Kingdom of Corrosion
Chapter 87 - 86 Night Exploration

Chapter 87: Chapter 86 Night Exploration

At eight o’clock in the evening, after the campfire gathering had ended, Lin Wu and Shana set out in the pickup truck to Left County. One reason they didn’t ride motorcycles was the cold weather, and another was considering the possibility of obtaining one of the five major materials during the map search. After all, each person could only carry one material bag, while a car could transport six.

Yesterday he was on a mission with Maya; today he was on duty with Shana. He could viscerally feel the stark difference in their personalities. Being with Maya was like being under a bright moon, serene and comfortable. Being with Shana was like basking in a spring breeze, relaxed and happy. Especially because of the incidents with the Beast Trap and Olive Manor, Lin Wu had started to regard this partner seriously, no longer treating her as air or a shadow.

As they passed the outpost, Lin Wu made a half-circle around the tent area and set a Beast Trap at the small iron gate, which unexpectedly attracted four Night Demons, forcing him to take flight. Shana didn’t know what words to use to describe her nocturnal partner. But she knew, although Lin Wu didn’t treat her like air, he also didn’t treat her like a woman. He was more interested in play along the way, showing little interest in chatting with a beauty in the car.

Lin Wu asked to stop the car three times. After they drove over a large bridge and parked the vehicle, Shana said, "Lin Wu, we need to talk."

"Let’s talk when we get back." Lin Wu got out of the car and, together with Shana, followed the route they had discussed in advance, skirting the wall of the bus terminal. They soon found an opening and slipped in.

The bus terminal could also be occupied as a base, with the main building at the center. The main structure of the bus terminal consisted of three connected low-rise buildings, the tallest being three stories and the lowest one. The biggest drawback as a base was the lack of terrain for defense. During a siege, zombies could rush at the three buildings from all directions. The buses and coaches parked in the lot could actually serve as the best cover for zombies.

Indeed, it was a haven for zombies. Lin Wu had already met three of them around the corner of a bus. Though his reactions were decisive, his heart was in his throat every time he rounded a corner. Even with mental preparation, seeing a rotten zombie’s hole-filled nose right before his eyes could still make Lin Wu’s heart race.

Going on a mission with Shana gave zero beats for her but "n" beats for zombies.

They finally made it through the parking area to the building zone and at first glance, both saw the city map. It was a bus route map posted on a notice board. There were three bus lines: Bus 1 following Route 1 to the end and back, Bus 2 on Route 2 to the end and back, and Bus 3 taking Shuixi Route 3 to the end and back.

Shana pointed to a location on Bus 1’s route, where the bus stop was called City Hall, and the next stop was the Police Station. The end stop for Bus 3 was the city’s southernmost intersection, named the Fire Station.

Since the city map was drawn on the notice board, Shana could only take out paper and pen for a manual copy, while Lin Wu stayed close to guard her. There were many zombies, and to conserve the silencer, Shana occasionally had to stop and use her Crossbow Arrow to kill approaching zombies.

It took twenty minutes to record the stops, but Shana was not satisfied with her successful work. She wanted to get a more detailed map, ideally a layout of the buildings, so they could visually identify which buildings were suitable for base development.

Lin Wu instinctively felt the Fire Station was a good pick: "The convergence point of Bus 3 means there must be a large flow of people and shops nearby."

Shana said, "But you don’t know if it’s a standalone building, nor the dimensions and height of the structures."

Lin Wu replied, "Then, the Police Station."

Shana said, "Can’t you be a little less cavalier? Places like the bus terminal fall under City Hall’s jurisdiction; they should have more detailed maps. If not, we’ll have to visit City Hall."

Lin Wu said, "If not, we can also go home."

Shana retorted, "I don’t like giving up."

Lin Wu countered, "I don’t like courting death."

Shana said, "You just don’t like me giving orders."

Lin Wu confirmed, "That’s right."

Shana speechless, "Then tell me, what should we do now?"

Lin Wu suggested, "Let’s search the three buildings first. If we don’t find any useful maps, we can drive to City Hall."

Shana looked at Lin Wu for a while and nodded, "Agreed." Wasn’t that the same as her suggestion?

Lin Wu said, "Let’s get to work."

Shana bared her teeth at the back of Lin Wu, "Juvenile Ghost."

Before long, Lin Wu emerged and whispered to Shana, "Upstairs."

After a meticulous search that took about an hour, Lin Wu finally found an overhead city map. The map was painted on a wall in the staff activity room and was created with computer technology from several photographs taken by a flying vehicle over Left County. This map captured 80% of the buildings in Left County, but none of the buildings were marked with explanations.

Shana took paper and pencil to copy, and as she sketched, she said, "The municipal hall is the center of Left County but is connected to other buildings. The three-story corner with a small garden opposite the city hall isn’t bad, but the floor area is too small."

This woman talks too much nonsense. If you’re so capable, say something useful. What’s the point of critiquing useless buildings? You should know that 99% of the buildings in the picture are unsuitable for base construction.

Shana noticed the change in Lin Wu’s expression, put down her pen and paper, and gestured, "Please sit, we need to talk."

Here we go again! Lin Wu sat down.

Shana said, "We’re partners. When you speak, I listen, and I have the right to voice my opinions. When I speak, you listen. Is that reasonable?"

Lin Wu countered, "Have I ever stopped you from expressing your opinions?"

"No, but your expressions and tone indicate that you don’t like me sharing my thoughts."

Lin Wu asked, "So, will you listen to my opinions?"

"Of course."

Lin Wu said, "My opinion is: shut up, draw quickly."

Shana held back her anger, smiled, and nodded, "I accept your opinion."

If Lin Wu had any complaints about Shana, he would mention just one: Shana tried to change his personality and thoughts through communication and conversation. It’s like wearing a cotton-padded jacket in summer. You say not to wear it, that makes sense, because it’s hot. But whether to wear the jacket is my personal freedom, my decision, and you shouldn’t try to change my mind just because you think it’s wrong.

Shana looked back at Lin Wu and said, "I’m very curious what I did wrong that made you so upset."

Lin Wu replied, "You can be the team leader, and I will cooperate with you fully, but you must take responsibility for our two-person team. Similarly, I can be the team leader, and you must cooperate with me fully, and I will take responsibility for our two-person team."

Shana said, "I didn’t want to be the team leader. I prefer to establish a partnership with you where we show mutual respect, discuss matters together, and make decisions jointly."

Lin Wu said, "We are not a married couple; why waste energy discussing these trivial matters?" You tell me to do something, or I tell you.

After thinking for a moment, Shana replied, "Okay, I’ll be the team leader. If you have any objections to my arrangements, I will allow you to offer your suggestions."

"You’re shirking responsibility. Suppose something really goes wrong, you’ll blame me for not making suggestions. As the team leader, the first task is to ensure we both survive, the second is to complete our tasks."

"Alright, I’m the team leader, and I’ll take responsibility." After saying this, Shana picked up her pen and paper and continued to work. The two did not converse for the time that followed.

While Shana was halfway through her work, Lin Wu, who was sitting by the door watching the corridor, said, "Shana, I’m sorry, my attitude was wrong. Arguing with you was due to my own reasons, unrelated to you."

"I accept," Shana looked at Lin Wu, "Even if you don’t wish to explain why."

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