Chapter 10. crystal

"Done."

"Thank you."

"Don't get hurt again."

The noisy sounds behind them caught Karina's attention. She turned and saw everyone in the warehouse lined up one by one, being loaded onto military trucks.

"Where are they taking them?" Karina asked, glancing at Jeffry, who was organizing the first-aid kit.

"They're being transported to the main base. We'll follow shortly," Jeffry said as he prepared to start the vehicle.

"Wait, my backpack's inside," Karina quickly mentioned, remembering that her supplies, including the crystals she had gathered, were in it.

"My men are inside. They'll bring it to you," Jeffry replied, pulling out a communication device from his cloak.

After he finished the call, Jeffry started driving the military vehicle through the streets of the capital, passing roaming zombies. The scene was chaotic, with blood splattered everywhere and a foul stench in the air. But Karina remained calm—it was nothing new to her after having adapted to this life in her past experience.

"This is Haven territory," Jeffry explained as they entered a dark basement, guarded by several soldiers in black uniforms.

"Head south to get your room key. I'll be back," Jeffry instructed before driving off.

Karina walked toward her assigned room, carrying the black backpack Jeffry had given her. Fortunately, her crystals were still intact.

She inspected the corridor's interior, noticing that its design was different from A20's base.

"Huff," she sighed, sitting on the small bed. The room was tight, but she'd have to endure it.

"Sis Karin, I thought you went somewhere!" Eila exclaimed with excitement, rushing over to hug her.

"Hmm."

"We're roommates, yay! I'll take the top bunk near the closet," Eila said, pointing enthusiastically at the bed.

The room had four bunk beds, and Karina chose one without much thought.

"Even though it's small, it's better than sleeping next to zombies. Gross," Eila chattered, her tone filled with disgust.

Karina ignored Eila's endless rambling. She was too exhausted from the previous night's brief sleep, and soon her eyes slowly closed.

...

The next morning was much brighter than the previous day. Karina had already prepared her gear, carrying her usual black backpack.

Eila, barely awake, noticed Karina getting ready. In a groggy voice, she asked, "Where are you going so early, sis?"

"Hunting."

"Huh?"

"If you want to eat, you need to gather zombie crystals."

"Ew, those pink things?" Eila said, grimacing.

"I got one, sis!" Eila proudly revealed, having taken a crystal from a zombie's head at the bathroom sink the day before.

"Good. You can trade that at the canteen," Karina replied as she left the room and headed for the front gate.

After confirming her identity at the gate using her ID card, she joined a group of hunters in a vehicle. She begrudgingly handed over one of her crystals as payment for the trip, feeling irritated by the necessity.

The vehicle stopped near a supermarket. She retrieved her jeep, which she had left behind, and drove toward a villa.

In the villa's laboratory, a stark white room, Karina carefully crushed the pink zombie crystal into fine powder with a mortar. She placed the powder in a test tube and sterilized it in an autoclave.

She meticulously purified it. After a long process, she held a vial of purified zombie crystal solution in her hands. Excited, she injected it into her arm without hesitation.

A smile spread across her face as she felt energy coursing through her veins, even though it was just a low-tier zombie crystal.

With her dog by her side, she headed into the city to collect more crystals. The streets were deserted, as most people had likely been evacuated by various bases. Surviving alone in this environment had become nearly impossible.

As the sun began to set, Karina returned to Haven.

"One crystal," a guard in a black uniform demanded. Even to enter the base, she had to pay with a crystal. How capitalistic, she thought with irritation, reluctantly pulling one from her pocket.

"Hiks, hiks, what about my mom?" A loud, piercing voice caught her attention. She turned and saw a woman in John Obhiren's embrace.

"That b****," Karina muttered angrily, her face contorting with rage as she recognized the woman, someone who had betrayed her in a past life.

With her hands clenched into fists, she wanted to kill that woman on the spot. Suddenly, she felt someone grab her hand. She instinctively pushed them away, but then heard a familiar voice.

"Don't clench your hand too hard. It's still injured."

Following Jeffry's gaze, she looked down and saw a few drops of blood on the floor.

Gently, Jeffry took her arm and guided her inside the gate.

A few soldiers nearby began whispering to each other.

"Who's that? The boss's girlfriend?"

"I've never seen the boss with a girl before."

Their gossip continued. John, who was comforting the young woman, glanced over and saw Jeffry walking with the recruit.