18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 331

Several volunteers had tried the new drug, and aside from those with severe illnesses who succumbed, the virus was eradicated from the bodies of the other patients. However, the extent of the side effects varied. The research institute was in a quandary. After much deliberation, they decided to draft an honest report and send it up the chain of command.

The drug was in short supply, and officials from cities across the nation had been sent out to search for more, all returning empty-handed. The decision between preserving quality or quantity was not one the institute could make. If given a choice, no one would want to give up.

Dr. Garcia had spent a sleepless night after submitting the report, and by the next day, his hair had turned significantly grayer.

Stella sat in her dorm, her expression a complex mix of emotions.

Jasper, guessing at her thoughts, sat down beside her and said, "Our illness is cured. What do you plan to do with the remaining herbal remedies?"

Indeed, when Stella had anonymously donated the medicine, she had been cautious and held back a portion. It wasn't that she didn't trust Evan or the institute, but rather she knew that without the final right answer, one often had to traverse countless detours. And these detours could very well deplete the precious herbs. Once depleted, death would be the only certainty.

In her past life, repeated drug trials had led to desperation, and Dr. Garcia's team had been forced to venture out in search of new medicines.

Perhaps by fate, they had eventually found the right one. But Stella was still haunted by the tragic events of her past life, including Jasper's untimely death. So, she was torn.

She looked at Jasper and asked, "Do I bring them out, or do I not?"

Jasper didn't answer directly but pondered for a moment before saying, "The herbs are from your Arcadia gardens. It's up to you whether to share them or not."

He paused briefly before adding, "But what if one day the disaster is over, and the world finds peace again? If we have children, who's going to teach them to read? When they fall ill, who will heal them? Maybe you could teach them about literature, medicine, and survival. But as the disaster escalates, with humanity dwindling and civilization collapsing, those who survive will be raising offspring who know nothing but a savage fight for survival. How will our descendants fit into that world?"

Stella extracted the key point, "Are you thinking about having kids?"

to have them. It doesn't matter if you don't. We'll grow old and die, and Rosie is

was silent for a long time before nodding, "Let's go

Arcadia, especially since more was continuously growing. They set out for Griffith under the

smog had worsened over the past month, with visibility now less than

was safe, Stella, her face masked, unloaded the herbs near the police station and honked the car horn. By the time the officers rushed out, the Hummer had vanished into the

medicine has arrived. It looks like it's from the same people as last time. Should we send it immediately to the Swan Hill Institute for Herbal Medicine?" Evan, relying on an oxygen tank to breathe, gasped, "Wait, let me ask

the most cooperative officials

was a case of the squeaky

oxygen mask, Evan headed to the

to deliver the herbs to the Swan Hill Institute for Traditional Medicine. Accompanying the transport was Deputy Secretary Mark, responsible for ensuring the return of the virus-eradicating medicine. The medicine had been donated out of love by the people of Griffith, and Griffith had

even reached Swan Hill when the Kindle Society from Lincoln and the official base from Goldbridge were already racing to intercept it. Everyone wanted

was no different; she too was ready to

making was complex, filled with nuances not easily mastered with a single

Garcia had fallen ill and that the institute was temporarily under Collin's leadership, she made a point to visit him and get straight to the point,

didn't respond immediately but instead furrowed his brow in

his hesitation, Stella felt she had overstepped, "If

ordinary citizen. Yet, Collin knew well enough that the officials might not distribute the medicine to the needy right away. They had

too and wanted them to

contributions both he and Stella had made, including the donated supplies, Collin

wind of the situation, bringing donations and medical staff, some even carrying

anyone, letting the Swan Hill