Genetic Ascension novel Chapter 303

Chapter 303: Trust

Cassarae sat at her desk with furrowed brows. It indeed wasn't a coincidence that Casstle Main had plummeted out of the rankings. She could feel that she was being targeted, but it was hard to tell if it was by coincidence or not.

The System City had appeared too close by, and on the one hand, that made it easy to pay adventurers to help them deal with some of their trouble. But on the other, it loosened the control they had over the resources in the region. Whether it was herself or her militiamen, their leveling speed had plummeted off a cliff... not that it was very fast to begin with.

As though that wasn't bad enough, the influx of salt water was making it impossible to grow anything, so she had to rely on the Nexus to buy food, further pressuring their coffers. Then, just today, she got a report that the well water was becoming too salinated to drink. Now, even water had to be purchased through the Nexus. Everything felt like one step forward for ten back.

"Rae, dear?"

A familiar voice caused Cassarae to lift her head. The bags under her eyes told their own story, and hearing her mother should have made her feel a little better. But instead, she felt another wave of fatigue hit her.

"Yes, mom. You can come in."

A spry middle-aged woman walked in. She was quite short, only reaching her daughter's shoulders, so it was clear that Cassarae didn't receive her dominant genes from her mother. That credit was given to her father, who was almost seven feet tall.

Geraldene sighed when she saw her daughter's state. She was about to say something when Cassarae put a hand to her forehead.

"Please, no more apologies. It's killing me slowly. I would have cussed you out already if you weren't my mother."

An amused chuckle came from Geraldene. She was used to her daughter's ways and had enough teenage angst memories in the bank to know that this was actually considered to be a more mature Cassarae.

"Rae, you need to let your father and I help you."

Cassarae sighed. "What can you help with?"

Geraldene paused, not quite sure how to answer this immediately.

"You're a marine biologist, mom. There are no oceans here. At best I can show you to a little river, but what good would it do if even the smallest fish could rip your throat out?"

"Your father's a businessman, dear. At least let him manage the assets of the city. You know him. Sitting back and watching his daughter do all the work for him is killing him."

Cassarae shook her head. "There's no money to manage."

"You already know your father has several ideas, dear. Don't be like this."

BANG!

Cassarae suddenly stood up, her palms nearly flattening the desk. Her frustration boiled over in her eyes as she practically seethed.

"You're not getting it! Everything takes strength! Strength! And more strength! I'm not letting my parents go out to die, do you understand!?"