The gray cement road was cracked and uneven, with unknown plants stubbornly growing through the crevices, bathed in unhealthy, dim sunlight.
Around them, nearly every building had shattered windows, the glass long destroyed by the nuclear blast. Abandoned cars were scattered across the street, and the ones with cracked but unbroken windows seemed to have slightly better quality glass than those used for regular windows.
Here and there, the sleek, "iron boxes" of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's orbital paratroopers were still visible. According to Sun Jiao, these were the descent devices used by NATO's airborne forces. Yet, when discussing the city's history of invasion, there was no sign of emotion on her face. Perhaps it was because she had been born in a shelter and had no concept of what a "country" really meant.
However, when it came to the war of the "previous generation," her face displayed clear disdain.
To her, every side in that war was a fool.
"Is it going to rain?" Jiang Chen looked up at the sky, where thick, blocky clouds were gathering. The sunlight seemed unnatural, filtering through the clouds and casting a yellow-green tint over everything. It was hard to believe how these plants could still grow under such conditions.
"That's not clouds—it's radiation dust," Sun Jiao said, almost amused. Jiang Chen looked as naïve as she had when she first emerged from Shelter 071.
"So, we're exposed to radiation without any protection?" Jiang Chen said with a wry smile. His only understanding of radiation came from the Fukushima nuclear disaster, a time when supermarket shelves were cleared of salt.
Though it was a foolish reaction, it showed just how terrifying radiation seemed to those who had lived in a "harmonious society."
But Sun Jiao appeared unfazed, her expression unchanged as she walked ahead of him.
"Don't worry. As long as the iodine in your EP isn't exhausted, the radiation levels won't exceed the threshold. You won't grow a third arm. Of course, it's best to wear radiation suits when passing through areas with high radiation, like nuclear plants or former government sites," she said, casting him a teasing glance. "But for now, you're fine."
Even though they had spent the night together, Sun Jiao didn't seem bothered at all. On the other hand, Jiang Chen's legs were a bit wobbly.
This wasn't because Jiang Chen was weak. No matter how strong his stamina was, as someone who had been pampered in modern society, he couldn't outlast someone like Sun Jiao, who had lived her whole life walking through the wastelands.
Those terrifying muscle statistics...
Jiang Chen couldn't quite grasp how this woman, who appeared to have little muscle tone, could be so much stronger than him—someone with at least a bit of muscle visible.
The reason they were out together was Sun Jiao's idea.
...
"Since you said you'd help me, you need to learn some combat skills. Tomorrow, we're going to the Sixth District survivor camp. At the very least, you need to learn how to shoot and how to protect yourself."
"Uh, actually, I think I'd be better suited as logistical support or something..." Jiang Chen mumbled.
"Stop whining... Tomorrow we're heading to the Sixth District. You haven't even had your infection vaccine yet, which is too risky. You'll need to take care of that yourself."
With that, Jiang Chen reluctantly took the rifle Sun Jiao tossed to him and followed her along.
Along the way, they exchanged some conversation, but for some reason, Sun Jiao didn't ask about the secret Jiang Chen was hiding. Since she didn't ask, he didn't bring it up either. However, Jiang Chen could tell that her lack of inquiry wasn't because she wasn't curious—it was because of some unspoken trust.
One day, you'll tell me...
That unsaid thought was clear to him.
For the same reason, Jiang Chen didn't push her to explain the "important thing" she had to do.
...
"We're about to pass through a zombie-infested area. The best place to practice shooting is on the battlefield. Familiarize yourself with the weapon, but don't fire unless necessary." Sun Jiao said, pulling out a sleek rifle from behind her.
Meeting Jiang Chen's curious look, she smiled and explained.
"SK10 Sirius. It's a mid-range laser rifle. For dealing with zombies and similar creatures, a laser weapon is the best choice. Low noise, high accuracy. But for you to get used to shooting, you should start with kinetic weapons."
She pointed to the rifle Jiang Chen was holding.
"PK200 assault rifle, 7.62mm caliber. Although kinetic weapons are less accurate than lasers, their power and reliability are far superior. You can even use the stock to smash people without worrying about repairs. The safety's on the right side above the grip, make sure it's off when you're ready to shoot."
The sleek, short rifle felt futuristic in Jiang Chen's hands. He noticed a small symbol on the grip: PAC (Pan-Asian Cooperation).
The two walked down the empty street, with only the occasional giant rat darting past to startle him. It wasn't long before Jiang Chen stopped being surprised by these mutated creatures. He'd even seen a cockroach the size of a German Shepherd, waving its meter-long antennae before scurrying off into the shadows of the street. The dense hairs on its body made his stomach churn.
"Not all creatures are aggressive," Sun Jiao remarked as they neared the street's corner. "For example, rats, while large, still fear humans biologically. Cockroaches are terrifying in appearance, but because of their diet, they won't attack living creatures..."
As they approached the corner, Sun Jiao raised her rifle, signaling caution.
"Zombies stop moving during the day. The mutated spores attached to the back of their heads need a stable environment for photosynthesis. Surprising, right? That's why these zombies haven't starved over the years. I've even heard rumors that some of them have evolved asexual reproduction."
She smirked with a hint of sarcasm but remained vigilant as she continued.
"What we need to watch out for are carnivorous creatures. They usually feed on zombies or other low-level mutated creatures, but if they encounter humans, they'll definitely attack... And as for humans, if someone aims for your head, don't hesitate. Just shoot."
Her tone was so matter-of-fact that it sent a chill down Jiang Chen's spine.
Shocked by the brutality of this wasteland, Jiang Chen couldn't help but marvel at how this city had developed such a complex and alternative ecosystem. Nature truly was a wondrous thing—whatever you gave it, it could balance out in a way that made sense: survival of the fittest.
Beneath the towering buildings, civilization had vanished, replaced by pure savagery. Despite holding the fruit of advanced technology in his hands, Jiang Chen felt no safety at all.
"Shh," Sun Jiao suddenly stopped, raising her fist to signal Jiang Chen to halt.
"Don't point your gun at me, idiot. Watch my back," she whispered harshly.
Jiang Chen sighed, took a deep breath, and shifted the safety off his rifle, aiming it at the still, quiet street behind them.
"Something's off. All the nearby mutated creatures have disappeared. They've probably sensed a predator approaching..." Sun Jiao's voice carried a hint of tension, and Jiang Chen's heart, which had just calmed, started to race again.
"Predator?"
"Carnivorous animals... Let's hope it's not a Deathclaw."
Though Jiang Chen had no idea what a Deathclaw was, he could tell from Sun Jiao's tone that whatever it was, it wasn't good.
Just then, a loud explosion rang out in the distance, followed by heavy roars and the sounds of fierce gunfire.
"There's a battle ahead, follow me." Upon hearing the distant commotion, Sun Jiao didn't hesitate. Instead, she moved forward, raising her rifle toward the direction of the conflict.
"Hey, are you sure you're going the right way?" Jiang Chen called after her, but Sun Jiao didn't respond to his question. He sighed and reluctantly quickened his pace to keep up.
"Roar...!" The grotesque, ferocious face twisted as saliva poured from its mouth like rain. In its hand, it swung a broken streetlamp, its bloated skin nearly overflowing with fat.
...
"Keep firing, throw the explosives! Now!"
"Ammo! I need more ammo!"
"Ahhh! My hand!" A car door flew across the street, slicing off an unlucky soldier's arm before embedding itself into the wall behind him.
The monster rampaged forward, roaring as it moved toward humanity's last line of defense.
Soldiers, with mixed equipment, furiously unleashed a barrage of firepower, desperately trying to suppress the rampaging blob of flesh. Some soldiers ducked and sprinted through the firing line, dodging debris hurled by the monster, throwing explosives at its corpulent mass.
"Is that... a Flesh Mountain?" Sun Jiao rounded the corner, her face showing a look of shock. "How did it end up here..."
Jiang Chen's expression was even more dramatic, his mouth hanging open as he stood frozen in place.
What the hell is that? A butcher from the cave mountain? But that thing is way too big!
The Flesh Mountain advanced relentlessly through the storm of bullets. Although the barrage had some effect, it was nowhere near enough to stop it. The thick layer of fat, almost like gel, absorbed the bullets that pierced its outer layer, rendering the soldiers' kinetic weapons nearly useless. Despite the commanding officer's decisive orders to approach and throw explosives, the monster's thick fat clearly wasn't just bulletproof...
Despite the lack of effectiveness in their attacks, the relentless fire did manage to restrain the Flesh Mountain, preventing it from advancing any further toward the human lines.
At that moment, the sharp whistle of a missile cut through the air. The rocket, trailing a yellow tracer, slammed into the Flesh Mountain.
However, the missile missed its target, narrowly skimming past the fatty mass of the monster's face and striking a nearby building instead.
Boom!
The explosion violently ripped through the steel and concrete of the building, leaving a massive hole in its wake.
As if sensing the impending danger, the Flesh Mountain's body convulsed, and the power radiating from it became even more violent. Its gaping mouth seemed ready to unleash an enraged roar...
But the roar never came.
Another missile screamed through the battlefield, its trajectory corrected after the first missile's near miss. This time, the missile crashed directly into the monster's open mouth.
There was no suspense. Crimson blood, dark green brain matter, and yellowish-white fat splattered across the street.
With its head obliterated, the Flesh Mountain collapsed to the ground, its massive body hitting with a deep thud.
After the battle, the soldiers emerged from their cover, cheering, hugging comrades, and helping the wounded. Everything appeared well-organized.
"The Type 99 anti-tank cannon—this is probably the only thing that can take down a Flesh Mountain. Its fat is incredibly thick, making it a nightmare for most infantry weapons. And its habit of throwing things around... well, that's just a living nightmare," Sun Jiao said, sounding somewhat relieved.
"...What are they doing?" Jiang Chen, suppressing the churn in his stomach, glanced at the soldiers busy around the monster's body and asked.
"They're collecting the crystallized minerals. Also, the fat can be used as fertilizer or as a source of organic matter and phospholipids for nutritional compounds. Oh, and I remember its blood cells can be used in vaccine production," Sun Jiao casually replied.
Nutritional compounds? That sounds like food…
Jiang Chen shuddered, silently vowing never to touch whatever these "nutritional compounds" were. Isn't that basically eating the Flesh Mountain itself?
As if sensing Jiang Chen's discomfort, Sun Jiao flashed a grin, then led him toward the soldiers.
One of the soldiers noticed their approach, stepped over, and, after sizing them up, spoke in a professional tone.
"Welcome to the Sixth District, comrades. As per protocol, I'll need to check your genetic codes."
Genetic code—a sequence compiled from DNA, essentially a unique identifier tied to the EP (Enhanced Person) system, used like an ID number. Since there's no civil registry in the apocalypse, DNA is the only way to prove you are who you say you are.
Many organized survivor camps, like this one, check genetic codes before allowing entry, mainly to identify fugitives who have broken laws within the camp.
After showing their EP arm tags, the militia politely allowed them entry.
"I always thought the wasteland was full of savagery... never thought I'd see any form of civilization," Jiang Chen murmured as his tense body began to relax, seeing that the soldiers made no move to harass them.
However, Sun Jiao only smiled knowingly.
"Oh? I actually think the wasteland is full of 'civilization'... it's just in a very special form."
The steel gate slowly creaked open, and the camp's vigilance lifted with the fall of the Flesh Mountain. Behind the sandbags at the entrance, Jiang Chen noticed the anti-tank cannon that had destroyed the monster. The menacing barrel still exuded a chilling aura, and thick metal shells lay scattered on the ground like fallen tree trunks.
The trucks cleared the way for them to enter, and Jiang Chen followed Sun Jiao into the heart of the camp.
This is the order that has survived amidst chaos—the Sixth District. A haven on the wasteland, welcoming travelers. However, if you think it represents justice, you might be too naïve.