1 Chapter 1: Enduring

"This is the Solar Planet Broadcasting Station with the latest news. At 2:20 and 13 seconds a.m., an earthquake of magnitude 8 hit County South on Solar Planet, with a surface wave magnitude reaching 8.0Ms..."

The dense and fine rain enveloped the entire city, oh no, nowadays it could only be described as ruins.

Looking out over the entire city, all that remained was ruins and endless sorrow.

Jane Sampson gradually adapted to the dark environment. Just as she tried to move her arm, a hoarse voice came from above, "Don't move."

"My arm seems to be pinned, it hurts." Even though the person on top of her did not sound very good, Jane Sampson couldn't help but twitch her arm a few times. After several attempts, she finally managed to pull her arm back.

There was still a person lying on top of her, and being able to pull her hand back through the gaps between the stones was already the limit; hence, it was impossible to lift her arm to see whether it was wounded or not.

However, the burning pain in her arm came in waves, indisputable evidence that she was injured. Without looking, she knew that must be the case, but since she could still move it, Jane optimistically thought it probably wasn't a serious injury.

Looking around at the pitch-black surroundings, and then at the person lying on top of her, Jane Sampson let out an almost inaudible sigh.

The two were pressed so closely together that Jane's sigh, which was almost a breath, still reached James Black's ears. He lowered his head to look at the woman underneath and briefly asked, "Does it hurt?"

"Hmm..." Jane Sampson made a sound in response.

She paused for a moment, just about to say it wasn't too bad, when James Black once again spoke.

A robust and forceful statement.

"Endure it."

This phrase was typical of James Black—succinct and commanding, as usual.

Of course, it also made Jane Sampson want to roll her eyes, but she restrained herself.

In fact, apart from a minor injury on her arm, Jane Sampson had no other injuries. She was awakened by James Black the moment the house began to shake, and at the moment it collapsed, she was firmly protected in his arms.

At that moment, Jane Sampson could clearly feel the strength of James Black's broad shoulders as they powerfully shielded her head. In a daze, she seemed to have even heard the sound of his heartbeat.

Just like now, thumping steadily, echoing clearly in this overly quiet, cramped space.

"Is there a leak?"

Feeling something dripping onto her forehead, Jane Sampson gently shook her head. The next second, another drop landed perfectly on her lips, and she instinctively licked it with her tongue.

Salty, with a taste of blood.

It was not water, it was blood.

"James Black, where are you hurt?" Jane Sampson tried to open her eyes to see James Black's face clearly, but it was too dark to make anything out. She could only guess based on their current close positions, "Is your head injured?"

"A minor injury," James Black replied.

Yet, in reality, it was far from the "minor injury" he had described. The back of his head had been struck by a concrete slab, half of a rusty nail had pierced into his brain, a pain that was beyond mere words.

The home stay was old and had collapsed almost immediately during the earthquake.

Jane Sampson was silent for a few seconds. She didn't quite believe James Black's so-called "minor injury," because she could feel more and more blood dripping onto her face.

"James Black, with your reaction speed and skills, you could have just jumped out from the window as soon as you sensed the earthquake and gotten away. The third floor isn't such a height for you, is it?" Jane Sampson asked, utterly puzzled, "Then why did you choose to run with me instead?"