18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 152

However, as they moved forward, the sunlight behaved like a murderous assailant wielding a deadly weapon, relentlessly pursuing them.

Even with climate-controlled clothing, the 50-degree heat was unbearable. Sweat continued to pour from their bodies, making them as drenched as if they'd just stepped out of a shower. Thankfully, Jasper had a good sense of direction. The four-story factory, their destination, was already in sight. The factory stood tall, its name and logo glaring in the sun, reflecting a metallic sheen. Once they reached the rooftop, they used a crowbar to pry open the rooftop door.

The water had receded by over three feet, so the damp, peeling ceiling and piles of finished goods and raw materials were now visible.

It was clear that the factory had attempted to salvage their property, moving valuable goods to the fourth floor. But even that effort wasn't enough to outmatch the cataclysmic flood. Jasper was not interested in the finished products, but the raw materials-rare metals like lithium, beryllium, titanium, and tungsten, colloquially known as industrial seasoning. Adding just a pinch of these to conventional materials could yield unimaginable results, like resistance to extreme heat, friction, and hardness.

These were scarce resources, and the base would send scavengers to find such metals.

Taking advantage of these resouces, their survival would be ensured for a long time.

After extraction, these rare metals existed in powder form, sealed in cylindrical barrels, much like oil drums.

Swimming over, they found that the topmost label was for beryllium. Exchanging confirming glances, they decided it was a target worth hoarding in Arcadia.

These rare metals were absurdly expensive, but this factory was loaded. Stella managed to collect dozens of sealed barrels, making their trip worthwhile.

After a rough count, they had over a dozen types of rare metals. If they ever decided to enter the base, this would be their ticket.

As for the other finished goods, Arcadia space was running low and needed a recharge.

There was so much to collect, it was impossible to hoard it all. They had to leave some behind for others.

Upon returning to their neighborhood, night was just falling.

Lukas and the others, who had been inside all day, were out with Rosie and the dog on the rooftop for some fresh air. Seeing Stella and Jasper return, they quickly came downstairs.

Before they could approach, they pinched their noses and stepped back, "Wow, where have you guys been?"

strong it could knock a person out. The dog, however, didn't seem

to her room, she immediately jumped into Arcadia to take a shower,

Salt & Pepper Pork, Garlic Roasted Veggies, and a large pot of white rice, inviting Jasper and Rosie to join her. Rosie, recognizing the cook through the taste,

looking particularly smug. Its owner's

sneakily handed a piece of watermelon

happily closed the room door, savoring their

day, on their way back, they had encountered a team of professional salvagers whose boats were loaded with goods, all covered

they could see, it looked like clothes and fabrics. Most likely, they had gone to a clothing factory. So they had to continue the next day, getting a head start before others could. "Where should we go next?"

them. Then we'll need to

Anything extra they collected could

stores were merely samples. Customers had to get the goods from the factory. It would be faster to go straight to the factory rather than collecting samples from different stores. They flipped through the map and quickly locked

have a high-end auto repair shop here?"

was surprised, "Yes,

was known for its wealthy inhabitants. Some of them were flashy and extravagant, casually driving luxury cars

upper-class car modification club, apparently owned by a son of some real estate tycoon,

for two months during her

good, but she joined with the intention of investigating the rich

exceptionally high. Plainly put, the world of the rich was beyond ordinary people's imagination.

car is still submerged in the underground parking lot. Some parts might be damaged. It would be good to have some

the cars. There were hardly

had Arcadia, and Jasper could repair a few spare cars. The unneeded cars

parts available, not only could she modify the car, but she could

the base. Although it was

times, it would have been just a two to three-hour drive. If they wanted to meet up, they could just hop in

apart meant they might never see each other again. It was a matter

grown up with her in the orphanage. If possible, even if they never had the chance to see each other again, she hoped they would live on. The tile factory was quite far, so they had to get up before dawn the next

asleep. Stella instructed Cooper to take