I am the Zombie King of the Apocalyptic World
Chapter 977 - 974: Sudden Silence

Chapter 977: Chapter 974: Sudden Silence

In the Peace Party, he was essentially like a warehouse manager. All military supplies and weaponry had to pass through his hands. Except for the direct orders from a few top-level members of the Peace Party, which he didn’t dare tamper with, he could deny any other requests, ensuring that no equipment was taken from there without his consent.

Although he didn’t own the items, he had the right to use them. It was this responsibility and privilege that allowed him to secretly engage in arms trafficking when he was off duty, such as dealing in powerful weaponry not available in the United District market or forbidden to non-Peace Party members.

The Peace Party had these items in abundance, and they would hardly notice a few, or even dozens, missing unless someone deliberately investigated. It was all too easy to slip unnoticed!

A slight adjustment here and there on the inventory list was all it took.

These under-the-table deals also brought him considerable wealth. Many leaders of underground forces had sought him out. The longer he worked there, the more he enjoyed his job. In his heart, he thought highly of the United District’s Marshal, who was too easygoing to question others. He would employ whomever he could, trusting them implicitly, which turned out to be his own bad luck.

But those thoughts remained only in his mind, for if Li Henian knew about them, given his ruthless nature, he would certainly have him chopped into pieces and fed to the dogs.

He skillfully signed his name on the penultimate supply request. His calligraphy, refined through the years, made his signature pleasing to the eye—a skill he mastered over his lifetime, winning him many opportunities every time a signature was needed. He had even forged Li Henian’s signature during the Apocalypse.

With a firm stamp of the seal, "snap," that supply request was settled. Then, he turned his attention to the last one. Once he signed this final document, his day’s work would be complete, and he could look forward to a banquet concerning his business later that evening. The thought of earning thousands of Yajin made him almost ecstatic.

However, a frown creased his brow upon seeing that this last supply request came from a mere squad, focusing on the captain’s signature on the form.

"Ni Wandan, are you finished? What kind of name is that?"

After a long moment of thought, he realized he did not recognize the name. It must belong to a newly promoted captain, one who clearly did not know him. Most captains knew the unwritten rules: they had to bribe the quartermaster to smoothly secure any supplies.

As the Peace Party had grown in size, including many thoroughly brainwashed zealots—the Hybrid Deer-Dogs—and others who joined just to take advantage of its strength and benefits, these individuals had specific intentions. The enticing array of quality Peace Party weapons and armor would fetch a fine price on the black market. However, getting one’s hands on such items was not easy without significant contributions within the Peace Party, unless one was willing to pay a price to flatter the quartermaster.

And he was the one they needed to win over. This Ni Wandan was probably a newbie ignorant of the ways; he must have thought merely reporting his needs would suffice, failing to mention the small tokens of appreciation crucial for easing transactions, even for mundane items. As an experienced mafia, how could he proceed without his cut?

Thus, this supply request was the only one in the stack that was denied.

"Not bothering to honor me, yet expecting to get what you want from me? Yeah, right."

He snorted, neatly arranging the forms on his desk without yet forwarding them upward. After completing these actions, he relaxed, lazily leaning back in his chair and stretching comfortably.

The day was soon over.

Gazing through the window into Sky, the temperature was rising, and the snow on the streets was starting to melt. Workers in yellow vests were using cleaning machines to vacuum the melting snow.

The heavy clouds in Sky had thinned, revealing patches of clear blue. The sunlight, reflecting off the clouds, created a beam that shone onto the ground, making everything outside seem peaceful. He enjoyed these moments—it was as if he lived in a fairytale.

However, just then, a vase placed on a nearby cabinet suddenly crashed to the floor, startling him. The loud, grating sound of the breaking vase made his skin crawl; it was too abrupt.

From the moment the vase hit the ground to when he snapped back to his senses, he abruptly realized that the usual noise he was accustomed to had vanished without a trace, the surrounding silence felt as if time had stood still—a creepy sensation slowly seeping into his heart.

This made him uneasy, possibly a premonition developed from repeatedly encountering danger in the post-apocalyptic world.

"Is anyone there?" the quartermaster shouted out, yet no one responded. The silence persisted, only his own voice echoing in the empty room.

"Is anybody there?"

He shouted again, rising from his office chair, walking to the door. Peering through the peephole, he saw no one outside, but his unease grew stronger. He picked up a laser weapon lying next to his desk, holding it as he stood by the door, uncertain if something had actually happened or if it was just his imagination.

Gun in hand, he opened the door.

Click—

Upon opening, he felt oppressed by the unnatural quiet. There was nobody outside, not the usual comings and goings of fellow colleagues and Peace Party soldiers, not even guards at the corridor’s end.

"Where is everyone? Is there anybody out there?"

The hallway outside was brightly lit, yet he dared not step out, fearful of what might be waiting for him outside.

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