Upon receiving the command, Flora Sullivan gave Dustin Sullivan and the others a slight nod. Although she didn’t speak, she retracted her poised-to-strike vines, clearly dropping her aggressive stance.
"Follow us."
Flora said in a flat tone.
She then turned and walked gracefully toward the skyscraper.
Chubbs and Moe flanked her, one on her left and one on her right.
Dustin Sullivan and Julian Shaw exchanged a look, each seeing confirmation and a hint of anticipation in the other’s eyes.
"Let’s keep up," Julian Shaw said in a low voice.
The four of them maintained a safe distance as they followed Flora Sullivan, remaining wary of their surroundings but focusing most of their attention on the mysterious girl and her animal companions ahead.
Soon, Moe and Tubbs took to the air, shooting like two streaks of light toward the top floor of a distant, cloud-piercing skyscraper.
Their destination now clear, Julian Shaw immediately activated [Gravity Control].
The range was wider this time, gently lifting Flora Sullivan, Dustin Sullivan, Trevor Tanner, Coco Sullivan, and himself. The five of them rose from the ground, ascending quickly but smoothly toward the skyscraper’s summit.
The night wind howled in their ears as the city ruins and scattered fires below flew past at high speed.
Before long, the five of them landed steadily on the edge of the skyscraper’s rooftop.
The moment her feet touched the ground, Flora Sullivan—who had been so calm and even a bit indifferent until now—suddenly brightened. A lively expression instantly animated her face.
Like a little bird returning to its nest, she gracefully darted toward Seraphina Sullivan, who was standing beside a rocking chair.
"Boss!" Her voice was crisp and clear, filled with unconcealed dependence and affection.
Seraphina Sullivan reached out and gently poked Flora Sullivan’s forehead with her finger.
Holding her at arm’s length, she said with a hint of resigned amusement, "Had your fun? You caused such a huge commotion and even led people right to us."
Flora Sullivan stuck out her tongue playfully but didn’t argue. She obediently moved to stand behind Seraphina Sullivan, reverting to her quiet demeanor, though she now curiously sized up the four newcomers.
As for Dustin Sullivan, the moment he stepped onto the rooftop and saw Seraphina Sullivan and Sean Chandler, the last shred of doubt in his mind vanished completely.
Although the woman before him looked different from the "Sullivan" he had met in the Dark Apocalypse Dungeon...
...her unique aura, and especially the steady, powerfully present Sean Chandler beside her, allowed him to confirm it instantly. It was them!
Dustin Sullivan understood that Sullivan must have an item or Ability that changed her appearance.
Perhaps what they’d seen back when they first met in the [Animal Slaughterhouse] hadn’t been her real face either.
But that wasn’t important. The person was what mattered.
What mattered was the brief yet reliable foundation of cooperation and trust they had built in the midst of crisis.
Dustin Sullivan took a step forward. Looking at Seraphina Sullivan, a rare, faint smile touched the corners of his lips. "We meet again."
Beside him, the lively Coco Sullivan could no longer hold back. She poked her head out from behind her brother, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Seraphina Sullivan.
With a mix of excitement and uncertainty, she asked, "You... you’re Sullivan? Is it really you?"
Seraphina Sullivan looked at the familiar yet somewhat different group before her.
Her gaze swept over Dustin Sullivan’s calm face and Julian Shaw’s scrutinizing eyes before she nodded and admitted:
"Yes, it’s me. It’s been a while, Dustin Sullivan, Julian Shaw, Trevor Tanner, and Coco Sullivan."
There was no longer any point in maintaining her Disguise.
She was already well aware of Dustin Sullivan’s perceptiveness. Ever since their first encounter in that treacherous special dungeon, the [Animal Slaughterhouse], he had been able to sense her extraordinariness from the slightest clues.
Now that they had met again, with Flora Sullivan and her pets being so conspicuous, it was only a matter of time before she was recognized.
Rather than trying to hide it, it was better to be forthright.
’As for whether we’ll cooperate or compete in the future... I’ll just have to take it one step at a time.’

’I want to get him to make some bombs for me again.’
VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Infinite Disasters: I Hoarded My Way to Godhood