Chapter 10: A Grim Reality

Page (1/3)

“Heh, we’re living in an apocalyptic-like environment now. The old social rules have collapsed, and it’s gradually becoming a world where the strong prey on the weak. If you’re not ruthless, you won’t survive.”

Liu Feng smiled indifferently, not denying Han Ning’s words but responding even more bluntly.

“You’re strong, I respect you. Only those with real ability have the right to a fair conversation.”

Although the other’s words were stark and straightforward, Han Ning did not refute them.

Liu Feng casually walked over to an overturned low cabinet, brushed off the dust with his hand, and sat down, smiling.

“Brother, what’s your name?”

“Han Ning.”

Han Ning did not sit; he stood in the middle of the living room, keeping about two meters between them, and spoke.

“Mr. Liu, do you have more information?”

“In the past ten days, we have done three things. First, I already told you about the water levels.”

Liu Feng pulled out a pack of Furongwang cigarettes from his pocket, took one out, and offered it to Han Ning.

Han Ning waved it off, refusing. Liu Feng lit the cigarette, took a long drag, and spoke slowly.

“Second, we’ve been tracking the monsters’ activity patterns.”

“The number of monsters has clearly increased, and their range of activity has expanded.”

“Initially, they were mainly active on the lower floors and near the ground level. Now, they’re frequently appearing on the middle and upper floors as well.”

“I suspect the more the water accumulates, the faster they reproduce and grow.” He gestured toward the relentless rain outside the window.

“Third, we’ve been counting and contacting survivors.”

Liu Feng’s voice grew somber.

“In this apartment building, including you, we’ve confirmed roughly forty survivors scattered across different floors and rooms. As for the others…”

“Some went out to look for supplies and were dragged off by monsters; some starved, died of illness, or... succumbed to despair and took their own lives.”

“The situation in nearby buildings is even worse. Some apartment blocks have no awakened individuals and lie in relatively low-lying areas. Almost no one is left alive there.”

Han Ning’s residence was a hotel-style apartment.

Close to the seaside, the terrain was low, which now made it a dangerous place.

“In short, after my investigation over the past few days, I’ve only managed to contact three awakened individuals—including you.”

He lifted his eyes to meet Han Ning’s gaze, his expression sincere and grave.

“This is the reality. The rain outside never stops. If we remain scattered and isolated, each looking out only for themselves, the inevitable outcome is to be swallowed one by one by the floodwaters or the monsters.”

Page (2/3)

“So, you want to organize everyone to leave here?” Han Ning finally spoke.

“Yes!” Liu Feng answered decisively.

“The core force for leaving must be the awakened. Ordinary people face death if they go outside against the crocodile lizards.”

“I need an elite squad to scout the surrounding environment, especially routes to the nearest dock or any place that might hide boats, and to assess the distribution and strength of the monsters. If possible, we’ll try to secure a usable boat.”

“This team must be composed of strong individuals.”

He paused and looked at Han Ning. “Your abilities were described to me by Qiangzi. We need strong people like you.”

“Have you chosen a destination?” Han Ning continued.

“Egret Harbor.” Liu Feng uttered the three words.

“That port is about five kilometers in a straight line from this apartment building. It’s the closest one, and there must be boats there—more than one. Though the risk is high, it’s also the place with the greatest hope.”

Five kilometers... Normally a few minutes by car.

But in this flooded city, surrounded by countless crocodile lizards amid the sheets of rain, those five kilometers might as well be a journey to the underworld.

“When will the operation start? Have the other two awakened individuals agreed?” Han Ning’s voice was calm and unemotional.

“I won’t hide it from you—one has agreed, the other is still considering.”

“As for the timing, sooner is better.”

Liu Feng’s tone carried urgency.

“The rain will not stop just because we wait. My preliminary plan is to move at dawn the day after tomorrow. Even if that person refuses, we will depart and first try to scout near the route to Egret Harbor.”

“I’ve said everything. What are your thoughts?”

Liu Feng looked straight into Han Ning’s eyes.

“I’ll think it over,” Han Ning did not answer immediately.

“That’s fine, but I hope you’ll decide quickly. Time waits for no one.”

With that, Liu Feng turned and left the room.

After Liu Feng left, the empty living room of apartment 801 was filled only with the never-ceasing sound of the rain.

Han Ning stood where he was, not leaving immediately, but lost in thought.

He had conflicts with that crew-cut man. He couldn’t quite grasp what mindset the other held.

There were only two paths ahead.

Either fortify and hold this isolated building, facing despair as supplies dwindle and ultimately confronting the flood and monsters.

Page (3/3)

Or take a gamble, cooperate with Liu Feng, and try to carve out a slim chance for survival before the floodwaters completely submerge the buildings.

The former was slow death; the latter, a possible quick death—but with a glimmer of hope.

Han Ning couldn’t help but walk to the window, gently drawing back a corner of the curtain to look out into the distance.

Murky rainwater dripped between the silent city buildings. The water on the ground had already risen above the tops of some vehicles.

Several crocodile lizards, each noticeably larger than the juveniles he had encountered before, slowly swam through the ripples the rain created. Their jagged dorsal spines cut through the water’s surface, leaving ripples in their wake.

“We can’t wait any longer,” he said, lowering the curtain and letting out a long sigh.

...

Back in apartment 803, Han Ning carefully stored the supplies he had brought from 703.

He picked out some useful seeds from the pile of rotting fruits and vegetables.

He found several types of plant seeds that could still be cultivated:

1. Tomatoes

Though a few tomatoes were already rotted, some seeds were still wrapped in fruit flesh that hadn’t fully decomposed.

He cut them open, dug out seed clusters, and rinsed off the pulp in clean water. They were still usable.

2. Chili peppers

Even though the skins had softened, the seeds inside remained hard.

3. Pumpkins

The seeds were large. He scooped out the decayed pulp, washed and separated the seeds in water, then dried them to obtain viable seeds.

Leafy greens, however, had no seeds and couldn’t be planted for now.

Since he had quite a few seeds, but limited flowerpots and soil, he had to temporarily use basins and buckets as containers for planting.

After finishing these tasks, he sat in the living room, closed his eyes, and focused on the flow of spiritual energy within.

With a thought, ten vines extended as if they were limbs, performing entwining, whipping, and piercing movements.

He repeatedly practiced the basic summoning and control of his vine technique, striving to improve its power before departure.

[Vine Technique (Intermediate) Proficiency +1, current 2/200]

[Spiritual Energy: 14/15]