The Endgame Chronicles (by Hugh White) novel Chapter 56

Leonard stood off to the side, tense as he watched Hayley work.

Hayley pulled out a bottle of white pills and helped Liam swallow one. Then, without hesitation, she started cleaning the blood and grime from his wounds.

She carefully cut away the rotted tissue, sprinkled some powder that looked like it was meant to stop the bleeding, and wrapped the injury tightly with fresh bandages.

By the time Hayley finished treating him, Leonard saw Liam’s eyelashes flutter. He coughed weakly, and to Leonard’s shock, he actually woke up.

Leonard froze. “Captain Caldwell!”

“Let him rest,” Hayley said, motioning for him to stay back.

Leonard immediately stopped where he was and nodded seriously.

“When he wakes up, he should be fine,” Hayley added, standing up straight.

Leonard stared at the girl in front of him, then suddenly gave her a salute.

“From now on, my life belongs to you.”

TI

“Good.”

Hayley looked at him with satisfaction.

In her past life, Leonard had been her most loyal follower. Even though fate had changed, she knew a man’s nature didn’t.

She understood him better than anyone–if he said something like this, he meant it for life.

“My name’s Hayley. From now on, just call me Boss.”

Leonard hesitated only a moment before answering firmly, “Yes, Boss!”

As soon as he said it, a chime echoed in Hayley’s mind.

Ding!

[Base defender +1 detected!

[Reward: 1,000 points! One combat uniform! Base defense increased by 10%! Base defender’s special ability copied!]

Hayley’s eyes widened. Whoa.

She could feel her base being reinforced in ways that weren’t visible. Inside her own body, a faint ripple of water stirred.

She remembered–Leonard was a water–element Gifted. Which meant she had just gained another ability.

Hayley was overjoyed. This time, she was absolutely sure that as long as she welcomed Gifted people into her territory, she would inherit their powers.

The longer she looked at Leonard, the more valuable he seemed.

+25 Bonus

Leonard really was a gem!

She fixed her blazing eyes on him. “Take off your shirt.”

Leonard froze.

He met her fiery stare, and his normally cold face flushed hot. His skin turned red all the way down his neck.

For a second, he felt like some helpless little girl about to be pushed around.

So straightforward? Just like that?

He fumbled at his buttons, moving painfully slow. The tough guy couldn’t help but blush.

“Hurry up already!” Hayley urged.

She had pulled fresh gauze and alcohol from the cabinet, along with the combat uniform she had just received and a vial of Valenex. When she turned back, Leonard was still struggling with the second button, moving like a shy schoolboy.

Leonard glanced at what she was holding.

“Miss… I mean, Boss, are you trying to-

“I’m trying to clean your wounds. Now quit stalling!”

Realization hit him like a brick. His ears burned bright red; this time, he stripped off his jacket much faster, tossing it aside in one smooth motion.

He was about to insist that he could handle it himself, but before he could, Hayley had already shoved him down and started disinfecting the gashes across his body.

After all, every single one of them had gone through hell.

They had fought their way through a swarm of the dead, and it had been a miracle that anyone had made it out alive. Not one of them had escaped without injuries.

+25 Bonus

Chapter 57