Apocalypse King: Recruiting S-Tier Beauties With My Ruler System
Chapter 128: Soft Resolve, Hidden Bloom

Chapter 128: Soft Resolve, Hidden Bloom

March 19th — 8:07 AM

Zone 3A-Δ – First Floor – Medical Room

———

The moment I recruited her, the system responded with a soft ping across my vision.

[Liang Mei has joined your party.]

[+2,000 ZKP earned.]

[Skill Obtained: Steady Hands]

[Status Page Unlocked.]

I opened her profile instantly.

[STATUS]

Name: Liang Mei

Role: Combat Medic

Tier: A

Stage: 1

Affection: [193/500]

Health Condition: Stabilised – Ongoing DCM monitoring required

Average Attributes: 0.95

• Strength: 0.6

• Physique: 0.9

• Agility: 0.4

• Spirit: 1.6

Skills:

• Steady Hands [Level 6]

• Medicine [Level 3]

• Gentle Bloom Level 5]

• Unbreaking Will [Level 3]

• Frail [Level 9]

• Pretty [Level 10]

Notes:

Soft-spoken, introverted, but emotionally intuitive. Learns quickly, never forgets minor injuries or medical routines. Stubborn when protecting others. Responds especially well to verbal encouragement or acts of personal care.

———

"Wow..."

I lowered the window and looked at her.

Liang Mei still hadn’t let go of my hand.

She looked up, nervous — but glowing.

"...Leader?" she asked softly.

"I’ve got you now," I said.

Her eyes widened — and shimmered. The next moment her cheeks became bright red, and I realised she might be remembering the moment in the lift... and what she showed me.

"Are you shy?"

"O-Of course, who wouldn’t be!?" The cute sheep hit the desk with a lovely little meep.

Whatever fear had haunted her steps since I met her in that hellhole was gone now.

She looked... lighter.

And despite the weakness in her chest, the fragility in her hands... she looked strong.

Liang Mei tucked her chin down and rubbed her hands together. The tips of her ears were burning pink now.

"I-I’m not used to feeling this... okay," she said softly.

I stepped closer and sat on the edge of the medical table beside her. Her knees swung just slightly, toes barely brushing the floor.

"Your heart?"

"Mhm... it doesn’t hurt. Not even a little."

She smiled at her hands like they were finally hers again.

"I didn’t think I’d ever get a day like this. Not without struggling to stand or waking up dizzy."

My fingers brushed over her wrist, a faint pulse, steadier than it had been in days. I gave her a small nod.

"The stabiliser worked."

Her cheeks puffed slightly. "It worked too well..."

I tilted my head.

"...Because I let you do that with the needle..."

"You mean the one that saved your life?" I said, mock serious.

Liang Mei turned crimson.

"...Don’t say it like that! You saw... everything..."

"What’s wrong, can’t you forget it?"

She covered her face with her hands.

Her sweater sleeves were a little too long and swallowed her fingers. Adorable.

"You showed me everything," I teased.

"I-I wasn’t trying to! It was the loose rubber band!"

"So you didn’t mean to let your fluffy little sheep tail out?"

"Leader!!" she squeaked, legs kicking lightly.

I leaned in closer.

"Soft pink..."

"Stop!" She buried her face into my shoulder this time, trembling like a pot about to boil over.

But she didn’t pull away.

Not once.

Just stayed there, face hidden, fists balled into my shirt.

After a pause, I whispered, "You’re stronger now. You don’t have to be scared."

"I’m not scared," she mumbled. "...Not when you’re around."

I exhaled slowly and wrapped one arm around her back.

She smelled like soap and something sweeter — maybe rice candy. Clean, light.

"...Then rest up. I’ll come find you later when we move."

She nodded into my chest.

"I’ll be ready," she said. "And next time... I’ll make sure you see less."

"Or more," I added.

She squeaked again.

But didn’t say no.

——

Not long after, she kicked me out and scolded me, but with her blushing face, it didn’t feel bad at all. Now I leaned against the wall just outside the infirmary with my arms folded.

The faint sound of Liang Mei speaking with Liu Jiemin mumbled behind the door — soft, sweet, embarrassed. She was probably still blushing.

My lips curled slightly.

She’d changed.

Or maybe... she hadn’t. Perhaps I was the one changing.

I glanced up at the status overlay still hovering faintly in the corner of my vision. My ZKP balance had ticked up again.

My body and mind had been evolving since the first stage of the Titan Marrow Sutra, and the second stage — Steel Frame — had done more than harden my bones.

It hardened something else, too.

Hesitation.

That part of me that used to stall every time a woman got too close. The version of myself that second-guessed every touch, every compliment, every look... that voice was quieter now. Duller.

It used to whisper things like:

"Don’t say that."

"You’ll creep her out."

"You’re not good enough."

Now?

It didn’t whisper anything.

It just wasn’t there.

And in its place was something simpler. Cleaner. Not cold, but... focused. When I looked at a woman now — Roulan’s proud fire, Qinglan’s stormy passion, Yifei’s hidden softness, Liang Mei’s trembling vulnerability — I didn’t just want to protect them.

I wanted them.

And I didn’t feel ashamed for it.

Was that selfish? Dangerous? Maybe.

But then again...

I’d been careful my whole life.

Careful not to offend.

Careful not to speak out.

Careful not to hope for more than a thank you at the end of the shift.

And where had it gotten me?

Nowhere.

Twenty-five years, untouched.

Mocked behind my back.

Overlooked. Forgotten.

Until this system landed in my lap and gave me power — and more than that, gave me freedom.

So no.

I didn’t feel guilty for kissing Yifei last night.

I didn’t feel guilty when Qinglan begged for more.

I didn’t feel guilty when I caught myself wanting Roulan to shove that chair aside and climb back into my lap again.

And I sure as hell didn’t feel guilty for teasing a blushing sheep who clung to me like I was her first taste of safety.

I’ve done everything I could to keep them alive.

So, if I wanted to flirt?

I’d flirt.

If I wanted to fight?

I’d fight.

And if I wanted to fuck?

Then I’d fuck.

The world had already ended.

Why should I keep playing by the rules of one that no longer exists?

As long as I protected them — as long as I led, kept us fed, kept us alive — then whatever I took along the way?

It was mine to take.

I pushed off the wall and started walking toward the training room. We would be sorting everyone into groups today, giving the people a reason to live, to keep going. This base wasn’t the end... but was just the start of taking back a normal life.

It almost felt like Liang Mei’s gentle boost in morale affected me, too. I couldn’t help but smile. I curved my lips into a crescent moon while heading to the room.

I was confident and wanted to complete our plans.

My blood felt hotter in my veins.

Not just from desire.

But for a purpose.

Because today...

We’d leave the base.

And head into hell.