Chapter 7: Bonds and Enemies

The city was quieter now, but that didn't mean it was safe.

Zhao Yue walked beside me, her pistol still warm from our last fight. The blood of the mutant was still splattered across the pavement, but we had no time to linger. More would come. They always did.

Mei stayed close to her, clutching a small knife she had picked up. She was still too young to fight, but in this world, she would have to learn fast.

I checked my inventory. Two common weapons, one set of reinforced gloves, a high-durability armor vest, and some loose ammo. Not much, but better than nothing. The system hadn't given me much in terms of rewards, but what it did give was enough to keep me alive.

Zhao Yue nudged me. "Where to now?"

"There's a supply cache two blocks east," I said. "We stock up, find shelter, and rest. We've been moving non-stop."

She frowned. "You don't rest much, do you?"

"Not anymore."

She studied me, her sharp eyes taking in more than I liked. "You act like you've been through this before."

I just shrugged. She wasn't wrong.

We reached the supply cache, an old convenience store that had been fortified before the world went to hell. The doors were still intact, which meant it hadn't been raided yet. A rare find.

I motioned for Zhao Yue to stay close. "Cover me."

She nodded, gun ready.

I pushed open the door, blade raised. The stench of rotting food hit me first.

The shelves were half-empty, but I spotted some useful supplies—a few canned goods, a pack of bottled water, and even some medical supplies. Jackpot.

I grabbed what I could, shoving it into my inventory.

[+Medical Kit Acquired] [+Rations Acquired]

Zhao Yue found a box of ammo. She smirked, tossing me a pack of bullets. "Looks like we're in luck."

I caught it, nodding. For once.

Then, the door slammed open.

A group of men stormed in, armed and grinning like they owned the place. Young Master types.

Tch. Just my luck.

The leader—a man dressed in a designer suit, despite the apocalypse—sneered. "Well, well, what do we have here?"

Zhao Yue tensed. "Trouble."

I stepped forward, blade at my side. "Not looking for a fight."

The man chuckled. "Oh, but I am."

He snapped his fingers. His men rushed us.

The first one lunged, knife flashing. Sloppy.

I sidestepped, grabbing his wrist and twisting until the bone snapped. He screamed.

I drove my knee into his stomach, sending him crumbling to the floor.

[+50 EXP Earned]

The second one swung a bat at my head. Too slow.

I ducked, driving my machete into his ribs. He gurgled, blood spilling down his chest.

[+50 EXP Earned]

Zhao Yue fired, dropping two more. Precise. Efficient.

The leader's smirk faltered. "Tch. You're more trouble than you look."

I cracked my neck. "Want to test that theory?"

He pulled a gun. "Let's not."

Coward.

He backed toward the door. "This isn't over."

I let him leave. For now.

Zhao Yue holstered her weapon, watching me. "You didn't kill him."

"No need."

She scoffed. "Mercy?"

I sighed. "Patience."

She frowned but didn't press. She was starting to see it.

I wasn't just some brute swinging a blade. I was calculating. I was learning.

She looked at me for a long moment before speaking. "You didn't have to protect me."

I met her gaze. "I did."

She blinked. "Why?"

I hesitated. Why indeed?

I had spent so long shutting people out. In my past life, I had cared too much, and it had gotten me killed.

But Zhao Yue… she wasn't just some random survivor.

She was strong. She was capable. And maybe—just maybe—I wasn't as cold as I thought.

She looked away, muttering, "Idiot."

I smirked. Maybe.

We left the store, our supplies stocked.

Mei walked beside Zhao Yue, clutching a bottle of water. She looked between us, a small smile forming. "You two are weird."

Zhao Yue groaned. "Shut up."

I just chuckled.

For the first time in a long time, it didn't feel like I was just surviving.

Maybe, just maybe, I was living.

We made it back to our shelter just before nightfall. The abandoned apartment was quiet, a rare haven in the chaos. I set up a small barricade near the door, just in case.

Zhao Yue sat on the couch, stretching out her legs. The dim light of the lantern we found cast shadows along the curves of her body. She had a dangerous beauty—long legs, toned but soft in all the right places, the kind of body that made men forget about danger.

She caught me looking. "What?"

"Nothing."

She rolled her eyes, then hesitated. "I meant it, you know."

I frowned. "Meant what?"

"What I said earlier. About protecting me."

I didn't respond right away. Instead, I focused on cleaning my blade. "I don't let people die for no reason."

She scoffed. "That's a stupid way to live."

"Maybe."

A silence stretched between us, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

Finally, she sighed. "Thanks. For earlier."

I looked at her. "Don't mention it."

She smirked. "You're still an idiot, though."

I exhaled, leaning back against the wall. Memories of my past life flashed through my mind—how caring too much had led to my downfall.

But as I glanced at Zhao Yue, I couldn't help but wonder…

Maybe this time, things would be different.

[Level Up!] [+2 Stat Points Available]

I closed the system screen, glancing at Zhao Yue one last time before shutting my eyes.

Tomorrow would be another fight.

But tonight, for once, I allowed myself to rest.