"Step back a little," Ray said.Rudy did as told, retreating far from the doorway. To himself, he couldn't help thinking how careful—almost paranoid—Ray was.With a metallic click, the iron door opened.Two bottles of water and three packs of instant noodles appeared on the ground. In the very next moment, the door shut again.'That's it?' Rudy couldn't help complaining inwardly.He called toward the door, "Thomas and the others are planning a night raid tonight. They've got a welder—your iron door might not hold up against that. And there are nine of them. If they rush in together, all armed with knives, can you really stop them?"For quite a while, there was no response. Just as Rudy was beginning to wonder whether Ray had even heard him, Ray's voice finally came through."Join them. Keep me informed at all times."Rudy refused outright. "What you've given me is only enough to buy information. You want me to be a mole? That'll cost extra.""Fine."The iron door opened aga

Rita stepped into Ray's basement.She turned her head—and froze.Where was her husband?Ray walked over, casually tossing several packs of instant noodles onto the floor. There were even a few full-boiled eggs, plus several bottles of mineral water. As he did, he ordered calmly, "Stand by the door."Rita instinctively wanted to refuse, but the moment she saw the pile of food on the ground, the refusal stuck in her throat. Her lips moved soundlessly instead.She had been starving for days. Otherwise, she never would have followed her husband here to take such a desperate risk.Ray smiled and handed her a roasted chicken leg."Eat."She reached out and took it. The smell of the roasted chicken was overwhelming—rich, tempting. She bit into it without hesitation. Ray thoughtfully passed her a bottle of water as well. She drank quickly, and the burning dryness in her throat was instantly soothed.More than ten minutes later, she had eaten everything."Full?" Ray asked with a smi

Ray closed the window.The screams outside were unbearably loud and grating.Of course, he had crushed the bed that those ten men were using as a shield with chunks of stone. He hadn't skimped on stones, iron blocks, or steel rods."Woof!" Leo growled, baring his teeth, fierce and menacing. If Ray opened the door now, the dog would have leapt out without hesitation.But Ray had no intention of opening it. The ten men outside were already destined to die. Whether it was hail slowly smashing them, heavy objects crushing them, or the toxic water killing them first—it didn't matter. Death was inevitable. Why bother further with people whose fate was already sealed?He smiled faintly and stepped out to the underground garage with Leo.Leo's nose was sharp; he could smell humans from a distance. In the dark, enclosed space, this made him incredibly effective. Of course, if the intruders used flashlights, they were essentially revealing their positions.Ray quickly set up a few flashli

Ray woke up from a deep sleep.It was day eight of the apocalypse.He took his time brushing his teeth and washing up, then sat down for breakfast. Only after that did he finally pick up his phone.Hm?Rudy had been found, and his throat had been slit.Someone had tagged him in the group chat and posted photos.That was fast. Ray had expected Rudy to hide for at least a few days.He replied in the group: [Add me as a friend. You can come claim the reward anytime—schedule's up to you.]Not long after, a friend request came in.He accepted it.The other party said: [I'll come at three this afternoon. Leave the items at the door.]Ray: [Fine.]He checked the man's profile. It was Kent Feldman from Building Two.Since Rudy had also lived in Building Two, Kent probably knew him. That would explain how he'd tricked Rudy into opening the door and killed him so easily.Ray didn't care how it had been done. All that mattered was that Rudy was dead.Instant noodles and water? If h

Ray really wanted to see if Sean's followers truly believed in his "Lord", or just in the supplies that keep them alive?Ray posted in the group chat: [Anyone who blasts Sean Forni of Building 3's ass open will receive ten boxes of instant noodles… or an equivalent amount of anything else.]Ten boxes of noodles, or the same value in food and water—enough to make any "brave soul" step forward and pulverize Sean's ass? Absolutely.'Dare to threaten me? I don't even need to lift a finger. Just post a bounty, and I'll watch you get screwed.' Ray chuckled and didn't give Sean another thought.That afternoon, he placed the promised food and water at the door and monitored it via the cameras.Around three o'clock, a man appeared. About thirty years old, muscular, rugged-looking, with a tattoo on his neck and a scar across his face—he had the kind of presence that could scare children in broad daylight. He held a flashlight and, seeing the supplies on the ground, smiled and started loadin