Chapter 294: Stirring Up Emotions

The group stared at Dr. Hayes, who had appeared so suddenly, unsure of how to answer.

Did they want to get stronger?

Of course they did!

But looking at the people Dr. Hayes had strengthened, they just couldn’t bring themselves to say they wanted it.

Was it better to be weak but have a mind and soul, or to become strong but lose them both?

It didn’t require any hesitation. Anyone with a brain would obviously choose the former.

If they lost their minds and souls, would they still be themselves, even if they became incredibly powerful?

What would be the difference between that and a walking corpse?

What would be the difference between that and a machine?

At that point, would being strong or weak even matter to them anymore?

Seeing that no one answered him, Dr. Hayes didn’t get angry, nor was he the least bit surprised.

“I know what you’re all thinking, but you need to understand one thing. If you don’t become stronger, you won’t be able to face the dangers to come. When that time comes, everyone here will die. Is that the outcome you want?”

“No one knows when the zombies and Aberrant Beasts will attack again. I’ll give you two hours to think about it.”

“After two hours, you will tell me your choice. If you still insist on your current decision, then I won’t force you.”

Having said his piece, Dr. Hayes turned and walked through the metal door without waiting for an answer.

The Superpower Users he had strengthened went in with him.

As the great metal door closed, the inside and outside seemed to become two different worlds again.

The surroundings fell silent.

There were clearly many people, yet not a single person spoke.

At that moment, a shadow clouded everyone’s hearts, and a heavy mood fell over them.

Hector Grant slowly walked over, sat down in front of Sierra Sullivan and the others, and ran his hands through his hair.

Although she couldn’t see Hector Grant’s expression, just from his posture, Sierra knew that he must be incredibly conflicted and tormented.

He had been defending Dr. Hayes just a moment ago.

But in the blink of an eye, Dr. Hayes had revealed a different side.

Dr. Hayes’s ultimatum, in particular, was agonizing for Hector Grant.

He himself didn’t know whether he should trust Dr. Hayes, or what the right choice would be.

Sierra Sullivan was just thinking about whether to comfort Hector Grant when she heard Simon Hughes’s voice.

“Captain Grant, isn’t it about time for you to step up?”

Hector Grant slowly raised his head. His expression was back to normal, but his brow was still tightly furrowed. “What do you mean?”

Simon Hughes smiled. “A man as smart as Captain Grant couldn’t possibly misunderstand me. But since you’ve asked, I’m obliged to answer. My meaning is simple. As the official authorities, you hold all the power. We ordinary survivors in Subterra have to live under your rule. We watch you live the good life, basking in everyone’s admiration. You’ve had it good for so long. Now that danger has appeared, shouldn’t you be the ones to shield us survivors? Dr. Hayes was right. Someone has to do it! Captain Grant, you should take your men to Dr. Hayes and have him upgrade your Superpowers. Maybe then we can wipe out the Aberrant Beasts and zombies for good and hurry back to Subterra. Am I right, everyone?”

Simon Hughes raised his arm and shouted, inciting the crowd’s emotions while also putting Hector Grant on the spot.

If Hector Grant disagreed, Simon Hughes would accuse him of being selfish, of wanting to sacrifice innocent survivors for the sake of himself and his men.

If Hector Grant agreed, the men under him wouldn’t necessarily agree.

At that point, they might even turn on each other.

You had to admit, Simon Hughes was clever. He’d come up with such a dirty trick in no time at all.

Hector Grant’s brow furrowed even more tightly than before.

Sierra Sullivan let out a cold laugh. “Simon Hughes, you’re only saying all this because you don’t want to be the one sacrificed, right? You’re trying to pressure Captain Grant in the name of the people. Do you think we can’t see that? Don’t treat everyone like an idiot!”

“I’m not treating anyone like an idiot.” Simon Hughes’s smile didn’t falter. “I’m just speaking the truth. If everyone disagrees, I can apologize to Captain Grant, never say such things again, and mind my own business. Tell me, everyone, was anything I just said wrong?”

A deathly silence fell.

No one was a fool. Even if they were swayed by Simon Hughes’s proposal, they were still too cautious to speak up.

If they spoke up now, they would definitely offend Hector Grant and his men.

If Hector Grant and his men completely lost their minds and souls, or just died outright, then of course there would be nothing to worry about.

But what if Hector Grant got lucky, became stronger, and still had his mind intact?

If Hector Grant made it back to Subterra safely, would he seek revenge on them?

Besides, they weren’t Simon Hughes.

Simon Hughes had the Hughes Family backing him. Even if he had a complete falling out with Hector Grant, it wouldn’t be easy for Hector to make a move against him.

But it was different for people like them.

They were just ordinary survivors, who at best had some Superpowers.

If they really offended Hector Grant, even if they returned safely to Subterra, they could forget about living a peaceful life.

Seeing that no one was making a sound, Simon Hughes shrugged nonchalantly.

“It seems I miscalculated. You all don’t think the same way I do. In that case, I won’t say any more!”

Simon Hughes returned to the Hughes Family group, his gait unhurried and his smile unchanged, as if nothing had just happened.

His abilities aside, that kind of composure was something few people possessed.

Claire Vance looked at Simon Hughes strangely. “Nothing was accomplished. What are you so happy about? Is there anything to be happy about? Don’t tell me you’re really going to make the people we brought go? But I’ve already lost half of my people. If I lose the other half, then I…”

“It’s not over yet!” Simon Hughes grinned smugly. “What’s the rush? Just let things play out for a bit. You’ll see the result soon enough.”

Looking at Simon Hughes, Claire Vance’s brow furrowed slightly.

‘There he goes again!’

‘That same attitude of having everything under control.’

‘If he really had everything under control, would we have ended up in this situation?’

Claire Vance opened her mouth, but in the end, said nothing.

It was only two hours, anyway. She was willing to wait patiently.

‘Maybe Simon Hughes really does have another move up his sleeve.’

On the other side, Hector Grant sat down again, but he seemed even more dejected than before.

“Captain Grant,” Jayce began, “don’t take what Simon Hughes just said to heart—”

“How can I not take it to heart?” Hector Grant shook his head. “He’s right. People like us really should be the ones to take the lead.”

Hector Grant’s expression became resolute. “I’ve already made up my mind!”

Sierra Sullivan’s heart skipped a beat. She and Jayce asked in unison, “What have you decided?”