The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 736

Rare-metal prices had skyrocketed. If Nicole and Zeph traded everything for supplies, they would have enough to live comfortably for several lifetimes.

Naturally, plenty of people immediately started sucking up to Zeph.

"Hey, man, where'd you find all that? Take us with you next time. We'll do all the heavy lifting."

Others tried their luck with Nicole.

"Hey, beautiful, need a boyfriend? Older, younger, muscular, pretty boy, whatever you're into. Hell, I'll even volunteer. Just say the word."

Zeph's expression darkened. "Get lost."

Nicole stared at them. "Get lost."

Poppy nearly jumped up in outrage. "She's with Zeph!"

Cola bared his teeth and barked. "Woof!"

A few people still tried to keep talking, so Zeph silently pulled out his gun and chambered a round.

That finally did it. Once the crowd realized none of them were interested, they drifted away in disappointment.

Why did someone else always get the big break?

One of the staff members chuckled. "Don't worry about it. You'll get used to this."

People hadn't always been like this. Supplies had simply become so scarce that everyone paid close attention to what other people managed to bring back.

At the end of the day, they were all just trying to survive.

Even so, there were always people who thought they might have a better shot than everyone else. Group after group came over to make conversation, talking endlessly in hopes of teaming up with Nicole and Zeph.

After turning away several waves of them, Nicole was already sick of it.

The four of them went back to the trucks to rest and ate lunch there.

About three hours later, the inspection department sent over the results and contacted the trading center directly.

The samples passed.

The staff immediately called Nicole and Zeph over to weigh the cargo and register each type of rare metal separately.

Still, Nicole wanted to keep another one on hand just in case.

She wasn't completely sure about the materials, so she waved to the woman behind the counter. "Excuse me. What is this survival pod made of?"

The attractive sales clerk was busy chatting with a soldier and acted like she hadn't heard her.

The soldier heard Nicole and reminded the clerk, but she barely reacted. She curled her lip and muttered, "Why bother? People like that can't afford anything. They're just here to look."

Plenty of people came through every day, and fewer than one in ten actually bought anything.

The soldier frowned at her attitude but didn't say anything about it. Instead, he said politely, "I've got things to take care of back at my unit. I should get going."

"Come on. You hardly ever get a chance to stop by. Stay and talk to me a little longer."

The soldier quickly made his exit. "Sorry. I really do have work to get back to."

Now that he had left, the sales clerk turned on Nicole.

"Why are you shouting? You look like you can't afford anything in here. You really think you can buy a survival pod?"