"To survive in this world, you have to be more cunning, stronger, and colder than your enemies."
Lux said calmly. If the surroundings were safe, he wouldn't speak such words to a little girl. But this was the apocalypse; innocence and kindness didn't guarantee survival.
"Then what should I do? I don't know how to become more cunning."
Candice said helplessly.
"No need to force it. Live long enough in this world, and you'll understand naturally."
Lux replied coolly.
---
"This place actually makes a decent small camp. We've been shooting, yet no zombies came near. There probably aren't any within hundreds of meters. As long as we stay vigilant, there shouldn't be much danger. These four aren't stupid either."
Lianne said thoughtfully, looking out the window.
"Right now it's still early in the disaster. Survivors who can drive here can live by scavenging others' supplies."
"In about a month, there won't be many living people coming here. They'll have to either go into the mountains for food or return to the city. Sitting around waiting won't keep them alive."
As Lux finished speaking, they turned the corner at the intersection and saw two sedans and a pickup.
"Tsk tsk, escaped here only to get ambushed. That's miserable."
UMP45 stopped beside the three vehicles.
"How shall we split up the cars?"
"I'll take the pickup with HK and AA-12. This way, there's a double seat open on each side for last night's watch to sleep. You lead the way; the pickup has no GPS."
"Understood~"
"I'll see if there's anything good in their camp."
Lux jumped out and headed toward several tents in the distance.
"Haha! Haha! Isn't the Commander planning to have some fun before leaving? Men are all like that!"
MDR's teasing voice came from behind.
"Tsk tsk. If you joke like that again, I'll spank you. HK will come with me… dare I go for it?"
Lux was speechless, thinking MDR was fearless and would say anything.
"If you want to, I… I don't mind…"
HK416 gritted her teeth.
"Liar. You mind so much that your teeth are practically clenched to breaking."
Lux gave HK416 a helpless glance.
"Come on! You come first! Bet your hand bones will break before mine!"
MDR shouted provocatively from the van.
"D-damn it!"
Lux felt exasperated. Competing with a Tactical Doll in bone strength was clearly insane. Even starving her wouldn't make him cruel—he simply couldn't do it. MDR had him completely wrapped around her finger.
Lux walked reluctantly toward the tent area.
"MDR, why are you bullying only the Commander?"
Sten MKII asked quietly.
"Hmm, because it's fun? The entire trip was so silent and oppressive; I could hardly breathe. Only by teasing can we see more of him."
MDR said matter-of-factly.
"Won't it trouble the Commander?"
M99 asked worriedly.
"I think the Commander doesn't care. A little emotion is healthy, right?"
MDR said cheerfully.
No, he clearly did care, everyone thought silently.
---
Inside the tent, three women huddled in fear, faces filled with despair. Their appearance was average, but the four bandits outside hadn't spared them. The gunshots and screams earlier had terrified them.
"The bandits who tried to rob you? I killed them. There were three cars; I'm taking one—the broken one stays."
"You can take one car and follow your original plan to hide in the mountains. Another option: the military established a shelter in Hongi Commune. If you're confident you can survive, you can drive there."
Lux placed the other two car keys on the ground before the three women.
"Th-thank you."
Seeing Lux's lack of malice, one woman exhaled in relief.
"Where are the supplies they took? I want to take some as payment."
Lux replied calmly.
"In that blue tent. Can we keep some food?"
"I'm only checking for anything useful. Food stays with you."
Lux turned and left the tent.
"Such pitiful women… thier loved ones killed, and they're violated."
HK416 sighed beside him.
"There's nothing to do. We live in a cruel world. The only consolation is our combat power remains top-tier here."
"Well, at least we avenged them."
Lux said as he entered the blue tent. Several cardboard boxes were scattered inside.
Unfortunately, most contained only wilted, rotten apples and partially spoiled bananas. The only useful item was a handheld flashlight, non-rechargeable, not as bright as outdoor gear but sufficient for daily lighting.
Lux also found a few cigarettes and stored them—luxuries like these could serve as currency later, not left for the women.
When he exited, the three women stood outside their tent, heads lowered, unable to meet his or HK416's gaze.
"Wh-where are you going? Can we come with you? Af-after it's safe, I have 200,000 in my bank. I'll give you half."
One woman spoke. For the three of them alone, survival to Hongi Commune seemed impossible. Seeing armed HK416 and Lux, they naturally wanted to follow.
"Money is useless… most of the city is dead."
"Do you three have any useful skills?"
"I—I can cook."
"I'm an accountant, good at auditing finances."
"I can sing and give massages."
The women hurriedly replied.
Lux sighed.
"I have business to attend to, no time to look after you. The food remains untouched; survive on your own."
If someone like Lianne, extremely clever, or another tech specialist could be useful, he might bring them. But these three had no skills, so he wouldn't.
Lux turned and walked toward the road. Hearing this and knowing the food was left behind, the three women scrambled into the tent, hugging the wrinkled apples and biting in.