Chapter 7
1026words
When the survivors saw the cabin—armored with steel plates and ringed with electric fences like a military installation—they were stunned anew by Jack's capabilities. Then the Apocalypse RV transformed with mechanical precision, extending a sealed laboratory module packed with cutting-edge equipment, and their awe turned to reverence.
Isabella proved her worth instantly. Rather than succumbing to amazement, she commandeered the lab and began organizing operations: assigning some to treat wounds and distribute medicine, others to inventory supplies and establish records, while she personally began analyzing zombie tissue samples.
Under her leadership, the ragtag group of survivors transformed into a disciplined, quasi-military operation.
Jack approved. Professionals should handle their specialties. His job was simpler—eliminate threats.
On the second day of operations, a threat appeared uninvited.
"Sir, perimeter drones have detected a large convoy approaching," Isabella reported through the comm, her tone grave. "Vehicle types and markings identify them as the 'Highway Vultures'—the most notorious raiders in the region."
Jack strode to the command center and studied the drone footage.
A savage convoy of Harley motorcycles and modified pickups filled with rough-looking men brandishing machetes and firearms. Their vehicles flew flags bearing vulture skull insignias.
"Approximately forty hostiles," Isabella analyzed. "Primarily armed with outdated rifles and handguns. Limited combat effectiveness individually, but overwhelming for most survivor groups. They've clearly located us and intend to raid."
"Raid us?" Jack watched the bandits with a cold smile. "Then they can leave their lives here."
Half an hour later, the Highway Vultures surrounded the base.
Their leader—a bear-like man with rough features and a wild beard—surveyed the fortified compound with eyes gleaming not with fear but naked greed.
To him, this was just another prepper's bunker—crack the shell, and all the goodies inside would be theirs for the taking.
He raised a megaphone: "Listen up in there! I'm the boss of the Highway Vultures! Hand over your food, meds, and women! If I'm feeling generous, maybe I'll let you live as our slaves!"
His men erupted in raucous laughter, already savoring their victory.
The response came through the base's external speakers—not pleading, but ice-cold:
"Leave now, or stay here forever."
The bandits' laughter intensified.
"Tough talk from dead men!" The leader tossed his megaphone aside and waved his arm. "Boys, tear this place apart! Everything inside is ours!"
"Light 'em up! FIRE!"
On command, the bandits opened fire, bullets peppering the base.
Their rounds sparked harmlessly against the armored plating, causing zero damage.
As they paused to reload—
Jack's voice—cold as death—came through the speakers.
"War has begun."
The instant he finished—
"Whirr—"
Six panels slid open atop the Apocalypse RV. Six lethal-looking attack drones rose silently into the air like mechanized hornets!
"What the hell are those?" The bandits stared upward in confusion.
Death rained from above.
RATATATATATA!
Six mini-guns opened fire simultaneously! A storm of lead poured from the sky, saturating the entire bandit position!
"AHHH——!"
"Ambush! TAKE COVER!"
Screams of agony and panicked shouts filled the air. The swaggering bandits dissolved into chaos as precision fire tore through flesh and bone. Within seconds, half their number lay shredded on the ground.
As the survivors scrambled for cover—
The base's heavy alloy gate slowly opened.
A figure emerged that froze their blood.
A humanoid figure encased in full-body black exoskeleton armor stepped forth. The armor's aggressive lines radiated power, its eye slits glowing blood-red. In its hands, a massive six-barrel Gatling gun spun up with a mechanical whine.
"Death... the Reaper..." A bandit whispered, his weapon slipping from trembling fingers as he stared at the walking nightmare.
Jack gave them no time to think.
He squeezed the trigger.
"RATATATATATATATA——!!!"
A hellstorm of metal and fire erupted from the weapon! The sound alone was like physical force!
Everything in the weapon's path—men and vehicles alike—disintegrated under the savage onslaught! Blood, flesh, and metal fragments sprayed in all directions!
This wasn't combat—it was industrial-scale extermination.
Jack advanced methodically, the weapon roaring non-stop, erasing every living thing before him from existence.
When the barrel finally glowed red-hot and fell silent, the battlefield had become a slaughterhouse.
Only the leader remained alive, sprawled in the dirt, staring up at the armored demon with pure terror in his eyes.
Jack discarded the empty Gatling and drew his High-Frequency Battle Axe, its edge glowing electric blue.
He approached the leader with measured steps.
"No... stay back! Don't kill me! I surrender! Everything I have is yours!" The leader scrambled backward, pants already soaked.
Jack stopped before him, his armor's servos whining softly like a funeral dirge.
"Too late."
The words came cold from behind the mask.
The axe flashed.
The leader's head, eyes still wide with disbelief, arced through the air before thumping to the ground.
One man's war was over.
The few survivors dropped to their knees, foreheads pressed to the blood-soaked earth, begging for mercy.
Jack claimed the Highway Vultures' stronghold—a massive truck stop they'd converted into a fortress. Its size and facilities made it far more suitable as a main base than his forest cabin.
Dusk fell.
The dying sun painted the landscape blood-red.
Jack stood on the truck stop's roof, still clad in his imposing armor. Beside him, Isabella in her white lab coat reported on base renovations and personnel integration.
Below, captured bandits and rescued survivors kept their heads bowed, not daring to look directly at the two figures who now controlled their fate.
One, a merciless warlord who commanded life and death.
The other, a medical authority who determined who would heal and who would perish.
A new kingdom was taking shape amid the ruins.
In Jack's vision, a system panel visible only to him flashed with golden light.
[Congratulations, host, on completing the hidden mission: Area Cleanup!]
[Regional Conquest Mission officially launched: Sierra Nevada Mountains]
[Hint: You have taken the first step on the path to becoming a hegemon. This world will tremble beneath your feet!]
Jack gazed across the vast mountain ranges stretching to the horizon. A cold, victorious smile played at the corner of his mouth.
This was merely the beginning.
