The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 231

Chapter 231

For a six-year-old to understand this much already was honestly impressive. Zeph had raised her well.

Still, this probably wasn’t the kind of conversation that should happen with outsiders present.

Nicole rubbed her stomach and stood up. “I ate too much, and now I’m sleepy. I’m heading back to lie down. See you tonight.”

Then she grabbed the dog and made a quick escape.

The moment she left, Poppy wrapped both arms tightly around Zeph’s arm.

“I’m sorry.”

Zeph gently comforted her.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, but things are different now. There are a lot of hungry people outside, and if they find out we have good things, they’ll come with knives to take them. And when that happens, they won’t just steal our supplies. Nicole or I could die. What would happen to you then?”

Poppy immediately turned pale with fear and buried herself against his chest, trembling. “You can’t die! I

miss Mom and Dad.”

“Don’t be scared. Even though they’re not here anymore, I will still protect you.”

Some lessons only stuck once they hurt.

Zeph kept his voice low and patient as he comforted her while teaching her at the same time.

“I won’t even tell Cola anymore,” the little girl promised.

The temperature continued dropping day by day, and life settled into a routine of hiding under blankets and sparring to stay active. Nicole barely needed to worry about the potatoes anymore either. Zeph took

excellent care of them.

Even though her storage space had technically been exposed already, Zeph still didn’t know exactly what she had inside it, so she continued putting on appearances anyway.

About once every week or so, she would prepare to head out and casually ask, “Need me to bring anything back?”

“Nothing. Thanks.”

Every time, she would leave carrying an overstuffed backpack while taking Cola home with her afterward.

This time, though, just as she was about to leave, Zeph suddenly spoke.

“I’ll go with you.”

Nicole nearly choked.

1/3

+15 Bonus

She was only pretending to go scavenging.

“Our floor can’t stay empty,” she tried. “Maybe we should split up?”

“No need. The Goodmans are off today. We can let them know.”

Poppy immediately ran out excitedly. “Nicole, we’re going shopping!”

Well… Alright then. Both of them already had all their gear on anyway.

The only problem was Cola.

The 18th floor had already lost three active fighters. There was no way they could still let the dog swagger around openly outside like before.

Zeph lowered his head toward Cola.

“Wanna stay home or ride in the backpack?”

Cola tilted his head thoughtfully before turning around and dragging over the giant hiking backpack

himself.

Nicole stared at the dog in disbelief. There was no way she could spend the entire trip carrying around

an 80-pound dog.

Absolutely not.

Zeph calmly stuffed Cola into the pack, leaving an opening for him to breathe. “Let’s go.”

Poppy happily grabbed Nicole’s hand. “Let’s go, Nicole!”

After informing the Goodmans, the four of them finally headed downstairs and out of the building.

It had been a long time since Nicole had last come outside during the daytime, and honestly, public security had improved quite a bit.

As the city government kept releasing new job opportunities, many survivors who lacked the talent or courage for robbery eventually gave up on shortcuts and chose to work honestly for food instead.

At the same time, with more and more survivors finding steady work, robbers often spent entire days freezing outside without finding a single target worth attacking.

Still, the moment Nicole and Zeph appeared, several groups immediately locked onto them with predator- like attention.

Nicole no longer felt the same violent impulse she used to. Besides, with security improving and patrol units everywhere, you couldn’t just kill people whenever you wanted anymore.

If you got caught, there would be consequences.

Spotting no patrol officers nearby, Nicole decisively pulled out her gun, a highly realistic plastic imitation

+15 Bonus

She didn’t even need to say anything.

The first group instantly panicked and scattered while clutching their heads, fleeing like their lives depended on it.

The second wave didn’t understand what happened, but seeing the people ahead of them run like terrified rats was enough. They immediately turned around and backed off, too.

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