The Apocalypse Shelter System

Another night passed, and as the sun rose once again, its intense rays pierced through the room, forcing Di Ping to open his eyes. Bloodshot veins were visible in his gaze, the torment of the night having left him utterly exhausted.

The previous night, after sealing off the chimney opening, Di Ping finally dared to sleep. However, his rest was far from peaceful. Though his newfound strength provided a sense of security, he did not allow himself to let down his guard. He had tightly barricaded the bedroom door and even slept with his longsword in his arms.

Upon entering the bathroom, Di Ping discovered that the water supply had been cut off. Fortunately, he had prepared for such an event and had stored a substantial amount of water. Using only a small portion, he managed to brush his teeth and wash his face, being careful not to waste a single drop. Afterward, he engaged in physical training, practiced two sets of sword swings, and then prepared a simple meal to satisfy his morning hunger.

"Why is it so quiet today?" As Di Ping rested after breakfast, he sensed that something was amiss.

"The helicopters!" He suddenly realized what was different. At this hour, helicopters usually patrolled the sky, yet today, there was not a single one in sight. "Could something have happened?"

Hurriedly, he turned on the radio to find out. To his surprise, the broadcast was reporting precisely this matter. Apparently, a large number of mutated birds had appeared over the city—sparrows larger than pigeons and even flocks of pigeons the size of hens. As soon as the helicopters took flight, they were attacked. Out of five helicopters, three were severely damaged, while the remaining two barely managed to land before they, too, would have been rendered inoperable.

The radio broadcaster's voice trembled with anxiety and urgency. Communication with the outside world had been lost; transportation routes were no longer accessible; even signals had disappeared. At this moment, the only means of communication was through radio frequencies. The entire city seemed to have become an isolated island, surrounded by an endless wilderness. Many listeners were overcome with despair upon hearing this, their only solace being that the government was still making efforts. Most people now clung to the hope that the military would establish a base and reopen the roads to rescue them.

Di Ping also sensed that the situation was deteriorating rapidly. The government appeared increasingly powerless, as conventional police weaponry was proving ineffective against the mutated creatures. With the ongoing mutation of various animals, the crisis was bound to escalate. Judging by the broadcaster's tone, Di Ping suspected that the government, having exhausted all options, was now contemplating retreat.

Such is human nature. In the face of extreme crisis, few are willing to sacrifice everything for others. As the environment continues to deteriorate, no one can predict what will happen next. For many, the safest course of action would be to join the military, as state forces wield weapons far beyond the capability of civilians.

However, Di Ping had no capacity to concern himself with such matters. He was struggling to ensure his own survival, let alone help others. "When prosperous, aid the world; when destitute, preserve oneself." Though he may have had the desire to assist, he lacked the strength. Pushing aside distracting thoughts, he resumed his training. This time, he completed ten sets of exercises and still had energy left, prompting him to add five more before stopping, drenched in sweat.

Feeling sufficiently recovered, he wiped himself down and decided to read for a while—there was little else to do.

Knock, knock...

Just then, a soft knock sounded at the door.

The noise, seemingly gentle, exploded in his ears like thunder in the silent night. His heart nearly leaped out of his chest. It took him a long moment to calm his rapid breathing, and he couldn't help but wonder—who would dare venture out at such a time? While the mutated rats may retreat during the day, the mutated dogs still roamed freely. Anyone wandering outside risked certain death.

Knock, knock...

The knocking came again, slightly firmer this time.

Di Ping, gripping his longsword, moved silently to the door and peered through the peephole. Outside stood two unfamiliar men. One appeared to be in his early thirties, with short hair, a square face, thick eyebrows, and an imposing physique. He held a baseball bat in his hands and exuded a rugged, battle-ready aura. The other was a stocky man in his twenties, likely weighing over 200 pounds, with a round face, short hair, a small nose, and small eyes—features that gave him a somewhat comical appearance. He clutched a thick steel rod over a meter long, though his expression was tense, his gaze darting anxiously around, and his forehead glistening with sweat.

"Who are you?" Di Ping watched them carefully before speaking in a low voice through the door.

"Bro... brother, we're from downstairs!" The stout man's face lit up with relief upon hearing a response, and he quickly answered in a hushed tone.

"What do you need?" Di Ping kept his eyes on their movements while asking cautiously.

"Brother! We mean no harm. We have something to discuss. Could you open the door? It's too dangerous out here!" The stout man pleaded anxiously, still glancing nervously around. Behind him, the robust man also appeared wary, his eyes shifting cautiously.

Observing them for a while, Di Ping felt that they did not seem hostile. Besides, given his own enhanced abilities, he was confident in handling an emergency. Moving the couch aside, he slowly opened the door and stepped back a few paces.

The stout man visibly brightened upon seeing the door open, squeezing inside with a wide grin. The strong man followed closely, shutting the door behind them. It was only then that they noticed Di Ping standing in the center of the living room, his gaze sharp and wary, a gleaming longsword in hand. Their expressions tensed immediately, and the stout man hastily set his steel rod on the floor, raising his hands to show he meant no harm.

"Brother, don't be nervous! We have no ill intentions! I live in Apartment 302 on the third floor—my name is Chen Gang," the stout man quickly introduced himself while wiping sweat from his forehead. He then turned to gesture at the man behind him. "This is my friend, Li Sheng."

"Hello," Li Sheng greeted in a steady, composed voice.

"Nice to meet you. You can call me Di Ping. What brings you here?" Though Di Ping nodded in acknowledgment, his guard remained up. He understood that in times of chaos, people were unpredictable, and anything could happen.

"Well... it's like this. Did you know the government is planning to evacuate?" Chen Gang said seriously.

"Really? How reliable is this information?" Di Ping's heart clenched. His earlier suspicions were now being confirmed.

"It's absolutely reliable! The news came from Wang Delin in Apartment 201 on the second floor," Chen Gang assured him quickly, then added upon seeing Di Ping's skepticism, "Wang Delin's brother, Wang Dequan, is the deputy secretary of the provincial government. He managed to get a call through this morning, instructing his brother to reach the provincial government by noon tomorrow. The authorities are organizing a police-led breakout, and the military has already sent a special unit for support."

"You intend to join the evacuation?" Di Ping inferred their purpose.

"Yes! Yes!" Chen Gang nodded eagerly.

"So why come to me?" Di Ping probed, though he had already guessed their motive.

"Brother Di, we believe that strength comes in numbers—it's much safer this way. We're trying to gather more people for the journey to the provincial government. Would you be willing to join us?" Chen Gang looked at Di Ping with hopeful anticipation.

"How many people do you have so far?" Di Ping considered the proposal. If most people left, the building would be nearly deserted, making survival even more precarious for those remaining.

"Nearly a hundred! We're all gathering at Zhang Delin's apartment on the third floor. You're welcome to come down and discuss the plan with everyone," Chen Gang explained enthusiastically.

"Alright! I'll come down shortly," Di Ping agreed. If nothing else, assessing the situation firsthand seemed wise.