18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 125

30 planting pots, made of plastic that was not resistant to low temperatures and could become brittle when frozen. However, they were thick, so as long as handled carefully, there shouldn't be a problem. Four packs of compound fertilizer, each weighing about 50 pounds.

Satisfied with the goods, Stella pulled out a flask of liquor from her bag.

Monkey, initially upset about not making a profit, was pleasantly surprised. The liquor alone made the deal worthwhile.

Having secured his goods, Monkey departed.

Jasper, to make Stella's job easier, had stayed out of the transaction, waiting outside with Rosie. Once sure the coast was clear, Stella stowed the items away in the Arcadia.

As she was about to leave, she noticed Jasper talking to Monkey at a distance, apparently negotiating a deal.

Only after Monkey had left did Stella come out.

Back in their neighborhood, Stella didn't rush home. She let Cooper out of her bag for a walk around the block. This guy was well-behaved and knew better than to whine while tucked inside the backpack.

While Stella walked the dog, Jasper watched over Rosie. They stood sheltered from the wind, quietly watching the two frolic in the cold.

The items exchanged were paid for by Stella, to which Jasper asked, "What do you want for today's deal?"

They usually split the goods, but as Jasper was the one primarily looking after the potatoes, Stella didn't want to take advantage of him. So, she included the cotton shoes in the deal, "Any chocolate left?" It was delicious, a bit addictive. "Yes," he replied.

Back on the 18th floor, the planters and fertilizer were temporarily stored in the Arcadia, and the cotton shoes were given to Jasper.

Jasper brought out two boxes of chocolate. Stella, being fair, only took one.

Once inside, Rosie looked up, "Jasper, I want some chocolate."

alcohol, kiddo. You can have some

dropped Rosie off at 1802, "I need to step

willingly; they'd been taking turns watching over the kid and

make some instant soup

looked at him

by him, Stella felt obliged to offer, "Would you like some as

surprise, Jasper

to the pot, threw in some

the presence of a dog and a child somehow

shifts. This time they looked much better than last time, not as haggard and

they only suffered minor frostbites,

back several valuable items, including a piece of gold weighing almost half a pound. All of these were handed over to Stella for safekeeping and to trade for more useful items in the future. Work was different from school, but in just two months, Angela and Lukas had changed dramatically. Especially Lukas, who used to be reliant on women, now stood tall and strong, he had become a real man. Of course, he was still good to Angela, constantly praising his wife. Cody was envious, while

had faced many dangers but made it through each time, gaining valuable experience and resources in the

not going to believe this. I feel like I've opened my third eye," said Lukas with a grin, hugging a pillow on the sofa. "No matter who it is, as long as I look closely at them in a crowd, I

said, digging in her ear. "You're a security patrol officer, so

managing to stutter out,

doctors said he should eat digestible foods. Now he had finally cured his stomach ailment, he was getting stronger and more powerful,

bad." Stella reflected

sensitive lately." Okay, as long as he was okay, it

were well off with their food stocks, hence

which boosted unit 1803's confidence. They invited two neighboring families to a meal. There was meat, canned food, a bit of wine, and plenty of rice. As their combat experience with thugs grew, they unanimously

close-combat techniques and life-saving skills. The police had also provided training, but their techniques were no match for those of a SWAT officer. Their jobs were different, and their techniques were different. The police taught arrest techniques

training seriously, practicing over

skills, had caught the eye of the chief of security and was promoted to squad leader, resulting in a pay rise from

Lukas were envious and vowed to toughen up. They couldn't be outdone by a woman; they, too, wanted to be squad

in their beds at night, discussing how they could be as efficient as Jasper

night, they practiced choking each