"Handling" wasn't exactly the right word. It wasn't much of a deal, really—this wasn't a civilized society anymore.
Sun Jiao merely used the intercom by the door to summon the cleaning crew. After casually mentioning something about an encounter with an assassin, a few workers arrived to remove the corpses from the floor. Before leaving, they thoughtfully sprayed blood-dissolving solution on the carpet to clean up the unsightly stains.
Soon after, the hotel manager personally came by to apologize for the breach of security that had allowed a tracker to sneak into the premises.
In the apocalypse, death was nothing out of the ordinary.
This manager clearly wasn't new to such incidents; their response was both swift and professional.
After politely declining the manager's offer of compensation in the form of a dinner featuring mutant beef steak, the manager turned and left. Compensation was more of a formality—guests who could afford to stay here weren't likely to care about a free meal.
The suite lacked a kitchen, offering only a microwave for reheating food and a dusty rice cooker in the dining area. While wealthy patrons rarely prepared their own meals, there were always those eccentric enough to insist on indulging in luxuries like rice.
Yes, rice. In this era, it was a luxury. Even the precision-engineered vertical farms in District Six didn't produce much of it. Most people subsisted on nutritional compounds, occasionally treating themselves to cooked food for a taste of life's finer things.
But Jiang Chen was clearly one of those "eccentrics."
Retrieving a small bag of rice from his storage space, he washed it, added the appropriate amount of water, and started the rice cooker. In less than half an hour, the fragrant aroma of white rice filled the air, making Sun Jiao's eyes sparkle with delight.
Jiang Chen had long stopped trying to hide his ability to pull items out of thin air in front of Sun Jiao. She didn't ask too many questions, though her curiosity was evident. Jiang Chen was grateful for her discretion. Someday, he would share all his secrets with her—but not yet. Even he struggled to fully explain the miracle that had befallen him, and vague explanations would only lead to misunderstandings.
He heated up canned food in the microwave. Once the dishes were served, the not-so-elaborate yet luxurious dinner began.
"Not-so-elaborate" because Jiang Chen was growing tired of canned food.
"Luxurious" because dishes like curried chicken, mapo tofu, and stir-fried bamboo shoots were a first for Sun Jiao.
After an utterly ungraceful display of wolfing down food, the dinner concluded.
Patting his now-flat stomach, Jiang Chen glanced at the empty rice cooker and marveled at how much he had eaten.
It seemed the genetic enhancements he'd undergone not only strengthened his muscles but also expanded his stomach capacity. His current appetite was at least double what it used to be. No wonder Sun Jiao could eat so much—it wasn't just her being a glutton.
"I purposely cooked extra to save some for breakfast tomorrow," Jiang Chen said with a chuckle, watching Sun Jiao pat her stomach. "But you finished it all."
Sun Jiao blushed and shot him a glare. "What, scared?"
"Not at all," Jiang Chen replied with a shrug. "No matter how much you eat, I can afford it."
It wasn't exactly sweet talk, but Sun Jiao seemed pleased. The fierce warrior woman even allowed a small smile to grace her lips.
"Help me clean up," Jiang Chen said, rolling his eyes as he stood up with a stack of plates.
"Sure thing."
Glancing at Sun Jiao's flat stomach, Jiang Chen couldn't fathom where five bowls of rice had gone.
"The Qingpu Commercial Bank tower is in a bustling area. High zombie density, high radiation levels...and dangerous mutants lurking around," Sun Jiao said.
Lying lazily on the bed, she tapped her fingers on the screen of a holographic computer. A three-dimensional map, rendered in glowing green lines, appeared above the display.
"This is the map. If we want to get to the gold inside, we'll need to enter here, navigate through this secure passageway, and then—hey, are you even paying attention?" Sun Jiao glared at Jiang Chen.
"What is that?" Jiang Chen asked, swallowing hard as he stared at the futuristic device in her hands.
The gadget was the size of a pen, projecting a rectangular screen on one side and a 3D hologram above it.
Such a high-tech device, straight out of a sci-fi movie, seemed almost surreal to Jiang Chen. Its worth likely exceeded all the gold in Wanghai City combined. Of course, it wouldn't be easy to cash in on something like this. If he ever took it out in public, government officials would undoubtedly come knocking, "inviting" him to contribute it to the nation.
"It's a holographic computer. Not as reliable as a wrist-mounted one, but far superior in performance. Don't act so clueless," Sun Jiao said, rolling her eyes before shifting her arms to a more comfortable position.
"Fine, I'll admit my ignorance," Jiang Chen sighed, lying down beside her to examine the screen. "So, what are these 'dangerous mutants' you mentioned?"
"Think of the guy we ran into earlier today—'Meat Mountain'—or this," she said, sliding her finger across the screen. An image of a creature resembling something out of Alien appeared in the hologram.
"This is a Deathclaw. Its crystal energy index ranges from 60 to 70. It's incredibly fast, has an acute sense of smell, and its body is covered in high-density keratin armor that's resistant to conventional bullets. If you encounter one, your best bet is to run...though that rarely works."
The faint scent of jasmine tickled Jiang Chen's nose. Thanks to the modern shampoo and body wash Sun Jiao used, she smelled unusually enticing.
But this was a serious conversation. Jiang Chen forced himself to focus.
"Do these creatures roam near the bank tower?" he asked, studying the Deathclaw image intently.
"Deathclaws appear in various locations, often near nuclear blast zones, but they do wander. I can't guarantee one's presence near the tower. Still, areas with high zombie density often attract other mutant creatures. To them, zombies are just food."
"Got a plan?" Jiang Chen asked after a moment of thought.
"Of course. Two options: one, we break into the underground vault via this route and blow it open with explosives. Two, we access the control room along this path, hack the mainframe, and unlock the vault the proper way."
"Where did you get these detailed maps? Are they reliable?" Jiang Chen asked, impressed by the precision of the holographic display.
"Liuding Town. They have the most comprehensive map database, reportedly downloaded from satellites just before the war. No reason to doubt their accuracy."
"What kind of place is this 'Liuding Town'? You mention it a lot," Jiang Chen asked curiously.
"Bo Hai, an aircraft carrier," Sun Jiao said with a playful wink. "Now, boss, it's time to make your choice."
"Option one is too risky. Blowing the vault would make too much noise and draw every zombie in the area. We wouldn't stand a chance."
"Exactly. While 'every zombie in the area' might be an exaggeration, the whole building's worth would definitely come running," Sun Jiao said with a casual shrug.
"How about hacking? Can you do it?"
"Do I look like a hacker?" Sun Jiao chuckled. "In this world, good marksmanship is enough to survive. But skilled hackers aren't hard to find, and they're often desperate. Hiring one won't cost much."
"Then we'll go with option two. Where can we find a hacker?" Jiang Chen asked after a brief pause.
"Right here in District Six's slums. Non-combatants tend to live there," Sun Jiao said, nodding toward the window. Shutting off the holographic computer, she stretched lazily on the bed. "By the way, aren't you worried about the Grey Goo Mercenaries? We killed some of their people, and to them, you're a juicy target."
"Good point," Jiang Chen muttered, rubbing his chin. "I have a feeling they'll try something when we leave the base—or tail us, waiting for an opening."
"Want me to scout ahead?" Sun Jiao asked, sighing as she stretched her slender arms.
Hearing Jiang Chen's plan, Sun Jiao's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Not bad, you're even more devious than I am," she remarked with a smirk. "Alright then, you can head to the talent market tomorrow. It's right at the entrance of the slums. The usual fee is one crystal, and they'll help you find someone who meets your needs."
"Sounds good. Splitting up should make things more efficient. Just be discreet when you head out," Jiang Chen advised cautiously.
"Got it." Sun Jiao waved him off dismissively, clearly unfazed. "I've made plenty of enemies already. A mere mercenary group is nothing. If it weren't for worrying about you, no one could stop me from leaving."
If she wanted to leave, no one could stop her anyway… Jiang Chen thought to himself with a wry smile.
With a flick of his wrist, he turned off the bedside lamp, and the room was bathed in the dim glow of the night. Through the bulletproof, tinted glass of the window, the streets below were now devoid of life, the night wrapping the city in silence.
"Oh, straight to sleep, then?" Sun Jiao rolled over, pulling the blanket close to her chest. She gave him a teasing look, her eyes glinting mischievously.
"You little minx... We've got serious work tomorrow. Get some rest," Jiang Chen said, shaking his head with a laugh.
After all, they'd already had their share of "battles" earlier.
If things kept going like this every night, even Jiang Chen's enhanced body might struggle to keep up.