TWD: Saving Merle First - Chapter 77: Good News, He’s Not Love-Blind (Patreon)

The moment the pickup drove back into camp, Rick and the others came crowding around.

Beth went straight for Wade, throwing herself into his arms and clinging to him like a sloth.

She didn’t say a word. Tears just kept falling, landing against Wade’s neck and soaking a large patch of his shirt.

Wade supported her with one arm while gently patting her back with the other. At the same time, he looked toward Rick, silently asking what had happened.

Rick helplessly held out one hand, curled his fingers into a fist, then suddenly spread them apart while mouthing, “Boom!”

Wade immediately understood.

The explosion at the warehouse must have been loud enough for the group collecting supplies to hear it, and somehow that had led to this...

He rolled his eyes.

He’d better not find out who had stirred everyone up, or he was going to make sure they regretted it.

“All right, stop crowding around. Ryan, get back to organizing the training. Andrew, don’t forget the UV lights and generator.

“Marcus, check on Abraham and the others and see how their recovery is going. Then spend some time putting together a plan for dealing with sudden outbreaks of infectious disease. Everyone else, either get some rest or get back to whatever you were doing.”

“I’m heading out again later. I’ll look around for a gas station and see if we can solve the camp’s fuel problem.”

Daryl and Merle exchanged a look, silently asking whether he wanted them to come along.

Wade shook his head.

He had his own reasons for going out this time.

He wanted to farm some Experience Points and make himself stronger.

What had happened earlier had been a wake up call. It had completely shattered the illusion that they were living somewhere safe and peaceful.

They weren’t safe.

He wasn’t strong enough.

And the world outside was dangerous.

So going out to level up wasn’t optional.

He had to do it.

Everyone gradually dispersed. Some put away their weapons, some prepared to head out, and others went back to rest.

Wade glanced at his current stats and Experience Points.

[Strength: 7]

[Constitution: 7]

[Agility: 6]

[Stamina: 7]

[Perception: 6]

[Spirit: 6]

Experience Points: [193/400]

As for whether he had enough supplies to go out and level up, that wasn’t a concern.

Ignoring the survival supplies in his Storage Space, which were enough for him to live alone for three months, he also had plenty of weapons.

Several types of handguns, two Remington shotguns, an AR-15, an M4, and plenty of ammunition.

More than enough for him to go out and have some fun.

Most importantly, he had the rifle suppressor that went with the M4.

It could greatly reduce the sound of gunfire, and when it came to killing efficiency, a Recurve Bow couldn’t even compare.

╭(╯ε╰)╮ Now that I’ve got my new sweetheart, who needs the old one?

While Wade was thinking about how to turn the walkers outside into his own personal battle royale, Beth suddenly lifted her head from his shoulder.

Her eyes were still wet with tears as she looked at him.

“Wade, I want to go too...”

His first instinct was to refuse.

Bringing someone else along would completely change how he had to operate, and his efficiency would drop dramatically.

Beth didn’t say anything.

She simply stared at him with her lips pushed out in an exaggerated pout, tears beginning to fall again.

She looked so aggrieved that her expression practically screamed, You’re bullying me. I want to be mad, but I don’t even dare.

“Beth, it’s dangerous outside. I can’t keep an eye on you every second.”

“I know, but I’m not scared. I know how to use a gun. I can protect myself.”

“But... mmph.”

Beth went straight on the offensive, cutting off everything Wade had been about to say and launching a bold counterattack of her own.

It was a long time before the two finally separated, a thin glistening strand stretching briefly between them.

Beth’s face was bright red.

She pressed her forehead against Wade’s, gave him another light peck, then buried her face against his neck.

Wade breathed in the faint fragrance of her hair and slowly exhaled, his expression complicated.

After a long silence, Beth mumbled against him.

“I’m really happy you came back safely. But I’m a little upset that you didn’t take me with you. So I’ve decided I’m not talking to you for the next three days... no, two days... actually, one day. I won’t talk to you for a whole day.”

The corner of Wade’s mouth lifted slightly.

“Mm.”

Beth lightly punched him in the chest.

“Jerk. Put me down.”

Wade loosened his hold, bent slightly, and patted the thigh wrapped around his waist. Once he was sure she could stand safely, he carefully set her on the ground.

Beth froze.

She stared at Wade in complete disbelief, as if she had just witnessed something beyond comprehension.

How...

How...

How could this man be this stupid?!

How could he not even tell when someone was saying the opposite of what they actually meant?!

Was his head filled with reinforced concrete?!

There was no other explanation for how anyone could possibly be this dense!

She glared fiercely up at him, then turned around and ran toward the cabin.

From the second floor of the cabin in the distance, Hershel lowered his binoculars and snorted coldly.

He yanked the curtains shut, then prepared to head downstairs to comfort Beth and deal with that damn brat.

Wade remained standing where he was, scratching his head in confusion.

What just happened?

Why did her mood change so suddenly?

Not far away, Marcus desperately fought to keep the corners of his mouth from rising.

He thought about every miserable thing that had happened to him over the past twenty years.

It still wasn’t enough.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh.”

“You didn’t mean to?” Merle grinned beside him. “So you did it on purpose?”

“Shut up, Merle.”

Marcus elbowed him.

He didn’t dare look Wade in the eye, but neither man could hide the grin on his face.

Good news: Wade wasn’t the kind of guy who lost his head over romance.

Bad news: apparently he didn’t have much of a head to lose.

After laughing for a while, Marcus finally looked up and spoke seriously.

“Wade, I think you should go explain things to Beth. I mean... at least let her know you really care about her.”

“...Do I look like I don’t care about her?”

“Do your actions not make that obvious enough?”

“What did I even do?”

“...”

Marcus slapped a hand against his forehead.

Forget it.

There was no explaining romance to a guy whose brain was apparently filled with nothing but fighting and killing.

He gave up and dragged Merle away with him to start organizing the camp’s sanitation and disinfection work.

Wade stayed where he was for a moment, seriously reflecting on the situation.

His brain slowly turned.

Hmm...

Still didn’t get it.

Forget it.

Who cared?

He’d just go kill a hundred walkers today and work off his frustration!

Wade quickly headed for the weapons tent and stuffed a fresh batch of ammunition into his backpack.

Then he went to another tent, grabbed an M4 and a fire axe, and headed toward the pickup.

He had just turned the key and was about to start the engine when the passenger door suddenly opened.

Beth climbed in with a backpack on her shoulders and sat down beside him.

Her cheeks were still puffed up in anger.

She refused to look at Wade, calmly buckled her seat belt, crossed her arms over her chest, and stared straight ahead.

Wade hesitated for a moment.

In the end, he started the engine and drove out of camp.