The Last Queen of the Apocalypse novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3 Stocking

A thought struck her then: beyond the tunnel stretched a section of barbed wire, much of it dilapidated and collapsed.

With some repairs and electrification, the bomb shelter’s defenses would be drastically enhanced.

This was a task well worth undertaking.

Just as the idea took shape, a voice echoed in her mind once more.

“Supreme Lord System activated!

“Please reinforce the original base. Rewards will be granted based on the degree of reinforcement! Countdown: 15 days!”

Iris’ eyes lit up. Before she could fully process the new mission, another system notification chimed.

“Ding. Detected base war dog. Reward: 100x increase in combat power and physical fitness!”

Iris watched in awe as Summer’s body began to transform.

His build doubled in size, claws and fangs lengthening into razor-sharp weapons. The signs of aging that had once marked him faded entirely, replaced by the imposing aura of a ferocious beast.

Summer let out a deep, thunderous bark, his voice now far more powerful than before.

Iris gasped, impressed by the dramatic change.

*****

Driving the sedan left by Alice, Iris arrived at the building materials market.

She was prepared to embark on a frenzy of base reinforcement.

She located a barbed wire factory and ordered 21530 square feet of razor wire and coiled barbed wire first. These materials could be wrapped directly around the existing dilapidated fence, minimizing work while maximizing effectiveness.

Priced at 70 cents per foot, the total cost came to 14 thousand dollars.

Given the large order, the factory owner dispatched a truck to deliver the goods. Iris directed the drivers to unload the wire in an open field on the outskirts of the suburbs.

“I’ll send a vehicle to pick it up later,” she told them.

“No problem,” the driver replied with a nod.

Iris had no intention of revealing the base’s location.

Fortunately, dusk had fallen, casting the area in shadow. Once the truck departed, Iris instructed Summer to stand guard and, taking advantage of the desolate, uninhabited surroundings, stored all the wire in her storage space.

With 10215 cubic feet of storage space—most of it still vacant after stowing her furniture from the house—there was more than enough room for the wire.

After clearing the area, she drove back to the shelter with Summer.

On the way, Iris resolved to rent a warehouse as a temporary transfer point, a precaution to avoid drawing attention by unloading goods in open areas like she had today.

Half an hour later, Iris returned to the bomb shelter and immediately set to work reinforcing the section of worn barbed wire.

She wrapped the new razor wire around the old fence while Summer periodically fetched tools for her in his mouth.

The pair worked tirelessly from dusk until dawn, finally completing the reinforcement of the entire 21530 feet of fencing.

Eager to claim her reward, Iris waited anxiously.

As soon as she secured the last strand of wire, the system’s voice sounded in her mind.

“Detected barbed wire reinforcement. Reward: 100x increase in defensive effectiveness!”

As the reward took effect, Iris watched in amazement as the entire length of reinforced wire visibly thickened, densified, and sharpened.

Every blade on the razor wire glinted menacingly, and the tiny steel thorns lengthened significantly.

Even the flimsy wire gate was transformed into a sturdy steel sliding gate.

Iris pushed against the fence with all her strength, but it didn’t budge an inch.

Earlier, she had worried that while the wire could deter individual intruders, it would be no match for a vehicle ramming through or a massive horde of zombies.

Now, even thousands of zombies swarming together would never tear through her defenses.

Thrilled with the result, Iris was eager to buy more materials for further reinforcement.

But a more pressing need soon made itself known.

Her stomach rumbled loudly.

Summer circled around her, his tail drooping, clearly just as hungry.

“You’re starving too, right?” Iris said softly.

Summer whimpered in response.

The pair hadn’t eaten since the previous day. They’d been working nonstop and hadn’t yet begun their official supply stockpiling.

Remembering the food she’d collected from the house, Iris focused her thoughts, and a steaming package of beef empanadas materialized in her hand.

Still hot?

Curious, she retrieved the refrigerator from her storage and opened it—to find it cold inside, even without power.

“It stays exactly as it was, no electricity needed!”