Chapter 62: Attack or Defense?

Leaving the training ground to Elena, Ethan hurried towards the meeting room.

Unlike the other facilities in the general Smith shelter, the meeting room along with other core supplies like ammunition, medicines, and food, was located in the air raid shelter.

"Back then, the reason I made Grandpa choose an air raid shelter was in the off chance we needed to all hide and go underground."

"Now, although I don’t want to admit it, if that monster is what I think it is, then that might be our only option."

Heading toward the bunker’s entrance, Elena’s face while she made the phone call weighed on his mind.

Although she didn’t want to admit it, how could he not notice?

Whatever it was she heard, it was something that made her worry—

so much so that for the first time in a long time, he saw a bit of hesitation in his sister’s eyes.

It was also because of this reason that he didn’t choose to force her to come with him.

After all, was there really any point in having her watch over the training ground? This whole place was Smith property;

No one would interrupt them unless he said so.

However, after seeing her with such emotions, Ethan decided to let her calm down.

As for how to deal with that monster, he would handle it.

Thinking this, Ethan picked up his pace.

Fortunately, with his current speed, it only took him a few minutes to get to the shelter entrance.

"Good afternoon, Patriarch!"

"Good afternoon, Patriarch!"

"The former Patriarch and the others are already waiting for you inside."

Arriving at the air raid bunker, two soldiers stood at the entrance,

wearing full military camo clothes, rifles in hand, and a sharp, intense look in their eyes.

Even though they were standing still, their guard was fully active, ready to shoot anyone who dared to trespass.

Now, these same guards, seeing Ethan come in, offered him a salute as they opened the shelter’s door.

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone!"

"The Smith family appreciates your hard work," he said, not paying them too much mind as he hurried to meet his grandpa.

However, what Ethan didn’t know was that this simple sentence of his

made the guards completely ecstatic. Looking at his back,

they both sighed.

"As expected of the new Patriarch! Not only does he recognize the little people like us, but that aura..."

"Just looking at him, you can feel all the killing intent suppressed underneath."

"It’s hard to imagine he’s the Patriarch of the Smith family and not some mercenary who lived in a war-torn country," said a guard.

Hearing this, the other guard nodded. To guard the shelter, not just anyone could be chosen;

both of them, apart from their skills and combat prowess, were exceptionally talented in detecting malice, anger, and killing intent.

And to them, someone like Ethan was a huge bottle of killing intent roaring to be exposed.

From what they saw, it wouldn’t be surprising if he broke out and went on a killing spree at any moment.

However, despite that, seeing him so composed and friendly with them, they genuinely felt respect for Ethan.

Unfortunately, the Ethan in question did not know what they were thinking.

If he were aware, he would probably have guessed that maybe they were sensing the hatred he still held from his past life.

But even then, Ethan wouldn’t care much, as right now he had more important things to take care of.

.......

Entering the shelter, Ethan didn’t need to make too many turns, nor did he ask for directions.

Heading straight into the deepest part of the shelter, after passing a series of locks, passwords, and lasers,

he finally reached the meeting room.

In front of him were Christian, Alfred, the head of security, his uncle Adrian Smith, and the lead scout, Marcus Pierce.

Right now, the four of them were all seated at a round table, locked in a heated discussion.

"Christian, we have to strike first! Did you see that monster?!"

"Not only does it seem to possess some level of intelligence as it surveys our base several times a day,"

"Plus our scouts have seen several mutant monsters all flocking in one direction."

"I think that bastard is preparing to crush us with a monster wave or something!"

Roaring with emotion, Adrian could barely contain himself.

Ever since he first laid eyes on that monster, he hadn’t been able to sleep.

That monster seemed to be playing with them, strategically cornering them, ready to plow them to the ground.

"Calm down, Adrian. How old are you to be so scared?"

"And so what if you die? Look at me, I’m seventy; if I die tomorrow, I can say I lived a pretty long life."

"Haha!"

Dismissing Adrian’s words, Christian continued to speak:

"Scout Leader Marcus, I take it from your report that about a hundred mutant beasts, apart from that flying bastard, have gathered towards the north."

"In that case, Adrian’s concerns are valid."

"However, all is not without hope." As he said this, Christian turned toward the entrance and saw Ethan standing there.

"As you can see, my grandson, the Patriarch, is here."

"The same person who helped us prepare for the apocalypse," he paused.

"Ethan kid, you came just in time."

"I’m sure you must have heard our earlier discussion, so what do you think?"

"Either we face the monster tide head-on, or wait for it to strike first."

"No matter what, it seems that monster you told Elena to tell me about is finally on the move."

"Truth be told, I’m quite surprised it gave us a week,"

said Christian. However, one thing he didn’t say was that no matter what they chose, he was ready.

In secret, in order not to panic anyone yet, he and Alfred had been discussing and planning all kinds of bombing formations and plans.

This way, in case everything went wrong, they had a backup.

Although there would be some loss of life, it was still within his acceptable range.

"Now answer me, kid: do we go on offense or defense?"