Chương 12: Antique Store
A day had passed since Yuemura sent his original disciples back to Japan. The dojo felt emptier, quieter, and the weight of responsibility bore heavily on Nikolas.
Instead of heading to the dojo for his usual training session, Nikolas decided it was time to take a more practical approach to their preparations. The money had finally hit his bank account.
"Brother, are you sure we should skip training today?" Erick asked, a hint of reluctance in his voice as they walked toward their father's pickup truck.
"Yes, brother," Nikolas replied firmly, his eyes scanning the horizon as if the apocalypse were already looming on the edges of the sky. "We need supplies, and it'll be faster if we get them ourselves. There's a store I want to check out—might find something interesting there."
As Nikolas glanced at the substantial digits in his bank account, a wry smile tugged at his lips. [Now it's time to spend all this money like a playboy!] he thought.
Over the past two weeks, he had mulled over various schemes to make more money—investing in Bitcoin, playing the stock market, betting—but he dismissed these ideas. He was a hardcore gamer in his previous life, not a financial wizard, and he had no clue how these markets had behaved in the days leading up to the apocalypse.
[Better not risk losing money on some stupid bet now!] he shook his head, dismissing such thoughts.
Today, Nikolas had a clear plan: he was going to spend every penny left in his account. In a few weeks, money would be worthless, so it was best to use it while he still could. He also intended to keep an eye out for any potential item that could be a Relic.
At 8 a.m., he and Erick left the house in their father's pickup truck, perfect for hauling the massive load of supplies Nikolas planned to purchase.
"How much supplies do we need?" Erick asked.
"As much as we can get our hands on," Nikolas replied seriously. "Food, water, medical supplies, tools, weapons... anything that can help us survive. Well, at least for two or three months—"
"After that, the Heavens will sprout, right?" Erick interrupted. Over the past week, Nikolas had shared bits and pieces of what he knew about the upcoming apocalypse, and Erick's excitement had only grown. Seeing how strong his brother had become after training with Yuemura had only fueled his enthusiasm.
Nikolas sighed as memories of the first Heaven surfaced in his mind. "In fact, I'm not sure exactly how, where, or when they'll appear. But the first time I saw a Heaven was around three months after the disaster. I couldn't enter, though…"
"Why not? Isn't it supposed to be a Heaven for humanity?" Erick asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Yes and no…" Nikolas shook his head, focusing on the road ahead. "The name is misleading. People are safe inside a Heaven, sure. But as far as I know, Heavens are like items born from the system—they're owned by someone."
"Oh sh**!" Erick gaped as the realization hit him. "So the ones in charge can decide who enters and who doesn't!"
"Exactly! And it wasn't just about survival—it was about power. The whole world became a battlefield for control over these Heavens," Nikolas explained, a wry smile crossing his face. "Even though I became one of the strongest humans later on, I worked alone. There was a lot of hidden information I couldn't get my hands on—not that I cared back then. Info about the past wouldn't have helped me at that time. Now, I regret it."
"Well, how could you have known you'd go back in time?" Erick offered a sympathetic smile, looking thoughtful. "This time, we'll be ready when the Heavens appear."
Nikolas nodded, feeling a sense of determination. "That's the plan. We need to be prepared for every possibility. The more we know and the better equipped we are, the better our chances of surviving and protecting our family."
Erick's brow furrowed as a new question formed in his mind. "But how are we going to secure a Heaven for us if you don't even know how to get one?" His eyes were burning with resolve. Nikolas had stressed repeatedly how crucial a Heaven would be for their survival, and Erick was determined to do whatever it took to secure one.
"We'll figure it out," Nikolas assured, meeting his brother's gaze with determination. He could see the fire in Erick's eyes—a shared resolve to protect their family at all costs. "People speculated that Heavens were special zombie drops that appeared after the third spawn, around two months in. If that's true, then the number of Heavens was limited from the start, which would explain why I never found an unused one later on. Back then, I was just a fat wimp who didn't know anything…" Nikolas trailed off, watching to see if his brother understood the implication.
"If it's an item dropped by special zombies, then all we have to do is find one and kill it! Simple as that!" Erick's laugh was full of confidence. If it all came down to strength, he had no doubt they would succeed.
"Sounds easy enough for me!" Nikolas laughed along, sharing his brother's confidence
As they discussed their plans, Nikolas drove the pickup truck toward the bustling center of Florianópolis. The capital city, situated at the entrance of the island, was a unique blend of modern development and natural beauty. The skyscrapers here loomed over the streets, their glass facades reflecting the morning sun. These towering structures stood as symbols of progress, but Nikolas knew they would soon be overshadowed by the chaos of the impending apocalypse.
The narrow streets were bustling with the energy of the morning rush. Cars honked impatiently as they maneuvered through the congested roads, while pedestrians hurried along the sidewalks, some carrying briefcases, others balancing groceries. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee from nearby cafes wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of the sea that was never too far away on this island city.
Florianópolis, often called "Floripa" by locals, was renowned for its natural beauty, with lush hills and pristine beaches surrounding the urban center. But here, in the downtown area, the city's heartbeat was palpable. Street vendors called out to passersby, offering everything from handcrafted trinkets to fresh fruit.
Even though Floripa was the capital of the Santa Catarina state, it could not be called an enormous city. Barely one million people lived on the island, not even close to what a true metropolis was like, there were bigger cities in Brazil. Also, not everyone lived here in the downtown area and many came just to work, it just so happened that most of the stores were here.
As they navigated the bustling streets of Florianópolis, Nikolas's mind was occupied with thoughts of how quickly this vibrant city would transform into a desolate, zombie-infested wasteland. The bustling crowds, the lively chatter, and the rhythmic hum of city life would soon be replaced by a haunting silence. But he pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the mission ahead.
Soon, Nikolas parked the pickup truck near a supermarket, though it wasn't their first stop. Luckily, most essential supplies could be found within the island, so there was no need to cross over to the mainland. He had something specific in mind: a shop where he could buy survival kits and old gear.
He guided Erick down a small, narrow alley, away from the main streets. The city's noise faded behind them as they approached a quaint, almost hidden shop. The store's exterior was unassuming, with an old, faded sign that was barely legible, hinting at the treasures within.
As they pushed open the door, it creaked loudly, as if it hadn't been opened in years. The interior was dimly lit, with dust settling on the wooden floorboards and the various items on the shelves. The air was thick with the scent of old leather and aged metal, giving the place a forgotten, antique aura.
The shop was filled with an eclectic mix of survival gear, old military surplus, and vintage tools. From rusty machetes to weathered backpacks, everything seemed to belong to a different era.
The shop's owner, an elderly man with a long, flowing white beard and short white hair, greeted them with a warm, wrinkled smile. His appearance further reinforced the old-world charm of the place.
"Welcome to my humble safety store. My name is Balfur; may I be of some assistance?" he asked, his voice carrying a gentle, almost grandfatherly tone.
"Morning, Mr. Balfur!" the brothers greeted him in unison.
"My name is Nikolas, and this little one here is my brother Erick. We're looking to buy some survival kits, and people said this is the best store in town!"
Balfur's eyes twinkled with interest at the mention of survival kits. "Is that so? Well, you've come to the right place. Not many folks look for survival kits these days. What exactly are you planning for, if I might ask?"
"We're planning to go camping around the island for a long time," Nikolas replied, glancing at Erick. "And we just want to be prepared for any emergency. You never know what might happen."
"Wise thinking," Balfur nodded approvingly. "So, how many people are we talking about?"
"Hmm… perhaps a full package to survive in the wild for twelve people. We'll need knives, ropes, shovels, tents, compasses—really, anything that could be useful," Nikolas specified, his tone serious.
Balfur raised an eyebrow in mild surprise but smiled. "Oh, that's quite the shopping list. Sounds like you're going to have a huge party!" he joked lightly.
Nikolas and Erick couldn't help but smile in return. There was something about the old man that put them at ease, reminding them of their long-lost grandfather. His kind demeanor and genuine interest in helping made him instantly likable.
"Yes! We are going camping on the beach this weekend!" Erick lied, exchanging a quick look with his brother.
"Great, you youngsters should enjoy life while you can! I'll be gathering everything, just wait a bit. Feel free to look around the store."
"Yes, sir! We'll take a look around," Nikolas responded with a polite nod.
As the old man shuffled off to assemble what would undoubtedly be the largest survival kit he'd ever put together, Nikolas and Erick were left alone in the dusty store. The dim lighting and musty air gave the place an almost forgotten feel, yet something about it felt oddly familiar to Nikolas.
There was a lingering feeling in Nikolas' heart, as if he'd met this old man before, a strange sense of déjà vu.
[Balfur… Why does that name ring a bell?]
He stood there, trying to recall anything from his previous life that might connect him to this old man. Despite racking his brain for several moments, nothing came to mind. It was as if the memory was just out of reach, hidden behind a veil of time and uncertainty.
Pushing the thought aside, Nikolas decided it was best to focus on the present. "Let's take a look around," he suggested to Erick, who was already eyeing some old compasses on a nearby shelf.
The shop was a curious mix of survival gear and medieval items. Shelves were lined with old armors, swords, and shields, giving the place an antique, almost historical vibe. It felt more like a museum for history enthusiasts than a typical survival store.
[I hope I can find a Relic here!]
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực