My 100th Rebirth a day before the Apocalypse novel Chapter 572

"Vulture, get a grip," Duke said, his voice grim but firm. "If Sparrow’s still alive, he’s probably waiting for us, stuck in a dire situation. If we waste any more time here, he could be dead for real. Don’t jump to conclusions—not until we see his body for ourselves."

Duke didn’t want to say it, but the words were necessary. He needed Vulture to pull himself together. Kisha and Duke couldn’t afford to babysit him.

If even Sparrow, with all his skills, had been caught off guard and unable to fight back, it meant their enemy was powerful enough to push him into a corner.

They couldn’t afford to be distracted or broken, not now. If they allowed their spirits to drop, it would only drag them all down.

Vulture’s blank expression and dull eyes slowly shifted toward Duke. He stared at him for a long moment before, suddenly, he burst into a sob. "Master, Sparrow..." His voice cracked, choking on the words.

Duke didn’t hesitate. He slapped the back of Vulture’s head again, the sound sharp and quick, as though trying to jolt his mind awake.

"Did your brain fill up with water?" Duke snapped. "Let me slap the stupid out of you so you can think straight." _{frёeωebɳovel.com}

The scolding tone was harsh, but there was something oddly comforting about it. It was as if Duke were nagging a son, and despite the gravity of the situation, it carried a warmth that spoke volumes about the bond they shared. It was a reminder that, in the midst of all this, Duke saw them as family.

Vulture’s worry for Sparrow was palpable, but Duke’s own anxiety was just as strong. He needed Vulture to pull himself together—not for Duke’s sake, but for Sparrow’s.

They needed to find him, and Vulture’s current state wasn’t helping anyone.

After a moment of sobbing, Vulture wiped his eyes with the back of his arm, looking every bit like an aggrieved child struggling to hold back his tears.

With a quiet hiccup, he stood up, silently clipped his walkie-talkie back onto his belt, and without a word, fell in line behind Kisha and Duke once more.

Duke paused, his scolding over, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He turned and started walking behind his wife, though the smile quickly faded, replaced by a hard, cold edge. A murderous glint flashed in his eyes as he glanced ahead.

He didn’t tolerate anyone laying a hand on his people, and the thought of one of his trusted men being reduced to this... it only fueled his anger.

The fire of vengeance burned hotter within him, and the need to make sure the culprit suffered—not just die easily—consumed his every thought.

They all pushed their personal thoughts aside, refocusing on the mission to find Sparrow. The weight of the situation was clear—any lapse in attention could mean missing a crucial clue or failing to spot danger before it was too late.

Being absent-minded now could cost them everything. After taking a moment to school their emotions, they steeled themselves and moved forward once more.

Since they were retracing their steps from where they had first found the blood trail, it was easier to follow the path back.

Kisha, Duke, Vulture, Zeus, and the Scarlet Bees moved through the forest, the quiet urgency of their steps punctuated only by the distant rustling of the trees.

Kisha kept the Scarlet Bees within a specific range, ensuring they formed a protective ring around the group.

As they moved, the bees maintained a constant radius, a protective shield, and a detection network, scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.

With the Scarlet Bees forming a protective perimeter, any incoming threat would be detected almost immediately, giving Kisha and her group the opportunity to quickly formulate a plan to defend themselves. This added security allowed them to focus on the task at hand.