her next move. His gaze fell to the cans of food resting at Caroline’s feet, a flicker of desire crossing his face. He swallowed again, the sound loud in the tense silence, before he stammered, “What do you want to know?”

The two men exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of hope and apprehension. “Ma’am,” the taller one ventured, “if we spill the beans, are you really going to hand over those cans?”

Caroline met their anxious gazes with a calm nod, her demeanor steady and resolute. “Yes. I always keep my word,” she replied, her voice unwavering.

To underscore her sincerity, she nudged the cans forward with the toe of her boot, the metallic clink echoing in the quiet street until they came to a stop right in front of the men.

That small, deliberate gesture proved effective. Almost immediately, the floodgates opened, and they began to divulge every scrap of information they possessed about the enigmatic “leader” and her so-called “holy water.”

As they spoke, a picture began to form in Caroline’s mind. The leader was a woman in her thirties, once the owner of a modest sandwich shop before the world had crumbled around them. She was described as short and unremarkable in appearance, a stark contrast to the power she wielded now.

Once a resident of a shelter, her fortune had changed dramatically when the scorching heat began to ravage the land. Her unique ability to produce water had elevated her status, transforming her into a figure of importance. Encouraged by others, she had stepped out of the shadows and established her own faction.

“She’s tough,” one of the men said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Trained in hand-to-hand combat. And her husband and two sons? They’re built like tanks.”

Caroline listened intently, her mind racing with the implications of their words. The family’s physical prowess combined with her ability to generate water had allowed them to dominate the surrounding territory in this merciless new world.

In this relentless era, where water was more precious than gold, the leader’s “holy water” could sustain someone for an entire month with just three sips, a miraculous gift that allowed its drinkers to endure the searing heat without suffering.

The men continued, their voices growing more animated as they spoke of her influence. “Her reach extends for miles,” one said, excitement creeping into his tone.

It was remarkable how food could loosen tongues. Those two cans had been enough to make them spill every secret their group had guarded so closely. They went on to detail the powers of each member of the leader’s family, piece by piece, painting a vivid picture of their strength and unity.

Many ability users in the area had pledged their allegiance to this family, recognizing her as their leader, though they refrained from calling her “Saintess,” a title that felt too grand for someone they deemed unattractive.

His own cunning was about to backfire spectacularly.

Her interest was purely investigative; she wanted to determine if the missing jewelry had any ties to the so-called leader. She had no intention of engaging in a fight or robbing the woman’s treasures.

If a peaceful trade could resolve matters, she was more than willing to avoid unnecessary conflict and the creation of new enemies.

Besides, the jewelry itself held no real value for her. All she needed was to touch it and absorb the energy it contained.

The scrawny man had misjudged her intentions entirely. Moments ago, he had claimed he would protect his group’s secrets, yet the sight of food had made him willing to betray his leader’s trust without a second thought. It was a pathetic display of desperation.

Caroline chose not to respond to his plea. Instead, she gestured for Raven to follow her, her expression cool and composed. “I’m out of cans,” she stated flatly, turning to leave.

As she walked away, she glanced back to see both men lunging for the cans, tearing them open and devouring the contents like ravenous animals. The sound of metal scraping against metal echoed through the desolate street, a stark reminder of the harsh reality they faced.

A frown creased Caroline’s brow. It was evident that the lives of those outside the shelter were far more brutal than she had ever imagined.