Chapter Thirty-One: Opportunity (Part One)

Unlike Mischer Gen, Volkerhaus is a purely industrial city, relying mainly on the export of heavy industry products to sustain its market value. In today’s era of grand finance, manufacturing no longer holds the glory it once did, yet the Federation’s world-leading technology still ensures a relatively high income for the city.

Inside the car, Thomas was visibly much more anxious. In theory, Volkerhaus’s high urban density makes survival difficult, but comparatively, the sparse population of small towns—unlike the tourist-filled Mischer Gen—offers a slightly higher survival rate. Of course, only slightly; much depends on a myriad of factors, especially luck.

Yet today, Thomas and David were particularly excited. When they arrived at David’s hometown, although the scene was chaotic, they did not see their wives or children—a promising sign. More importantly, they heard a broadcast in the town, apparently gathering refugees, which greatly surprised Guo Lang. For such a severe virus outbreak, the ability for civilians to establish a stronghold seemed inconceivable to him. He could believe scattered survivors hid in corners, but to organize an effective base required both luck and extraordinary circumstances.

Thomas and David’s faces were noticeably flushed with hope; Guo Lang could sense their restlessness as he drove, silently pondering how to respond to two possible outcomes: If they found their families, how should he persuade them to join him? If not, things would remain unchanged. But if they did find them, how could he recruit them?

In truth, if he provided medicine, the likelihood of them joining him would increase. But that would set a dangerous precedent—he would then have to supply medicine to their families as well, something Guo Lang was reluctant to do. The medicine was already scarce; if every woman and child needed it, it would greatly hinder the formation of a fighting force. Guo Lang wanted a group ready for combat, and if he had to support wives and children, it would take much longer to recoup his investment. Yet, ironically, time was precisely what Guo Lang lacked most.

But another problem arose: If he refused to provide medicine for their families, winning their loyalty would be difficult. These soldiers still harbored attachment to their units; if their families were safe, the likelihood of returning to the army was high, especially since the military’s rear was relatively secure.

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Thomas and David’s hometown was a fairly remote settlement outside Volkerhaus, devoid of farms and primarily operating on mining. Seventy percent of its residents worked at local mining plants. On the day the virus broke out, most men were at distant mines, leaving the small population and sparsely built homes behind. Due to the town’s backwardness, few could afford the anti-cancer drugs released by Star Source Group. The densely populated factories naturally fell quickly, but few in the town itself were infected. The community sheriff, Jerry, was highly capable and swiftly organized a stronghold.

Jerry was once a famous anti-narcotics hero in the city, but after being ostracized by colleagues, he was assigned to this town as sheriff. On the day of the incident, his decisive character and organizational skills enabled him to rally the local police force and kill the mutated corpse in the station. Realizing this was no ordinary event, he promptly led the townspeople to establish a stronghold at the police station jail, even before disaster fully unfolded. After several days of observation, he discovered these monsters rarely ventured out during the day and so used broadcasts to gather surviving refugees.

Currently, their stronghold’s main members included ten police officers, six prison guards, over a dozen factory workers who happened to be off-duty, and nearly fifty women and children. Such a situation was rare throughout the Federation.

Jerry was not yet thirty, young and capable, and quite handsome. After finishing his daily tasks, he stretched and smiled, then suddenly headed toward the medical room, his face showing a hint of fervor.

Within their group, there was only one doctor—Mary, the town’s flower, universally acknowledged as its most beautiful physician. Jerry had only recently been transferred here, and from his first glance, he was smitten. He never expected such a gem in this remote countryside. Unfortunately, she was already claimed by a gorilla—an expression that irked him. He wasn’t a racist, but as a white man, he couldn’t help a certain innate superiority, feeling it was a case of a flower stuck in manure.

Yet, as sheriff, openly pursuing a married woman would collapse his moral standing and earn disdain. So he could only secretly show attentiveness. But now, things had changed—the world was in chaos, and so were the circumstances. Her husband might have already been devoured by the living dead.

Humming as he strode into the medical room, he found a blonde beauty in uniform tidying up. Jerry licked his lips, walked straight over, and slapped her shapely backside, the sound ringing out as he gave it a squeeze.

Mary, the owner of that shapely figure, seemed not to resist. She merely turned and shot him a glare, “Keep it down; don’t let anyone see. I’ve noticed some are starting to suspect us.”

“Let them suspect—who could say anything?” Jerry laughed, his hands becoming ever more unruly.

“Mmm...” Mary, stimulated by his touch, moaned softly, her cheeks flushed. “I don’t want Anna to find out too soon!” Anna was her and Thomas’s daughter.

“Alright, I understand. I’ll do as you say.” Yet the next moment, he gripped her tightly and pressed Mary against the wall, grinning wickedly, “So, how will you make it up to me?”

“In broad daylight...” Mary glared at him, but he was already making his move. She hurried, “Close the doors and windows first!”

Bang! The medical room door slammed shut, and what happened inside needed no further description.

In truth, by the third day after the disaster—Mary’s second day at the stronghold—she and Jerry had already established this relationship. There were many reasons, but the most important was her need for support.

Mary was a clever woman. On her first day in the stronghold, she quickly assessed the situation: over ten police officers, a dozen able-bodied men, but mostly women and children—almost a two-to-one ratio. The police clearly outranked the workers, since they had guns; though not overt, the atmosphere was already shifting.

As leader, Jerry’s status was highest. Crucially, Mary knew Jerry had been interested in her for some time.

In these circumstances, she was pragmatic. Food was sufficient, life pressures not yet severe, and everyone retained some reason, but that would not last. This balance would inevitably collapse, and women’s status would decline. As pressure mounted, things could worsen—who knew if they’d become tools for venting desire? Better to act proactively now, rather than be passively swept up in worse circumstances later, when her status would drop.

Besides, Jerry had good looks and qualities, so it was easy to let things happen naturally. He took the initiative, and she went along, halfhearted but consenting.

With closed eyes, Mary savored Jerry’s passion. Honestly, though he was strong, he was still not quite up to her husband’s standard. The thought of her husband brought a haze to her eyes—he was likely eaten by the living dead.

When a woman betrays you, you can never fathom how cold she can truly become.

All this, of course, was unforeseen by Guo Lang and his companions, still traveling on the road. Suddenly, Guo Lang’s left eyelid twitched. He tapped his forehead—left eye for romance, right eye for misfortune, as the old saying goes. Perhaps, like a spring breeze overnight... Well, that was a stretch. Yet, inexplicably, Guo Lang felt deep down that something good was about to happen...