#162 - persuade

Franklin wept silently as Valeria stood before him, facing off against Moonstone.

At this moment, the twins seemed to have switched roles, with Valeria acting as the older sister and Franklin more like the younger brother.

This wasn't because Franklin was more fragile, but because having once possessed the ability to change the world and reverse fate, he now felt his own helplessness and incompetence.

"Little Franklin, Little Valeria, I understand how you feel," Moonstone said, her tone softening as she saw Franklin's tears.

After all, they were just children who wanted to save their parents.

"We're all like you, having lost important people, which is why we can't entrust our lives to such illusory things."

"I understand," Valeria said, her expression calm, as if she hadn't been the one so agitated moments before.

"You're right, but we need some time to understand."

Valeria took Franklin's hand, and the two still-稚嫩 children walked shoulder to shoulder towards the depths of the base.

"We're a little tired, we'll rest first."

Peter wanted to follow, but felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see the Tinkerer, who had arrived beside him unnoticed. The Tinkerer shook his head, stopping Peter.

"Let them have some peace. They should figure things out this time."

"I hope so," Peter said, watching the children's backs, but for some reason, he felt a faint unease in his heart.

Peter couldn't help but hold his forehead, feeling that his spider-sense was about to go off again. To avoid another headache, he decided to take another dose of medicine later.

"Alright, it's rare to enjoy such abundant resources, cheer up," the Tinkerer patted Peter's shoulder.

"Sorry, I'm a little tired too," Moonstone picked up the plate at her feet and placed it on the table.

"I'm going to rest first as well."

"Me too, I'm a bit sleepy," Yang Le yawned, today's battle had also consumed a lot of his energy.

Moonstone and Yang Le left the hall one after the other, leaving the two men facing each other, looking at the leftovers in the hall.

Crap, were they going to have to clean up this mess?

The next day, Peter slept in for once, a luxury he hadn't experienced in a long time.

He stretched and climbed out of the soft bed, momentarily forgetting that he was in a zombie-infested apocalypse.

Just as he was sitting on the bed in a daze, enjoying the rare peace, his door was banged on.

Peter jumped out of bed, went to the door, and opened it to find the Tinkerer standing outside, looking anxious.

"What's wrong?" Peter asked quickly, realizing the seriousness of the situation.

"Franklin, Valeria, and Habi are all gone."

"What!?" Peter's hair stood on end, and even his spider-sense, suppressed by the medicine, went off again.

Time rewind to the evening.

Yang Le yawned as he arrived at the door of his assigned room. He had to admit that his mental energy had been depleted today, and now he desperately needed a soft bed to get a good night's sleep.

Opening the door and walking in, Yang Le took off his coat and went straight to the bed. Nothing could stop him from sleeping now.

However, as it turns out, things often don't go as planned.

Yang Le lay on the bed, just about to drift off to sleep, when he heard a knock on his door.

The sound was very light, and if it weren't so quiet, Yang Le might not have even heard it.

"Tsk!"

Yang Le clicked his tongue in annoyance, sighed, and slowly got up, dragging his shoulders towards the door. At this moment, Yang Le's movements alone made him look like a zombie.

Yang Le opened the door and found the Fantastic Twins, who had left first, standing one in front of the other. Valeria was in front, so she must have been the one knocking.

"What's the matter?" Yang Le asked, leaning against the door frame. He really wanted to sleep.

"Can we come in first?" Valeria said, her eyes flickering slightly, as if she didn't know what she was thinking.

"We have something important we want to discuss with you," Franklin raised his head, his eyes filled with pleading.

"Sigh~" Yang Le sighed and stepped aside, his meaning self-evident.

"Come in."

"Thank you," Franklin quickly thanked him, pushing Valeria into Yang Le's room.

"I don't have anything in my room, so I won't entertain you," Yang Le scratched his head and walked to the bed to sit down.

"Tell me what's up, but I'm warning you, I'm really sleepy."

"We want to ask you for help," Valeria said first.

"Help? Help with what?"

"We want to ask you to help us capture the Fantastic Four," Franklin said.

Yang Le frowned and said, "You haven't given up on that idea?"

"No, and it's impossible," Valeria said firmly, her eyes resolute.

"Didn't Moonstone make it clear? People who are dead can't be cured with medicine," Yang Le quoted Moonstone's words.

"They can't be completely considered dead people," Valeria retorted.

"You've also noticed that they possess intelligence, they can think, they can communicate. If their brains were dead, they wouldn't be like this, so they should just be controlled."

"That doesn't convince me," Yang Le leaned back, letting the wall support his body. Although it was a little cold, it helped him regain some energy.

"You've also seen that those zombies are riddled with holes, their intestines are torn, and their flesh is blurred. It doesn't look like the way living people should be."

"That's just complications!" Franklin looked at Yang Le excitedly, even starting to talk nonsense to convince him.

"Just like some other diseases, it's all within reason, as long as you prescribe the right medicine, you'll definitely be cured."

"Franklin!" Yang Le's expression suddenly became very serious, and he called out to the delirious Franklin.

"They're not bleeding anymore."

The room suddenly fell silent, and the Fantastic Twins stopped talking. Yang Le continued.

"You haven't been in close contact with the active ones, but I have. Their bodies are as cold as ice, and even if their bodies are shattered, no blood will flow out."

"Franklin, Valeria," Yang Le looked at the silent twins.

"That can't be called living."

Franklin opened his mouth several times, but couldn't say a word. Valeria, who was next to him, spoke.

"What exactly do you need to help us?"

"Looks like you still don't want to give up," Yang Le straightened his back and looked at Valeria.

"Convince me, like you've been doing all along. I won't go crazy with you."

"Okay!" Valeria nodded heavily, and then...

Then she started taking off her clothes!

"No!" Yang Le was shocked, even Franklin was stunned.

"That's not what I meant! Stop it! If this continues, I'll be committing a crime!"