Picking Up My Ex-Wife in the Apocalypse - Chapter 20

Fortunately, Si Ruxu’s spatial storage remained intact. Since the Base Commander had plotted to eliminate her from the start, his claim that she carried “one-third of the base’s resources” was likely just a scare tactic to paint a target on her back.

Si Ruxu pulled out the “Ultimate Weapon”, a multi-layered, wrapped bundle and set it on the ground. Just as she was about to unravel the cloth, a soft, slightly chubby hand reached out and stopped her.

Si Qi, wearing a cold expression, pulled Si Ruxu back. “Be careful. We don’t know what’s inside.”

Si Ruxu nodded, letting Si Qi use her telekinesis to peel away the layers. Revealed were two black mechanical devices. They looked like vintage camcorders but were small enough to fit comfortably in a pocket.

Si Qi stepped forward, inspecting them thoroughly for any explosive traps before handing them to Si Ruxu. Si Ruxu found a button and pressed it; both devices floated into the air. A cold, stilted mechanical voice drifted out: “Pairing… Ding! Pairing successful.”

Si Ruxu picked one up and toggled a side switch. The device vibrated before projecting a holographic screen that showed exactly what the other device was pointed at.

Si Qi squatted beside her, fascinated. “So it’s a video link? If one person is inside the Purge and the other is outside, they can keep track of each other?”

Si Ruxu nodded, though she let out a helpless sigh.

“It might not be useful for a base,” Si Qi said with a knowing smile, “but it’s perfect for us. One each, so we don’t have to worry about getting separated.”

******

Si Ruxu had shed her signature light trench coat for standard, nondescript tactical gear.

The base had publicly declared her a traitor who stole top-secret data, issuing an S-rank bounty. The rumors claimed she was critically injured and on the verge of death; easy prey even for a low-level Awakened.

The “dying” Si Ruxu was currently sitting obediently on a clean stone, watching Si Qi roast a rabbit they’d caught. As the meat turned golden over the fire, Si Qi brushed on a layer of chili flakes and spices, the aroma instantly filling the air.

Once finished, Si Qi carved the juicy, crispy meat and handed a plate to Si Ruxu, who had been pretending not to care while stealing glances for the last ten minutes. Si Ruxu’s eyes crinkled with joy. She thanked her softly and began to eat with a speed that made her cheeks puff out like a squirrel’s. Noticing Si Qi’s gaze, she immediately slowed down, trying to regain her poised, elegant manner.

She’s actually quite cute, Si Qi thought, suppressing the urge to pat her head as she looked away.

They had been on the run for weeks, never staying in one spot for long. The world was crawling with Awakened looking to cash in on the bounty. Since Si Ruxu truly was injured and couldn’t strike recklessly, the “near death” rumors had only grown more credible. Squads were now combing through every cave and forest patch in the region.

Meanwhile, news from the base claimed the Commander had fallen gravely ill and hadn’t stepped foot out of his quarters since their escape.

Si Qi looked at her hands, releasing a wisp of white energy—her original Space ability. The red power only seemed to trigger as a passive response. She sensed a pattern: every time the red energy appeared, she fell into a brief state of weakness, only to emerge stronger afterward.

If getting hurt makes me stronger… if I died, would I come back even more powerful? She pondered it for a moment but quickly discarded the thought. It was too risky—what if she just stayed dead or reset back to Day One? She never wanted to experience those early hardships again.

*****

As Si Qi packed their things, a piece of roasted rabbit leg was held to her lips. She blinked, her brain lagging, and instinctively bit into it. She looked at Si Ruxu, who hesitated for a second before feeding her another bite.

Si Qi let out a soft laugh. “Si Ruxu, how generous of you.”

Hmph. She’s finally starting to share her food.

Si Ruxu gave her a cold side-eye, realizing she was being teased. She turned her back to Si Qi, though her shoulders twitched with silent indignation.

Si Qi’s eyes grew misty for a moment. She remembered seeing Si Ruxu months ago from the slums—radiant, high-ranking, and untouchable. Now, she was here, injured and a fugitive because of her.

Si Ruxu eventually turned back around, having saved some meat for her. She saw Si Qi standing still, her long lashes lowered over a look of unmasked sorrow and loneliness.

“What’s this now?” Si Ruxu stepped closer, her gentle scent enveloping Si Qi. “I’ll let you eat first next time, okay?”

“Hm?”

“I’ve never seen someone so close to crying just because they didn’t get to eat first,” Si Ruxu teased. “You’re the first.”

“I am not.”

“Is that so? Then tell me, what are you so sad about?”

Si Qi went quiet for a long time before muttering, “Because you’re out here hiding like this because of me.”

Si Ruxu rested her chin in her hand, her eyes sparkling with a faint smile. “So, you don’t want to take me with you?”

Si Qi shook her head frantically, her eyes wide and innocent, yet she couldn’t find the words. Si Ruxu laughed and reached out to pinch her cheek. “Thank you for being willing to take me along.”

Si Qi recoiled as if burned and began packing with frantic speed, trying to calm her racing heart. Just wait, she thought. One day I’ll be completely heartless and then I’ll just flirt without taking responsibility.

*****

Si Qi had intended to bury the traces of their campfire, but after a moment’s thought, she left it exposed. Si Ruxu tucked the remaining seasonings away.

“If we just keep hiding, they’ll never stop hunting us,” Si Qi said, a flicker of red light crossing her eyes. “Better to meet them face-to-face. Give them a beating so they realize not everyone is easy pickings.”

Besides, Si Ruxu’s external injuries had mostly healed. Only her core remained fragile.

Si Ruxu nodded; she was never one to just hide in the shadows. She put back on her grey coat and even picked out a matching one for Si Qi. They walked openly on the road, looking clean and composed.

They were heading for a small neighboring city. Rumor had it there was a mysterious Research Institute there—the very one that had discovered how to use crystals to repair an Awakened’s core. They remained neutral, never participating in base politics but occasionally releasing breakthroughs, including clues about the Purge.

Si Qi focused her senses, catching the scent of a nearby squad. She teleported them to a small hill overlooking a forest clearing. Below, smoke rose from a campfire.

She crouched down, listening:

“Boss, you really think Si Ruxu is hiding in these woods?”

“We’ve searched everywhere else. She’s half-dead; where else could she go?”

“Talk about a fall from grace. Everyone used to worship her, and now look…”

“Good riddance. That woman was always so arrogant, acting like she was too good to talk to commoners.”

A cold light flashed in Si Qi’s eyes, but her lips curled into a smirk. “Were you really that cold back then?”

Si Ruxu didn’t take the insults to heart. “They’re just sycophants. They’d be better off hunting zombies for experience than talking gossip.” Then she added in a soft, mocking tone, “Of course, I’m nowhere near as good as you. You’re so impressive, actively looking for a fight.”

*****

The group below continued laughing, discussing what they’d do once they captured Si Ruxu. Si Qi’s killing intent solidified. She took Si Ruxu’s hand and tore a massive, jagged rift in the space before her, walking out with purpose.

Si Ruxu suppressed a giggle. Why so dramatic? Si Qi could blink in an instant now without a sound, yet she insisted on making a grand entrance.

Sure enough, the squad below panicked.

“What the hell is that? Is it a Purge rift? Run!”

Si Qi and Si Ruxu stepped through the rift. Si Qi instantly cordoned off a section of space, trapping the men within an invisible perimeter. They slammed into the air-walls like birds in a cage.

Then, one of them pointed at Si Ruxu, his fear turning into greedy delight. “Boss! It’s Si Ruxu!”

Greed quickly overcame their terror. They stood up, eyeing Si Ruxu like a prize. Si Qi stepped sideways, shielding Si Ruxu from their gaze. Her lips curled in a mirthless smile.

“Two choices. One: Leave all your supplies and each of you breaks an arm before walking away. Two: You all die, and I take the supplies anyway.”

The leader swallowed hard, looking at the spatial rift still gaping behind Si Qi. “Don’t let her scare you! The highest level is 7. We have two Level 7s here, and she’s only a Level 6. How can she stop us?”

“She’s clearly lost her mind,” another added.

Si Qi didn’t argue. She simply flicked an eyelid. The weakest member of their squad, a Level 6, was instantly pulverized into a red mist. There wasn’t even time for a scream.

The survivors froze. They were seasoned killers, so they didn’t scream, but they stared at Si Qi like she was a monster. Even Si Ruxu was surprised; she’d seen Si Qi fight monsters, but seeing her handle humans with such lethal efficiency was a revelation.

The leader grit his teeth. Losing an arm was a death sentence in the wasteland. He signaled his men, and they lunged at Si Qi simultaneously.

Si Qi moved with practiced ease; dividing, blocking, tearing. Within seconds, another Level 6 was shredded.

The leader’s forehead bulged with veins. Si Qi threw a space blade that shattered his defenses and left a deep gash across his chest. Before she could finish him, he hurled a fireball toward Si Ruxu.

Si Qi’s eyes darkened. A diversion.

Si Ruxu waved a hand, her lightning meeting the fireball in a shower of sparks. Si Qi seized that explosive energy and used a spatial fold to slam it back into the leader. His body couldn’t withstand the triple-threat of energy and he was scorched black over half his body.

“Boss!” The remaining two stopped, staring at the man on the ground. The air smelled of burnt meat. The leader’s eyes were wide, a triumphant, half-finished smirk still on his face.

Si Qi smiled at them. “You believe everything the base tells you? You really thought Si Ruxu was helpless?”

She looked at their pale faces with a touch of cruelty. “Dumb pigs. You were used as tools and you didn’t even know it.”

“Now,” Si Qi said, her smile not reaching her eyes. “Each of you breaks two fingers, and I’ll let you go. Or I can do it for you.”

The two men frantically snapped their own fingers, sweat pouring down their faces as they fought not to cry out. Si Qi opened the barrier, and they dragged their charred leader away, fleeing as if they’d seen a ghost. Si Qi watched them leave with a “kindly” gaze.

“I thought you were going to rob them?” Si Ruxu asked. “Why let them keep their gear?”

“I need them alive to spread the word that you aren’t injured. That’s the only way people will stop trying their luck.”

Si Ruxu nodded. “Si Qi.”

“Yeah?”

“You’re actually really good at acting like a monster,” Si Ruxu said in a mock-vulnerable voice. “I’m so scared.”

Si Qi: “…”

“Good. Stay scared.”

Support