[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-after-i-fully-prepared-for-the-apocalypse-the-un":3,"chapter-after-i-fully-prepared-for-the-apocalypse-the-un-after-i-fully-prepared-for-the-apocalypse-the-un-chapter-162":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","After I Fully Prepared for the Apocalypse, the Ungrateful Cried with Regret",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},146326,236,"Chapter 162: Seeking Refuge","after-i-fully-prepared-for-the-apocalypse-the-un-chapter-162",162,"\u003Cp>At first, everyone in the vehicle thought Nina Jacobs was just asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they gradually realized something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pascal Paige had to slam on the brakes several times, plowing through one small group of zombies after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ride was incredibly bumpy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Nina Jacobs didn’t react at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Wayne Warner hadn’t been shielding her, she probably would have been thrown from her seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something’s wrong with her. Can someone check what’s going on?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holden Shaw was the first to notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holden Shaw realized that no matter how many times he called her name, Nina Jacobs wouldn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sent a wave of panic through the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After driving a little further, Pascal Paige quickly found a secluded spot to park the vehicle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did she leave her seat to rush over and check on Nina Jacobs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even when she used her healing technique, Nina showed no signs of waking up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe it’s because she’s been so tired lately,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wendy Marshall said worriedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She has been sleepy the past few days,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but why won’t she wake up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holden Shaw even checked if Nina Jacobs was breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He found her breathing was steady, as if she really were just asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do we do? I’m not a doctor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shouldn’t we find a doctor to take a look at her?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pascal Paige was so frantic she was on the verge of tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Maybe Nina Jacobs really is exhausted because of us.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pascal Paige was about to try pinching the pressure point under Nina’s nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wayne Warner stopped her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chase Gallagher, who had been silent off to the side,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>watched Nina Jacobs, who was sleeping peacefully, completely unresponsive to her surroundings. He spoke up, his voice tinged with speculation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Her condition...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be a Superpower advancement?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Superpower advancement?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others all turned to look at him in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chase Gallagher was from City A, and his job had been intelligence gathering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, the information he had was often what first emerged in Drakonia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Superpowers... can advance?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jessica Vance voiced the question on everyone’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the first time any of them had heard of such a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not sure either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just heard someone mention it before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That Superpowers can advance, but the process involves a period of unconsciousness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chase Gallagher was only guessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had only overheard someone say it while he was waiting outside a door once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no idea if it was true or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A period of time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How long is that period?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holden Shaw asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chase Gallagher shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had only overheard that one sentence. As for the specifics, it was probably something only high-ranking officials in City A and a few key people within the major factions knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Regardless, we have to protect Nina Jacobs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s figure out our next move,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pascal Paige said as she stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Continuing on the road didn’t seem wise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that they lacked confidence in themselves, but that they were worried something might happen to Nina Jacobs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should we go back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wendy Marshall said hesitantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No. The zombies in the hospital could come out at any moment,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"and backtracking is often the most dangerous path.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chase Gallagher objected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what do you suggest we do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holden Shaw asked, a bit impatiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Chase Gallagher had only joined them yesterday, he seemed to be the most experienced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have a suggestion,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chase Gallagher said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s hear it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chase Gallagher thought for a moment before speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you guys ever heard of the ’Lockwood Squad’ in City J?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Lockwood... Squad?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all shook their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had never heard of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s similar to your old Tiger-Lion Squad—a survival organization started and run by Superpower Users.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chase Gallagher said, scanning their surroundings for any danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But unlike Jonathan Thatcher of the Tiger-Lion Squad,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"the ’Lockwood Squad’ was founded by three people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They gather supplies but don’t go around picking fights.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If they come across survivors in trouble, they’ll even lend a hand or take them in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we were to go there...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chase Gallagher didn’t finish his sentence, but everyone understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was suggesting they seek temporary refuge with this ’Lockwood Squad.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are they really as good as you say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yvonne Willow, after everything she’d been through, was skeptical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, that was how she had been tricked before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wendy Marshall patted her arm and continued asking,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It sounds like you know where they are?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During dinner the previous night, Chase had explained his background to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Nina Jacobs hadn’t expressed any doubts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chase Gallagher wasn’t the only survivor they had encountered these past few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Nina Jacobs had only chosen to rescue him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Someone Nina was willing to save... might be trustworthy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chase Gallagher nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re not far from here, and their location is quite secure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was precisely why Chase Gallagher was making the suggestion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lockwood Squad was very close to their current position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, I’m still not comfortable with it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You take me there first to check it out. If it’s really okay,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"then we’ll bring Nina Jacobs over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Holden Shaw and Chase Gallagher were Speed Element Superpower Users, so a round trip wouldn’t take them much time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, Chase Gallagher nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pascal Paige was still a little worried, but Chase Gallagher and Holden Shaw were back in less than half an hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were even followed by another vehicle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whose car is that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wendy Marshall asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The car stayed next to their bus, as if leading the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re here to escort us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems like a pretty safe place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holden Shaw recounted what had happened when he and Chase went to make contact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It turned out Chase Gallagher already knew one of the captains of the Lockwood Squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why the other party had been so polite to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Apparently, Chase helped them out in the past,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holden Shaw explained to the others in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"While I was gathering intel, I discovered that a place they were heading to was dangerous,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"so I just found a way to warn them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chase Gallagher’s simple explanation instantly put the group at ease for the time being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re a surprisingly good guy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pascal Paige followed the other vehicle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren’t for Chase Gallagher, they really wouldn’t have known what to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only after Pascal Paige and the others arrived that they found out...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Lockwood Squad’s camp was actually underground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This used to be the biggest underground nightclub in City J.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zombies rarely find their way down here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you’re friends of Mr. Gallagher, you can rest and recover here without worry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman leading them into the camp was named Molly Ulrich.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was an incredibly warm person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Nina Jacobs being carried in Wayne Warner’s arms, princess-style, she assumed they were a couple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they were a very good-looking pair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, so you’re not a couple!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry about that. I’ll get you two separate rooms, then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Molly Ulrich was suddenly a bit embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for taking us in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s fine for Nina Jacobs to share a room with me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We can all take care of her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pascal Paige and the others didn’t mind; the place really did seem to be just as Holden Shaw had described—no hidden traps or schemes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the rooms were just VIP lounges temporarily converted into single rooms, they were very safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When you’re out and about,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"getting sick is a common thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your friend has a healthy color to her face, so it’s probably nothing serious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just let her rest here for now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Molly Ulrich thought Nina Jacobs was just sick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Captain Stone and the others should be back soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’ll be thrilled to know you brought your teammates.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Molly Ulrich knew Chase Gallagher had a team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she automatically assumed Pascal Paige and the rest were his teammates.\u003C\u002Fp>",1327,"2026-05-29T03:44:18.636Z","2026-06-01T04:29:06.436Z",1,"novelbin.me","6e9c72872032ca3ec9973317ff3cbe03f2884562c020d2b7937e790ec687ffc7","after-i-fully-prepared-for-the-apocalypse-the-un-chapter-163","after-i-fully-prepared-for-the-apocalypse-the-un-chapter-161",312,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fafter-i-fully-prepared-for-the-apocalypse-the-un-cover.jpg"]