Raising A Few Wives in a Beast Apocalypse

A few days later. Back on the Blue Planet...

"Has anyone come across her yet?" Audrey suddenly spoke at the silent breakfast table.

Everyone had been mostly keeping to themselves in the last few days. Going out and doing their own things. Then returning in the evening to rest. The mansion was still as gloomy as ever.

It hadn't been moved from its place. Which was obvious since only Muku had the ability to do that. Those like Audrey and Jade could probably lift it.

However, that would obviously be inefficient. And who knows for how long they could keep it up?

Anyway, Audrey had ordered everyone to gather together for breakfast before leaving. That's right, she ordered them. If she had requested like she usually would have done. That might not have been very effective.

So, she took the hard stance. Muku's departure was still fresh in everyone's mind. Which meant that a soft approach would be met with resistance. So, slight force was the way to go.

While it was okay to want to take some time to themselves after what happened. Audrey refused to let them drift too far apart due to it. And since everyone respected her. They could only agree. It wasn't like they were too against it, after all...

Well.. all but one agreed. Three people were missing from the breakfast table. One was Muku, obviously. The other was Jade. She hadn't come back since the day she left.

The others had been trying to get into contact with her ever since. However, they were unsuccessful. She had better senses than all of them. Even better than Audrey when she used her special skills. So, she could easily avoid them.

All they were able to find were traces of her. Even when they sensed her fighting a beast. She'd be gone by the time they arrived. Even if it meant abandoning her prey.

It was obvious that she didn't want to talk. However, Audrey refused to give up on her. She'd continue hunting her down until she catches her.

"No" Surprisingly it was Hope who replied first. The others just shook their heads.

What was most surprising about Hope was how she was taking it so well. She had woken up a day after Muku was dragged away. But instead of the breakdown they expected.

She acted normally enough. She didn't withdraw herself or run away like Jade. She still engaged with anyone who wanted to engage in conversation with her.

The only thing that changed was that she was a lot more hardworking than before, just like the others. She'd leave the mansion in the morning and return in the evening.

With the recent WE, there were a lot more beasts roaming around. Rank threes were everywhere now. So, the girls didn't have to go far to find them. They also didn't need to give each other opportunities to kill them like before.

Audrey had encountered a Rank Four once. Which she warned the others about. So, for that reason. They didn't stray too far lest they put themselves in danger.

Anyway, the thing about Hope's situation was simple. There was a keyword in how she acted. Which was the word "acted" itself. Despite the act, the others could see the pain she tried to hide behind her forced smiles and expressions.

No one talked to her about it though. They were also dealing with the same thing. They were also acting like they were better than they actually were.

So, how could they talk to someone else about it? Although it was not a healthy thing to do. It was better than shutting yourself off from the world. At least there is some form of venting going on in the method they chose. They had things to do to keep their minds off the depressing matter.

Maybe they will get better through the method. Then they can stop acting and be genuine instead.

After all, it wasn't like Muku was dead or anything. They still had hope of seeing him one day. As long as they had their necklaces. They could confidently keep living on.

As for the last person missing from the table... It was the most unfortunate person in the whole ordeal. That's right, Chloe.

I like the others. She had taken too heavy a hit. She didn't just take a hit from Muku's sudden departure, but her father also died right in front of her.

She was so broken she couldn't even act like she was okay. Even her strong personality couldn't brave through such a situation. So, unsurprisingly, she shut herself off from the world.

She hadn't left her room since the day she woke up. Which was the same day Hope did. She hasn't spoken a word either. Nor has she eaten anything.

Being a Rank Three she could go a whole month without eating as long as she doesn't get into fights.

However, she had gotten into a fight already. A big one at that. So, that time was halved. She could probably go for a little over a week without eating in her current state. Of which, a few days had already been removed.

Unfortunately, there wasn't anything the others could do. They tried to talk to her but she didn't respond at all. Her eyes looked dead as she stared at the wall in front of her.

She didn't even attend to her own father's burial. At least not physically. The others had made sure to bury him close to the mansion. At an area, she could "see" with her mana sense.

And they felt her presence when they did it. Which gave them hope. At the very least, she didn't seem to be completely dead inside. There was still hope for recovery...

"Sigh, I never expected such a thing from that girl" Audrey commented.

"I think we should just let her be. Iris said that she isn't in complete control of herself right now, right?. Maybe she'll get better and come to us herself" Emily responded.

Though what she said made sense. The others could see that she was the most unwilling to accept it. She was just forcing herself to be strong out of helplessness. Jade really was too good at avoiding them, after all.

"Yeah. You're right. We should focus on keeping up for now. I'm certain she is killing beasts like crazy out there" Audrey replied, shifting the focus of the topic a little bit.

If they focus on keeping up with her. The situation wouldn't seem as bleak as it did at that moment.

"Yeah," Emily and the others agreed.

The room returned to silence again. However, they could all tell that it was a little brighter than before.

Audrey smiled a little bit. If the situation keeps on improving like that. She'll definitely be able to get the team out of the gutters and make Muku proud when he returns.

The group soon finished their meal. The one in charge of the dishes for that day took them for a wash. The others rested for a bit then left the mansion. Going their different ways to hunt once more.

...

A little while later. Somewhere in the forest...

Hope could be seen sitting on top of a dead bull-like LR3 beast. All of its body had turned purple. It was obviously poisoned to death.

"Until when are you going to hide from everyone?" Hope suddenly asked a question. Seemingly to no one in particular since she was alone.

"Until he gets back..." A voice responded from a tree top behind Hope.

"Why?" Hope asked without looking back. She was familiar with the scene after all.

Jade would trail her whenever she was out hunting. Whenever she tries to interact with her face-to-face, Jade avoids her. Always maintaining a position behind Hope.

"I need to stay sharp to get as strong as I can before he returns. If I rejoin the others. Eventually, I will soften again. Then I won't be able to get as strong as I would have gotten if I stayed away" Jade replied calmly.

"Why? Isn't that unfair to the others? Especially Emily? You are aware that your avoidance of her hurts her feelings a lot, right? Why are you so obsessed with strength when it hurts the ones closest to you?" Hope continued speaking.

"I know it hurts her. However, it's temporary pain. And I'm not obsessed with strength. I'm obsessed with preventing what happened before from happening again. I refuse to let it happen again. For that I need strength. I need to stay sharp. No matter what!" Jade replied. Her voice exposed a lot more emotion than before.

"Oh, so that's how you see it. At least you don't seem to be affected by your forced awakening as much as Iris said you were. However, I don't get it. Why do you constantly appear in front of me though... Well, I guess I should say behind me" Hope spoke. Her tone was unchanged. The way she spoke made it seem like Muku's absence had made her mature a lot in just a few days.

"Because you and I saw everything. I know that you're a lot closer to breaking than they think you are. You're barely holding on. They can stop you from doing something crazy in there. I can stop you from doing something crazy out here. That is, if you ever shall break" Jade replied. Her voice had returned to its previous calm state.

"Oh? Is that so? I guess I should thank you then. It's always good to have someone who worries. However, there's no need. I won't break. I won't do anything stupid. I will see my big brother again" Hope replied. Seemingly moved by Jade's words. She then expressed her conviction in staying strong. Which was raw and true. Jade could feel it.

"If you say so. I'll leave you to it then. See you again soon..." Jade spoke a few words and disappeared before Hope could say anything.

"Tsk, I'm more worried about you breaking. Not me" Hope spoke to herself in a low voice as she got up from the beast's body.

She then continued her hunting. If there was a core in the beast. Jade would have mentioned it...