Chapter 1478: Rebirth Through Fire 2

Ten minutes later.

Leaning against a pile of miscellaneous items, Lin An's eyes flickered as he roughly understood his current situation.

North American War Zone, beside the Houston Space Base.

Thanks to the low population density in the Houston region before the Apocalypse outbreak, and the large number of troops stationed there, after the Apocalypse broke out, the numbers of both zombies and mutants were very low.

After the military early on established a gathering place to collect survivors, this aviation industrial zone that existed before the Apocalypse has now become the densely populated area of the North American War Zone.

Naturally, as the Apocalypse progressed, an increasing number of survivors flooded into this region, and with various forces mingling, this place gradually evolved from the military-controlled, official gathering place into a super-large 'Safe Zone' dominated by gangs and private entities.

Where there is a Safe Zone, there is almost always a slum; this is practically standard for every war zone.

But..

"The place I'm in isn't even a slum.."

"But rather.. it's a slave factory under the Black Gold Gang."

Lin An subconsciously glanced at the children sitting around him, some of whom looked low-spirited.

These children's fingers were severely worn; many of the younger ones had festering fingertips, with nails rotting and peeling off.

"They are child laborers on the bullet production line."

"Because children's fingers are small, they can stuff oil and gunpowder into recycled casings. So these kids are responsible for assembling bullets, producing old-fashioned weapons.."

Due to long-term exposure to chemical products and fuel, the children here constantly cough.

Every finger is corroded by flowing pus; the younger the child, the more suited they are for assembling bullets, the worse the condition.

As for Lin An, he initially mistook the children's mining helmets for a sign of mine work, which was entirely a misunderstanding.

Anduyin and the others wear mining helmets not to protect themselves from falling rocks in the tunnels, but to prevent others from striking their heads during fights.

"So, you're actually a useless Awakened One, right.."

In the brief silence, learning that Lin An currently had no combat ability at all—not even able to conjure a small spark—Anduyin couldn't help but look at him with some disappointment.

They dragged Lin An back, wasting precious food, hoping that this picked-up Awakened One might be able to help them.

In the gathering place, they often hear drunken adults bragging that some lucky soul will encounter a stranded Awakened One; after rescuing them, the powerful Awakened One will help them drive off bad people and teach them strength.

This is a post-Apocalypse fairy tale.

Although Anduyin knows that most Awakened Ones are not good people, this is his only hope.

"That's one way to put it."

"I might really be unable to help you fight right now."

In the silence, Lin An spoke honestly.

He didn't want to deceive the other party, or rather, even if he wanted to, he couldn't.

According to his judgment, he now needs assistance just to walk; to regain even basic combat ability would take at least a week, and he would also need large amounts of food and medicine, perhaps barely allowing him to move freely.

But this would only apply to fights between ordinary people.

Now, any random 0 Fourth Rank Awakened One could kill him.

Silence, still silence.

With Lin An's confirmation, the expressions on the surrounding children's faces seemed to grow even more despondent.

Many began to look pleadingly at Anduyin, as if their hopes had been dashed; the faint fantasy that had barely risen was now shattered.

Faced with his companions' gazes, Anduyin hesitated for a moment, then stood up and looked at him disappointedly:

"Well then. Sorry, but you can't stay here."

"We can't afford to keep you; you're an adult and eat a lot."

"If we keep you here, once discovered we'll be in trouble... and we'll starve to death."

Having said that, Anduyin coldly glanced at him, indicating that Lin An could leave on his own.

Perhaps somewhat cold-hearted and cruel, driving away this Asian person before him now would likely see him die outside. But for Anduyin, and for their small group, he needed to be responsible for his companions.

After more than a year of struggling in the Apocalypse, any innocent child has already become food.

He saved Lin An, but who will save them?

An adult really eats too much.

Seeing that, realizing he was a useless person, about to be driven away by Anduyin, Lin An gave a bitter smile in his heart, also knowing this was the correct course.

However, it's hard to say what he might encounter if he goes outside now.

Anduyin and these children suddenly seemed cold and unwilling to help him further. But Lin An knew this was a necessary pretense for these children to survive in the Apocalypse.

If he were an adult, they would have already tied him up. If he were an Awakened One, they'd sell him as a slave or turn him into cannon fodder; otherwise, they'd sell his flesh, using him as bait to extract the last bit of value.

Otherwise, they'd sell his flesh, using him as bait to extract the last bit of value.

"Tell me about your troubles; maybe I can help you."

With a calm expression, Lin An looked up at Anduyin and spoke seriously.

He has lost all his strength now, but that doesn't mean he can't do anything.

"Old Ha Ke's crew demands we pay protection money; they bully us because we lack Awakened One protection."

"Just paying protection money to the Black Gold people leaves us with nothing to eat."

"If we can't come up with the payment this week, they'll beat us to death, kidnap Ha Na and Li Li Si, and sell them to those big shots."

Inside the damp metal shack, Anduyin calmly grabbed his companions beside him, one by one, and brought them to Lin An.

He first had Xiao Hou Zi extend his hand, handing it to Lin An to see.

The boy called Xiao Hou Zi, wearing an oversized mining helmet, timidly stretched out his hand; he was only about eight or nine years old, probably the youngest among them.

In the firelight, his fingers had begun to rot from the tips, with white bone faintly protruding from the flesh. The back of his hand was completely black, and foul-smelling pus seeped out from under the detached nails.

"If he keeps going, they'll have to cut off his hand."

"I've seen many like Xiao Hou Zi; after their fingers completely rot, toxic blood flows into the heart, and then they die."

His tone calm, Anduyin spoke as if stating an utterly ordinary fact, then turned his gaze to Lin An:

That bowl of porridge you ate, he'd have to work several days to save up enough to afford it.

It takes 1,600 bullets.

Without waiting for Lin An to speak, the boy shoved Hana, who stood beside him, once again in front of Lin An.

Hana is eleven years old, still a virgin.

So, she's even more valuable.

But she will die; they will pull her intestines out through her mouth, then turn her skull into a craft.

I've seen her in that store; her older sister works there.

Looking at Hana before him, her eyes vacant and unresponsive even to her own fate, Lin An fell silent, not knowing what to say.

He could tell that Anduyin had grown accustomed to this.

Or rather, he had become numb and hopeless.

He looked around, seeing only traces of death everywhere.

In the apocalypse, the Awakened Ones occupy the top of the food chain; the middle layer consists of the military and various faction managers; the lower layer is made up of able-bodied youths. And at the very bottom are women and children.

No, rather, the children are in hell.