The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 466

Chapter 466

The weather had turned cold. After a quick good night, everyone ducked into their tents to sleep.

Nicole wasn’t in a rush, but camping could never compare to home. The sooner they finished, the sooner they could leave.

After two hours of sleep to recover their strength, everyone packed up their tents and went back to searching for herbs.

The higher they climbed, the fewer herbs they found.

Near the summit, they saw the crater lake left behind by a volcanic eruption millions of years ago. Everything around it was withered and barren.

Years ago, when the water level was high, this place had hosted an international parade every other year, drawing tourists from around the world.

Now, only dead branches and fallen leaves remained. The world no longer looked anything like it had before.

They reached the summit. An old building stood there, but it had long since crumbled, leaving broken stone scattered across the ground. In every direction, all they saw was ruined land.

Mitchell stood at the summit and sighed. “How did our world end up like this?”

Everyone felt the weight of it, but life still had to go on.

They didn’t return the way they came. Instead, they headed down another trail.

By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, it was noon. The heat had climbed back to 104 degrees.

Everyone sat down in the shade and began dividing the herb seedlings they had collected.

Nicole wasn’t greedy. They divided the harvest by head count, so she and Zeph took one-third.

For varieties with larger quantities, they split them by number. If there were only two plants, each side took one. As for the single specimens, Nicole didn’t mind leaving them with Mitchell’s team, but she couldn’t make it too obvious.

“You raise these first. Once they’ve propagated, set a few aside for us.”

Nicole called Zeph aside. “We didn’t find the lifesaving herb. We have to make a trip to Mount Cedar.”

Traveling during polar day was relatively safer. If they waited until polar night or smog season, leaving the city would be a real gamble with their lives.

Seeing Zeph hesitate, Nicole spoke plainly.

“If you insist on going alone and something happens to you, what are Poppy and I supposed to do? I know you want to protect us, but in the apocalypse, no one can protect anyone forever. Besides, if you really want to protect us, you need to make sure nothing happens to you.

“If I’m with you, you’ll actually be safer, won’t you?”

Zeph was worried. “What about Poppy and Cola?”

“Wouldn’t leaving them in Oakhaven Gardens worry us even more? We’ll bring them with us and keep a close eye on them.”

1/2

+15 8gnus

Zeph considered it for a while, then agreed.

He looked toward Mitchell and the others. “We’ll have to pass through Grayport to get to Mount Cedar. There are a lot of thugs around here, and it isn’t safe for them to carry so many herbs. Should we give them a ride?”

Nicole didn’t refuse. After all, the herbs they brought back would eventually benefit the survivors. Some of them might even prove useful against illnesses caused by smog.

So Zeph said to Mitchell, “We need to go to Grayport for something. Since it’s on the way, do you want a ride?”

Ever since their run-in with those thugs yesterday, they had been worrying about how to get back safely. Zeph’s offer was a huge relief.

“Thank you so much.”

“Wait here. We’ll go get the car.”

And just like that, it was settled. Zeph’s group walked off to retrieve the vehicle.

About ten minutes later, Zeph brought Poppy and Cola to the roadside for lunch, while Nicole drove the car over

from the other side of the mountain.

The Hummer wasn’t big enough for everyone, so they had to squeeze in.

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