The apocalypse struck, and I became a druid.

Page 11

"The number of monsters has increased significantly, and their range of activity is also expanding."

"Initially, they were mainly active in the lower floors and near the ground, but now they are also frequently seen in the middle and upper floors."

“I suspect that the more water accumulates, the faster they will reproduce and grow,” he said, pointing to the relentless downpour outside the window.

"Third, take inventory and contact the survivors."

Liu Feng's voice lowered slightly.

"In this apartment building, including you, there are currently about forty confirmed survivors, distributed across different floors and rooms. As for the others..."

"Some were dragged away by monsters while searching for supplies, while others starved to death, died of disease, or died... by desperate suicide."

"The situation is even worse in other buildings nearby. Some apartment buildings have no awakened individuals and are located in relatively low-lying areas, so there are almost no living people left."

Han Ning lives in a hotel-style apartment building.

This place is close to the sea and has a low elevation, which has now made it a very dangerous place.

"In short, after my investigation over the past few days, I have only managed to contact three Awakened Ones, including you."

He raised his eyes, looking directly at Han Ning, his expression frank and solemn:

"This is the current situation. The torrential rain outside is falling all the time. If we remain in a state of disarray, each minding our own business, the end result will be that we will be swallowed up one by one by the flood or monster."

"So, you want to organize everyone to leave here?" Han Ning finally spoke.

“That’s right!” Liu Feng answered decisively.

"The core force that leaves is the Awakened Ones. Ordinary people facing the Crocodile Lizards outside is simply suicide."

"I need an elite squad to scout the surrounding area, especially the routes leading to the nearest dock or places where ships might be hiding, while also assessing the distribution and strength of the monsters. If possible, try to acquire a usable ship."

"This team must be composed of strong individuals."

He paused for a moment, then looked at Han Ning: "Qiangzi described your abilities to me. We need strong people like you."

"Do you have a specific destination in mind?" Han Ning continued to ask.

“Egret Harbor,” Liu Feng uttered three words.

“This port is about five kilometers away from our apartment building as the crow flies. It’s the closest port, and there are definitely ships there, and more than one. Although the risk is high, it’s also the place with the best chance of success.”

Five kilometers...a journey that would normally only take a few minutes by car.

But in this submerged city, amidst the rain and surrounded by countless crocodiles and lizards, these five kilometers are practically the road to the underworld.

"When will we take action? Have the other two Awakened Ones agreed?" Han Ning's voice was devoid of emotion.

"I won't lie to you, one has already agreed, and the other is still considering it."

"As for the timing of the operation, the sooner the better."

Liu Feng's tone was urgent.

"The downpour won't stop just because we're waiting. My initial plan is to set off early the day after tomorrow, even if that person disagrees, and try to scout out the situation near the route to Bailugang."

"I've said everything I needed to say. What are your thoughts?"

Liu Feng looked into Han Ning's eyes.

"I'll think about it." Han Ning didn't reply immediately.

"Sure, but I hope you can do it as soon as possible; time waits for no one."

After saying that, Liu Feng turned and left the room.

After Liu Feng left, the empty living room of 801 was filled only with the incessant sound of the torrential rain.

Han Ning stood there, not leaving immediately, but lost in thought.

He had a conflict with that man with the buzz cut, but he couldn't quite figure out what the other man's motives were.

There are only two paths ahead.

They were either trapped in a lonely building, facing the flood and monsters in despair after their supplies ran out.

They could either take a gamble and cooperate with Liu Feng to fight for a slim chance of survival before the flood completely submerged the buildings.

The former is a slow death, while the latter is a possible quick death, but with a glimmer of hope.

Han Ning couldn't help but walk to the window, gently lift a corner of the curtain, and look into the distance.

Muddy rain dripped between the lifeless city buildings, and the water on the ground had already submerged the roofs of some vehicles.

Several crocodile lizards, noticeably larger than the juveniles they had encountered before, swam slowly in the ripples created by the downpour, their jagged back spines cutting through the water and leaving trails of waves.

"We can't wait any longer." He lowered the curtains and let out a long sigh.

……

Back in 803, Han Ning carefully put away the supplies he had brought from 703.

They then selected some useful seeds from the pile of rotten fruits and vegetables.

He found several types of fruits and vegetables that could be grown:

1. Tomato

Although the tomatoes were rotten, some of the seeds were still wrapped in the flesh that was not completely rotten.

After cutting it open, scoop out the seed cluster, rinse off the pulp with water, and it can still be used.

2. Chili peppers

Even when the pericarp softens, the seeds inside remain hard.

3. Pumpkin

The seeds are relatively large. After removing the rotten pulp, the seeds are washed in water to separate them, and then dried to obtain plantable seeds.

On the contrary, leafy greens do not have seeds and cannot be planted for the time being.

Because there were so many seeds, there weren't enough flowerpots and soil, so he had to temporarily use some basins and buckets as containers to grow the crops.

After doing all this, he sat in the living room, closed his eyes, and felt the flow of spiritual energy within his body.

With a thought, the ten vines, like extended limbs, performed various actions such as wrapping, whipping, and piercing.

He practiced the most basic summoning and manipulation of vines repeatedly, striving to further enhance the power of the vine spell before setting off.

[Vine Technique (Intermediate) Proficiency +1, Current 2/200]

[Spiritual Power: 14/15]

Chapter 11 Other Awakened Ones

The rain continued to pour down the next afternoon, as if the sky had been pierced with countless holes.

Han Ning wore a relatively loose coat, put his usual kitchen knife inside, and went up to the fourth floor.

The scene at the entrance to the stairwell on the fourth floor was completely different from the seventh floor he was familiar with.

As soon as he got close, he smelled a strange odor in the air.

The smell was a mixture of sweat, mold, rotting food, and a faint stench of blood.

The stairwell was piled with a lot of discarded furniture, planks, and even twisted metal security doors.

The piles of debris blocked the way to the third floor, leaving only a narrow exit that could barely allow one person to squeeze through sideways.

It was guarded by two men armed with crude weapons.

Upon seeing Han Ning approach, one of the men seemed to receive instructions and stepped aside.

Han Ning squeezed in.

The fourth floor has been transformed into a large survivor base.

Most of the suite doors on both sides of the corridor were open.

When passing by, you can clearly see some men and women sitting or lying inside.

However, the atmosphere here is far from harmonious.

A group of relatively strong men gathered near the stairwell and several room doors, talking in hushed tones. They looked idle, much like the hooligans who used to frequent school gates.

Some women and children with weaker constitutions sat in the suites.

Most of them were listless, with a dazed look on their faces caused by prolonged hunger.

Several children nestled in their mother's arms, their childlike liveliness gone.

Han Ning silently observed all of this.

The concentration and uneven distribution of resources are the norm in any crisis.

Liu Feng's ability to gather so many people and establish a relatively well-organized base demonstrates his considerable skill.

But food is limited, so it will definitely be prioritized for young adults.

"Brother Han Ning, I knew you would come!"

Han Ning walked to the middle of the corridor, where Liu Feng came out of a suite and greeted him warmly.

“You’ve come at the right time. The other two brothers just arrived recently.”

"The other two Awakened Ones?" Han Ning asked.

"Well, come with me."

Liu Feng led Han Ning through the corridor, ignoring the curious glances from the other people in the room, and arrived at a suite deep in the corridor.

Upon entering, I saw seven or eight candles lit in the living room, and the interior was luxuriously decorated, clearly indicating that the homeowner was wealthy.

Han Ning estimated that the renovation cost of this room was at least five times more expensive than his fully furnished apartment.

On the solid wood coffee table, a pot of tea is being brewed using a portable gas stove and a gas canister.

Two men were already sitting next to me.

He was an exceptionally burly man with a trendy middle parting, wearing a tight black vest that revealed his bulging muscles and strangely patterned tattoos on his arms.

He has the demeanor of a fitness enthusiast who frequents mid-to-high-end gyms and is skilled at picking up girls.

He was holding a compressed biscuit, chewing it expressionlessly as if it were a rock.