C1 Apocalypse

At the close of the first chapter, the apocalypse had left its mark.

Streets were littered with vehicles, now abandoned relics of a world gone by, many bearing the scars of collisions. Buildings, too, stood charred and smoking—homes without owners, or with owners long since passed. Fires, sparked by gas leaks in the absence of human vigilance, had raged until there was nothing left to consume.

The once-bustling thoroughfares were now graveyards of metal and trash. Corpses lay entombed beneath heaps of refuse, and bones—leg, arm, skull—were strewn about, picked clean enough to serve as specimens in a medical school.

These were the scenes unveiled a week into the end times.

On the outskirts of Jerrawyn Province, a behemoth rested by the roadside.

It was a Super Chariot, over ten meters in length and four meters tall, cloaked in black metallic sheen, crowned with a 300mm main cannon that spoke of immense destructive power.

For Gu Ming, this chariot was his ace in the hole since the world had turned upside down. The origins of the apocalypse remained a mystery to all.

Yet, on that fateful day, Gu Ming had received his game-changer: the Chariot System, an enhancement requiring a vehicle. Luckily, he had a truck. Once merged with the Chariot System, it transformed into this formidable Super Chariot, a bastion for his family of three.

The Chariot System didn't stop there; it granted him two doses of first-rank gene drugs, boosting his and Lucky's physical prowess tenfold. They had become superhuman in the truest sense. A week of survival in the new world order had forged Gu Ming into a warrior in mind and body alike.

Lowering his telescope, Gu Ming stroked the head of Lucky, who had grown exponentially since receiving the gene drug. Though now the size of a tiger, Lucky retained the appearance of a common dog. A scratch under the chin elicited a contented bark from his companion.

"Time to board, Lucky."

Approaching the chariot's front, Gu Ming noted the seamless entrance, a testament to its fortress-like design.

"Zeus, open the door."

"Roger that, sir."

In an instant, a door slid open on the side. Gu Ming ascended the ladder, with Lucky in tow, before the door sealed shut once more.

The cockpit featured two seats, yet lacked a steering wheel or similar controls, as the entire Super Chariot was governed by the intelligent life within the Chariot System, which Gu Ming affectionately named Zeus.

From within, the outside world was visible, yet onlookers could only see the chariot's sleek black shell and windows. Gu Ming had no concerns about its durability; the first-rank chariot's defense could withstand a nuclear blast, a feature he took great pride in. In a post-apocalyptic world where zombies posed a grave threat, he knew all too well that fellow humans could be even more perilous. Over the past week, he'd witnessed the depths of human depravity. Initially chilling to the bone, he'd since grown accustomed to it. Having dispatched more than a dozen of the vilest, Gu Ming had certainly earned his stripes as a soldier.

Upon entering the central living room, a little angel wrapped her arms around his leg.

"Daddy, you're back!"

"Sweetheart, I'm back."

Gu Ming scooped up his four-year-old daughter, Gu Nannan, cradling her in his arms. Her innocent gaze, chubby cheeks, and tiny mouth filled him with warmth. Her presence reassured him that even at the world's end, there was no room for despair. Having encountered countless hopeless situations, he was profoundly thankful for the safety and unity of his family.

"Honey, just a minute, dinner's almost ready," Ye Xiaomei called out from the kitchen.

"Take your time, no rush," he replied.

"Daddy, I want to watch TV."

Gu Nannan had enjoyed a brief playtime with her father but now yearned to finish her episode of Peppa Pig, urging him to set her down.

Lucky sidled up to Nannan, licking his tongue and barking softly, as if to say, "Why are you ignoring me?"

Gu Ming was well aware that Lucky's intelligence had soared after receiving the gene drug. His physical abilities had increased tenfold, and his IQ now matched that of a ten-year-old child. It was no wonder he sought attention like any doting pet would.

"Hey there, Lucky, you're back too! Let's watch Peppa Pig together," Gu Nannan exclaimed with joy, embracing Lucky as if she hadn't seen him in ages. She nestled into his fur and sat down, both of them engrossed in the television show.

Gu Ming noticed them absorbed in their program and stood up, heading to the kitchen where Ye Xiaomei was busy preparing lunch. He peeked at Lucky and Nannan, still fixated on the TV, then swiftly shut the kitchen door behind him. Moments later, the rhythmic sounds of life echoed through the space.

Lucky perked up his ears, as if catching a peculiar sound, listened intently for a moment, then resumed watching TV, puzzled by his owner's fondness for certain activities—such mysteries were beyond a dog's comprehension.

Unaware of Lucky's bemused thoughts, Gu Ming and Ye Xiaomei straightened their clothes.

"You and your antics nearly ruined the meal," Ye Xiaomei chided, playfully poking her husband. Her cheeks flushed with a youthful glow, she looked stunningly beautiful, more like a fresh-faced eighteen-year-old than a mother, stirring a familiar desire in Gu Ming.

"Alright, step outside for a bit. I just need to whip up one more dish, then we can eat," Ye Xiaomei said, gently ushering Gu Ming out of the kitchen, hinting that his presence was more of a hindrance than help.

"Daddy, I'm hungry," Nannan's voice called out.

"Okay, sweetheart, I'll get you some milk to start," Gu Ming responded, quickly fetching a bottle of milk from the refrigerator. He opened it, popped in a straw, and handed it to his daughter.

Watching Nannan sip her milk, Gu Ming felt a wave of tenderness, while Lucky looked on with envy.

"Alright, I'll get you some food too," Gu Ming assured Lucky, patting his head before retrieving a hefty slab of raw beef from the fridge. He placed it on a plate and set it down for Lucky, who barked with excitement and dove into his meal.

"Honey, could you help with the dishes?" Ye Xiaomei called out from the kitchen.

"Of course," Gu Ming replied.

Together, they carried the array of dishes to the living room table, dished up two bowls of rice, and Ye Xiaomei lifted Nannan into her seat to start feeding her. At four years old, their little girl was already enjoying rice with her meals, though she still relished her usual milk and cereal.

Gu Ming was well aware that his family's current lifestyle was the envy of countless others. In a world where many struggled with hunger, it wasn't for lack of food—supermarkets still had plenty. The problem was the hordes of zombies lurking within. The apocalypse had struck on a weekend, when places like supermarkets were bustling with people, and now, zombies. With the power out, even in daylight, these stores were shrouded in darkness, teeming with the undead. Venturing inside in search of sustenance was tantamount to a death sentence. On his journey, Gu Ming had witnessed too many people marching towards their doom.