Chapter 62: Promotion

Witnessing the supply boxes and the dilapidated government building, Ye Fan's heart tightened.

He vividly recalled the moments just before the apocalypse unfolded. The sky adorned with roaring meteors, their brilliance mesmerizing. Unfortunately, he had lost consciousness moments before, missing the spectacle of countless meteors descending.

Their community was peaceful, and numerous places along the way seemed unaffected. However, rumors circulated about a meteor crashing in the military area.

Now, government buildings lay in ruins. Was it a mere coincidence? Ye Fan, skeptical of such happenstance, couldn't find answers and decided to observe patiently.

Directing his attention to the supply box, he cautioned the soldiers about the mutated zombie trapped in the pit.

Cautiously, Shen Ruihui approached, allowing Ye Fan to witness the scene. An armored zombie lay in the pit, immobilized by the collapsed floor and impaled by steel bars.

Despite being unable to move, the armored zombie roared upon seeing the soldiers. The supply box was also beneath the fallen floor.

Ye Fan was intrigued. How could this zombie evolve into armor despite being unable to find food in its current state? Moreover, the armor appeared larger than usual.

"Does it have alternative energy sources? Or is there an issue with the crater itself?"

"Kill it!" Sniper Zhao Ming stepped forward, swiftly dispatching the armored zombie with a shot through its eye socket, elevating him to a two-star sniper.

"Sir, the value of this armor is remarkably high. Ordinary armor is valued at 1,000, but this one is priced at 1,800," reported Zhao Ming.

Ye Fan, realizing the uniqueness of the armor, suspected an issue with the crater. He ordered the disposal of the body and retrieval of the supply box.

While awaiting the soldiers' return, Gao Dongliang entered with news, offering a choice between good and bad tidings.

Ye Fan, cooperating, said, "Let's hear the good news first."

"The survivor trading conference date is set. It will be held in three days at the Hardware Building in Surabaya County. Numerous survivor groups are participating, expressing interest in trading gold, silver, and various supplies with us."

Ye Fan acknowledged the positive news and anticipated attending the conference for potential team growth.

Concerning the bad news, Gao Dongliang conveyed that Xing Hai from Daqingshan Prison had accused Ye Fan of killing their people and threatened retaliation. Gao Dongliang hinted at a possible alliance between Xing Hai and Liu Long from Sishui Hardware Building. Both leaders possessed abilities and might collaborate. Moreover, Xing Hai had secretly contacted a mercenary force.

Ye Fan, confident in his impending promotion to battalion commander, believed it unlikely that anyone could impede him. He instructed Gao Dongliang to respond on the radio and affirmed their participation in the conference.

As the soldiers returned, having successfully secured supplies without casualties, Ye Fan welcomed several platoon leaders to his office. Shen Ruihui held a supply box, and Qiao Sanyou carried a large bag.

Upon placing the supply box and bag on Ye Fan's table, the platoon leaders stepped back.

Opening the supply box, Ye Fan discovered a surprise – a self-explosion truck, concealed in the police station's backyard. Akin to the one in the game, this formidable vehicle could unleash destruction equivalent to a small nuclear bomb.

Although Nana assured him of its safety, Ye Fan, cautious of its potential danger, stationed soldiers and dogs to guard it.

Examining the bag, Ye Fan found precious metals acquired from clearing thousands of zombies. Opting to convert them into system money, he obtained 13,500 gold, bringing his total to 14,600.

Acknowledging the immense rewards from the operation, Ye Fan decided to escalate preparations for the upcoming conference. With 118 red police units under his command, he ordered the production of eight army soldiers, forming a guard class.

Exceeding the initially set limit of 130 companies, Ye Fan, now a battalion commander, surpassed his expectations. Preparing for the trade fair, he contemplated exchanging the self-explosion truck for valuable items.

As Ye Fan's authority rose, he focused on the battalion commander's gift pack, eager to fortify the team and counter potential threats at the survivor trading conference.