Chef (4)

POV Lisa Thompson

Lisa stared through tears at the pale man with white hair who was running away with her two youngest children and then at her son Victor, who was running at an incredible speed while circling around, before staring at the plant that had swallowed her eldest son Victor.

Remembering the white-haired man's harsh words and seeing the hole that the thrown book had created in the plant stem as well as the torn 'petals' from the pen he had thrown upward, she did her best to stop her tears before gripping the axe tightly.

She had to be strong now for her children and take the opportunity given to her.

Saying a quick prayer, she tapped the black band on her wrist to calm her mind.

[Culling Participant: Lisa Thompson]

[Time Remaining: …..]

[Class: Warrior]

[Lv 1]

[Life Energy Coins: 0]

[Skills: Prowess, Stamina, Overhaul, Hardening]

With that thought, she activated her Prowess and Hardening abilities, which made her stronger and faster, as well as made her skin tougher.

"Arghhhhh!"

With an angry scream, she swung the axe like a lumberjack while dashing toward the towering plant stem that contained her son.

SLAM!

Even when a root suddenly rose to swing at her like a whip, she bore the brunt of it with her left arm while swinging at the already existing hole with the axe.

Chkkkkkk-

The axe got stuck in the tough plant stem before the handle of the axe broke with a loud snap.

"Hic- noo!" as tears began streaming down her face once more, Lisa was slammed to the ground as another root below the plant came to the surface and beat her down.

Even through her hardened skin, the weight and force of the root made her lose her breath as she lay on the ground, getting beat.

Lisa wasn't a fighter.

She wasn't meant for this at all, and from the moment her husband died, she had been struggling to manage the two children and two infants in this changed new world.

There was violence everywhere, her children were now more dangerous than ever, and she was constantly tired and on edge.

Since their home was destroyed by rioters, she had no choice but to live on the street and enter the occasional homeless shelter that was still operating.

After finding out about this government opportunity that guaranteed effective meals and a position based on performance, she had taken it but now her children were fighting for their lives.

"Ughhhh! Sob sob"

She lay on the ground groaning as the plant roots kept beating down on her, and tears kept pouring out of her face.

"Mommy! Rip it apart, Mommy! You're strong! Get up!"

"Oi, you stupid lady! Get the hell up! Are you trying to make your kids orphans? Huh? Get up and fight!"

Hearing the call of her fierce child Victor and the annoying voice of that white-haired man, Lisa somehow dragged her body up and caught the root that came flying at her.

Her son was right! She was strong now due to these new abilities, and she would use them to protect her kids instead of their father.

"Grahhhhhhhhh!!"

With a surge of energy, she yanked the root toward her, pulling the entire plant her way. As the large green stem began to lean, Lisa punched out, ignoring the throbbing pain and forcing her fist into the stem, grabbing some of the plant flesh, and ripping it back.

As the plant vibrated and the numerous roots began to attack her aggressively, Lisa somehow ignored them, solely focused on tearing away the stem that held her son.

And then, finally, she tore through and saw a small body curled up with the chubby white face touching his knee.

Seeing her eldest son, the gentlest boy in the world who loved animals so much he somehow gained the ability to transform into them lying almost unconscious while covered in green juices from the plant, Lisa began crying again at her own uselessness.

Parts of her son's clothing were dissolved, and his skin was red in some parts. If she hadn't been useless, if she hadn't wasted time, he wouldn't have gotten hurt like this.

"Ohhh, my baby Leo."

She quickly reached out and scooped him up, using her entire upper body to cover him as the roots reacted with even more aggression.

As Lisa turned to look, she saw that the meadow had turned from the idyllic representation of spring that it was before to a dirt-filled monster den with numerous gigantic plant monsters and roots that seemed like worms.

Even the safe path, the blacked earth, was being tilled by monster roots as they swung around, trying to kill whatever prey was around.

As her body took a beating, Lisa found inner strength she didn't know she had as she felt the soft breaths of her son. She forced her battered body to continue to dash forward toward the forest that seemed like a safe zone.

Roots grabbed at her, trying to pull her back and trip her up, but still, she charged forward while the earth shook violently, pulling upon that new energy inside of her and forcing her body to move until she reached the edge of the meadow.

As her foot landed before slipping, a thin but strong hand that felt hotter than her body gripped her hand and yanked her forward until she fell into a surprisingly firm figure who stabilized her before pushing her away.

As she glanced up, her watery eyes met blue eyes narrowed in a scowl that seemed less fierce than before, and the sounds of the rampaging plants and her crying children faded away.

Then the pale young man spoke.

"Looks like you made it. Glad you eventually found the strength to save your kid instead of laying there and crying." It was the dry, sarcastic voice that had heckled her into action.

The words of thanks that she was about to release caught in her throat, and instead, she glared at him.

"Don't take that uppity tone with me, you don't know what I've been through."

"You're right. I don't know, and I don't particularly care. I hope that kid in your arm is okay, and I'm glad Victor doesn't have any injuries. He was very brave, so give him lots of praise later."

At the casual words that ignored her rude tone and even praised her young son staring at her with teary eyes, Lisa felt some shame.

Out of everyone here, including the soldier who had abandoned her and the man who had put her child in danger in the first place, the one she was taking her anger out on was the only person who had helped her.

Her face immediately flushed from embarrassment, and tears dripped down her eyes. She bowed her head while clutching her son Leo.

"Thank you for your…help. I really appreciate it. Without you, Leo..."

"Don't thank me. I didn't do much, and you did all the work. Instead, figure out a way to take the initiative and protect your family or, at the very least, get your mental strength up so you're not always crying during important times. There won't always be someone to aid you like this." A cold voice immediately cut her off, and Lisa immediately spat back, feeling the judgment behind the words.

"You don't need to judge me so much! You don't even know what I'm dealing with! My husband suddenly died while going to get my baby milk, the world suddenly changed, and I'm responsible for so many tiny humans, which no one empathizes with at all! Clearly, it's my fault for expecting human decency or for someone not to throw my child into a literal danger zone!" Lisa paused and glared at the construction worker, who didn't have the decency to look ashamed, before continuing.

"I guess it's my fault for also believing that a soldier paid by the taxes I paid would do his job to protect and serve the people, including women and children," she glared at the soldier who looked contrite, "Forgive me for not being quick enough to adapt. I have a lot going on, so you can get off your damn high horse and stop judging me! I'm aware of my failure, and I'm trying to do better!"

Cyril looked over at the woman, who looked exhausted and teary-eyed even while yelling, then glanced at her two toddlers and the two babies he held before sighing.

For a moment, he considered telling her that expecting people to be good samaritans in this new time period was a hopeless dream and that she should be thankful that no one tried to take out her kids for easy coins, but after weighing the effort and headache, he nodded and unbuckled the child carrier before handing over the two bald babies who were still crying wildly.

"You're right. I shouldn't judge. You're doing your best, so here you go. Continue doing your best."

"Wha-?" Lisa looked at him with a shocked expression.

"Take them back."

"I'm injured, and covered in plant juices and dirt? Plus, I have to carry Leo; he's unconscious…" As Lisa stared at him with a pleading expression...

Cyril: ಠ_ಠ

"What the hell does that have to do with me? As you've said, I'm not a good person, and I'm very judgemental, and I have no plans of changing. Since I've done my portion in helping you, get someone else to carry them or grow four arms or something. You're the mom, and I'm a sick and tired stranger."

Hearing the rude words, Lisa originally wanted to fire back again, but thinking that he had helped her, she bit her lips before thoroughly looking at the young man in front of her, who couldn't be more than 20 years old.

He had a thin figure and was dressed in oversized white clothes, which made him look quite frail. His hair, lashes, and eyebrows were a shiny white color like white gold, and his pale skin was flushed as if he was running a fever. Truthfully, he looked a bit haggard, especially with the dark shadows underneath the pale blue eyes and bloodshot eyes.

Although he was handsome, the glare on his face gave him a fierce, unfriendly appearance. And despite the strength in his words and actions, if he passed out right away, she wouldn't be surprised.

That was how sickly he looked right now.

A slight feeling of shame rose up again at having received help and then yelled at a sickly young man, and she glanced at the remaining people who were just standing and observing.

"Can somebody please help me carry my son Leo? I need to breastfeed my babies so they can stop crying."

It was silent for a moment, the man with the glasses who had tried to stop the man wearing the construction vest spoke up while glancing at the giant plants that were rioting in the once peaceful meadow and the woman who had made it through a monstrosity while crying to save her child.

"I can….and sorry I didn't help earlier."

"It's fine. Like he said, I need to toughen up. Thanks." 

Wiping her tears away, Lisa passed her son Leo to the man, hugged and kissed Victor for a job well done, and grabbed the two crying babies from the white-haired man.

As he turned to walk away, she called out softly.

"Hey….what's your name?"

"Hmm? It's Cyril. Cyril Taylor. And I meant what I said earlier. I'm glad you found the strength to save your kid. I hope you keep it up." After responding, he gave her a beautiful smile that wiped away any anger and frustration she still had before he turned and continued walking, following behind the crowd that followed the soldiers' lead.