The Reborn Otaku’s Code of Practice for the Apocalypse – CH135

Chapter 135 — Ice and Snow

After sitting down, both sides exchanged a few polite words before Captain Wang steered the conversation toward metal-type crystal cores.

“Ah, recently we’ve got some of these cores here. Others don’t really have much use for them, so I remembered you were looking for them before. Take a look—how many do you need?” Captain Wang said with a smile, opening a box in front of them.

The two of them exchanged a surprised glance—inside were mostly level-two and level-three metal cores, and quite a lot of them! It was more than what they usually harvested from a single outing to hunt zombies. How could Captain Wang suddenly produce so many?

After thinking for a moment, Yan Fei picked one up and examined it carefully, as if inspecting it. Only after repeated testing had he confirmed that, aside from himself, most ability users had to physically touch a crystal core to determine whether it was genuine and compatible with their own ability.

“What are you planning to exchange these for? Other types of level-two or level-three cores, or level-one cores or points?” they asked directly.

Seeing how straightforward they were, Captain Wang smiled. “Other types—especially popular ones. Level-one cores and points are also fine. But if you use level-one cores or points, then… the quantity might not be in your favor.”

They thought it over again and took out the level-two and level-three cores they didn’t need.

Although they had brought some level-one cores and points, it definitely wasn’t enough to take all these metal cores. Exchanging cores of the same level was more worthwhile.

Generally speaking, aside from some special ability types, most crystal cores sold well in the base. So Captain Wang was more than willing to accept the ones Luo Xun’s group didn’t need.

After finishing the exchange, Luo Xun casually asked, “Weren’t these cores hard to find before? Will there be more in the future?”

Captain Wang gave a knowing smile. “Of course, of course. We’ll be working together often from now on. As long as you need them, we won’t run out here.”

Hearing this, Luo Xun and Yan Fei were a bit surprised. Luo Xun spoke more plainly, “When we came before, it was pretty hard to get them—at most just a dozen or so each time…” As he spoke, he took out the cigarettes they had received from Team Leader Li as a “gift” earlier.

Captain Wang accepted the cigarettes with a smile, then lowered his voice. “Right now, the army… can’t use all of them.” Then he straightened up. “We have to find an outlet, don’t we?”

That clearly had something to do with the metal ability squad.

The two exchanged another glance. Seeing that Captain Wang didn’t intend to say more, they chatted politely for a bit longer, agreed to keep in touch, and then took their leave.

After leaving the military camp, they leaned close and discussed in low voices.

“Right now the military only has two metal-type ability users left… Do you think it’s related to that?”

Yan Fei nodded slightly. “Also, the military’s zombie-clearing efficiency in this weather is much lower than before. Otherwise, he might have had even more today.”

“…But normally, aren’t all same-type cores allocated to the corresponding teams? Even if the metal squad can’t use them all, it shouldn’t be this many…”

“Captain Guo is in confinement right now, so we can’t contact him. As for the others…” Yan Fei shook his head. “Let’s head back first. Since we can exchange metal cores now, we’ll just keep doing it. The metal squad definitely has use for them—we don’t need to worry.”

In truth, with only two people left in the metal squad, even if they worked non-stop, their consumption of cores would have a limit. So having a surplus after losing two members… might be possible.

Still, after this exchange, both of them had the same thought—

They needed to go out of the base soon!

Otherwise, they’d run out of cores at home, and if more metal cores appeared, they’d have nothing left to trade. That would be unbearable.

That night, when Li Tie and the others returned and heard about the plan to make electric snow sleds and head out of the base, everyone was excited.

Han Li complained, “Hey, you could’ve just messaged us during the day! We could’ve gotten the data and brought it back already.”

Yan Fei smiled. “Since you’d be accessing the base database… if someone saw the message… All communication records in the base are controlled by the military…”

Everyone immediately became serious, nodding repeatedly. “Right, right. Better to be careful. Otherwise, if someone overhears, it could cause trouble.”

Being cautious might be a bit troublesome, but it was far better than being careless and leaving evidence behind.

Facts proved that Luo Xun—who had lived through another life and built many practical tools in the apocalypse—combined with Yan Fei, a metal-type ability user capable of manipulating any metal, made for a powerful duo.

After obtaining the necessary data, they spent a day tinkering and produced a prototype single-person metal snow sled.

They tested it on the rooftop of Building No. 7—since no one usually went there and it was elevated, it was safe enough. There wasn’t much snow, but a thin layer remained from earlier snowfall, which was enough for testing.

Once they confirmed the sled could move, carry people, and transport goods, they immediately built four larger sleds for the group.

Although the speed was slow due to improvised engines, as long as they could carry people and move across snow, it was sufficient.

To avoid drawing attention, they disassembled the sleds and stored the parts in their cars. Once outside the base, they planned to abandon the cars after disguising them as scrap metal, then continue into the city on the sleds.

After preparing everything—gear, supplies, weapons—the “otaku team” set off again on the morning of Li Tie’s first day off.

After driving out of the base, they quickly ran into trouble.

Although the road near the gate had been somewhat flattened by military vehicles and tanks, the city roads were still buried under thick, hardened snow.

No wonder the base staff had looked at their shabby cars with such strange expressions—without specialized vehicles, going out in this weather meant you were either starving or insane.

They had brought three cars to carry fuel, mushroom extract, weapons, ammunition, and the sled parts.

After struggling forward for a while, they had no choice but to stop and assemble the sleds.

The moment they stepped out, they realized—the snow was so deep their feet sank significantly with each step! And this was already on a compressed road. As for untouched areas… better not even try.

They quickly assembled the sleds, loaded their supplies, and Yan Fei reshaped the cars into scrap-like junk before abandoning them by the roadside.

For extra safety, they piled snow over the vehicles, making them look like buried wreckage.

Climbing onto the sleds, wearing thick hats, masks, and high collars, they arranged themselves:

Luo Xun, Yan Fei, and Li Tie in the lead sled.

Behind them, He Qiankun and Wu Xin.

Then Xu Mei, Song Lingling, and little Xinran.

Finally, Wang Duo, Zhang Su, and Han Li.

Since He Qiankun was heavier, his sled had fewer passengers.

Each sled carried not only people but also supplies, making them quite large in size.

After tying the sleds together with ropes, Luo Xun’s group took the lead and headed toward the southern part of the city—the place where they had once fought before.

As before, they gathered metal spheres along the way, letting them roll alongside them—though this was only done after they had moved a good distance away from the base. The sleds weren’t fast, but precisely because of that, the risk of overturning was reduced. After all, beneath the heavy snow covering the ruined city, who knew how much debris was hidden? Everything was blanketed in white—who could tell where the road was and where the rubble lay?

After a winding and difficult journey, by the time they reached roughly the area where they had once fought the giant duck, the sun was already tilting westward.

“Brother Luo, how come we haven’t seen any zombies along the way?” After arriving, Yan Fei first laid down a layer of metal plates on the ground before everyone dared to get off the sleds, stomping their feet to keep warm. Even though they had prepared plenty of heating measures, the long exposure to cold wind was still hard to endure.

“They’re probably buried under the snow.” Luo Xun exhaled a puff of white breath. As soon as he finished speaking, something in the snow nearby shifted slightly. Then a blackened, shriveled, frozen, rotting hand broke through the surface.

“Damn!” Wang Duo yelped, jumping back. The hand moved slowly and stiffly, and the zombie beneath clearly couldn’t crawl out anytime soon—but the sight was still horrifying.

“Clear out a foothold first. It’s better to deal with these zombies using abilities directly.” Luo Xun rubbed his face with his gloved hand, no longer paying attention to the trapped zombie.

“…So zombies just freeze in the snow during heavy winter?” Han Li asked blankly.

Luo Xun thought for a moment. “Probably no one came here after we left last time. Once the snow started, any zombies wandering nearby likely stayed put. In this kind of cold, even their limbs freeze. Think about it—if their bodies are frozen and there’s no external stimulus, can they still move?”

If they fell, with nothing to prompt them to get up, they’d just lie there and get buried by the snow.

“Brother Luo… you’re amazing!” Li Tie looked at him with shining eyes.

Luo Xun laughed awkwardly and pulled Yan Fei along to locate their old base. For Yan Fei, it was simple—he quickly detected the metal traps he had previously set. When the circular metal wall rose up, everyone immediately recognized the spot.

Xu Mei melted the snow and ice covering it with her fire ability, while Song Lingling controlled the melted water and moved it away. The others then shot down the zombies exposed beneath the melting snow. Once the area was cleared, they drove their sleds inside, and Yan Fei quickly sealed the shelter with a roof.

They had no choice—the psychological trauma from the giant duck last time was too deep. If something like that happened again while they were fighting zombies, and the approaching creature had even a bit of intelligence, they’d be in serious trouble.

Once the metal roof was completed, they lit a fire inside and warmed metal “hot water bottles” filled with water. These were prepared in advance—metal shells filled with water, heated by Xu Mei, then wrapped in cloth to hold against their bodies or placed on the sled seats to keep warm.

Yan Fei even created a “metal heated sofa” filled with water, arranged around the fire, using the heat to keep it warm.

This kind of setup was only possible because they had water, metal, and fire ability users working together—extremely convenient.

After setting up heating, Xu Mei melted the snow on the traps again, Song Lingling moved the water away, and they began preparing for the day’s work.

The mushroom solution they had brought was mostly frozen solid, except for some parts that had slightly thawed from the heated seats.

Thankfully, the gasoline hadn’t frozen.

They placed the containers by the fire to thaw, while Yan Fei adjusted the spikes in the trap. Xu Mei and Song Lingling poured the melted solution into metal containers near the trap.

Little Xinran’s sand ability was useless in such weather, so she sat quietly watching.

Once preparations were nearly complete, Luo Xun hung blood packs outside to lure zombies.

“The blood will freeze soon. Song Lingling, use warm water to circulate around the containers periodically to keep it thawed,” Luo Xun instructed. Then he said, “Alright, let’s eat dinner first.”

“What about the monsters outside—”

“They won’t come that fast. Even if some can move through the snow, it’ll take time. Let’s eat first.”

The zombies moved stiffly and slowly, like scenes in slow motion. The group ate and drank, occasionally peeking through the small window. Song Lingling kept the blood from freezing, while Zhang Su spread the scent of blood through the wind.

“Looks like another group is coming.”

As darkness fell, they hadn’t attracted many zombies all afternoon. Most that arrived moved slowly, and even faster ones fell into the traps quickly.

To improve efficiency, they had modified the traps, installing heating pipes underneath to keep the mushroom solution from freezing.

Any zombie that fell in would be corroded, with dripping solution attacking from above as well.

They had brought plenty of mushroom solution, and by evening, many zombies had already been immobilized by it.

“Are there a lot?” Luo Xun checked outside. In the snowy darkness, many shadows were slowly approaching.

“They look like those enlarged strength-type zombies.”

“What?! Where?!”

Everyone immediately rushed over.

“Don’t crowd. They’ll take a while to get here.” Luo Xun yawned and returned to the fire to warm up.

The roars grew louder and closer. Li Tie and the others tensed up, even Xu Mei and Song Lingling becoming serious.

Meanwhile, little Xinran sat by the fire, eating strawberries. After a while, she tugged on Luo Xun’s sleeve.

“What’s wrong?”

“Why didn’t we bring the little one with us?” she asked, thinking of their dog.

Luo Xun smiled bitterly and patted her head. “We’ll go back tomorrow and eat with it. It’s too dangerous out here. It doesn’t understand—if it eats something it shouldn’t…”

Dogs weren’t like people. If it got contaminated and turned, it would be too late.

As Luo Xun drifted into thought, a sudden excited whisper came from the window:

“Hit it! Hit it!”

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