The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 356

Chapter 356

The window rolled down. Zeph shot the last man through the thigh, dropping him to the ground.

The Marauder plowed through the walls like they were nothing.

Nicole didn’t stop until every barricade had been flattened. Only then did she bring the vehicle to a halt.

She stepped out and walked over to the injured man, her face cold, her eyes locked on him with killing intent.

These animals wanted dog meat stew.

They wanted to show Poppy something “fun.”

They even threw explosives at the 18th floor, nearly blowing her apart. They probably thought it was all a game.

They set up roadblocks, charging tolls, treating people’s lives like they didn’t matter.

Nicole wanted to tear the man apart, but she forced it down. She planted her foot on his head, her voice dripping with contempt.

“This all you’ve got? You should be ashamed. Go tell your boss to back off while he still can. If he keeps pushing against Drakehold Base, I’ll take his head and use it as a cup. I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll let you live. Now move.”

The man’s face twisted with pain and anger, but he didn’t dare say a word. Dragging his bleeding leg, he limped off.

Back in the vehicle, Zeph handed Nicole a bottle of cold water.

She took a few long swallows, letting the heat and anger cool.

She drove into an empty stretch of forest, wiped off her disguise, and changed into clean clothes.

They switched back to the Hummer and headed toward Ironvale Base.

Nicole glanced at Cola. “We’re going in for a few days. Know when to hold back. Don’t draw attention.”

Cola tilted his head, as if trying to process it.

Zeph was way softer with Poppy. “Don’t be scared. I’ve got you.”

She was scared. Anyone would be. But with Zeph, Nicole, and Cola there, it didn’t feel as overwhelming.

Nicole noticed it, too. Ever since that first kill, Poppy had changed. She seemed steadier.

With the training Zeph had put her through these past two years, she wasn’t weak. She just hadn’t faced enough real danger. Against people with experience, she could still be fooled.

Poppy understood the risk, but her gaze steadied.

“I’m not scared.”

When the explosion went off, her ears had rung, and her mind had gone blank.

The wait afterward had felt endless. It reminded her of the day her parents left, smiling as they told her to wait at home. 1

They never came back.

1/2

+15 Behus

She had been terrified that Zeph and Nicole wouldn’t come back, either.

No matter how dangerous things got, she didn’t want to be separated from them again.

Ironvale Base wasn’t far. It was less than 20 miles from the checkpoint, set in a small town at the foot of the mountain. Rows of houses lined the area, clearly once home to the original residents.

As for where those people had gone, Nicole didn’t want to think about it.

The town was surrounded by concrete walls, with guards at the entrance. The Hummer was stopped before it got close, and they were quickly surrounded.

“Who are you?”

Zeph rolled down the window, his expression cold. “Eighteenth floor, Crownview Residences. Your boss invited us.

11

The name alone drew attention.

Everyone there knew about the 18th floor. It was already on Ironvale Base’s kill list.

Eyes turned toward them, filled with anger, disdain, contempt, and even shock.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify