"Heh, we're currently in an environment resembling the apocalypse. The old social rules have collapsed, gradually shifting toward survival of the fittest. Without ruthlessness, you won't survive."
Liu Feng smiled nonchalantly, not denying Han Ning's words but stating things even more bluntly.
"You're strong, so I respect you. Only capable people get the privilege of fair conversation."
Though the other man's words were crude and direct, Han Ning didn't deny their truth.
Liu Feng walked naturally to an overturned side table, brushed off the dust with his hand, and sat down with a smile.
"Brother, what should I call you?"
"Han Ning."
Han Ning remained standing at the center of the living room, maintaining about two meters of distance from Liu Feng as he asked, "Mr. Liu, do you have more information?"
"In these past ten days, we've accomplished three main tasks. First, I've already told you about the water levels."
Liu Feng pulled out a pack of Furong King Cigarettes from his pocket and offered one to Han Ning.
After being waved off, he lit the cigarette himself, took a deep drag, and exhaled slowly.
"Second, we've been recording the monsters' activity patterns."
"Their numbers have clearly increased, and their range of activity is expanding."
"Initially they mainly operated on lower floors and areas close to ground level. Now we're seeing their traces frequently appearing in mid-to-high floors too."
"I suspect the more water accumulates, the faster they reproduce and grow." He pointed at the never-ending rain outside the window.
"Third, we've been counting and contacting survivors."
Liu Feng's voice grew lower.
"In this apartment building, including you, we've confirmed about forty survivors remaining, scattered across different floors and rooms. As for the others..."
"Some went out for supplies and were dragged away by monsters. Others starved, died of illness, or... succumbed to despair and took their own lives."
"Other nearby buildings are even worse off. Some apartment blocks have no Awakened and are in lower-lying areas—there's practically no one left alive."
Han Ning lived in a hotel-style apartment building.
Located near the coast on relatively low ground, it had now become extremely dangerous.
"To summarize, based on my investigations over the past few days, I've only managed to contact three Awakened in total—and that includes you."
He raised his eyes, looking directly at Han Ning with an expression both frank and grave:
"That's the current situation. The rain outside never stops. If we remain scattered and disorganized, each looking out only for ourselves, the end result will be getting swallowed one by one—by either the floodwaters or the monsters."
"So you want to organize everyone to leave this place?" Han Ning finally spoke.
"Exactly!" Liu Feng's reply was resolute.
"The core strength for evacuation lies with the Awakened. Ordinary people would just be walking to their deaths against the Crocodile Lizards outside."
"I need an elite team to scout the surrounding areas, particularly routes to the nearest docks or possible boat locations, while also assessing monster distribution and strength. If possible, secure a functional boat."
"This team must be composed of the strongest among us."
.
He paused, looking at Han Ning. "Qiangzi described your abilities to me. We need someone as strong as you."
"Have you decided on a destination?" Han Ning continued to ask.
"White Egret Port," Liu Feng uttered three words.
"That port is about five kilometers in a straight line from this apartment building—the nearest port. There are definitely boats there, and more than one. Although the risk is high, it's also the place with the greatest hope."
Five kilometers… Normally, it would only take a few minutes by car.
But in this flooded city, under the relentless rain surrounded by countless Crocodile Lizards, those five kilometers might as well be the road to the underworld.
"When do we move? Have the other two Awakened agreed?" Han Ning's voice betrayed no emotion.
"I won't hide it from you. One has already agreed, and the other is still considering it."
"As for the timing, the sooner, the better."
Liu Feng's tone carried urgency.
"The rain won't stop just because we wait. My initial plan is to set out at dawn the day after tomorrow. Even if that person doesn't agree, we'll still go. We'll first scout the route to White Egret Port."
"I've said all I need to say. What are your thoughts?"
Liu Feng looked into Han Ning's eyes.
"I'll think about it," Han Ning didn't give an immediate answer.
"Fine, but I hope you decide quickly. Time won't wait for us."
With that, Liu Feng turned and left the room.
After Liu Feng left, the empty living room of Unit 801 was filled only with the ceaseless sound of pouring rain.
Han Ning stood still, lost in thought instead of leaving right away.
There was conflict between him and that Crew Cut Man. He couldn't quite grasp the other's true intentions.
Only two paths lay before him.
Either stay trapped in this isolated building, facing the flood and monsters in despair once supplies ran out.
Or gamble—cooperate with Liu Feng and fight for a slim chance of survival before the flood completely submerged the building.
The first was a slow death. The second might mean a quick end, but there was still a glimmer of hope.
Han Ning couldn't help but walk to the window, gently lifting a corner of the curtain to peer into the distance.
Murky rainwater dripped between the lifeless city buildings. The accumulated water had already risen past the roofs of some cars.
Several Crocodile Lizards, their bodies noticeably larger than the juveniles encountered before, swam slowly through the rippling rain. Their jagged dorsal spines sliced through the water, leaving trails of waves behind.
"We can't wait any longer," he murmured, lowering the curtain with a long sigh.
...
Back in Unit 803, Han Ning carefully stored the supplies he'd brought from Unit 703.
From the pile of rotting fruits and vegetables, he picked out some usable seeds.
He found several types of plantable produce:
1.
Tomatoes
Though the tomatoes had rotted, some seeds were still encased in partially intact flesh.
After cutting them open and scooping out the seed clusters, he rinsed off the pulp—they could still be used.
2.
Peppers
Even with softened skins, the seeds inside remained firm.
3.
Pumpkins
The seeds were large. After scooping out the rotten pulp, he separated the seeds by rinsing them in water. Once dried, they were ready for planting.
Leafy greens, however, had no seeds and couldn't be planted for now.
Since he had more seeds than expected, the flower pots and soil were running short. He had to temporarily use washbasins and buckets as makeshift planters, sowing the seeds in them.
Once everything was done, he sat in the living room, closed his eyes, and focused on the flow of Spiritual Power within his body.
With a thought, ten vines extended like limbs, performing various actions such as coiling, lashing, and piercing.
He repeatedly practiced the most basic summoning and control techniques of Vine Manipulation, striving to enhance its power before setting out.
[Vine Manipulation (Intermediate) Proficiency +1, Current: 2/200]
[Spiritual Power: 14/15]