Clara walked toward the car without looking back, her high heels clicking on the asphalt. At the same time, she cursed Derek a thousand times over in her mind.
Fuck. That son of a bitch. When the zombie tide comes, if I get the chance... I’ll make sure you bleed.
Normally a few miles of road was a few minutes of driving. Now, in high heels, Clara had walked for almost an hour and a half. The soles of her feet had blistered and were bleeding, burning with pain, and her calf muscles ached as if they were filled with lead.
❕Warning!ConditionWounded ❕
Finally, she saw the black SUV, and through the car window she spotted the familiar water collector in the back seat. In that moment, Clara almost burst into tears.
My car. My mobile fortress. My lifeline.
She limped over, yanked the car door open, and collapsed into the driver’s seat. She started the car right away and turned on the AC, then leaned back against the seat, gasping for air. The exhaustion and soreness left her without the strength to move a muscle.
“No. I’ve used up too much Stamina. I have to replenish it.”
She glanced out the window. The area around her was empty. Derek was still a few miles away. It was safe. She got up and moved to the back, trying to block the view through the car window with her body. She picked up a paper cup...
“Works great...”
Once she recovered, Clara started the car and drove back toward Derek.
Meanwhile, a few miles away, Derek was holding binoculars, a knowing smirk curling at the corner of his mouth. Even though she was facing away from him, he could see her shoulders move as she drank, and her whole Spirit visibly improved.
“Her skill can even restore Stamina...” Derek muttered to himself. “Pretty good...”
In that moment, he truly understood for the first time where her hedgehog-like wariness and ruthlessness came from. It wasn’t her nature. It was armor she had no choice but to put on to protect herself in this apocalypse. Thinking of that, he found himself recalling what he had done earlier. Visit novelping(.)com for the full chapter.
Those words, that look... that’s exactly what wakes the animal in her.
The last trace of mockery and contempt in Derek’s eyes vanished, replaced by calm.
Looks like I was wrong from the start. But a few more heroic rescues and I can change her mind.
Just as he was thinking, Clara’s SUV pulled up next to his car. The window rolled down, revealing that stunning face. Still cold, but with color restored to her cheeks.
“Let’s go. Don’t waste my time looking for supplies.”
Derek smiled and flicked the cigarette butt away.
“Okay.”
Clara snorted and drove forward. On the highway, two black SUVs drove one behind the other, keeping a safe distance, along the endless road. Clara glanced at the rearview mirror. Derek’s SUV was following behind, neither too close nor too far. Her mind raced, trying to figure out how to shake him.
Seduce him? No way. That bastard wouldn’t fall for that pity act again.
After thinking for a long time, Clara still hadn’t come up with a foolproof plan.
Ugh, forget it. One step at a time. At least I’m safe for now.
Her mood lifted. She parked by the roadside, opened her wristband, and checked it.
Region ScanPopulation in Area¦ 9585
Clara sucked in a sharp breath.
The Wilderness Challenge really was that terrifying. But the survivors in the Chat Channel were all bragging about the resources they had gained.
Chat Channel💬Anonymous Player-Hahaha, I’m rich. I found a white supply crate in the wilderness and got a C-rank machete. Who’s gonna mess with me now?-💬Anonymous Player-You ain’t shit. I found an abandoned watchtower with two green supply crates inside. I got food, a blueprint, and weapons. More importantly, there were burgers. Jealous?-💬Anonymous Player-Pfft, that’s nothing. I even killed a mutant dog. Too bad so much of it was infected. All I could dismantle was about 5.5 pounds of edible energy meat.-💬Anonymous Player-Holy crap? Energy meat? The same kind that mystery seller was selling before?-💬Anonymous Player-Yeah, that’s the one. Too bad there was only a little. Guys, don’t be cowards. The wilderness is where the real treasure is. If you want to get stronger, you have to go all out.-💬Anonymous Player-I’m so jealous you got weapons and food. Too bad I only found a few pears. Anyone want to trade with me?-
Reading the discussion and checking the time, Clara figured the survivors who had gone exploring should be almost back by now. It was a good time to trade. She could use the resources she got to upgrade her vehicle and prepare for the zombie tide six days from now. Clara glanced at Derek through the rearview mirror and saw he had no intention of getting out. Just in case, she first listed thirty 3.4-ounce servings of Purified Water, asking for 30 Glass, so she could craft the light-dimming window glass first.
Soon, the listings sold out. She opened the [Build] interface and selected the [C-rank Light-Dimming Car Window Glass blueprint] to craft. The materials vanished, and the crafting finished quickly. Without hesitation, she chose to replace the vehicle’s glass.
The car windows turned black at once. From the outside they looked deep as ink, and no one could see in. From the inside, the outside was perfectly visible. Clara nodded in satisfaction.
With this layer of glass, I won’t have to worry about anyone peeking at me anymore.
After all that, she began her big plan. Her car jolted violently, and a section of the roof caved in with a ringing crunch. A mutant creature crouched on the roof, a monkey with blood-red eyes and fleshy wings, raking its sharp claws frantically against the metal and producing a piercing screech.
Clara was startled. She slammed the gas, trying to throw the monster off, but it held on tight.
“Fuck!”
She pushed the car door open. Just then, the monster’s corpse slid off the roof. Clara frowned and raised her crossbow, staring at the figure a few yards off. Derek stood there, just finishing a throwing motion. When he saw Clara looking his way, he walked over.
“Your guard is down.”
Clara snorted and didn’t answer. She turned to go back to the car. She had just turned when Derek’s footsteps stopped. His gaze went to the inside of her car. Because of the earlier jolt, the paper cup on the center console had tipped over.
Clara noticed too. She followed his gaze and frowned. Then she whipped her head back and saw Derek watching her with an extremely strange look. He pointed at the car.
“You dropped something.”