Preparing for the Mission

Jessica stared at the screen for a while before slowly shifting her gaze to Jason.

"First, I have to say, you guys are quite bold, and I admire that. Secondly, I want to point out that the situation outside is chaotic. Most humans have already been infected and turned into zombies. Their fatal weakness is the head. You either destroy the head or sever it to render them immobile."

As Jessica spoke, she pushed a rolled-up map toward Jason.

"This is the layout map of S University. You might find it useful. Lastly, I hope you all return safely and create greater value for Dawn Tower!"

Jason was a bit taken aback and quickly stood up to take the map.

"Thank you, Captain Jessica! If we make it back safely, I'll treat you to a meal!"

"Alright, go prepare," Jessica replied, a slight smile curling at the corner of her mouth.

Jason was stunned for a moment after seeing her smile. This was the first time he had seen any expression on Jessica's face. In his impression, she had always been expressionless, almost like a "mask-wearing" person.

Jason took the map and left the room. Jessica's actions were undoubtedly a blessing in disguise. With the map of S University, they could better understand the layout of the school buildings.

Back in their room, Jason unfolded the map, and the others gathered around.

"What's this map?" Simon asked.

"This is the layout of S University. Captain Jessica just gave it to us," Jason explained.

"Oh? Why is she being so nice to you? I haven't seen any other department captains give you anything. Why her, that blonde woman? Hey! She wouldn't have a thing for you, would she?" Sakura said teasingly.

"What's wrong, Sakura? We're the first squad going out. We can't go out blind, get wiped out, and then say we didn't contribute to Dawn Tower, right?" Jason responded.

"Now the question is, how do we get there and get back?" Old He said, frowning as he looked at the map of S University.

"Yeah! How are we supposed to get there? We don't even know where we are right now, how can we plan the trip?" Simon slapped his leg.

"Well... let's ask Lingling. Lingling, how do we get to the mission destination?"

[Searching for mission...]

[Analyzing mission...]

[Analysis successful. Since this is your first time going out, you can take a helicopter directly. For the return journey, please use your discretion. The nearest stronghold is located northeast of the destination.]

Lingling's voice came through, and the screen displayed a map of S City with a flashing point indicating the location.

The group hurriedly made a note of the map.

"A helicopter? I never thought my first helicopter ride would be in the apocalypse!" Simon said excitedly.

"Riding a helicopter certainly avoids the danger on the way, but when we need to bring back other survivors, it's going to be a bit more complicated," Old He said.

"Can we drive when we evacuate?" Jason suddenly spoke up.

"Drive? The problem is, we don't have a car," Sakura replied.

"We'll find one. No keys? It doesn't matter. I can crack the car's internal security code and start it up. It's something I just figured out before the apocalypse," Jason said confidently.

"Driving would be nice, but we also saw on the screen in the hall that the roads are almost completely blocked. Driving might not work. How about we just walk back? As for whether those survivors make it to the stronghold, that's up to their luck," Sakura proposed.

"No! What's the point of rescuing them if we just leave them behind to fend for themselves? Are we only treating them as tools to get survival points?" Old He quickly countered.

"What's wrong, old man? Do you think you're some kind of savior? Can you just save whoever you want? If you want to risk your life for them, we won't stop you," Sakura said dismissively.

Old He gritted his teeth and didn't say anything more. He knew that for now, self-preservation was the priority, but as a soldier, abandoning people in need was his greatest shame.

"We'll try driving first. If we get blocked, we'll walk. As for protecting them, we'll do our best, but don't risk your lives for them. Everyone, rest up for now. Tomorrow, let's get our gear ready for the mission," Jason said before standing up, going to the bathroom to quickly wash up, and then lying down to sleep.

September 30, 2025, Overcast.

The thick fog outside had dissipated. On the streets, in the buildings, everywhere there were zombies roaming in the corners of the world. There was no more noise from people in the streets, no more honking of car horns. The world seemed to have hit the pause button, and everything was silent!

Ding ding ding~

Jason woke up and turned off the alarm he had set earlier. He switched on the room lights, and for them, it was a brand-new day.

Jason decided to improve their breakfast today. After eating crackers and bread every day, they had almost forgotten what hot, cooked food tasted like.

In no time, Jason returned to the room holding a bag of large meat buns.

"Here, three each," Jason said, distributing the buns.

"Yum... This is so good! Why didn't I realize these buns were so delicious before?" Simon said, devouring the meat buns, speaking with his mouth full.

"We have a little more than a day left. After we finish eating, let's see what else we need to buy. Let's spend all our survival points; otherwise, if something goes wrong, we'll be at a loss," Jason said.

"Jason's right. If we die with survival points left, that would be such a waste," Simon nodded in agreement.

"By the way, Sakura, did you bring the suppressor for the gun?" Jason asked.

"Yeah, it's in my bag. You're worried the sound will attract zombies?" Sakura replied.

"Mm, they probably don't rely on vision. They mostly use their sense of smell and hearing to track prey. So our guns should be equipped with suppressors. Otherwise, the noise from shooting will attract all the zombies around us," Jason explained.

"I didn't bring one," Old He admitted.

"Okay, we'll buy one then."

After breakfast, the four of them went to the weapons department. They first bought two suppressors for Old He's handgun model, costing 20 survival points. Each of them was given 500 rounds of ammunition, totaling 100 survival points.

They already had knives, so they didn't buy more.

Next, they purchased four sets of biohazard combat suits, which included gas masks, protective night vision goggles, and high-strength fiber combat suits. The total cost for the four sets was 400 survival points.

The sales staff took their measurements for the customized suits and said, "The suits will be delivered to your residence in one day, please wait."

Jason thought for a moment. They were still missing some large-scale weapons. When facing a group of zombies, relying only on handguns and close combat wouldn't be enough. With this in mind, Jason purchased three grenades and three incendiary grenades for each person, totaling 80 survival points.

"Anything else we need to buy? Think it over," Jason said.

"Adrenaline," Old He replied.

"Adrenaline? What's that for?" Simon asked.

"Adrenaline increases heart contraction, excitability, and conduction speed. To put it simply, after exhaustion, a shot of adrenaline can make you bounce back and keep going," Old He briefly explained to Simon.

"Wow! Why only buy one for each of us? Let's buy a few more!" Simon said.

Jason rolled his eyes at Simon. "After using it, you'll feel even more exhausted, and it could even cause shock. Do you want to die?"

"Got it! What else do we need?" Simon asked.

"Let's get some tools," Sakura suggested.

The four of them bought four doses of adrenaline, four grappling hooks, 30 meters of steel wire rope, and four combat backpacks. The total came to 70 survival points.

"Well... we still have 700 survival points left. There's nothing else we need to buy?" Jason looked at the remaining points.

He hadn't expected to have this much left. It seemed that eating in this place was slightly more expensive than buying ammunition.

"Since we still have so much left, let's buy a dagger," Sakura said.

"A dagger? Don't we all already have one?" Jason asked, confused.

"It's bound to get dull after using it on so many people. I saw a good one; the material is solid. It might not cut through steel, but it'll definitely do the job for cutting people."

They went to the place Sakura mentioned.

Jason examined the sample of the dagger: a golden blade, double-edged, with a smooth surface that gave it a sharp appearance. Beside it was a sheath, and the price tag read 100 survival points...