Chapter 18

After the explosion subsided, Qin Ran, who was standing against the wall, did not immediately go to start the diesel generator. Instead, he stood still, listening intently.

Although Qin Ran had a good idea of the power of the grenade, he knew that an explosion in such a room would leave no survivors. However, he could not afford to be careless.

After about ten seconds, Qin Ran confirmed that there was no sound coming from the room.

Qin Ran walked to the diesel generator and restarted it.

The roar of the generator sounded again, and the corridor and rooms were once again illuminated, except for the room where the armed thugs had gathered.

The walls of that room were already riddled with holes from the grenade, let alone the lights and people.

Qin Ran, who was already accustomed to the sight of blood, felt a sense of discomfort in his stomach when he saw the severed limbs in the room.

However, Qin Ran forced himself not to vomit.

Moreover, he forced himself to confirm the deaths of these armed thugs and to collect the spoils of war.

In fact, these armed thugs, whose bodies had been penetrated by the grenade, were already dead, and the spoils of war had been mostly destroyed in the explosion.

Qin Ran's actions were merely a way to find an excuse to adapt to such bloody scenes.

Because Qin Ran could imagine that in the days to come, he would face such bloody scenes countless times. To avoid the embarrassment of vomiting and becoming weak at the sight of a dead body, he had to get used to it.

Two minutes later, Qin Ran, with a grim expression, walked out of the room.

Even after he left, the strong smell of blood filled his nose, forcing him to take several deep breaths to completely rid himself of the unpleasant sensation.

"Still far from enough!"

Qin Ran gave a self-deprecating smile and immediately began inspecting the remaining rooms.

Most of the rooms were the bedrooms of the armed thugs, with mattresses and blankets scattered on the ground.

Except for one room that seemed to be a tool and storage area.

Shovels, saws, large barrels of oil, and especially a handcart, made Qin Ran's eyes light up.

After all, the large amount of food, water, and weapons in 'Vulture's' bedroom could not all be carried away by Qin Ran with just the backpack.

But now, at least he could take away most of it!

Qin Ran loaded the shovel and saw onto the handcart and headed towards 'Vulture's' bedroom.

Tools like shovels and saws might be needed at any time, so Qin Ran naturally had to take them. If not for the large and heavy oil barrels, he would have taken them too.

In 'Vulture's' bedroom, Maggie sat on the bed as she had when Qin Ran left.

When she saw Qin Ran re-enter the room, pushing a handcart and opening 'Vulture's' door, she recalled the explosion and her face changed. Her body, which had been sitting on the bed, involuntarily moved backward—though Maggie had been hiding during the four months of conflict, she was not foolish.

Maggie knew what had happened in the past few minutes.

Qin Ran could clearly notice Maggie's small movements.

He even saw a hint of fear in her eyes when she looked at him.

However, Qin Ran did not offer more explanations.

When the other party could not be trusted, keeping them in fear was also a good choice.

At least, they would be obedient.

"Help me load the food and water neatly onto the handcart!"

Qin Ran said, taking out the shovel and saw from the handcart.

After Qin Ran spoke, Maggie quickly sprang into action, not even bothering to put on her shoes.

Qin Ran, of course, did not stand by idly. As Maggie moved the food and water, Qin Ran also joined in.

In less than two minutes, most of the food and water were loaded onto the handcart. According to Qin Ran's estimate, this would be enough to sustain him and Coleen for over a month.

"Great harvest!"

Qin Ran muttered to himself, then placed the backpack containing the jewels, the shovel, and the saw on the handcart. After tidying up the remaining weapons, he prepared to leave.

"As a reward for helping me load the food and water, you can take anything that's left! But, I advise you to leave before dawn!"

Before leaving, Qin Ran said.

After dawn, the rebel lieutenant would certainly send people here. When they discovered that everything was a trap, Qin Ran could imagine the lieutenant's angry face.

Anyone left here would not have a good outcome.

If it were the armed thugs, Qin Ran would not care.

But if it were an innocent person, Qin Ran thought he should give a warning.

Of course, just a warning.

He would not do more.

After all, in this war-torn city, he was often struggling to survive himself.

Pushing the handcart, laden with spoils, Qin Ran left the underground warehouse. After throwing the special 'sniper rifle' onto the handcart, he prepared to return to the secret hideout.

At this moment, footsteps sounded.

Maggie ran up to Qin Ran, a bundle wrapped in a bedsheet on her back.

"Can I go with you?"

Maggie asked, her expression filled with unease, deeply afraid that Qin Ran would refuse.

Similarly, her fear of Qin Ran had not diminished.

But Maggie had no other options.

Being easily captured by 'Vulture's' men and the subsequent experiences had told Maggie how terrifying this city was.

Although she could return to her hiding place and survive for a while longer with the food and water she had just obtained,

What would happen when the food and water ran out again?

She would have to leave her hiding place!

Would her luck be as good as this time, and would she encounter someone like Qin Ran to save her?

The answer was clearly no.

Rather than falling into despair at that time, it was better to ask Qin Ran, the person she feared, to travel with her!

Even though Qin Ran's methods made her feel fear, he had always behaved like a gentleman, looking at her with caution rather than the predatory gaze of other armed thugs.

Therefore, after a moment's hesitation, Maggie caught up.

"I'm a nurse, I know how to bandage and use medicine!"

To make herself seem useful, Maggie said repeatedly.

This statement completely moved Qin Ran.

Given that survivors could turn into thugs at any time, Qin Ran, apart from Coleen, his battle companion, did not plan to accept more people.

However, Qin Ran needed more skills to quickly become stronger.

A skill like bandaging, which Qin Ran was determined to acquire, was essential—he did not think he would not be injured in future battles.

If not for the fact that bandaging required treating wounds, and Qin Ran was unsure if the game would recognize self-inflicted wounds, he would have already cut himself with a dagger.

Now, with someone to teach him, Qin Ran would not refuse.

"Alright!"

Qin Ran nodded and pushed the handcart forward quickly.

After walking a considerable distance, he realized that Maggie was still standing there, stunned.

"Hurry up!"

Qin Ran urged.

"O-Okay!"

Maggie nodded repeatedly and quickly caught up.

She did not know why Qin Ran had agreed, but she did not want to miss this rare opportunity, so her steps became even faster.

After Maggie caught up, Qin Ran quickened his pace again.

Soon, the two of them disappeared from sight.

Less than ten minutes after they left, a figure in camouflage quietly appeared in front of the mall.

And quickly noticed something was wrong.

After thoroughly inspecting the inside and outside of the mall, the figure quickly left.

...

"You took out 'Vulture'!"

Before Coleen could rejoice at Qin Ran's safe return, she heard this news. She looked at Qin Ran, who had reappeared before her, with wide, surprised eyes.

"Of course! After all, these things couldn't have been given away in a mall promotion, right?"

Qin Ran smiled and patted the handcart behind him, which was loaded with supplies.

"Unbelievable!"

Coleen let out a surprised exclamation, but her gaze was soon drawn to Maggie, who was standing behind Qin Ran, too afraid to breathe.

Even in the dim light, Coleen, with a woman's intuition, could tell that Maggie was a pretty girl.

Especially the pitiful look on Maggie's face made Coleen's alarm bells ring.

Coleen knew what kind of girl was most attractive to men.

It wasn't just a pretty face!

Or a good figure!

It was a pitiful, helpless girl who could arouse a man's protective instincts!

If such a girl also had a pretty face and a good figure... her attractiveness to men would increase exponentially.

Clearly, Maggie was such a girl.

"Who is she?"

Coleen cursed inwardly, calling Maggie a bitch and a slut, but on the surface, she remained friendly.

Having decided to rely on Qin Ran, Coleen knew she must not let Qin Ran see any ungraceful side of her.

That would only make Qin Ran distance himself from her faster.

She had to show her magnanimity.

Only then could she become even closer to Qin Ran.

And then...

Hmph!

Having grown up on the streets and never being a good student, Coleen was very familiar with certain tactics.

"Maggie, a girl captured by 'Vulture's' men! She's a nurse who knows how to bandage and use medicine. I thought we might need these skills, so I brought her back."

Qin Ran introduced Maggie.

Hearing Qin Ran's introduction, Coleen's smile grew even wider.

She could tell that Qin Ran had not brought Maggie back because of her looks or figure, but because of her nursing skills.

"Welcome, Maggie! I'm Coleen!"

Coleen said warmly, taking on the role of the hostess.