Read Novel Full Chapter 1258 Refresh
Chapter 1258: Chapter 1258 Refresh
Two hours later, Brandon finally returned, bringing with him an astonishing haul.
Behind him, his men carried a full dozen beasts a lot like the American bison on their backs as if the massive beasts weighed nothing at all.
The sight immediately drew the attention of the survivors.
“Just how strong are these people?”
“That doesn’t surprise me at all.”
“Ross Oakley lived an extravagant and incredibly successful life back on Earth. It looks like he’s no different in this alien world.”
“Look at those bison! A single one should take several people to move, yet they’re carrying them like sacks of grain!”
“I want to join his group too!”
The crowd buzzed with excitement and envy as they watched Brandon’s team casually unload their catch.
The display of strength was enough to make many people reconsider their future plans.
In this unfamiliar world filled with uncertainty and danger, strength meant survival.
And Ross Oakley possessed plenty of it.
More and more people began looking toward Ross and his camp.
The women, in particular, could not help but steal glances at him.
Some admired his handsome appearance, while others saw him as a source of safety and stability in a world that had suddenly become chaotic and unpredictable.
After all, Ross was not only powerful, but also wealthy, influential, and surrounded by loyal followers.
Wherever he went, success seemed to follow.
Many women quietly made up their minds.
They wanted to get closer to him.
Some hoped to earn his favor through loyalty and hard work.
Others planned to use their beauty and charm.
A few were even willing to become his women if that was what it took to secure a place by his side.
Meanwhile, Ross remained completely unconcerned with the thoughts of the crowd.
He simply nodded in satisfaction at Brandon’s successful hunt.
“Good work,” Ross said.
Brandon grinned proudly.
“It was nothing, Boss.” Brandon replied in his usual brief words.
The surrounding survivors nearly choked when they heard those words.
A dozen massive bison had been hunted and carried back in only two hours, and this man was calling it “no effort.”
The gap between them felt larger than ever.
At that moment, many people understood a simple truth.
In this strange new world, following Ross Oakley might be the greatest opportunity they would ever receive.
Brandon and his men quickly set to work preparing the freshly hunted game.
Skilled hands moved with practiced efficiency as they skinned, cleaned, and roasted the massive bison over makeshift fires.
Within a short time, the air in the ruined city began to change.
A rich, savory aroma of roasted and grilled meat drifted outward, spreading through the broken streets like a signal of life returning to a dead world.
In this new reality, food was not just sustenance… it was power, comfort, and security.
Of course, Ross was not the only capable group in the city.
There were others scattered across the field, some strong, some organized, and some still struggling to adapt.
Game outside the city had not completely disappeared either. In fact, it was plenty.
But even so, none of them could match what was coming from Ross’s camp.
The smell alone set it apart.
It was richer, fuller, more inviting like a feast that belonged to a world that had not yet fallen.
It did not take long for people to notice.
At first, it was only a few individuals who had nothing left to lose. A lone man with torn clothes.
A woman carrying a child. A group of three who had been surviving on scraps for days.
They approached hesitantly, drawn by instinct more than courage.
But as the scent continued to spread, hesitation turned into desperation.
More and more survivors began to gather.
From small clusters at the edge of the ruins, the crowd slowly grew. Dozens turned into hundreds.
People who had once hidden in fear now stepped into the open, pulled forward by the promise of safety and food.
“Ross, please take us!”
“Let us join your group, please!”
“We can work! We won’t be a burden!”
“Ross! I’ll do anything just give me a chance!”
Their voices overlapped, trembling with urgency.
Some shouted until their throats cracked, while others simply stood with tear-filled eyes, afraid that speaking too loudly might cost them their only opportunity.
A few moments later, the crowd shifted.
Ross appeared.
And instantly, everything went quiet.
It was not that he released any pressure or aura. There was no visible force, no overwhelming energy.
And yet, the effect was undeniable.
His presence alone was enough.
Calm. Steady. Controlled.
He stood like a man who had already decided the outcome of everything around him, someone who did not need to prove his authority because it was simply understood.
Even the most desperate survivors found themselves lowering their voices without realizing it.
Ross glanced over the gathered crowd, his expression unreadable but not unkind.
“Hello, everyone,” he said at last, his tone even and calm.
A few people flinched at the sudden attention, as if being seen by him was something significant.
“There’s no problem with you joining my camp,” he continued. “But I don’t take in lazy people.”
A quiet murmur passed through the crowd.
Ross did not raise his voice, but every word carried weight.
“You are free to stay,” he said, “but you must prove your worth.”
He paused, letting the silence settle deeper.
“You don’t need to be strong. Strength is not required here. Even the simplest tasks matter like cleaning, gathering supplies, helping build a fire, cooking, maintaining order. Anything that contributes.”
His gaze slowly swept across them all.
“I don’t care what position you take. I only care that you do your part.”
Another brief pause.
Then he concluded firmly, “Welcome to my home.”
For a heartbeat, no one moved.
It was as if they could not process what they had just heard.
Then the tension broke.
A woman near the front suddenly collapsed to her knees, covering her face as she cried.
Another followed. Then another. Soon, the sound of quiet sobbing spread through the crowd like a wave.
Men who had been trying to appear strong wiped their faces roughly, unable to hide their relief.
Parents pulled their children closer, as if afraid the moment might disappear if they let go.
“Thank you, Ross… thank you!”
“We won’t waste this chance!”
“I swear I’ll work hard!”
The voices returned, but this time they were not desperate cries of begging. They were filled with gratitude… fragile, but real.
In a world that had stripped everything away from them, even a simple promise of safety felt like salvation.