The supermarket fortress had become a beacon. Survivors whispered of the boy who commanded thunder, of Lin Yue's traps that shredded raiders, of a community that stood against chaos. Word spread farther than Sun Jun imagined, and soon scouts reported something unexpected: another settlement wanted to meet.
Li Feng brought the news. "They call themselves the River Camp. About seventy survivors. They've heard of us. They want to talk."
Sun Jun frowned. "Talk, or take?"
Li Feng shook his head. "They're organized. They've built defenses along the riverbank. They're not raiders. But they're cautious. They want to see if we're friend or foe."
Lin Yue crossed her arms. "This is dangerous. If they see your system, if they realize how much we have, they'll covet it. And if they decide we're a threat…"
Sun Jun nodded. "That's why we go carefully. But if we stand alone, we'll be crushed. We need allies."
---
Sun Jun, Lin Yue, and Li Feng set out with a small escort. The city was a graveyard—collapsed buildings, rusted cars, the stench of rot. Zombies lurked in shadows, but Sun Jun's thunder kept them at bay. Survivors whispered as they walked, awed by the sparks that danced across his hands.
After two days, they reached the river. The camp was impressive—wooden barricades, watchtowers, and patrols armed with rifles. Survivors moved with discipline, their faces wary but determined.
At the gate, a woman greeted them. She was tall, with sharp eyes and a scar across her cheek. "I am Commander Yu Lan," she said. "Leader of River Camp. You are the thunder boy?"
Sun Jun bristled at the title but nodded. "I am Sun Jun. This is Lin Yue, and Li Feng. We come in peace."
Yu Lan studied him, her gaze piercing. "Peace is rare in this world. Come. Let us talk."
---
Inside, the River Camp bustled with life. Survivors tended crops, repaired weapons, and trained in combat. It was larger than Sun Jun's settlement, but less fortified. Yu Lan led them to a hall built from scavenged wood.
"We've heard of your battle with Zhao Kun," Yu Lan said. "You killed him. That makes you strong. But strength attracts enemies. Raiders will regroup. Monsters will evolve. Alone, you will fall."
Sun Jun met her gaze. "That's why we're here. We want alliance. Trade, defense, cooperation."
Yu Lan leaned back. "And what do you offer?"
Sun Jun hesitated. He couldn't reveal the system. "Food. Medicine. Weapons. We have supplies."
Yu Lan's eyes narrowed. "Too many supplies, for a small group. Where do they come from?"
Lin Yue stepped forward, her voice sharp. "Does it matter? We survived. We fought. We bled. If you want alliance, take it. If not, we'll walk away."
Yu Lan studied her, then smiled faintly. "You are fierce. I like that."
---
Yu Lan wasn't convinced. "Words are cheap. Prove your worth. Tomorrow, we hunt. A beast has been terrorizing our camp—a mutated monster, larger than any zombie. Kill it with us, and we will talk alliance."
Sun Jun agreed. That night, he sat with Lin Yue by the river. "This is a trap," she whispered. "She wants to see your power. If she fears it, she'll turn on us."
Sun Jun stared at the water, sparks flickering across its surface. "Then we show her we're not enemies. We fight together. If she sees we can protect, not dominate, maybe she'll trust us."
Lin Yue sighed. "You always carry the weight of everyone. One day, it will crush you."
Sun Jun looked at her, his voice quiet. "Then I'll carry it until I break. Because if I don't, they'll all die."
---
At dawn, they set out. Yu Lan led her warriors, disciplined and armed. Sun Jun, Lin Yue, and Li Feng joined them. The forest near the river was dense, shadows thick with danger.
The beast struck suddenly—a hulking creature, its body twisted with bone spikes, its roar shaking the trees. Warriors screamed as it charged, crushing barricades.
Sun Jun unleashed lightning, bolts crackling across its hide. The beast shrieked, but its armor absorbed the blows. Lin Yue's traps slowed it, spears piercing its legs. Li Feng rallied the warriors, keeping formation.
Yu Lan fought fiercely, her blade cutting deep. Yet the beast was relentless. Survivors fell, blood staining the ground.
Sun Jun gathered his strength, sparks surging through him. He unleashed Thunder Constructs, forming a cage of electricity around the beast. It thrashed, trapped, its roars echoing. Yu Lan struck, her blade piercing its heart. The beast collapsed, smoke rising from its body.
---
Silence fell. Survivors stared at Sun Jun, awe in their eyes. Yu Lan approached, her face grim but respectful. "You are strong," she said. "But more than that—you fight with us, not above us. I see now. Alliance is possible."
Sun Jun nodded. "Together, we can survive. Alone, we fall."
Yu Lan extended her hand. "Then let us stand together."
Sun Jun clasped it, sparks flickering faintly. For the first time, diplomacy had succeeded.
---
When Sun Jun, Lin Yue, and Li Feng returned to the supermarket, survivors cheered. "We have allies," Sun Jun announced. "River Camp stands with us. Together, we are stronger."
Lin Yue smiled faintly, though her eyes held worry. "You've made friends," she whispered. "But you've also revealed yourself. Word will spread. Others will come. Not all will seek alliance."
Sun Jun gazed at the horizon, thunder rumbling in the distance. "Then we'll be ready. This is more than survival now. This is the beginning of something greater."
---