The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 167

Chapter 167

Nicole hadn’t expected Zeph to take it so well, and she let out a quiet breath. “You’re a good guy. You’ll find someone you really like.”

“Yeah. You too.”

“So… We’re still teaming up?”

“Of course. If you’re okay with it.”

“I am. You’re the best partner on the 18th floor.”

Now that everything was out in the open, Nicole felt lighter.

At the same time, there was a faint sense of regret. If the disasters had never happened, she wouldn’t

have let someone like him slip by.

Zeph watched her head back inside, then turned to open his own door. Only then did he notice his palms were damp with sweat.

There was no end to the disasters. He hadn’t planned to confess anything to Nicole. He still had Poppy to look after, and no one knew what tomorrow would bring. He hadn’t expected her to bring it up first.

It was the first time he had ever felt something for a girl, and it ended just like that. 1

He opened the door, and Poppy rushed over. “Zeph!”

He lowered his gaze, the tension gone and replaced with something softer. He gently patted her head.” Did you do your studying today?”

“I did, but there are a few words I don’t understand. Can I ask Nicole?”

“Show me what you don’t get. I’ll teach you.”

Once everything was cleared up, things felt easy again.

Nicole slept in the next day, making up for the rest she had missed. After brushing her teeth and washing up, she stepped out of her storage space and faintly heard screaming from downstairs.

She opened the door and looked up at the same time Zeph stepped out.

Their eyes met. He looked as calm as ever.

She gave a small smile. “Morning.”

Inside, it still felt a little awkward.

They stood by the stairwell, listening. The collectors were back.

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Chapter 167

+15 Bonus

This time, they weren’t here for food. This was revenge. Doors were being kicked open, one after another.

Zeph’s expression turned serious. “They’re looking for a fight.”

Nicole had expected this. She went back inside to grab her gear.

They had picked their timing well. Beatrice and the others had gone early to Mount Westbridge to gather firewood. Derek and Victor had started reporting to their new work unit a couple of days ago.

Time was everything now. The research teams were staying on site, eating and sleeping there, only coming home once every two weeks.

Lydia had also reported in and started working with body recovery.

Just yesterday, a group had come through. Besides clearing bodies from the frozen surface, they were going building to building, loading the bodies onto trucks and taking them to a central site for cremation to prevent disease.

It was clear the government was trying to manage the crisis.

Right now, the only ones on the 18th floor who could fight were Nicole and Zeph, along with a trained dog.

Nicole had a bad feeling. It looked like they had come prepared. She put on her protective vest and locked the dog in the room.

“Whine… Woof!”

Cola realized he had been tricked and grew restless. He kept scratching at the door, as if telling Nicole to

open it.

Human! Human!

If she didn’t open it soon, he looked ready to break it down.

Nicole stepped out.

Zeph was locking his door, too, with Poppy inside.

“Nicole, stay here and keep an eye on Poppy.”

Zeph lowered his head slightly as he chambered a round.

Nicole pulled out her own gun. “What’s coming won’t go away. You can’t protect everyone.”

Zeph paused, then nodded. “Alright.”

They headed downstairs. The group was already prying open the stairwell door on the 16th floor.

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