Lan Huan didn't wake up for the rest of Day 7.
They got him back to the container lane at dusk, using the narrow paths so fewer people saw. He Li and He Chenyu carried most of his weight. Zhao sent two soldiers to clear a route and keep civilians back.
Luo Yan stayed close but didn't touch unless he had to. He didn't want to be in the way. He didn't want Lan Huan to feel watched.
When they reached the container, Lan Huan was still breathing, but his skin was cold.
He Chenyu set him down on the tarp.
He Li crouched, checking his pulse like he'd done it too many times.
"He's alive," He Li said. "Just drained."
Qin Yi sat in the corner, arms around his knees. "That was insane," he muttered. "Like… actually insane."
Lu Ziming's voice was small for once. "He did that for the base," he said.
Bai Ling wasn't here. But Luo Yan could already hear what she'd say.
He shouldn't have.
But he did.
Mu Yan stood near the door, listening to the outside lane. "People are talking," he said quietly. "Dragon. Storm. General Lan."
He looked worried. "If they make him a symbol, he'll never rest."
He Chenyu's mouth tightened. "He's already a symbol," he said.
Outside, the base noise was louder than it should be for night. Excited voices. People laughing in relief. People crying. People calling Lan Huan's name.
Zhao Qingshan had bought time with that storm, but it came with a new problem.
Hope makes crowds.
Crowds make pressure.
Pressure breaks people.
Day 8 morning was worse.
Because now everyone wanted something from Lan Huan.
Some wanted protection.
Some wanted to join him.
Some wanted to use him.
And Zhou Qinsong was still outside the gate.
He didn't push all night. He let the base breathe.
Like a hunter letting prey calm down so it walks into a snare.
By midday, Lan Huan finally opened his eyes.
It was slow. Heavy.
Luo Yan was sitting near the stove, cleaning the pot and pretending not to stare.
He Li noticed first. "Sir," he said softly.
Lan Huan blinked. His eyes focused. Then he tried to sit up.
He Li's hand went to his shoulder. "Easy," he said.
Lan Huan's jaw tightened, but he didn't argue. He lay back again, breathing hard through his nose.
Luo Yan stood and brought water.
Lan Huan took the bottle, drank, and handed it back without speaking.
After a minute, he said, voice low, "Status."
He Li answered right away. "Outer barrier held. Gate held. Zhou Qinsong hasn't pushed again. Civilians are… loud. Zhao is trying to keep order."
Lan Huan nodded once. "Our unit?"
He Li said, "All intact."
Lan Huan's gaze moved to Luo Yan. "You," he said. "Bit?"
Luo Yan shook his head. "No."
Lan Huan's eyes held on him for a second longer than needed. Then he looked away.
He Chenyu spoke, quiet. "Sir, we need a plan for Zhou."
Lan Huan's eyes narrowed. "He can't breach while the outer line is scattered," he said. "But he can wait."
Mu Yan asked, "Why does he want you so bad?"
Lan Huan didn't answer right away. Then he said, flat, "Capital base needs control. Dragons look like control."
Qin Yi muttered, "And you hate being controlled."
Lan Huan ignored him.
Lu Ziming leaned on the container wall. "We can't stay forever," he said. "Right?"
Lan Huan's voice stayed calm. "We won't."
He Li added, "But leaving means open roads. And we don't have the full team."
Mu Yan blinked. "Full team?"
He Li looked at him. "We're building," he said. "Ten people. Roles. Balance."
Mu Yan's eyes flicked to Luo Yan. Like he was trying to understand how they had a number already.
Luo Yan kept his face blank.
Inside his head, the system chimed. Private.
Ding.
DAY 8 MAIN MISSION: BUILD THE CORE SQUAD (2/10)
Objective: Recruit 8 more teammates over the next 10 days
Reward: Squad Recognition (Basic)
Reward: Team Meal Buff (Basic)
Note: Recruitment pace must match stability. Do not rush.
Luo Yan swallowed.
Ten days.
That was the timeline he wanted. It matched what you said. Not one day.
Lan Huan didn't know about the system, but he spoke like the same clock was ticking in his bones.
"Today," Lan Huan said, "we recruit one."
He Li nodded. "Ice user is on fence rotation," he said. "Female. Controlled. She saved a lane last night. She's been sleeping in the open."
Bai Ling.
Luo Yan's stomach tightened. The name felt like it belonged now.
Lan Huan looked at Luo Yan. "You're cooking today," he said.
Luo Yan nodded. "Yes."
Lan Huan's voice stayed even. "Make extra," he said. "Hot cups. We bring them to fence rotation. We offer a trade."
A trade.
Food for loyalty.
Luo Yan didn't like it.
But he understood it.
Outside the container, a loud shout rose from the gate lane.
Someone yelling through the metal.
Zhou Qinsong's voice, calm as ever.
"General Lan," he called. "I will wait. But your base will run out of food before I run out of patience."
Lan Huan's eyes went cold.
He tried to sit up again.
This time, he made it.
But his hand shook when he pushed off the tarp.
Luo Yan saw it.
And he understood the real price of the dragon.
It wasn't just energy.
It was time.
And in an apocalypse, time was everything.