Apocalypse Survival Guide for a Beta [GB] - Chapter 47

Before the apocalypse, Eastern District Five was a remote area rarely visited, primarily used for warehouses and factories of various industries. However, after the apocalypse struck, the sparsely populated Eastern District Five became the largest safe zone in the Federation.

All key federal personnel were securely protected within the makeshift city-state established in Eastern District Five after the apocalypse.

Not only was the area safeguarded by the Security Bureau’s ability users but on the outskirts of Eastern District Five, near Eastern District One, there was also a defensive stronghold; a towering church called Aurora Church.

Standing amidst the desolation, the building was particularly striking among the ruins. Its outer walls were a pale gray-white and through its clear glass windows, one could see the orderly rows of clean pews inside. Seated on them were people in Federation military uniforms, their eyes closed as they made the sun sign on their chests and foreheads, muttering prayers in unison to the rhythmic chanting of the missionaries.

Since its establishment, the Aurora Church has rapidly expanded under the leadership of Bishop Claire, amassing an astonishing number of followers. Nearly half of the remaining Federation military personnel were now devout members. Every day, they prayed for the arrival of Enigma, hoping it would bring an end to the apocalypse.

For many survivors, the church had become a sanctuary of purity and hope.

A man in a Federation military uniform hurriedly crossed the front porch. Seeing his superior deep in prayer inside the main hall, he lightened his steps and slipped through the side corridor toward the bishop’s prayer chamber.

Inside, Bishop Claire was staring intently at a screen displaying the massive cocoon under surveillance. Outwardly, it appeared unchanged but the thick stack of data beside him told a different story.

Emotional activity inside the cocoon was increasing.

For the past two or three months, there had been barely any emotional fluctuations. But in the past month, the frequency had steadily risen. Perhaps… He would soon see Her. |3|

Claire’s slender fingers touched the image of the cocoon on the screen, his beautiful eyes flickering with a hint of excitement.

Ding.

A bell rang outside the door.

In an instant, Claire’s expression calmed, returning to its usual composure. Another screen lit up, displaying the face of the visitor. He was a devout follower of the church, Lou Jia, who was also a member of the Federation military patrol unit.

Claire opened the door.

Lou Jia entered the room, carefully closing the door behind him. He respectfully traced a sun symbol on his chest with his fingers and silently murmured, “Aurora bless me,” before addressing Claire. “Your Excellency, we have confirmed that Lou Tiannan and Elena are currently in Southern District One. The two from Red Sand also seem to be with them.”

Claire’s eyes shifted slightly as he looked at Lou Jia with a calm expression. “The two from Red Sand…?”

“Yes, Tang Mary and Bai Chuan. The exact situation is still unclear. From the information I’ve received, we only know that Chang Qi and Sun Siqian were killed in Southern District One. According to a survivor who escaped from Blood Bone, Tang Mary is hunting down Elena because Elena… apparently stole Tang Mary’s crystals,” as Lou Jia spoke the last sentence, he found it rather absurd.

“Elena stole crystals.” Claire’s lips curled slightly, as if he’d just heard a joke. Not only did he find it ridiculous but he was also deeply puzzled. “Didn’t Elena defect from the Federation? Why would Lou Tiannan be with her?”

It was a question but Lou Jia immediately read deeper into it. Suddenly realizing something, his expression changed. “Could it be that Lou Tiannan has defected too?”

Claire said nothing but his gaze darkened in thought, as if pondering the very possibility of Lou Tiannan’s betrayal.

Lou Jia’s expression grew stern. “Your Excellency, I will immediately inquire with the Security Bureau’s Military Defense Department. As far as I know, Lou Tiannan still carries out missions for the Federation. We cannot allow the Federation to fall into such a dangerous situation!”

Everyone knew that Elena disliked Aurora Church and her defection from the Federation was even suspected to be partially due to it. Despite that, the church’s followers couldn’t bring themselves to hate her. Her face and the image she once projected were simply too gentle and reliable. Besides, they had never actually witnessed her commit any wrongdoing.

However, if Lou Tiannan, someone entrusted with an important mission, was now with a known traitor like Elena, the public would inevitably take notice. This was a matter of survival in the apocalypse.

Lou Jia knew he had to investigate.

After he hurried out, the prayer chamber fell into silence.

“They’re in Southern District One, close to Eastern District One,” Claire’s voice suddenly broke the stillness.

As if speaking to himself, he continued, “Is there really anything left in Eastern District One?”

Perhaps no one knew the answer except for the zombies still lurking there.

“They’ll find out once they go in,” Claire answered his own question again.

He slowly closed his eyes, placing a hand over his heart, and murmured, “They won’t make it inside.”

***

Southern District One’s air raid shelter.

Because of their injuries, Lu Jia, Zhou Yu, and Lou Tiannan remained in the shelter for two days and one night.

The special medicine given by Xiang Cheng worked well. By the third day, they had mostly recovered, except for Xi Ya who was still asleep.

She hadn’t woken up for three days but after reaching a high fever, her body temperature had begun to gradually drop.

After checking Xi Ya’s temperature, Wen Xiaxia said, “She’ll probably wake up today.”

Bai Chuan crouched nearby, pressing a white handkerchief to the corner of his eye, his voice filled with sorrow, “My poor child…”

Tang Mary’s forehead twitched with irritation but the others were already used to Bai Chuan’s occasional dramatic episodes and ignored him.

Sure enough, by noon, Xi Ya woke up. After waking up, Xi Ya ate a lot of the food Wen Xiaxia had prepared for her, quickly regaining her energy.

Lou Tiannan tested her ability level. “C-rank.”

Many people were surprised by the result. A seven-year-old child reaching C-rank was already impressive but to advance within a month of awakening her ability? Her potential was immeasurable.

Bai Chuan was so overjoyed he nearly cried. “As expected of my child! Daddy is so proud!”

Everyone had grown somewhat tolerant of Bai Chuan’s antics by now but Xi Ya, having just woken up, found him terrifying. Puffing up her cheeks, she glared at him. “You’re a bad person! You’re not my dad!”

Bai Chuan’s expression froze. He raised an eyebrow and approached Xi Ya but she immediately grabbed onto Lou Tiannan’s leg and hid behind him. “Uncle, there’s a bad guy!”

It had to be said that Xi Ya knew how to pick her protector. Bai Chuan, faced with the taller Lou Tiannan, could only grit his teeth in frustration, thinking about how he could win Xi Ya over. If he couldn’t get through to Lin Bai, that emotionless android, surely he could bond with a child!

“Uncle?” Wen Xiaxia and Elena were a bit surprised by Xi Ya’s choice of address. Wen Xiaxia asked, “Didn’t Xi Ya always call Captain Lou ‘big brother’? Why the sudden change in seniority?”

Zhou Yu explained, “How could she call him ‘big brother’? She calls Lin Bai ‘mom’ and us ‘big brothers.’ Then what would that make Lin Bai? Our auntie?”

“Wait, you’re right!” Wen Xiaxia suddenly realized the logic.

“Hahaha, not only is our 22-year-old Sister Yan an auntie now but so is our 21-year-old Xiaxia!” Zhou Yu teased.

“Shut up!” Wen Xiaxia scolded, playfully annoyed.

“Who figured this out?” Elena suddenly asked.

“Who?” Zhou Yu scratched his head, thinking for a moment. “Must’ve been Captain Lou! Quick thinker, as expected! Hm? Elena, why do you look like that?”

Elena glanced at Lou Tiannan who was still protecting Xi Ya. She pushed down the thoughts forming in her mind and smiled warmly. “Nothing. Let’s get ready to leave.”

After the large explosion in Southern District One, the number of zombies nearby had decreased significantly. They planned to use that window of time to head toward Eastern District One before more zombies swarmed back in. However, the main issue now was Bai Chuan and Tang Mary.

Bai Chuan seemed dead set on following Lin Bai, while Tang Mary, holding a dubious sketch, was determined to stick with Elena, not just because she wanted to catch the person who stole her crystals but also because she had long set her sights on Eastern District One. Blood Bone had repeatedly interfered with her plans, delaying her for too long.

Seeing that neither Bai Chuan nor Tang Mary intended to leave, the two groups maintained a delicate truce.

Lou Tiannan, however, remained wary of both of them. Once his team had packed up, they set off for Eastern District One. The zombies there would only be more numerous than in Southern District One. Perhaps Bai Chuan and Tang Mary could prove useful.

The streets of Southern District One were littered with abandoned vehicles. Lou Tiannan dismantled an off-road vehicle that could fit eight people, while Bai Chuan, ever the show-off, found himself a flashy sports car and trailed behind them.

Zhou Yu sat in the slightly worn-out car, reminiscing about the military vehicle Xiang Cheng had prepared for them. “It’s a real shame about that car, just left behind at Tongtian Port. Such great specs…”

“Good specs are useless if you don’t live long enough to use them,” Song Yan said coolly.

“Fair point.” Zhou Yu spoke as he caught a glimpse of Bai Chuan and Tang Mary in the sports car outside, “What are those two up to?”

Curious, he leaned toward Lin Bai. “Lin Bai, what do you think about Bai Chuan having a thing for you?”

If they were going by first impressions, Lin Bai was definitely not a match for Bai Chuan. One was an average-looking, thirty-year-old female Beta with a child, while the other was a stunning and elegant male Omega. The contrast was obvious.

But now? Not at all. To Zhou Yu, Lin Bai was an unbeatable warrior. She fought swiftly and decisively, never losing ground. Her driving skills were unmatched and she seemed to know everything. Her daughter, Xi Ya, was adorable and well-behaved. In Zhou Yu’s eyes, Lin Bai had no flaws.

Bai Chuan, on the other hand, was a different story. Sure, he was an Omega and looked decent but he acted strangely, spoke strangely, and was just… too much of an Omega. Simply put, he was not worthy of Lin Bai.

“I have a partner,” Lin Bai replied, using the same excuse as always.

Lou Tiannan’s fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel. Eastern District One, 621 Biopharmaceutical Research Institute, her partner. She was so capable, so her partner must be just as exceptional.

For a moment, Lou Tiannan’s mind wandered. Maybe her partner was still alive. Maybe they would reunite soon.

That thought darkened his eyes and his brows furrowed unconsciously. But he quickly forced himself to relax, silently scolding himself. Lou Tiannan, what are you thinking? If there are survivors at the 621 Biopharmaceutical Research Institute, that’s incredibly good news. You should be hoping for that, not harboring selfish thoughts like some petty, jealous man!