18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 380

The tarp was yanked back, revealing a truck bed filled with weathered barrels caked in mud and rust. Each container looked like it had survived a bombing raid, dented here and bulging there. The warehouse worker couldn't help but wonder-what on earth was inside?

He scrubbed off the mud, chipped away at the rust, and finally, the emblem on one of the barrels came into view Titanium?

He cleaned a few more, revealing Tungsten, Beryllium...

"My God, these were rare metals-the kind the base had been scouring the earth for, with no luck. Production at the factory was hanging by a thread.

The worker's jaw nearly hit the floor. "All of this, in both trucks?"

"Yep." Stella wiped her dirt-streaked face, her voice tinged with urgency and anxiety. "Buddy, are these any good to you? We busted our backs and bet the farm to trade for these. If they're useless, we're done for." Considering the barrels' shabby state, the worker wasn't sure whether the contents were still intact.

"I honestly don't know." He got caught up in Stella's dramatic demeanor and grew nervous himself. "Hold tight, I'll get some folks from the research and testing department over here."

He dashed into the office and radioed for assistance.

After briefing the situation, he reminded them, "Yes, yes, it's two trucks full-send someone quick."

These metals were like industrial MSG-a pinch in the mix and you're golden. And this-this was a motherlode!

Twenty minutes later, a vehicle rolled up, unloading a few uniformed personnel.

As they caught sight of the two trucks' worth of barrels, their jaws dropped in shock.

The team leader, snapping out of his amazement, commanded: "Let's move, get these unloaded and sampled for testing."

The trading hub's staff scrambled to help.

Stella hurried over. "Hey, where are you taking our stuff? You haven't even weighed it yet. You aren't thinking of swiping it, are you?"

flashed a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, we're not thieves. Rare metals just need special storage. The last few years have been

a batch first, should take about three hours to get results. If it's all good, we'll need two days for the

weren't taking the

lids, revealing the refined powder inside, the experts

the condition of the metals,

three hours, the trading center's staff needed to clean all the barrels'

but that wasn't something

their dog weren't idle either, joining the workers

roll on the ground, the workers called out anxiously, "Easy there, easy! Don't damage the barrels." To the uninitiated, one might think

the testing department's demands, cleaning everything as quickly

like wildfire throughout the trading center, attracting lone scavengers and groups eager for news.

secure a lifetime's worth of necessities

to Jasper with feigned camaraderie. "Buddy, where'd you score this loot?

"Hey miss, need a strong arm or a loyal companion? Whether

darkened.

frazzled. "Get

hopping mad, declared, "She's my

his teeth with a

Jasper, without another word, drew his gun and

and their dog, the group reluctantly dispersed, cursing

chuckled. "Don't let it get to you. You'll

with scavenging growing tougher, people were

think they're the exception, endlessly attempting to schmooze and ally

nuisances was becoming a

dog retreated to their truck to

came in fresh from the lab, and the trading department

credits for you. The rest, you'll get your results in two days. Just bring your receipt to claim your points." Stella was fine with that-credits with a string of