"Yes!"

Aria and Lila chorused excitedly.

"We miss her so much!"

Lila added excitedly.

Ivy chuckled at their enthusiasm.

Without wasting another second, the girls hurried toward the truck.

A few moments later, Ivy, Darren, Aria, Lila, and little Hope were all seated inside the vehicle.

Darren started the engine, and the truck soon rolled out of the base before making its way toward the villa.

The journey was smooth and uneventful.

As soon as the truck approached the villa gates, the survivors quickly recognized it.

Word spread almost instantly throughout the compound.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith, along with many of the villa’s residents, rose to their feet and gathered near the entrance with wide smiles on their faces.

The moment the truck drove through the gates and came to a stop inside the compound, cheerful voices erupted from all directions.

"Welcome back, Captain Ivy!"

The survivors chorused in unison, excitement evident on every face.

Several people waved enthusiastically while others bowed their heads respectfully.

A warm smile appeared on Ivy’s face as she stepped down from the truck.

Before she could even properly greet anyone.....

"Aria! Lila!"

Pearl’s excited voice rang out across the compound.

The young girl came sprinting forward at full speed.

"Pearl!"

Aria and Lila yelled at the same time.

The three girls immediately threw themselves into one another’s arms and nearly fell over from the force of the embrace.

They laughed, squealed, and jumped excitedly while hugging one another tightly.

"I missed you!"

Pearl exclaimed.

"We missed you too!"

Aria replied.

"You have no idea how bored we were!"

Lila added dramatically.

Without wasting any more time, the three girls immediately ran toward one of the villas, eager to continue their reunion.

"Be careful, darlings!" Ivy called after them. "Stop running or you’ll trip and fall!"

Unfortunately, the girls were far too excited to listen.

They continued racing toward the building while laughing loudly.

Within seconds, they disappeared inside and shut the door behind them.

Mrs. Smith laughed softly.

"That’s how children are," she remarked with amusement. "The moment they see their friends, the entire world disappears."

Ivy could only shake her head helplessly.

Meanwhile, Darren stepped forward and addressed the men gathered nearby.

"Kindly help bring down the supplies from the truck’s boot," he instructed.

Without hesitation, several men stepped forward and began unloading the truck.

Boxes of food, bottled water, medicine, clothing, and other useful materials were carefully carried into storage.

Meanwhile, Ivy was led deeper into the compound by Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

As they walked, Ivy’s attention was suddenly drawn toward a group of unfamiliar people seated quietly at one side of the compound.

There were nineteen of them altogether.

Men, women, and even a few elderly survivors.

Unlike everyone else, they hadn’t approached to greet her.

Most of them looked nervous and uneasy.

Some appeared exhausted while others looked frightened.

Ivy slowed her steps.

"Who are they?" she asked curiously, her gaze fixed on the unfamiliar group. "I don’t remember bringing them here."

Mr. Smith followed her gaze and immediately understood.

"Oh, them."

He released a tired sigh.

"They’re new survivors who stumbled across the villa a few days ago."

He folded his arms as he continued speaking.

"As you already know, the barrier guarding this villa wouldn’t allow them through the gates if any of them were infected, so we knew they were safe."

Mr. Smith glanced briefly toward the newcomers.

"Most of them are women, elderly people, and a few families. They begged us sincerely to let them stay."

His expression became slightly awkward.

"So I allowed them into the compound temporarily."

He quickly raised both hands.

"However, we’re still waiting for your approval before assigning villas to them."

Ivy listened quietly.

"I didn’t think it would be right to place them in one of the villas without consulting you first," Mr. Smith added respectfully. "After all, you’re the leader here."

For several moments, Ivy remained silent.

Her gaze moved across the faces of the newcomers.

Most of them looked thin and exhausted.

Fear and uncertainty were visible in almost every pair of eyes.

Finally, Ivy exhaled softly.

"Tell them to come here," she said calmly. "I’d like to speak with them myself."

Mr. Smith immediately nodded.

"Of course."

He turned toward the group.

"Come over here!" he called out while gesturing with his hand. "Captain Ivy wants to speak with you."

The nineteen survivors exchanged nervous glances.

They all hurried forward before suddenly dropping to their knees.

Thud!

"Please don’t send us away, Captain Ivy!"

The group cried out almost simultaneously.

Many of them lowered their heads until they nearly touched the ground.

Tears were visible in several eyes.

"If you send us away, we’ll die!"

One woman sobbed.

"We have nowhere else to go!"

Another survivor pleaded desperately.

"Please have mercy on us!"

"We’ll follow every rule!"

"We’ll work hard!"

"Please don’t cast us out!"

The desperate voices overlapped one another.

Ivy swallowed hard.

The fear in their voices was impossible to ignore.

"Can all of you please stand up first?" Ivy asked while raising an eyebrow. "I can’t properly speak with you while you’re kneeling like this."

The survivors looked at one another.

After a moment, they slowly rose to their feet.

Even then, many of them kept their heads lowered nervously.

Only after everyone was standing did Ivy turn her attention back toward Mr. Smith.

"Have you explained the rules governing this villa to them?"

"Yes, Captain Ivy," Mr. Smith answered immediately. "I’ve explained everything in detail."

"And?"

"And they’ve agreed to every single condition."

"I see."

Ivy nodded thoughtfully.

Then, inwardly, she communicated with the System.

Can you scan all of them for me? And while you’re at it, create identity cards for each of them as well.

Ding!

{Right away, Host.}