Opportunity Favors the Bold

"Yay! Thank you, Dad! I'll make sure they grow big and strong!" As soon as the little girl exclaimed, Dan stumbled upon an iron box at the base, originally a toolbox for tools. Nearby, he located some mud close to the pool, scooped out some soil, and buried the seeds inside the dark fortress. Some sunlight trickled in, requiring constant movement and watering.

Dan imparted to Anna the delicate balance of watering and planting techniques—neither too much nor too little. Anna listened attentively, squatting beside the box, eagerly anticipating the rapid growth of their planted treasures.

With this task accomplished, Dan secured their food supply for the next few days, granting her the luxury of a two-day rest. During this break, Dan delved into studying the base's primary generator.

Dan enlisted Anna's help in cleaning the interior and exterior of the base. During the cleanup, he discovered some peculiar devices. In one of the corridors, Dan stumbled upon a safety gate that could be lowered in case of emergencies, ensuring their safety.

While researching, Dan looked up and noticed a map of the base's functional areas painted on the wall. It was meticulously detailed, sprayed with a special paint that resisted fading, and adorned with glass inlays. After wiping away the accumulated dust, Dan realized it was the base's distribution map, outlining the functions of each area within the base.

"An opportunity," Dan realized. "Hmmm…" If he did this right, he would be able to do more than just survive. He would thrive. He would make a home not just for the sake of shelter, but for something more… perhaps a bastion for humanity.

It turned out that this base served as a command post, specifically designed to withstand nuclear threats, even though no actual nuclear weapons were stored here. It was perfect.

This hidden facility proved to be an excellent hideout; without a map, it would be nearly impossible to locate due to its buried nature.

But Dan found it. 

Upon scrutinizing the blueprints, Dan eventually recognized a very familiar area—the "master control room."

Surprisingly, the main control room was not within the base but located in an external bunker. Dan remembered it as the bunker situated in the oil pipe factory, equipped with a sturdy metal security gate that remained unblemished by rust.

Examining the key in his hand, Dan felt a sudden realization dawn upon him. To activate the main motor, he needed to find the master control switch!

Lost in his thoughts, a sudden gunshot rang out from outside, jolting Dan.

Da da da!

Amidst the continuous gunfire and cries of battle outside, Dan hurriedly made his way to the lookout point.

Thanks to his memorization of the map, Dan discovered an observation post within the command room. Climbing up the ladder, he found himself atop the mountain, inside another bunker. The space was expansive despite the narrow entrance, and four telescopes surrounded the bunker, offering a sealed view of the surroundings concealed within the mountain. The command room featured a table with a detailed map spread across it.

Dan wiped down the fixed large telescope and peered outside. It appeared that Yamashita was engaged in a fierce battle. Evidently, the looters and the bandits were clashing!

Clearly, this conflict had sparked because Dan had eliminated the looters and left their firearms behind. The bandits, in turn, were likely searching for their fallen comrades, leading to the current standoff.

Dan's mind raced with possibilities—this was an opportunity! 

Or recklessness.

At the back of his mind, harsh words of reprimand echoed. He recalled killing. He labeled the bandits as 'predators', and now he was half-way on deciding to engage whatever remained of the so-called bandits.

Were they even really bandits? The bias had helped him a great deal to adjust to his situation. However, the truth was he was paranoid.

It was ironic how he called them predators when it was 'him' who had hunted them… but it was not anything as grand as hunting. It was just murder. The thought of it made Dan wretch, 

Dan felt his gut twisting, some kind of humane impetus forcing him to stay still. To be frank, he liked it. The thrill of the kill. He would not admit to it, but there was primal enjoyment of knowing that he took a life. Moreover, it was self-defense. The aforementioned 'predators' did try to hurt him. Didn't they?

He might seem apathetic on the outside, and that was because this was his preferred state. He didn't want to be a mindless killer, and it was not like it was going to be immediate success if he really went, outside to confront the bandits.

"Don't be naïve, Dan." He was appalled by his conscience's lateness. Looking at it that way made the tension in him go away. "You are only one man, Dan. You are forced into a corner, yet you do not realize it. You have to do this, Dan. Your bodycount was only 2, don't get arrogant and pig-headed, Dan." He said in a monologue, cheering himself up to do this.

This was not time for hesitation. He had already killed. And he will kill more. With practiced apathy, he decided on a plan of action, motivated by greed and firm one-track self-righteous selfishness.

The bandits were bound to possess something valuable, perhaps even weapons. While they fought amongst themselves, Dan could discreetly loot their belongings. Moreover, there were other secure exits within the base, including a secret path along the cliff's edge—an essential escape route for Dan.

The idea excited him, but after a moment's consideration, he hesitated. Simply sneaking out and looting wouldn't suffice; he needed a weapon. He had experienced similar situations in past games. Even when looting, being armed was essential for self-defense.

Still, it would do him good to be dully reminded this was not a game.

In this perilous scenario, having a means of protection was akin to having an extra layer of insurance, ensuring his safety in the face of danger. This was what a weapon for, however if he had the leeway, the very most prioritized course of action would always be to run.

He only had one life, and he must cherish it.

Dan glanced around the room, his eyes landing on a radio station tucked away in the corner. Curiosity piqued, he noticed a drawer resembling the desk of a military officer. Memories of action movies flashed through Dan's mind, where generals often stored their guns in such drawers.

Doubt clouded Dan's thoughts; he wasn't sure if it was just fiction. Nevertheless, he approached the drawer and, with a mix of excitement and disbelief, pulled it open.

To his astonishment, the tropes did not fail him!

Dan's eyes widened as he discovered an actual gun and two boxes of ammunition neatly stowed inside the drawer. This wasn't some makeshift firearm; it was a fully functional, standard-issue weapon!

Upon closer inspection, Dan found not only the gun but also two magazines, one of which was loaded with twenty rounds of bullets. "Better than a shoddy musket."

He tested the trigger, and the gun fired smoothly.

Dan swiftly loaded the bullets into the magazine, securing the weapon for later use.

[Weapon Acquired: M93R pistol.]

[Ammo Obtained: 9MM bullets x100.]

[Security Level Increased by 10, now at 40. The mission required a safety factor of 100. Upon completion, the abandoned base would be designated as Refuge 01 on the map.]

Dan hadn't anticipated stumbling upon a firearm, let alone a significant increase in his safety factor by ten points. Considering the base originally provided only a safety factor of thirty points, this unexpected find significantly bolstered his chances of survival.

In truth, enhancing security later on proved to be a daunting task. The challenge loomed large for Dan, who needed a safety factor of 100 to fulfill his mission. The safety door, he realized, demanded careful consideration.

Gaining strength, however, provided Dan with a newfound sense of reassurance. The possession of a gun granted him the confidence to face the grim reality outside. Having a firearm meant he had the means to defend himself, a valuable asset in a world where cold guns awaited him beyond his doorstep.

Yet, Dan was not a foolhardy individual. He understood the folly of engaging in battles against others armed with similar firepower. Instead, he adopted a shrewd approach, choosing to be cunning and strategic. Every bullet in his possession was a precious resource, not to be wasted. Each shot fired reduced his ammunition, making every encounter a calculated risk.

Carefully stowing the gun away, Dan descended the ladder within the command room. At that moment, his daughter Anna, ever vigilant, noticed his descent and inquired, her voice tinged with concern, "Dad, where are you going? I heard noises outside!"

Dan sighed, his eyes reflecting a mix of determination and concern for his family. "Gunshots, a fight's broken out. We can't afford to sit idly by. Our food won't last for long. I'll check the back mountain for supplies and be back before dark."

Worry etched across her face, Anna clutched her father's hand tightly, her voice trembling as she pleaded, "Dad, it's too dangerous out there. Please don't go. I can't bear the thought of you risking your life."

Dan shook his head, his voice soothing, "Sweetheart, we can't survive if we don't venture out. Trust me, I won't take unnecessary risks. I'll wait for the opportune moment, and I'll be back soon. You stay here and be brave. I promise to bring back something delicious for you."

A mix of fear and hope flickered in Anna's eyes as she nodded, her heart aching with concern for her father's safety. "Okay, Dad. I'll be here waiting for you to come back. Please be careful."

With a tender smile, Dan caressed Anna's cheek, his touch a reassurance. "I will, my dear. I love you."

"Love you too, Dad," Anna whispered, her words carrying a blend of love and worry, encapsulating the emotional turmoil of their precarious situation.