Chapter 68: Shadows of a New World

Yenir, if you have time, swing by the Military Department—there’s a batch of supplies waiting for you.

Outside the Zhenjiang Security Zone, Yenir looked at the message from Captain Huang with a hint of surprise.

There’s still an unclaimed quota?

In his mind, B-level benefits meant only a monthly allotment of Credit Points and standard gear. At best, when hunting mutants, the Military Department would assign a high-ranking escort to reduce risk.

To him, they were useless—more of a constraint than a help—so he didn’t feel like making the trip.

Without a second thought, he casually replied to Captain Huang that he was out and decided not to dwell on it.

He had a good opinion of Captain Huang.

After shutting off his comm, Yenir surveyed the packed entrance of the Safe Zone. A moment’s observation was all it took to decide his direction.

The private safe zone—built by several third-tier figures—was thriving compared to the Tianfeng Security Zone. Strict military control forced many powerful Awakened individuals to break free and rule on their own.

Living under someone else’s rules was far less satisfying than being your own local king.

He pushed his way through the crowd.

Setting aside the slums outside the Safe Zone, the heart of Zhenjiang looked much like a bustling metropolis from before the apocalypse.

Amid the ceaseless traffic, even the tallest corporate tower sported an ad for an Awakened selection contest.

Trade caravans and trucks streamed by, while outside in open spaces, many Awakened lounged under umbrellas, soaking up the sun and sipping coffee.

The class divisions were stark.

After thirty years of recovery, people had grown accustomed to the post-apocalyptic era.

Mutants rarely attacked human settlements, and the undead herds stayed confined. Many safe zones even scrapped their defenses, leaving only a few Awakened to patrol the outskirts.

With prolonged peace, everyone assumed the worst was over. Mutant beasts, zombies, and even dungeon-like threats had become nothing more than fodder for human advancement.

Some even saw it as a new world—a realm where might made right and life was better.

If you had the guts and talent, success was inevitable.

Amid the crowd, Yenir observed the haggling merchants and daydreamed about tomorrow’s workforce. Life post-apocalypse was harsh for many, yet hope persisted; everyone believed that the future could only improve.

Factories were being rebuilt, the number of Awakened kept growing, towering buildings reemerged, and farmland was being reclaimed.

During the early days of the apocalypse, fear was rampant. Now, survivors hardly gave a thought to the monsters lurking outside safe zones.

Conversations centered on who had bagged high-end gear from mutant hunts or which Awakened had risen to third tier and snagged a top position.

Yet Yenir knew it was all a facade.

All the apparent peace and beauty were fleeting—like a brief flare before the inevitable storm.

Within a year at most, an endless tide of mutants would raze every safe zone while famished undead swarms consumed everything in sight.

Humanity was confident, assuming that its third-tier legions were merely a droplet against an ocean of threats.

Without the apex power of fourth tier, any third-tier Awakened seemed as helpless as a baby against a fourth-tier monster.

Yenir exhaled deeply, stifling his heavy thoughts, and resolved not to dwell on it.

In this lifetime, he was determined to reverse his fate.

…

After waiting nearly thirty minutes to enter the city, Yenir glanced at the medal on his chest with a tinge of resignation.

Second-tier status granted direct city entry, but his was a zero-tier badge—forcing him to wait in line.

He had thought about trading up his badge, but the process was too cumbersome.

Usually, upgrading your badge required testing, reporting your safe zone status, and then having it verified by the Awakened Association or Military Department before receiving the certified medal.

The whole process could take at least a month—sometimes even half a year. For most Awakened, that wait was a small price to pay; after all, a badge was a symbol of status. A second-tier medal was like cruising in a Ferrari before the apocalypse, drawing admiration wherever you went, with civilians and even Awakened girls eager for a chance to get close.

Getting intimate with a second-tier was a matter of pride; merchant guilds celebrated such encounters as highly prestigious.

But for Yenir, given the time involved, he’d likely be third-tier by then.

“Sir, would you like to buy some milk?”

While Yenir was searching for the task board, a timid female voice spoke from behind him.

He saw a woman in her twenties, carrying a child on her back and cradling another, watching him cautiously.

Her faded blonde hair framed a sycophantic smile as she addressed him:

“Sir, it’s all fresh milk—very nutritious. Three bags for one Credit Point. I promise I’m healthy.”

As she spoke, she tucked a few stray hairs from her forehead and, looking weary, pointed toward a distant cluster to indicate her home.

Yenir was momentarily stunned.

Gazing at the imploring woman, he immediately understood her implication.

Many survivors, desperate for a living, would go to any lengths to earn Credit Points—even lactating women selling their milk became a common sight.

Post-apocalyptic shortages had made ‘nutritional products’ a hot commodity, with some even resorting to raising girls as ‘milk cows’ for both sustenance and amusement.

“No, thank you.”

He gently refused.

Having clawed his way up from the bottom, he never looked down on these people. However, as Yenir gestured, a shout of reprimand rang out from behind:

“Clear the way! Move aside! You bunch of lowlifes—can’t you watch where you’re going!?”

A white SUV squeezed onto the sidewalk, nearly hitting the crowd. A first-tier Awakened aboard, clearly annoyed, readied to floor it.

When he noticed the car almost hitting the child behind the woman, Yenir’s eyes hardened, and he kicked the tire until it burst.

Bang!

In an instant, the deflated SUV lurched as its Awakened occupant jumped in surprise.

“How dare you lay a hand on someone!?”

Just as he was about to unleash a curse, their eyes locked and his words were strangled in his throat.

That gaze was terrifying.

He shuddered.

At that moment, he felt as if some monster had its eyes on him.

Any more noise, and he’d be dead for sure!

Even though the person was zero-tier, Yenir sensed a terrifying aura on him.

Not bothering with the stunned youth, Yenir turned around and helped the terrified woman.

Glancing at the ID card hanging from the stranger’s neck, he sighed and immediately transferred 20 Credit Points.

Any extra, however, would not bode well for the woman.

Then, he turned and left.

Once the woman regained her senses, she stared in shock at her ID card’s beeping, frozen in place. Clutching her child, she watched Yenir’s retreating figure with quiet gratitude.

…

“Accept mission.”

Inside the Safe Zone mission hall, Yenir waved his ID card at the receptionist to signal that he wanted to take on a mission.

Behind the desk, a charming girl accepted his card with both hands and stole a few extra glances at him.

Used to the rugged Awakened types, she found a handsome youth like Yenir refreshing to behold.

“Hello, what mission would you like to take on? May I suggest a C-level mission…”

Seeing the attractive young man, the girl’s words started tumbling out—but he cut her off:

“B-level. Ruins Battlefield.”

Without further ado, after finishing his sentence and noticing the girl’s sudden stunned look, Yenir pressed his palm against the tester.

“Team mission. Register my name. Record my power as Second-Tier Advanced.”

Since the tester could only identify major tiers and not the exact level, Yenir declared himself as Second-Tier Advanced. After all, his real combat strength was more than sufficient.

The designated site required a team entry—if not, given his nature, he would have preferred to venture alone.

As the blue light flickered on, the receptionist’s eyes widened in astonishment, glaring at Yenir as if he were a monster.

Young and not just Second-Tier, but Second-Tier Advanced?! My goodness, this can’t be real!

Even in the Zhenjiang Security Zone, a Second-Tier Advanced was a major player.

She didn’t question the advanced rank Yenir recorded; only a fool would deliberately exaggerate their power. Falsifying such data was essentially a death wish.

Suppressing her surprise, the girl gulped and her eyes lit up.

In record time, she finished the registration and then blinked at him excitedly.

If attractive girls graded potential partners, someone like Yenir would be considered an SSS-level gem!

Even a mere acquaintance would be enough bragging rights for her and her friends.

“Got a problem?”

Yenir looked at the nearly blinking girl in confusion and asked, sensing that her eyes were practically ablaze.

Looking around nervously, like a thief in the night, the girl nodded firmly before quickly stuffing her card into Yenir’s hand.

“I finish at 8 tonight! Just get in touch, and I’m free!”

It was an unmistakable hint—as soon as she finished speaking, her cheeks blushed and her heart pounded.

Damn, she couldn’t hold back—this was likely the boldest thing she’d ever done!

Glancing at the card, Yenir chuckled softly, shook his head, and put it back away.

Though the girl was cute, he wasn’t in the mood for flirtation.

Not wanting to bruise her feelings, Yenir nodded and turned on his heel.

For now, all he cared about was leveling up and becoming stronger; nothing else mattered.

If everything went according to plan, he’d have a team assembled to hit the Ruins Battlefield by tomorrow.

The thought of that blue accessory from the Ruins Battlefield ignited a flame in Yenir’s heart.

In his past life, that piece of gear was legendary—and the Ruins Battlefield was infamous for its high drop rates.