18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 528

Kost was scared out of his wits, but there was nothing he could do about it. Running into a group from the Bounty Hunters' Guild wasn't the worst thing that could happen. As long as his buddy gave the box's serial number and address to the soldiers, they'd be safe. Even if they got jumped later, the soldiers would only recognize the first report.

In other words, any hijacker would have to take out the messenger mid-route to claim the glory. Kost's biggest fear was running into scavengers who wouldn't even bother with pleasantries. They'd take you out first and then try to jimmy the box open. If the box didn't budge, you'd be dead for nothing.

He sighed in relief, thanking his lucky stars that the group before him wasn't of the thieving kind. Watching the trio depart, he nearly jumped out of his skin when two dogs sprang out of nowhere, sending a cold sweat down his spine. In this post- apocalyptic world, keeping dogs meant you were either filthy rich or a highway robber looking to feast on some "mutton."

Their gear was light, but those dogs looked meaty, suggesting something more sinister. Was it divine intervention that he dodged a bullet? "Oh Lord, amen," he whispered, hoping for continued grace.

It wasn't until the Kindle Chest vanished from sight that Jasper spoke up, "Are we heading to Griffith?" Without hesitation, Stella replied, "Let's check it out." Anyone commanding thousands of soldiers had to be more than an ordinary officer. She had a hunch it might be Daniel.

Thousands of troops, such a massive force, could be remnants of the army tasked with protecting Daniel when the land sank. The world was vast, and fate played its hand. They hadn't got the exact coordinates for Hope Point, but luck had led them to the Shallow Sea domain, and from there, they had stumbled upon other survivors. Eventually, as land rose again, the group settled ashore.

Griffith is indeed a South Base establishment, maybe Cody Lukas and the others are there too. Let's go in

watch on either

their eating and drinking in the vehicle. During rest stops, they'd scout the surroundings. At night, they bunked in the car, gazing up at the stars through the sunroof. The sky, unpolluted, was genuinely stunning. But Stella's heart wasn't in it to appreciate the beauty; her thoughts

there were other high-ranking South Base officials. She wondered if Daniel, with all his ailments, could survive? Despite knowing the likely grim answer, years later, she regretted not stocking up on more medicine or being kinder to him back then. Then there was Cody Lukas and the rest... After so many years of disaster, not everyone made it. Many survivors, lacking vitamins and minerals, lost their hair, teeth, and fell prey to all sorts of diseases. She had seen those with

and pulled her close, whispering, "Sleep now, we'll be there by tomorrow." Stella cleared her mind and soon fell asleep in his embrace. It was a beauty tinged with sadness, desolation,

The Plunderer, heavyset, kicked up clouds of dust. Using binoculars, Stella spotted the vast ocean a

on a high hill. Through her binoculars, Stella spotted a bay with several naval ships, large transport vessels, and dozens of submarines. Every ship, every transport, she had seen before

Kost hadn't lied, traveling a dozen more kilometers would bring them to the border of Griffith, where a secure checkpoint awaited. Stella stowed away the car, worrying about the wolf-hearted and dog-hearted couple, "What about the two of them?" Jasper was equally puzzled, "Kost mentioned that foreign refugees live around the border. Let's stuff them in bags for now and figure out a plan

don't make a sound." Cooper's movements were practiced, heartbreakingly so, while Snowflake resisted

slung an old assault rifle over her shoulder, while the couple carried simple pistols. The wolf-hearted and dog-hearted were no lightweights, but thankfully, the pair were in top physical condition, or they'd be