Chapter 10: The Bounty of Refined Iron
There were only two ways to open the shelter's iron door:
1. Using the key from outside.
2. Opening it from within the shelter.
Either way, only those trusted and belonging to the shelter could gain access.
"Xiaocheng, how about letting your dad go with you? It's safer with two people looking out for each other," Lin's mother suggested anxiously.
"Yes, your old man might not be good at much, but I do know how to track and hunt. I can help guide you!" his father added eagerly.
"No!" Lin Cheng responded more firmly this time. "Mom needs someone here in case something happens. One of us has to stay in the shelter."
"This place was chosen by me, and I know the surroundings better than anyone. It's the best way," he argued, with logic they couldn't dispute.
After much persuasion, Lin's parents finally agreed not to open the door for anyone once Lin Cheng left. They solemnly promised to stay inside and keep safe.
Standing at the shelter's exit, Lin Cheng listened closely, ensuring there were no suspicious sounds before slowly pushing open the door. He climbed out, cautious with every step.
The surroundings were eerily calm. Aside from the two gruesome, bloodied bodies in the distance, it felt like an ordinary day. Lin Cheng was relieved—his decision to choose this location for the shelter had been wise.
But it wasn't without its downsides.
The shelter's remote location made it challenging to quickly travel between here and the city. Walking would take hours, perhaps until nightfall, and with the city overrun by alien creatures, it would be too risky.
He decided to drive.
Lin Cheng was extremely careful as he drove, keeping his eyes peeled for any movement. His hand never strayed far from his gun. After reaching a safe distance from the city, he parked in a concealed spot and opted to sneak the rest of the way on foot.
The streets were clogged with cars, some crashed into buildings. The number of wrecks was staggering—few vehicles remained unscathed. And corpses were scattered everywhere, while crows feasted on the remains.
The stench of blood and decay was overwhelming, enough to make anyone gag.
Frowning, Lin Cheng realized the city had become a graveyard. Any survivors were likely hiding, observing the dangerous world outside from their dark refuges. For him, though, it was the perfect time to scavenge for materials.
After ensuring no one was around, Lin Cheng placed his hand on a nearby car.
*Ding! Metal detected. Would you like to recycle?*
"Recycle!" he commanded.
*Ding! Recycling successful. Congratulations, you've obtained 50 kg of refined iron!*
He was surprised. This large car had yielded only 50 kg of refined iron. However, knowing that creating a drone required only 5 kg, he quickly put the thought aside. These abandoned vehicles weren't of use to anyone anymore, and turning them into something beneficial for his survival was a better option.
Looking at the vast field of derelict vehicles ahead, Lin Cheng smiled slyly.
*Ding! Recycling successful. Congratulations, you've obtained 50 kg of refined iron!*
*Ding! Recycling successful. Congratulations, you've obtained 50 kg of refined iron!*
...
*Ding! Recycling successful. Congratulations, you've obtained 50 kg of refined iron!*
"Phew… Finally done!" Lin Cheng exhaled deeply, relieved after finishing the task. He now had 5,000 kg of refined iron, enough for his next set of projects.
Despite standing near a supermarket, he had no intention of entering. His primary objective had been to gather refined iron, and now that he had it, lingering in the open would only invite danger.
Just as he was about to leave, he heard rustling sounds coming from a nearby trash bin.
Lin Cheng's body tensed as he crouched low, using the corner of a building to discreetly observe the source of the noise.
*Thud!*
The trash bin toppled over, and aside from the scattered garbage, a blood-soaked creature tumbled out.
Lin Cheng's heart raced as he realized it was one of the alien creatures. It was about the size of a small child but had sharp teeth that could tear through steel. The creature was busy ripping apart a mutilated corpse, growling with satisfaction as it feasted.
Relieved that it was only a small creature, Lin Cheng remained cautious. Larger aliens posed a much greater threat, but he could likely take this one down with a well-aimed shot.
However, to avoid unnecessary risks, Lin Cheng decided to wait. Firing a gun in such a quiet area would create noise, possibly drawing more creatures. He needed to see if it would leave on its own.
Just as he was holding his breath, a clueless survivor exited a nearby department store, carrying an armful of snacks.
The rustling of the plastic bags, filled with air and crinkling under the survivor's careless grip, caught the alien's attention. The creature froze, then fixed its gaze on the new prey.
The unfortunate survivor, unaware of the looming danger, tried to sneak across the street.
After finally crossing, the survivor let out a sigh of relief—only to be abruptly sliced in half by the alien's razor-sharp claws.
The grotesque scene made Lin Cheng recoil in horror, turning away to avoid watching.
Suddenly, a loud explosion echoed from the other side of the city, drawing the alien's attention. With a screech, it sprinted past Lin Cheng's hiding spot, disappearing into the distance.