After returning from the border, only fifteen days remained before the apocalypse.
Shen Xingdu’s mansion renovation was nearly complete—walls impenetrable, solar panels gleaming under the sun.
The remaining time was for inspecting and patching up everything.
She made a long checklist, full of everyday items easily overlooked but crucial for survival quality.
First: clothing.
Temperatures in the apocalypse were extreme—minus 60–70°C in the coldest periods, 60–70°C in the hottest.
She went straight to an outdoor brand factory store.
“Extreme polar cold-proof suits, withstand minus 80°C, 100 sets. Both men’s and women’s.”
“Quick-dry shirts, thermal underwear, cashmere sweaters, shell jackets—1,000 each.”
“Shoes are critical. Military boots, snow boots, breathable running shoes—500 pairs in my sizes. Also 100 pairs in larger sizes.”
Next: bedding.
Silk quilts, down comforters, even thick northeastern floral quilts—buy, buy, buy. Latex mattresses, memory foam pillows—sleep quality must be guaranteed.
Next: women’s supplies.
Shen Xingdu entered a large supermarket’s hygiene section.
“Sanitary pads—day, night, extra-long night, liners, period panties. I’m clearing these shelves.”
“Also… tampons, a few boxes of those too.”
In the apocalypse, these were women’s most painful necessities. In her past life, a pack of expired pads could buy a life. She had to stock enough for generations.
She also stocked huge amounts of tissue: toilet rolls, facial tissues, wet wipes.
“These don’t take up much space; the corner in my space can hold thousands of boxes.”
Finally: entertainment.
Though she had downloaded digital resources, physical entertainment couldn’t be ignored. Mahjong, playing cards, Three Kingdoms Kill, Ludo. She even bought Lego sets and puzzles.
“If I ever get bored at home, I can build Lego to pass the time.”
Pushing her packed cart out of the supermarket, she glanced at the sky.
The once-blue sky had a strange gray-yellow tint.
The air felt stuffy, with low pressure.
Pedestrians complained:
“This weather—how is it this hot just entering winter? Feels like summer.”
“Yeah, and there are so many mosquitoes lately, their bites hurt!”
Shen Xingdu’s heart sank.
Signs were appearing. Creatures were more perceptive than humans—the mosquitoes were already mutating.
Back home, she closed the heavy blast-proof door, locking it with the keypad.
She turned on the new air purification system and temperature-controlled air conditioning.
Looking at the now-filled space:
Left: mountains of food and delicacies
Right: crates of weapons and medicines
Corner: the Spirit Spring Eye trickling fresh water; the baby bok choy she just planted was already sprouting green shoots.
The tens of thousands of survival points earned from recycling sat quietly on the control panel, ready to be exchanged for high-tech gear.
Shen Xingdu poured a cup of Spirit Spring water, took a sip—sweet, pure, refreshing. The day’s fatigue vanished instantly.
That day, she went to the city’s largest flower, bird, fish, and insect market.
Even with firearms and a strengthened body, humans need rest in the apocalypse. She wanted a partner: absolutely loyal, highly alert, and explosively strong.
Dog? Too common; some breeds were too friendly.
Cat? Too aloof; poor obedience.
Shen Xingdu circled the market, stopping at a remote corner.
A crowd had gathered, pointing at a metal cage.
“This thing’s ferocious! Almost bit off Old Zhang’s finger!”
“Boss, this isn’t a pet, it’s an ancestor!”
Shen Xingdu squeezed through.
Inside the cage was a medium-sized animal, its back covered in gray-white fur. Its flat head and small eyes radiated a ‘death doesn’t scare me, come at me’ fierceness.
A honey badger, known in the wild as “Flat-Head Brother”!
The badger was covered in wounds, clearly just out of battle; its left hind leg was bleeding, yet it glared at the onlookers, growling. Any approach was met with a ferocious charge at the cage bars.
“I can’t keep this thing,” the shopkeeper said nervously. “Whoever wants it, take it—money talks!”
“I’ll take it.”
Shen Xingdu’s cold voice sounded.
The shopkeeper stared, dumbfounded.
“Little girl… this is a honey badger—the world’s most fearless animal. It bites lions. You’re buying it as a pet? You’ll get yourself killed!”
“How much?” Shen Xingdu asked directly.
“Two thousand! Cage included, no after-sales! If it bites you to death, don’t come blaming me!”
Shen Xingdu scanned and paid, lifting the cage. The badger barred its teeth at her, even trying to bite through the gaps.
“Spirited,” she said, smiling faintly.
Back in her car, she stored the cage and honey badger into her space.
She marked a small pasture area outside the static zone.
The badger lay panting from its injuries, but its eyes remained ferocious.
Shen Xingdu opened the system shop.
[Beginner Beast Taming Pill]: 500 survival points
Description: Awakens intelligence, improves physical stats, establishes an absolute loyalty spiritual contract.
“Redeem.”
A red pill, scented with meat, appeared in her hand.
She offered it to the badger. It sniffed cautiously, sensing the contained energy, then swallowed it in one bite.
Within seconds:
Wounds healed visibly
Dry fur became glossy
Body grew larger, muscles sleek and powerful
It stood, its wild, violent eyes now carrying a spark of humanity.
Looking at Shen Xingdu, it no longer growled, instead bowed its head submissively, purring.
[Beep! Contract established successfully.]
Shen Xingdu nodded.
“From today on, you stick with me. In the apocalypse, as long as I have meat, you’ll have bones.”
“Time to name you.”
Looking at its fearless demeanor, she remembered its past-life spirit—biting enemies even with broken legs.
“Hammer. Anyone who dares provoke us, you crush them.”
The badger seemed to like the name, rolling on the grass excitedly, smashing a nearby test brick with one paw.
Shen Xingdu’s eyes lit up.
The strength of that paw could probably crush a regular zombie’s skull!
With Hammer, her safe house defense system was finally complete—the last piece of the puzzle.