After having their early lunch, Viktor decided to list the things they had in their inventory first.
Everyone each had about half a dozen clothes and an extra warm jacket plus their own private essentials.
Next, each of them also brought a sleeping bag as well as a knife as part of their survival kits.
As for the things in their shared inventory, there were pans, cooking utensils, two foldable tents, ropes, a medical kit, and a compass.
For food, apart from the large number of delicacies Viktor brought from the bunker, there were also alcoholic drinks and other cooking ingredients all stored in Viktor's new toy, the alien ring.
And last but not least, for weapons, the two bodyguards each had an AK-47, five extra cartridges, and a handgun. As for Viktor, he still had his magnum handgun with two magazines as well as the alien dagger and saber that previously belonged to Anton.
As they were checking their belongings, the group quickly realized that they were lacking something essential: fresh water. Noticing this, they quickly heated some ice into water, and while at it, they made a portion of the boar meat into cured bacon using salt.
Although Viktor was not really worried about food because of the many mutated animals outside to hunt, he would rather have emergency rations prepared than one day starve due to his negligence.
Viktor was about to lead the group to continue heading north as everything was set, but before he could even utter a word, his two bodyguards stopped him.
"Young master, do you mind telling us about your plan beforehand?" Torri carefully asked. He needed to know, but he did not want to offend Viktor.
Boris nodded. "That's right, master. Excuse us for asking, but it would be hard for us to help you if we don't know what you plan to do."
Viktor let out a deep sigh. He was so used to doing whatever he pleased that he never even thought of sharing his thoughts and only ordered others around whenever he wanted them to.
Although he knew that he was much stronger than any of them with the help of the Djinn, the two were part of the highly trained Russian special forces, the Spetsnaz. There are bound to be things they can help him apart from just being lookouts.
With this thought, Viktor began to tell them his plan for the time being.
"We are going north to Arkhangelsk City."
It was one of the main cities in the north of Moscow, on the shore part of the arctic circle. If he estimated right, it should be approximately 200 miles north from where they were.
"Master, that's a two-week journey... what are we going to do once we get there?" Boris was perplexed by Viktor's plan. Not only would it take them a lot of time, energy, and resources as it was far, but they also did not see why their young master would want to go there.
"Yes, but if we're lucky to get a boat along the river, we'll be able to reach it in half the time," Viktor patiently answered.
Viktor then explained how the city's geographic position near the sea and rivers made the place one of the Romanovs' favorite apocalypse getaways.
"Food, guns, supplies... I know where these things are stored there."
Viktor's explanation was quickly accepted by the bodyguards and both Barry and Eva. Although they had never heard of such a thing, the young master of the Romanov family itself should know best.
Although Viktor had not decided if he would stay there, a good amount of supplies was always important.
Of course, there was also a chance that the supplies there were already taken, but Viktor did not care about it too much. After all, his main reason for wanting to go there was none other than to go through the wilderness while increasing his strength with the Djinn.
Thinking about increasing his strength, Viktor took out two small crystal pebbles from his pocket and showed them to the group.
"They said these things are what allowed Andrei and his men to get stronger. They're called spirit stones," Viktor briefly explained.
The two bodyguards instantly recognized those stones. They were the things they picked up from the dead zombies.
Although they expected those things to have some kind of use, what they just heard was the last thing on their minds.
Viktor gave each of the bodyguards a spirit stone and told them to eat it. Surprisingly, the two did not even hesitate.
To tell the truth, he was not sure about the stones' effects. There was a chance the information he received was false, which was why to confirm it, Viktor had someone else eat it.
"Do you feel anything different?" Viktor asked, scrutinizing the two bodyguards' expressions.
"Master! My body feels warm... I've never felt better!!"
"Yes! It's a little hard to believe, but I feel stronger, master!"
The two could not quite find the right words to describe the sensation they were feeling, but they were sure it was just as Viktor said.
In truth, Viktor was still unconvinced. Those words were similar to what some of his friends would say after consuming certain happy drugs.
A little concerned, he turned his head and whispered.
"Djinn, is this for real?"
Viktor let out a sigh of relief. Now that he was sure, he was hoping that he could tell how much stronger they became after eating the spirit stones. At that moment, the Djinn's voice sounded in his mind again.
Right after the Djinn said those words, two pieces of information came to his mind.
[Torri Helsinki]
[Male - 32 years old]
[Battle Power: 15 (16)]
[Mortal realm - initial stage]
[Boris Oslo]
[Male - 31 years old]
[Battle Power: 16 (17)]
[Mortal realm - initial stage]
"Why didn't you tell me you can do this!"
Viktor was so excited that the others started to look at him weirdly. He just hoped that they would not think he was mentally ill for talking to himself.
It was not surprising to see that the two bodyguards had higher base battle power than him. After all, they were specially trained soldiers. Moreover, it was interesting to know that the one spirit stone they ate was enough to increase their battle power by one each.
"Can't you show more details?" he muttered as quietly as he could, only loud enough for the Djinn to hear.
'I see,' Viktor thought regretfully.
While he was at it, Victor also checked the other two.
[Evangeline Amelia Bardott]
[Female - 22 years old]
[Battle Power: 10]
[Mortal realm - initial stage]
[Barry Pennyworth]
[Male - 15 years old]
[Battle Power: 11]
[Mortal realm - initial stage]
With this, Viktor's next plan should go a little more smoothly.
"All right, let's go!"