Chapter Five: Setting Out in Search of the Airdrop

The vast sea outside was gradually being evaporated by the rain of fire, and the entire sky was filled with mist, making it impossible to see across. Fang Xia knew that in another two days, the water would recede, drained by the frenzied suction of the sewers and the relentless evaporation of the steam.

Now, Fang Xia waited patiently, conserving his strength, preparing for the moment when the waters would withdraw.

The water in the bathtub had almost run dry, yet the heat remained oppressive. He poured mineral water into the tub, filling it halfway—enough to last until the temperature dropped.

Even if this weren’t the end of the world, bathing in mineral water would be an extravagant act. Thus, he allowed himself this final indulgence for the last two days.

At eight in the evening, Fang Xia sat quietly on the sofa, his mind calculating and planning. The journey from the hotel to the Institute of Technology was not a short one, and the road ahead promised anything but peace.

First, there were the zombies.

In his previous life, the rain of fire had ceased at precisely 11:11 p.m., and the zombies had appeared suddenly after midnight. That meant he would have a window of fifty minutes to act.

That was enough time to reach the approximate location of the airdrop box, but not nearly enough to return before the zombies flooded the streets—a troublesome predicament. Fortunately, at this stage the zombies were still weak. An ordinary adult, armed and unafraid, could dispatch one easily.

It wouldn’t remain so. Six years later, the zombies had grown unimaginably powerful, and even more terrifying creatures had emerged. If he missed this opportunity—before people became aware of the airdrop boxes, while the zombies were still feeble—no matter how well supplied he was, his resources would eventually run dry, and he would die all the same.

Given this chance to be born again, Fang Xia would not simply wait to perish. Armed with the memories of his past life and six years of surviving the apocalypse, this time, he was determined to stand at the pinnacle of the world.

For his first foray outside, he had to be fully prepared. This was when he was at his weakest; nothing could be left to chance. He packed two flashlights, a kitchen knife, a boning knife, two bottles of water, a box of chocolates, and two self-heating meals. Even if he were trapped somewhere overnight by zombies, this would be enough to last until morning, when the zombies would be weaker and his chances of survival would be greater—hard-earned lessons from his previous life.

He was ready; now, he only had to wait for the rain to stop.

At 11:11 p.m., the rain of fire gradually ceased. The ground outside was visible at last, the water having dried away, and the world seemed to return to its original state.

Fang Xia opened the door—a first in days. The corridor was not strewn with as many corpses as he had imagined; there were only a few bodies, and many marks where bodies had been dragged away. Clearly, many people still struggled to accept the company of the undead.

Without sparing the bodies another glance, Fang Xia hurried toward the Institute of Technology.

He had barely taken a few steps when a naked woman suddenly opened her eyes.

“I’m so hungry. Please, give me food. I beg you,” she said, desperation in her eyes as if she’d seen a savior. Somehow finding the strength, she flung herself at Fang Xia’s legs. “Help me. You can do whatever you want with me.”

Though she was gaunt from hunger, it was still clear she was beautiful—unsurprising in such a high-class hotel, where beautiful women were not uncommon.

Fang Xia frowned and stepped over her, but she clung to his pant leg, refusing to let go. Perhaps delirious from hunger, she even bit into his leg.

With no hesitation, he kicked her away. The woman, already weak beyond measure, was sent sprawling into a corner. Without a backward glance, Fang Xia strode swiftly downstairs.

There was no room for pity in the apocalypse; the law of the jungle prevailed.

The descent was uneventful. Each floor had its share of corpses, but Fang Xia had witnessed far more harrowing scenes.

It was still early. Even if there were other survivors, they would not have realized so soon that the rain had stopped. The streets were deserted, save for waterlogged bodies and scattered debris carried away by the flood.

The corpses, bloated from soaking, resembled grotesque giants.

Moving swiftly and nimbly through familiar streets, Fang Xia headed toward the Institute of Technology. Though the distance wasn’t great, it would still take at least half an hour on foot.

As time passed, more survivors began to emerge, discovering the changed world outside. The first thing everyone did was rush toward nearby supermarkets, stores, and restaurants—anywhere food could be found. A few days might not seem long, but it was enough for desperation to set in.

Fights over food broke out now and then, but none of that concerned Fang Xia. He cared only about reaching the Institute and finding a suitable hiding place.

Yet, even if he avoided others, not everyone was willing to let him go.

Two young men blocked his path.

“Hey, brother, do you have any food in your pack? Could you spare some for us?” one of them asked.

Most of the survivors were gaunt and sallow, clearly starved for days. Some had managed to hold out with whatever stores they had at home, but now everyone was scrambling for supplies. If this disaster struck again, few would survive. Only Fang Xia seemed indifferent to food, as if he belonged to another world.

What’s more, he carried a bag on his back.

The shops had all been submerged. Most food was inedible, save for those that were sealed. With too little food and too many people, it was easier to target a solitary figure like Fang Xia than to fight the crowds.

“Get lost!” Fang Xia growled. He had never had patience for those who tried to rob him—not in his previous life, and not in this one.

“Damn it. Tried to reason with him, but he wouldn’t listen. Doesn’t know what’s good for him. There’s two of us and only one of him, but he’s got a knife,” the man muttered to his companion. “Let’s let him pass, then jump him from behind. That pack must have food.”

He quickly hatched a plan and exchanged a look with his partner.

“Don’t be so uptight, man,” he said, feigning friendliness. “The worst is over. The government will be back soon with aid, and there’ll be plenty of food for everyone.”

Fang Xia only sneered, saying nothing.

“Alright, if you don’t want to share, my buddy and I will look elsewhere. We won’t bother you,” the man said, giving his companion a meaningful glance. The two of them split up, flanking Fang Xia and clearing a path for him.

As Fang Xia drew nearer, tension mounted between the pair.