Raising A Few Wives in a Beast Apocalypse

"Like you said, we increasingly kept running into them. And their strength improved each time until it was their numbers after they reached PR4 in strength. Since we expected them and knew about the explosions. We managed to take care of them all without any complications. They usually show up within a few weeks of each other. And it has been a couple of weeks since the last group, so the next one should be close" Audrey continued as asked.

"It's good that you were able to take care of them... However, were they so dumb as to think that just numbers or a little more strength would win against you? If so, aren't they too dumb to keep on trying the same thing each time?" Muku commented.

"No, they tried different methods each time. Setting traps, sniping, swarming, ambushing, sending beasts... But most of that stuff is countered by Jade, the barrier and Hope. Despite her condition, Jade still has otherworldly senses and will immediately know when someone is looking in her way with malice. Which would make her more violent during her episodes. So catching us by surprise was out of the question. Then there's sniping... We only went out of the barrier after making sure that there was no one left. And swarming is probably the dumbest thing to do with that girl here..." Audrey explained.

She finished her explanation by pointing at Hope. Muku immediately understood what she meant.

Hope really was the worst enemy to have when you were uninformed. She literally only had to cast her Whisperless Death and whoever stepped into the covered area would die before they knew what hit them.

It was even worse when she knew a group was coming. She would cast it but reduce its potency until everyone is within range then... With a mere thought, they would all fall and never get up again.

Muku was immediately reminded of his experience with the spell back in the trial ground. A chill went down his spine. A flash of fear appeared in his eyes when he looked at Hope before disappearing.

It wasn't that he was scared of Hope. It was just a reflex caused by the horrible memory.

"What was that big brother?" Hope asked with a serious expression as she looked at Muku. She had noticed the flash in his eyes.

"What do you mean?" Muku asked confusedly.

"That flash in your eyes? What was that? I don't like it... My heart hurts for whatever reason..." Hope explained herself.

And she wasn't exaggerating, she really felt pained after seeing that look even though she didn't understand what it was. It only appeared for a split second, but it affected her greatly...

"Oh, that. Sorry. I'll tell you about it later. Please don't take it to heart. I promise you'll understand then..." Muku apologised without getting into detail.

"...Okay. If you say so" Jade looked at him for a few seconds without saying anything.

It was only after she was sure of the sincerity in his eyes that a smile reappeared on her face and she replied.

Muku sighed in relief internally for dodging the bullet. He couldn't help but commend Hope's perceptiveness. Most people probably wouldn't have noticed the look at all.

Well, then again, Hope was pretty much always looking at him and studying him when she could, so it was understandable. Honestly, the way she looked at him with glowing eyes full of life and interest sometimes made him wonder if... Nuh, there was no way...

"Anyway, that's the gist of what happened in our separation which is worth mentioning..." Audrey added.

"No, that's not everything. You haven't told me about your improved magic yet. You know, like Layla's chilly black aura. That's not something she could do before. I'm sure you all have your own surprises too... But I guess I'll find out eventually. So, let's leave that be for now. It can be something to look forward to as we get used to each other again" Muku expressed his interest in knowing about their improvements.

"Oh, you noticed that, huh? That's a blunder on my part. I also wanted to keep it a secret then surprise you when the chance arises. I knew it... Being around Jade too much isn't a good thing. I'm losing my calmness. Well, whatever, you technically haven't seen anything substantial yet, so I guess it's still okay" Layla replied to Muku's statement.

She casually threw shade at the slumbering Jade just because she could. Everyone has been disrespecting her because of Jade so it was fine. Just because she was the calm and collected one didn't mean that she couldn't be petty too right?

"Well, somebody is confident. Now I can't wait to see what you have installed for me. Don't disappoint me" Muku replied smilingly.

"Don't worry, you won't be disappointed. Enjoyment is guaranteed" Layla replied with a little mischievous smile on her face as she looked at Muku suggestively.

Muku couldn't help but gulp down some saliva as he remembered their make-out session from before...

"What is that supposed to mean you perv"

Suddenly the supposedly sleeping Jade spoke as she rose from Muku's lap.

"None of your business" Layla replied bluntly. She completely dismissed being called "perv".

"It became my business when you woke me up with that unprovoked cuss. Freaking Frosty! Always pretending to be proper then curse people behind their backs... Then again, with that shadow element, it's understandable" Jade responded.

She clearly didn't mind that she barely had any Beast Aura at the moment as she picked a fight with Layla. She clearly knew that Layla didn't like being called Frosty yet she said it and added some more things on top.

"Firstly, if you wanted to sleep, you should have stayed in your room. Secondly, call me that again if you want a fight. I don't pretend to do anything, you're the one who assumed what you wanted. And I never act unprovoked. So, whatever I do or say to you is your fault. How is it that someone who can't keep their own power under control is throwing shade at mine? Are you stupid?" Layla replied calmly.

Yet every sentence was designed to cut as deep into Jade as possible. Muku was honestly surprised by how much she had changed. The old Layla would have remained quiet.

Maybe she really had lost her calmness because of Jade, like she said.

If it were an animated scene, sparks would be seen flying between the two. It looked like they were ready to throw down.

Muku was flustered but the other girls looked on calmly. They had long gotten used to the verbal fights between Layla and Jade. Somehow the two had become the group's resident rivals always at odds with each other.

Thinking about their vastly different personalities which pretty much went the opposite way... Maybe their rivalry was inevitable...

"Okay, girls. Now is not the time for that. Especially you Jade, why are you so rowdy when you know Layla can squash you in your current state without breaking a sweat?" Muku spoke as he tried to break up the conflict.

He felt a headache coming in as he did so. Surely things always took a turn for the worse when Jade was around. The girl hadn't been up for even two minutes, yet she had already derailed the situation.

Sure, it can be said that Layla started it by mentioning her. But then again, if Jade didn't do some things in the last, then Layla wouldn't have been bothered with her.

"Hey! Why are you only calling me out? You jerk! Just got here and already showing favouritism! Hmph! It's because she seduced you isn't it? What a shameless pair! And as for why I dare fight back it's because I know you wouldn't let her beat me up" Jade, as usual, refused to take things lying down.

"What the hell?! I thought you said you'd turn it down and won't be so chaotic back in the trial ground? So what's this now? And who said I would interfere?" Muku replied while rubbing his head.

There was no real headache, but dealing with Jade always gave him the feeling that there was a headache. The feeling probably originated from their student-teacher days. She wasn't any easier back then either...

"Hehe. Well, I can't help it if I've got used to acting like this. Like they say, fake it until you make it. I faked it so long, I made it. Now this is me. And don't try to fool me. I know you would interfere. If I were just tired, the ruthless you, would definitely let her beat me up. Which is like to say is really horrible. Anyway, right now you know that there's an issue with me, so you won't stand by" Jade spoke proudly knowing that Muku wouldn't do something to her nor let anyone do anything either.

"Tsk. I hate it when you use your brain. Anyway, you're right. But you will get better eventually. After that, there's that spanking I promised..." Muku replied annoyedly.

However, an evil smile appeared on his face when he mentioned the spanking

"You monster!" Jade exclaimed in shock.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever, we'll talk about that later. Let's talk about you for now... Tell us, what's going on?" Muku asked seriously as he sidelined the light-hearted bunter.

The mood instantly changed and turned serious...