Chapter 16: Journey Through a Shattered World

On the ride back in the off-road vehicle, Yenir casually looked out the window.

The car rocked and bounced with every bump.

The Safe Zone road, built forty years ago, had long been pockmarked by years of wear.

After passing through the relatively neat military district and entering the Outer City, the road was lined with low concrete buildings and clusters of street vendors pushing carts and setting up makeshift stalls.

On both sides of the narrow road, filthy sewage streamed by.

A sour, rotten odor, mixed with the stench of fermenting waste, pervaded the entire Outer City.

Guns for sale, guns for sale! Get fifteen jin of flour with each purchase! Handcrafted rifling, and twenty bonus bullets included!

Fresh sparrow meat! Three credit points per jin! Fried cockroaches at one credit point a jin!

Premium items on offer! Vintage Rolex watches—buy two, get one free for just one credit point! One-carat diamonds for only one point each!

…

At a stall selling grilled earthworms, a group of ragged children curiously circled a corpse left to starve, occasionally prodding it with their hands.

With giggles, the children rummaged through the corpse’s remnants, hoping to find some trinkets.

Born in the post-apocalyptic era, they were used to seeing corpses.

But it wasn’t long before a sluggish patrol spotted the body.

Clear the way! Clear the way! Someone should keep an eye on these kids!

Pinching their noses in disgust, the patrol heaved the starved man onto a cart. Nearby, vendors dealing in fertilizer stared at the cart with hungry eyes, seemingly ready to pounce.

In the apocalypse, corpses had value too. When tossed into fermentation pits of manure, they turned into high-grade fertilizer.

They were even sold on the black market, a rare taste of meat in a barren world.

As the off-road vehicle continued its trek, it quickly reached a main road.

Along the curb, many survivors—with signs pinned to their chests—stood at the roadside, numbly waving their hands.

When they saw Yenir’s vehicle pass, the survivors swarmed forward in an excited rush.

Sir! Look at me! I’m strong—I can help carry your stuff! Just one biscuit will suffice!

Sir! Look at me! I can fix electronics and write too! Just half a biscuit!

Sir, do you need a servant? A sixteen-year-old girl available, for ten jin of rice…

Observing the survivors crowding in front of the vehicle, Captain Huang’s expression turned cold as he shouted flatly:

“Military Department on the move! Clear the way!”

His dark, menacing gun barrel was pointed straight at a man desperate to sell himself, as if a shot could be fired any moment.

Meanwhile, Yenir remained calmly seated inside the car.

He had seen such scenes all his life, and heard that even before the apocalypse, actors and professors would go about self-promotion in the same manner.

After nearly seventy years of adaptation, conditions had improved significantly from the initial days of the apocalypse.

With the vehicle’s rumble and the guards’ scold, the crowd had no choice but to disperse.

Many stared after the disappearing off-road vehicle, regret flashing in their eyes.

Those like Yenir, seemingly scions of the Safe Zone elite, were known to be extremely generous.

…..

Back at the Outer City gathering point, Yenir exchanged greetings with Captain Huang before stepping out.

As per Xiao Hai’s earlier update, his situation had been reported through the chain to the Capital Military District last night. Details would likely be confirmed by tonight.

In all probability, the Higher Military District would transfer him to the Capital Military District, investing massive resources in his training.

While walking down the street, Yenir continuously recalled memories from his previous life.

About a year later, the Tianfeng Security Zone would face an onslaught by hordes of mutants, causing its already fragile defenses to crumble instantly. Amidst an assault of over thirty million corpses, nearly four million survivors inside would succumb.

In the ensuing months, massive disasters erupted throughout the Huaxia Battle Zone, with sea beasts assaulting the coastal safe zones.

By the end of the second year, humanity’s progress and the flourishing continuity of civilization were abruptly shattered. Out of thirty-six battle zones nationwide, twenty-nine collapsed, forcing countless survivors to flee north towards the final defensive line.

By the end of the third year, under an apocalyptic reign led by fourth-tier mutants, Huaxia was obliterated, marking the end of the nation.

Reflecting on that catastrophic scene a year later, Yenir’s expression darkened. Life was tough, but at least survival was possible; as part of the inland Safe Zone, Tianfeng’s inner city was still considered a beacon of prosperity.

But when the corpse horde erupted, the entire Safe Zone became an inferno on earth. Countless women and children died tragically under the mass of corpses, and soldier Awakeners fell one after another, leaving no traces.

Taking his family to the Capital Military District was undoubtedly the safest bet.

If he could quickly boost his own strength, perhaps he could still reverse some of the devastation and prevent so many deaths.

Relying on his innate talent, Yenir believed that with abundant resources, he could advance to Tier Three in as little as six months—and then have ample time to climb to Tier Four! With the crucial three-year data burned into his memory, changing the course of the disaster single-handedly was not impossible.

Letting out a light sigh as he contemplated, Yenir suddenly heard an enthusiastic call from nearby.

“Yenir?”

“Yenir, you’re back! Want to grab some eggs on the way home?”

“Yenir, it’s been so long! Do you remember your Auntie?”

In the bustling, disordered street, many fellow survivors who knew Yenir gathered, beaming as they looked his way.

Though Yenir had been away at a training camp to test his talent two years ago, those who had known him for years still remembered him fondly.

With a warm smile, Yenir returned their greetings with a nod.

Seeing many people approaching him with biscuits or eggs in hand, eager to speak with him, warmed his heart.

Perhaps due to his elevated status, or simply genuine affection, he could feel their sincere warmth.

Before he joined the training camp, these neighbors who had shared his life had always taken care of him.

Even if he couldn’t return the favor, if he ever had the means, he intended to repay many.

“Yenir, have you become an Awakened?”

Surrounded by the group, an older woman cautiously extended an egg to him, her eyes filled with envy.

“You’re truly something. I wish my child could be like you. Take this egg—eat up and get stronger!”

“Yenir, you must come see my daughter! She’s absolutely gorgeous—would you like to see her?”

One aunt, pulling along her shy little daughter, enthusiastically pushed her in front of Yenir, clearly trying to catch his attention.

“Yenir, have you seen my boy? He was supposed to attend training with you—why hasn’t he come back yet?”

Shaking off the food and trinkets being thrust in his arms, Yenir repeatedly declined and murmured back:

“Sir, Zheng Gang should be back by tomorrow. He’s awakened his talent as well.”

Looking at a weathered middle-aged man with just one hand, Yenir smiled warmly to reassure him.

The man was the father of one of his friends, and they had known each other since childhood.

As he listened, the man’s face lit up with excitement, his lips trembling:

“Good… really good… Yenir, I’ve seen you all grow up—I’m proud of how far you’ve come!”

….

Capital Safe Zone First-Six Group Army Command.

“Important intelligence!”

“An SS-level talent has been discovered in the Tianfeng Security Zone. Report immediately to ****!”

In the Intelligence Unit, a colonel-like officer gazed blankly at the report in his hand, and moments later, he sent the news up the chain with evident excitement.