The stream tinkled melodiously, especially when the water hit the pebbles, creating a crisp and pleasant sound.
Maxwell built a fire by the creek and sent out his subordinate zombies, keeping only the fourth-tier mutant zombie within his space. After all, it was his strongest combatant, ready to be deployed in case of emergency.
Maxwell took out two sets of exclusive clothing from his storage space, one set for Eva and one for Carline. He placed both new sets of clothes in the water, adhering to his longstanding habit of rinsing new clothes before wearing them.
After soaking them for a while, Maxwell simply rubbed the clothes, rinsed them twice, and then draped them over the fire to dry.
After completing these tasks, Maxwell's gaze shifted to Carline.
Carline was sitting quietly by the fire, the flames casting a warm glow on her delicate cheeks, making them appear rosy and vibrant.
Although Maxwell just intended to help Carline take a bath, considering her body was dirty and covered in bloodstains, which no normal person would find acceptable.
But Carline was not like Eva, who appeared to be a human child about seven or eight years old.
Carline was a quintessential youthful beauty, and furthermore, a well-developed one at that!
"What am I thinking! She's still a zombie!"
Maxwell shook his head, trying to dispel these messy thoughts.
Then, Maxwell walked up to Carline with a composed expression, not minding whether she paid him any attention or even understood him, and said directly, "Carline, I'm going to help you bathe since you're quite dirty and you don't know how to wash yourself, so I have to do it for you, right?"
Carline stared blankly at him, her eyes devoid of any sparkle.
But Maxwell still smiled at her and said, "Come on, Carline, let's go into the creek together!"
He took Carline by the hand and led her into the stream.
A man and a zombie, hand in hand. As they passed by Eva, Maxwell noticed that Eva's gaze was fixed on them, even moving as they did.
Maxwell cleared his throat and said to Eva, "Eva, turn your head away, don't look over here."
Eva, understanding the command in his tone, turned her head away and stopped watching Maxwell and Carline.
Maxwell watched her small figure turn away and couldn't help but swallow, puzzled by this feeling of doing something naughty behind Eva's back.
"She's a zombie! She's a zombie! She's a zombie!" Maxwell repeated to himself mentally, as a reminder and warning to keep his thoughts straight.
While reminding himself, Maxwell reached out and touched Carline's clothes.
He began to unbutton the clothing Carline was wearing, which was not a dress but trousers and a long shirt.
Maxwell methodically unbuttoned her somewhat tattered long shirt, stained with visible bloodmarks—many of the tears were from the claws of mutant zombies.
With the outer shirt unbuttoned, the crucial part followed.
Maxwell swallowed again, took a deep breath, and continued to mentally fortify himself. Carline was really just a zombie!
Then, Maxwell found the hidden clasp on the back of Carline's shirt and with a snap, it came undone.
Maxwell's eyes widened in shock.
Good gracious!
Is that really what a teenager should have?
Moreover, apart from looking blank and less lively, where else could you tell she was a zombie?
Maxwell felt as if he was losing his mind.
Under the moonlight, Carline's face was expressionless as she stood in the creek.
This once talented young female Evolver had now become a mutant zombie, but apart from Maxwell being certain that she was a zombie, from her appearance alone, there was no trace of her zombification to be seen.
Her eyes shimmered with a faint bluish-green light, a result of the energy crystal inside her brain. Maxwell thought that in daylight, her eyes must be incredibly beautiful!
If only they could sparkle with more spirit and liveliness.
After bathing Carline, she was completely clean from head to toe.
Next, Maxwell carefully helped wash her hair.
"Your hair seems to be turning white!"
Maxwell quickly noticed something different.
It wasn't exactly white, but more of a greyish-white or silvery hue.
"The texture seems to have changed too!"
Maxwell noted another difference.
Zombie hair is mostly dry and breaks easily, which is why many zombies are bald.
When Carline had just turned, her hair had lacked any luster, but as her level increased, her hair quality had improved significantly, although the color had also changed.
Although Carline's appearance had returned to its original state, she was still not human, and there were some differences from before.
Moreover, Carline was now his zombie, obedient to his commands. Whatever Maxwell did, Carline could not oppose.
Maxwell's mind flashed back to the image of the girl crouching in a corner, stubborn yet strong.
"I'll wait for you to recognize me," Maxwell thought.
Then, Maxwell led Carline out of the creek, dried her off, and fetched the exclusive outfit he had set aside by the fire. He helped her into it.
A pair of long boots, a greyish-white skirt, and a finely crafted cape at the back.
After dressing Carline, Maxwell looked her over from top to bottom. Now, with that staff in hand, Carline resembled a quintessential medieval magical girl, radiating a strong presence.
Maxwell, quite pleased, adjusted Carline's clothing and then said to her, "Come on, Carline, let's go warm up by the fire."
Next up was Eva.
Since he was going to help Eva change into new clothes anyway, Maxwell planned to give her another bath before dressing her in the new outfit.
Eva's clothes were more modern compared to Carline's. She had a pink blouse for the top and a dark-colored suspender skirt for the bottom, complete with an adorable and cute hat.
Maxwell couldn't resist pinching Eva's soft, delicate cheeks.
Then, he gave her a bath.
After finishing, Maxwell took out some beef jerky he had obtained from opening the treasure chest earlier and sat by the fire, savoring it.
He looked at Carline and teased, "Carline, do you want some too?"