The Endgame Chronicles (by Hugh White) novel Chapter 82

“Have some water.”

Hayley handed Leonard a glass.

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Leonard didn’t even look–he just took it and drank. But the second he swallowed, his eyes lit up. The water tasted sweeter than usual.

“This water’s really sweet.”

“Well, of course,” Hayley said casually, waving it off. “You should know who poured it for you.”

Then she sat down at the table, waiting for dinner.

Leonard chuckled softly, grabbed the spatula, and served the fish onto a plate.

On the small table sat a big platter of roasted chicken. The food smelled amazing, rich and savory, enough to make anyone’s mouth water.

He and Hayley each had their own pot, while the sixteen dogs had their food lined up in separate dishes beside them. Everyone ate with full–on enthusiasm.

For the first time in a long while, Leonard felt content. He couldn’t help but think about how great it would’ve been if his old teammates had stayed.

Hayley was someone worth following. Life with her wasn’t bad at all.

After they finished eating everything, Leonard started washing the dishes, while Hayley played with the dogs and went through the supplies they’d brought back.

Besides what she had stored in her inventory, there was the big delivery truck and the fuel tanker Leonard had risked his life to bring back.

She parked the tanker on the side of the base as a backup and unloaded everything from the delivery truck. Then came her favorite part–opening the mystery boxes.

There were over 500 boxes piled high.

This batch came from SkyMall Express, one of those next–day delivery services from before the apocalypse. The quality was surprisingly good.

After opening a bunch, Hayley started noticing patterns.

Trucks that carried bulk packages usually had piles of random, mostly useless items, but tons of cheap snacks and

food.

On the other hand, shipments with more expensive goods had luxury stuff–brand–name laptops, phones, high- end cosmetics, and better quality food.

In this truck, she found imported chocolate, gourmet popcorn, entire smoked hams that probably cost thousands before the world fell apart, huge mixed–nut gift boxes, and plenty of fancy instant noodles and snacks.

Of course, about a fifth of the food was expired or spoiled, so she tossed all of that out.

There were clothes and other supplies as well. Most of the clothes were designer–she threw the men’s ones to Leonard and had him store the rest in her warehouse.

+25 Bonus

Then, something caught her by surprise.

Buried among the boxes was what looked like a decorative replica of a long sword–except when she pulled it out, it wasn’t fake at all.

She opened the scabbard with a sharp “shing“. The cold gleam of the blade flashed in her eyes.

Gripping it with both hands, Hayley gave it a few test swings. The air itself seemed to slice apart, the sound cutting sharp and clean.

Swish, swish, swish!

The weapon’s power was undeniable–solid, balanced, deadly precise.

“What a blade,” Leonard said as he stepped out from the shelter, stopping short when he saw the weapon’s sharp

aura.

“You know how to sharpen it?” Hayley asked, glancing over.

“I can give it a shot,” he said seriously, walking up to her.

“Good. It’s all yours,” she replied, handing the sword to him.

Once she was done with the boxes, Hayley decided they still had time before nightfall. She dragged Leonard over to reinforce his little house.

Using the steel plates and construction materials she’d redeemed from the system, they strengthened his walls and even added an extra room.

The base’s overall defense level went up noticeably.

Hayley looked around, satisfied. From now on, her main goal was clear–keep building and turn this place into a real fortress.