Ch. 400: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life Chapter 400

Chapter 400

"Take this for self-defense."

Seeing Norah hesitate, Karina didn’t give her a choice—she shoved the item into Norah’s hands. The cool, metallic weight sent a shiver down Norah’s spine.

She had seen this before—on TV and during that terrifying time when Archer had tied her and Bianca up. Back then, she had also noticed Frank and Levi steering clear of her when Kevin was around.

"I don’t know how to use this," Norah admitted, the object feeling impossibly heavy in her grip.

The thought of firing it and possibly hurting someone made her uneasy.

Karina understood her hesitation.

"This isn’t home, Norah. We need to be able to protect ourselves. Otherwise, we’re just easy targets."

They were like fish on a chopping board—helpless, waiting to be slaughtered.

Karina’s voice was hoarse but firm. "Even if you don’t use it, you need to have it. Once we reach the Yi Tribe and find a safe place, I’ll teach you how."

Norah tried to hand it back. "Then… you take it for now—"

Karina cut her off. "Just hold on to it. I’ll find you a smaller one later."

"Alright."

Norah had no choice but to grip it tightly.

She then relayed the address from the call earlier. Karina considered it for a moment before saying, "You shouldn’t go in person, and I can’t leave you alone to retrieve your phone. I’ll have someone else pick it up."

It made more sense to head straight to their destination. Running around too much increased the risk of trouble, and in an unfamiliar country, Karina wasn’t willing to leave Norah unprotected.

"Okay."

Norah agreed without protest. Karina made sense.

They left the hotel.

To reach the Yi Tribe, they needed a car. Karina had arranged for one to meet them outside, but before it arrived, a group of children swarmed them.

They were small, scrawny, and barely clothed. Their large black eyes were sunken, and their bodies thin. The few with clothes wore tattered, filthy rags—like they’d been pulled from a dumpster. Among them were girls, some too young to cover themselves properly.

They chattered in a foreign tongue, clustering around them, refusing to let them pass.

"What are they saying?" Norah turned to Julissa.

She could guess—they were begging for food or money. Their eyes held no fear, only a resigned familiarity, as if this was routine for them.

The sight made Norah’s heart ache.

She had grown up with loving parents in a strong, stable country. She had never known hunger like this. But she had once cared for children, and she couldn’t just look away.

Julissa snapped at them in their language, but instead of dispersing, the children dodged her and focused on Norah and Karina instead.

Karina, trained in martial arts, easily kept them at bay.

Norah, however, hesitated.

One child clung to her, pointing at their mouth. Another dropped to their knees, crying.

Back in Craggaville, Norah had volunteered at orphanages, but she had never seen suffering like this.

No child should have to live like this.

"Karina, give them some of our food. And my clothes—give them to the little girls."

Julissa turned serious. "Ms. White, I know you mean well, but there are countless refugees here. If you give to them—"

Some of these people deliberately targeted foreign tourists, playing on their kindness to beg for food, money, or goods. Some even went further—luring travelers to remote areas, knocking them out, and selling their organs for cash.

Norah had read about the dangers before coming here. She knew the surrounding regions were war-torn and impoverished. But knowing it was different from witnessing it firsthand.

She couldn’t pretend not to see them.

She had volunteered at orphanages because she wanted to help children—no matter where they were from.

"I understand. We don’t have much food or clothing, but we can give them what we can." Norah shot Karina a look.

Karina hesitated but then nodded. She was cautious, but she trusted Norah’s instincts. Still, she wasn’t about to take risks—so she flashed the gun at her side to ensure order.

The children immediately froze, their survival instincts kicking in. But the moment they received the food, they devoured it like starving animals.

One child choked on a piece of bread, their face turning red as they gasped for air. Their tiny body convulsed before collapsing.

Norah’s instincts took over. She rushed forward and slapped the child’s back, trying to dislodge the blockage.

But before she could finish, something slammed into her waist.

She stumbled, barely catching herself before hitting the ground—Karina’s quick reflexes the only thing keeping her upright.

The child had fallen limp.

Norah turned sharply to see a dark-skinned woman in tattered clothes glaring at her with pure hatred.

She hissed something in her native tongue.

Julissa’s expression darkened. "Oh no. She thinks you gave her child bad food on purpose. She says… she’s going to kill you."

The woman lunged.

But Karina was faster.

She pulled out her gun, stopping the woman in her tracks.

A flicker of terror passed through the woman’s wild eyes.

Norah, still breathless, turned to Julissa. "Tell her—I was trying to save her child. She doesn’t need to be afraid."

Julissa hesitated but quickly translated. "Your child choked. Ms. White was helping—"

But the woman saw her opening.

Like a desperate animal, she lunged again—

Just as a military vehicle screeched to a halt nearby.