18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 322

Austin had seen so many high society ladies like this, and he wasn't one to be easily impressed. A few pleasantries were usually all it took to send them on their way.

spare the time to mentor her, a sort of tuition fee.

Every week, Stella made her way to the serene town of Swan Hill. If Collin was too tied up to accompany her, she'd seek out Hugh. She never showed up empty-handed, sometimes bringing a bag of cornmeal, other times a sack of stale bread-gifts for whoever could After several visits without a glimpse of Collin, Stella couldn't help but ask, "Hugh, what's been keeping Dr. Collin so busy these days?"

"Word has it that the eternal night might be drawing to a close. There's been a catastrophe up north, and it might just ripple down here. Dr. Collin's been run ragged these days, working closely with Dr. Garcia-sometimes they barely have time for a meal." Dr. Garcia? That must be the old professor who cracked the smog virus.

Feigning nosy, Stella prodded further, "What kind of disaster struck up north?"

Hugh, with a gifted and alert apprentice like Stella, had no reason to hide the truth. "It hasn't been announced yet, but the news leaked from the capital. That cursed place, notorious for its nuclear waste mismanagement, was hit by the strongest earthquake in a millennium. An undersea volcano erupted, swallowing the entire country in no time."

To obliterate a nation, the volcanic eruption had to be colossal, and unimaginable amounts of ash must have been spewed into the air.

Stella felt a cold shiver run down her spine. The smog was coming. The sudden demise of that nation was the harsh reality behind the smog disaster.

Growing anxious, Stella asked, "Is there any way to predict what sort of virus the smog might carry?"

Hugh's expression was one of concern as he explained, "The finer the volcanic ash particles, the deeper they penetrate the respiratory tract. Once inhaled, they accumulate in the respiratory system, leading to numerous diseases. Exposure to coarse particles can harm the respiratory system and trigger asthma. Fine particles may cause heart and lung diseases, respiratory infections, reduced lung function, and pose significant risks to the elderly, children, and those with preexisting heart and lung conditions."

obvious. Besides creating smog, the ash caused severe damage

tried to reassure her while continuing the lesson, "Don't worry too much. The research institute has been cultivating medicinal herbs for such events for years now. You've got to

the session, she packed

Collin emerging from the glasshouse, accompanied by a few students and a septuagenarian. He was lean, with graying hair but appeared lively and

him, "Dr. Collin, it's been

pleased to see her, "Stella, good to see you. Just a moment,

her. "I'm sorry, I've been swamped lately. I haven't even had time to see you

on my own. Don't let me hold you up

our mettle as medical professionals. After years of calamities, we've lost many great talents. Our mission is daunting. News has reached every city, and they're gathering medical staff urgently. Soon, the remaining medics from Phoenix Bay, Raven Port, and Mount Barker will converge on Swan Hill to face this battle together. We must win, or the disaster will

took her a moment to find her voice.

get involved. To win this battle, she had

the smog

institute's preparations, but the words caught in her throat. The disasters destroyed most of the

she approached Austin, "Austin,

been years since the disasters. Even if we did have

the harsh climate cycles, even well-preserved items would be useless. She pondered her stockpile of medicinal herbs, thankful for the abundant mugwort

nodded, "Yes,

invitation for her to join the research team but expressed concern for Jasper, Rosie and the dog. "Maybe we could all go together

two crucial herbs were prepared, this battle