Opportunity just Knocked Twice

In this barren land, predators were the most feared, often referred to as the wasteland's jackals, the lowest rung in the food chain.

A crucial distinction existed between bandits and marauders though they were essentially just the same dictionary-wise: marauders were crueler and would resort to cannibalism, whereas bandits merely pillaged supplies, refraining from such macabre acts. Bandits frequented the vicinity of city ruins, while marauders roamed the vast wilderness.

For the sake of simplicity, Dan referred to the cannibal marauding bunch as 'Predators' since they loved their meat so much. Jokes aside, the language of this world had developed rather miserably.

Lots of words lost meaning or was transfigured, and the dialects seemed to have also mutated in that most often, people were not be able to communicate. The saving grace was, their appeared to be a marginal convergence of tongues from region to region helping people to stay connected despite how shattered humanity had become.

Dan was happy he had inherited the 'former' Dan's memories.

"Focus Dan, you are on the job going to do some stuff!" He straightened his thoughts, and concentrated.

Bandits wielded superior weaponry near the ruins, unlike most cannibals, who were left with primitive tools, lacking access to firearms due to their distance from the city remnants.

Machetes and spears were their primary weapons, yet Dan possessed a pistol, a powerful deterrent against the marauders.

This fact weighed heavily on Dan's mind. He realized that if he had to engage, he needed to eliminate the bandits first, clearing the way for his survival.

Equipped with a sizable backpack procured from the workshop, Dan grabbed his gun. After establishing a secret code with Anna to open the door, he made his way through the concealed escape route.

The safety exit was ingeniously hidden, suspended between cliffs, virtually invisible from the outside world.

An alternative exit was concealed within a small cave, its entrance concealed by rocks and foliage, rendering it nearly undetectable. Upon opening the iron gate, Dan found himself enveloped in thick vegetation, effectively masking the existence of their hidden fortress. Carefully parting the plants, he ventured forward, his senses alert to every movement around him.

During this critical moment, the map proved to be their most valuable asset. It meticulously outlined the mutant beasts' approximate activity range and highlighted danger zones. Additionally, it meticulously tracked material distributions, enabling Dan to precisely measure the distance between himself and vital resources. This information allowed him to assess the level of danger in his immediate surroundings, aiding his decision-making.

However, the map still had limitations. It couldn't accurately delineate the activity range of dangerous adversaries unless they had initiated an attack. Only then would their positions be revealed. This fact left Dan feeling uneasy.

Upon his emergence, Dan didn't rush to join the ongoing battle between others. Instead, he opted for a leisurely stroll, biding his time until his potential allies were nearly defeated. He relied on the map's markers to guide him toward low-risk areas. After a brief exploration, he stumbled upon a trove of fungi in the back mountains, specifically mushrooms.

Though the quantity was not vast, it would suffice to prepare mushroom soup for the night.

As Dan collected the mushrooms, the distant echoes of combat reached his ears. However, something seemed amiss. It wasn't the savage roars of predators, or of any beasts of the sort; rather, it sounded like human voices shouting.

Dan meticulously parted the tall grass, concealing himself in its depths as he silently observed the scene unfolding before him. The map, ever vigilant, swiftly displayed markers indicating the presence of surrounding living beings.

A quick analysis of the numbers ruled out the involvement of looters and bandits in the altercation. Instead, he witnessed a skirmish between a group of ragged scavengers and a pack of hungry wolves.

Even within the scavenger community, hierarchy prevailed. While some banded together, searching for seeds and evolving into farmers who cultivated their own land, a majority, like Dan, lived a nomadic existence, roaming in search of resources to sustain themselves. These solitary scavengers lacked a fixed abode, vulnerable to the whims of fate.

Despite sharing a common scavenger status, unity was a rare commodity. Groups of scavengers often preyed on lone individuals, seizing their supplies and, in extreme cases, resorting to murder. In this harsh reality, altruism only led to harm for both the giver and the receiver.

Dan continued his discreet observation from the cover of the grass, witnessing the desperate struggle outside as the scavengers fought a battle against a relentless, hungry wolf. One of the scavengers appeared gravely injured, teetering on the brink of death. Sensing impending danger, another scavenger swiftly abandoned their comrade and fled the scene.

Cautiously, Dan retreated further into the concealment of the grass, his instincts sharpened by the cruel realities of their world.

Dan gripped his pistol tightly, well aware of its limitations. The firearm's effective range was a mere 50 meters, and whether a 9mm bullet could kill a mutant coyote outright was uncertain. He couldn't afford to take that risk, especially considering the finite nature of bullets. Each shot expended diminished his already limited ammunition supply. Despite having 100 rounds, the gun's burst and three-round burst modes meant he could deplete his bullets within seconds if he wasn't careful.

Moreover, continuous firing led to strong recoil, making it challenging to maintain accuracy, often resulting in unintended collateral damage during melee combat. The gun's power was formidable, but the accuracy relied more on faith than precision, explaining why Dan's confidence in the weapon was only modestly rated.

Observing the scene before him, Dan noted the mutant coyotes dragging a lifeless body away, leaving behind the abandoned backpack. The sight prompted him to consider his options carefully, weighing the risks and rewards in this unforgiving wasteland.

Dan carefully retrieved the abandoned backpack, a common sight in the wilderness where scavenging was a daily struggle. Opening it, he found a surprising assortment of items—a frying pan, some jerky, two objects resembling sweet potatoes, and a handful of dried fruits of unknown origin. Despite the seemingly valuable contents, a weathered piece of paper caught his attention buried amidst the supplies—an ancient poster, its vibrant colors faded over time. Struggling to decipher the text, Dan managed to read: "Welcome to Paradise Valley, the enjoyment of the emperor."

Paradise Valley appeared to be a luxurious haven for the wealthy, nestled in a remote location. The scavengers he had encountered seemed determined to find this elusive resort. However, it seemed their quest had ended in vain, as the location remained unknown even to the poster's bearer.

Dan contemplated comparing the poster's information with his map, but the passage of a century had obscured many structures beneath dense vegetation. Perhaps the resort was in an area still locked on his map, making it inaccessible.

Examining the building mentioned in the poster, Dan realized it was no ordinary wooden structure but a reinforced concrete marvel. Rumors hinted at its interior being adorned with special carbon fiber composite materials, ensuring its preservation over the years. The prospect of abundant resources intrigued him, but the challenge lay in locating this hidden gem.

With determination, Dan carefully stowed the poster, preserving it for further consideration. He continued monitoring the skirmishes down the mountain, anticipating an opportunity to gather more valuable information.

After a while, the sounds of battle ceased, and Dan descended the mountain path. There, he encountered several wounded bandits, their life force draining away on the blood-stained slope, their fate sealed.

In a hushed tone, Dan whispered with his knife out, "Your suffering ends here. I'll spare you the pain." This was also kindness. He hoped it was. Because Dan wanted to be kind.

He approached each dying bandit, swiftly ending their agony with a decisive, merciful act. Once their struggles ceased, Dan meticulously searched their belongings, hoping to find any clues that might lead him closer to Paradise Valley, the fabled sanctuary promising boundless resources in this unforgiving wasteland.

[Acquired 5.56 Bullets x15]

[Acquired Grenade x2]

[Acquired Flintstone]

[Acquired Savage's Sword]

Dan observed with fascination as the system continually refreshed the list of acquired loot. Each item that appeared on the screen brought a surge of accomplishment, filling him with a sense of pride. It was no wonder that gamers reveled in the thrill of collecting items—it truly was exhilarating!

The abundance of resources he effortlessly gained astonished him. Without the system's support, he doubted he could have amassed such wealth. Clearly, a thorough understanding of the system was essential for achieving remarkable feats in the future.

Joyfully inspecting his loot, he discovered a makeshift protective armor on a fallen bandit, an arrow lodged in their head. The armor seemed to be fashioned from modified explosion-proof clothing, bearing evidence of previous bullet impacts. Despite its dirtiness, Dan recognized its potential. A little cleaning and repair would render it serviceable, significantly enhancing his protection against threats.

Dan carefully removed the aluminum armor, noticing a few broken buckles that needed repair before it could be worn. Nevertheless, having something to shield him was better than nothing.

Taking off his motorcycle helmet, he then unstrapped the protective gear, reveling in his newfound fortune.

Satisfied with his haul, Dan began his journey home, a contented smile gracing his lips. Anna, eagerly awaiting her father's return, rushed forward, embracing his leg with excitement. "Dad! You're back!" she exclaimed.

Dan smiled warmly. "Indeed, we've had quite a successful day, as you can see."

Upon glimpsing the contents of the backpack, Anna gasped in astonishment. "Why do you have so much?" she wondered aloud.

"Today, luck was on my side," Dan replied. "Once we have fixed our home and built a safe haven, our fortunes will surely improve. Look at this!"

"Meat?!" Anna's eyes widened in disbelief. Dan grinned, reassuring her, "I'll use this to prepare a hearty soup tonight, along with the mushrooms."

"Oh, you gonna cook? Now, I am looking forward to it."

Puzzled, Anna pointed at the frying pan in Dan's hand. "What's this?" she inquired. With a smile, Dan explained, "It's a frying pan, used for cooking. You'll learn all about it soon. Now, let's close the door!"

Just as they were about to secure the entrance, a gunshot echoed through the valley. Their eyes met in concern, and Dan urged, "Quick, close the door!"