Kingdom of Corrosion
Chapter 911 - 396 Group_2

Chapter 911: Chapter 396 Group_2

Shana said, "Frozen food will definitely be inedible with the power outage. We should mainly rely on foods like instant noodles and rice that are vacuum-packed and waterproof. I believe food won’t be a big issue, so we need to solve the water problem. Which location do you think is most suitable for us to establish a semi-permanent shelter?"

First, exclude the distribution area; there are very many trains there, closely packed together, not to mention the risk of survivors attacking and zombies sneaking into your house without you noticing.

The remaining areas include the container loading area, warehouse area, and dispatch stations, but none conform to the traditional sense of a shelter.

A good shelter needs to have a geographical advantage, such as a church on a mountaintop surrounded by cliffs on three sides and a one-way road on the other. Or a fortress made of containers with a steel line of defense, only two small doors. Slightly worse would be a commercial street, at least with an open front, making it harder for enemies to sneak into the base. Even worse is the previous location of Lin Wu and Xiao Wu at the parking lot, where they were situated in a complex area of cars, setting up alarms around, creating a relatively stable safe zone.

Lin Wu tried to analyze, first needing water, clean water is very important, so they could only consider the Southwest Mountains, where there must be spring water. Shana tried to elevate the drone, flying as far as possible, and both simultaneously said, "That’s the one."

To the southwest of the distribution area is the original river channel of a breached dam reservoir, on which there is an old but intact arched railway bridge. The railway bridge is 15 meters higher than the river surface and the land by the bank, with a total length of about 200 meters. From a geographical standpoint, the railway bridge is also connected to an elevated railway that goes into the mountains, presumably laid during the early industrial era for transporting ores or timber.

The tracks on the elevated bridge have been dismantled, and the elevated bridge near the mountain forest is covered with green trees and weeds, with no traces of human activity visible from the drone.

There is a green-skinned train with 12 carriages parked on the railway bridge, its locomotive a classic internal combustion engine from the early last century.

This train is the shelter that Lin Wu and Shana decided upon at first sight.

This shelter has several advantages. The first advantage: It is away from the complicated terrain of the distribution area, with only one track, and has an open view, allowing for the construction of an entrance with wire meshes, etc., which can effectively ensure the safety of the shelter.

The second advantage, the shelter faces west, following the elevated bridge into the mountains; regardless of whether there are prey in the mountains, there is definitely water.

The third advantage, there is a large area of land on the west-facing elevated bridge where soil can be transported for farming and breeding.

The fourth advantage, it is one kilometer away from the distribution area warehouse, three kilometers away from the railway in the distribution area, close to resource areas, beneficial to the shelter’s development.

The fifth advantage, below is a big river, when food is scarce, fishing can also be developed.

After discussing, Shana called a meeting.

Shana drew a map to show the location of the shelter and introduced the geographical conditions. The bad news is, although the distribution area is near the river, it is at a higher elevation, so there are no ponding situations near it, only some water puddles. Floodwaters have washed all the outdoor zombies into the city. The distribution area, with many trains and buildings, still has a considerable proportion of zombies remaining. Currently, some zombies have left the buildings and are distributed around the distribution area. The density of zombies is higher than previously expected.

Shana explained, "My plan is to form a three-person squad to go ahead and clear the route. The squad will also be responsible for reconnaissance and bridge building. After the main force departs, the squad can use satellite phones to keep in touch and command. This is also a plan formulated according to the current specific injury and illness situation of our team."

Shana said, "The squad will depart immediately after the rain stops, using rubber boats to reach near the distribution area, then proceed on foot to the railway bridge. Carry out preliminary collection of food and firewood. How to do it specifically will be up to the squad. The squad will be equipped with pistols, the main force with assault rifles. We need to reserve some rations for the squad, and also prioritize the squad’s clothing and shoes."

Shana said, "Lin Wu will serve as the squad leader, and there are two more slots available."

Lin Wu said, "The squad has a lot of work to do. We need to scout the surrounding buildings and carriages, and inevitably confront zombies head-on, which will definitely be very dangerous. Put your hand down."

Lin Meng insisted with her hand raised, "I’m signing up."

Lin Wu said, "Besides not being afraid of death, the squad also needs to have fairly outstanding comprehensive abilities. Little Knife was one of the best choices, but considering Little Knife’s physical condition, she is temporarily excluded from the mission."

Lin Meng could only sulk without retort, subtly scorned by Lin Wu. She knew well that Lin Wu was stating the truth. In the final stages of the game, she had honed her gun skills, but it turned out that in the last six months, cold weapons reigned supreme. Although she had practiced nunchucks for more than a day or two, she truly dared not use these lethal tools in Day After Tomorrow City. After all, mishandling them could lead to killing a thousand enemies and injuring oneself even more.

Little Knife nodded in response to Lin Wu’s words, preferring not to speak as both vomiting and diarrhea had left her dehydrated and with electrolyte imbalance.

Stone asked in a thread-like voice, "Do you need me?"

Lin Meng retorted, "Uncle, he’s already disgusted with me, why would he want you?"

Stone, in a resigned tone, said, "Get Uncle some hot water."

Lin Meng fetched a cup and filled it with water for Stone.

Snow Egg asked, "Can I?"

Lin Wu nodded, "Of course."

Su Shi said, "I’d actually like to go." But he was also ill.

Neither Lin Wu nor Shana was interested in hearing Stone’s parting words or Lin Meng’s self-destructive volunteering. They knew every one of the Shadow People was willing to participate, but the most suitable candidate was the NPC, Xiao Wu. As an NPC, Xiao Wu and the others perceived death similarly to ordinary people, which vastly differed from the Shadow People, hence Lin Wu did not directly request Xiao Wu. If Xiao Wu was willing to go, then he could proceed, otherwise, Lin Wu would understand.

Thinking it over, if it were reality and not a game, Lin Wu did not think he’d possess more courage than Xiao Wu.

Shana needed to stay with the main group, so if Xiao Wu didn’t volunteer, then the third participant would have to be Lin Meng. Lin Meng was sick, but hers was the mildest condition; she was energetic and robust, able to eat and handle tasks well. Lin Meng was injured, but her injuries were minor and her constant chattering and gossiping spirit kept her ever motivated. However, her combat abilities, especially in close quarters, were lacking.

Xiao Wu raised his hand, asking, "May I?"

Lin Wu nodded, "Of course." Xiao Wu volunteering was expected, but considering yesterday’s experiences and workload, Lin Wu thought Xiao Wu might have hesitations. The world soaked in water involved immense work and endless dangers, much more brutal than just idly sitting by the fire.

Shana helped prepare trip supplies with Xiao Wen, hanging their wet clothes and shoes by the fire. Lin Wu and the rest weren’t idle either; they dived into the foul-smelling water to salvage benches. During this, they also found a dozen packets of candles.

By the afternoon, the rain lessened, and the church’s water level dropped, exposing the first-floor windows. This was not exactly good news, as losing the water-changing windows meant the inside water nearly stagnated. Around five in the afternoon, system warnings notified players that the water was virus-contaminated—a type that could turn one into a zombie after a single gulp, but even without the system notice, no one would drink water that had been festering with zombies and decaying bodies.

"The moon has come out."

Su Shi remarked at the window. Although it was still raining, a crescent moon had appeared in the distant sky, signaling the end of this rainfall.

Lin Wu glanced at the moon, beckoned Xiao Wu and Snow Egg to check the supplies one more time, then the three of them leaned back by the fire, covered themselves with dry cloth, and slept.

At dawn, as the sun rose, bird calls came from the church roof. Little Knife and Xiao Wen were making a fire to cook food. They boiled rice, wrapped it with plastic wrap into rice balls, and stored them in waterproof containers for the team to eat.

Lin Wu, Xiao Wu, and Snow Egg’s backpacks, dry clothes, and shoes were entirely dried. After a simple meal of rice with pickles, they left behind a rubber boat loaded with supplies. Waving goodbye to everyone, they set off in the rubber boat towards the Southwest Mountains.