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thINKer: That’s how good it gets in an apocalypse. You clean all the blood in the apartment and sleep there.
Yuyu: The irony tho, that this feels safer
Challenge Goals
Challenge 1 - Reach 15 votes on NU
Reward - 3 bonus chapters
If we reach it within 6 days we give out 4 bonus chapters
Current progress - 6 (+1) / 15
Chen Liu lingered at the Comprehensive Service Centre, heading to the “Team Registration” window to establish their adventurer team. They named it the Jinghu Battle Team. We’re bound by where we came from. He thought it promoted a sense of unity. “From now on, we’re all people of Jinghu,” he said with a smile. Zhang Chong, Yu Dachao, and Yu Na mirrored his grin. Their shared origin from the sanatorium gave them a special identity at Liao City Base. There was no rush to dive into missions or contribution points; the handbook detailed everything. “Let’s settle in first,” he said, and with no objections, they drove to Huacui Community, eager to claim their new home.
The Huacui Community Management Office, housed in the former property service center, was now staffed by command unit personnel, mostly young women recruited from survivors. Smart move—using their skills for order, Chen Liu thought as he noted their patience and meticulousness, ideal qualities for non-combat roles. Shen Qing, a staff member barely in her twenties, verified their information and handed over the keys. “Mr. Chen, the apartment was cleared of corpses, but furniture and fixtures remain untouched. If anything’s missing, please check the floors above the tenth or contact us. We’ll provide necessities,” she said. Her tone was professional yet cautious, aware of Chen Liu’s ability user status. Just as they were about to leave, Shen Qing added, “One more thing. Gasoline isn’t a necessity; the command doesn’t supply it. Use electric bikes or bicycles for convenience.”
Chen Liu realised that the military had monopolised fuel for their vehicles. Food provisions were minimal—rice, with ability users like them getting extras like biscuits or noodles, barely enough to survive by. Chen Liu was impressed by the command’s ability to prevent starvation amidst the chaos. Self-reliance was the rule here, with workers like Shen Qing earning wages alongside rations.
At Building 13, Room 1001, a wave of rot greeted them as the door opened. “Good grief, how long’s this place been abandoned?” Zhang Chong complained, pinching his nose as he stepped inside. The apartment was a mess—furniture toppled, floors filthy, bloodstains scattered, flies buzzing. The army only cleared the dead, Chen Liu thought, unsurprised. “No complaining. Water’s still running, so let’s clean up. Toss anything useless,” he said, knowing they’d be here awhile. They divided tasks: Yu Dachao and Yu Na cleaned, while Chen Liu and Zhang Chong hauled supplies from the vehicles. By chance, the bald man’s team—Li Biao and his five bar security guard companions—moved into Room 1004, becoming neighbours. Chen Liu acknowledged Li Biao with a nod when he saw him. A former security guard from Hong City, only Li Biao had awakened. Rooms 1002 and 1003 filled quickly with other newcomers, signalling Liao City’s growing population as survivors fled increasingly dangerous cities.
That night, they savoured their first proper meal in Liao City: stewed dog meat, tomato and scrambled eggs, and steamed cured pork, all cooked by Yu Na. Her cooking was a gift. The aroma made everyone’s mouth water. “Looks like we won’t starve!” Zhang Chong grinned. Before the apocalypse, three dishes for four was modest; now, it was a feast, celebrating their safe arrival. These supplies won’t last, Chen Liu thought, noting their dwindling stock from the sanatorium. Future meals like this would be rare, especially with gas and electricity outages looming. We’ll be cooking with firewood soon, he thought, picturing smoke curling from modern apartments. Cheers! Chen Liu raised a glass, thankful for a rare indulgence. The clink of glasses lifted their spirits.
After dinner, they settled into the three bedrooms: Chen Liu and Yu Na each took one, while Zhang Chong and Yu Dachao shared the master. As he lay in proper beds, Chen Liu reflected on his time at the sanatorium, sleeping on the cold floor as alert as a soldier bee. For the first time in a while, he felt safe.