The Reborn Otaku’s Code of Practice for the Apocalypse - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Translator note: Still getting used to wordpress (darn the weird spacing) . And when I try and edit posts on my computer there is only the preview and no update button . This kicks off the hopeful release schedule of twice per week on Monday and Thursday .

With a new mobile phone, Internet access and a balance of 325,700 yuan, Luo Xun drove his newly acquired 9000 yuan second-hand car to the largest hardware store in the southwest area of the city .

He bought a full toolset, a variety of other tools, a set of solar charging equipment and some rolls of privacy window film . Afterwards he drove to a nearby farmer's market to buy seeds and water purification filters .

What should be prioritized during the Apocalypse? Luo Xun firmly believed first-clean water, second- enough calories from food and third-weapons and clothing .

Water sources became contaminated shortly after the Apocalypse began . Luo Xun was cautious after fleeing M-city and noticed the base encouraged water purification by freely distributing filters . He used knowledge from his schooling to build a homemade distillation system . It was more time and resource intensive but Luo Xun needed to ensure his safety no matter the cost . In addition, the distilled water was boiled for a while and sanitized before consumption .

Many people felt that was too troublesome and only boiled without any distillation . Then M-city base collapsed after a sudden zombie outbreak inside the base . In fact, many established doomsday bases collapsed from internal issues such as food and water pollution .

At the start, the zombies were sluggish and plants/animals were still normal . Therefore multiple bases were swiftly established since there were army troops in every province . As long as the army reacted in a timely manner, they could easily rescue civilians and set up strongholds .

Even better, due to their constitutions, many soldiers acquired abilities of varying types, resulting in an improved defensive force . This is one of the reasons Luo Xun moved to the southwest in advance .

Along with drinking water, food also became a problem . Even though the Apocalypse started in winter, most people survived off storage . They did not notice crop mutation until spring and summer when survivors went out collecting supplies .

Who knew if the mutant crops were edible? Would there be any adverse side effects? Famine was a pressing issue until the following year when researchers discovered edible breeds of mutated plants .

Luo Xun's past life was harsh; he had experienced two cities being overrun . Then he joined a search team in A-city but could not handle evolved zombies as an ordinary person . Coupled with the fact he had never handled a gun before, no team would accept a useless team member .

Instead he grew shade tolerant/loving crops in his home . When a crop is sold, he immediately replanted and continued the cycle . From that point on, his life began to improve . He did regret having no access to sunlight, missing out on planting numerous types of high-yield crops .

Luo Xun reminisced as he drove back home and moved his purchase bit by bit into the elevator . His home on the 16th floor is quite high up; fortunately there was still some power even during the Apocalypse . Everyday the elevator ran between 7-9 in the morning and 5-7 in the evening . Although he had previously lived in the basement, he needed to keep these times in mind when he had to buy electricity .

Once everything was brought in, Luo Xun took his cellphone and connected online while eyeing the empty home . Online shopping is best when one has many things to buy but little time for shopping .

Luo Xun had bought the phone not just for convenient online shopping, phones could still be used after the Apocalypse . Once the base was established, researchers developed a new mobile phone card that could be used inside . Higher ups could send out messages to placate the public . Of course the radio also broadcasted around the clock news like the discovery of a new crops, confirmed edible animals and other generic base news .

He electronically filled basket after basket, Luo Xun had left his hometown before thinking of buying anything in advance with the wide availability of Internet . In most cases, as long as he does not need an installer he just needed a location and address for the other party to deliver the goods .

He shopped through the night, the next morning Luo Xun rolled up his sleeves and started his tasks . The window film was cut to size and using a folding ladder, stuck to the window wetted with a watering can . He covered all the terrace windows with the film and the first living room windows too for good measure . The work is tedious and slightly complicated but very useful . After the apocalypse, if your balconies are covered with plants anyone who says there is no problem is a liar!

In a zombie laden post-apocalyptic world, everyone relied on processed food or raw rice and flour . A house with fresh fruits, vegetables and home cooked meals is prime target for thieves and looters .

Thus Luo Xun's first priority was to secure his personal well-being . Once the film was in place he set up two large solar panels on the patio window to charge . He only bought one set since the panels were so expensive and there were other things he needed to buy . If his current funds were not sufficient then he could drive over and loot the hardware store during the Apocalypse .

After all, at the start of the Apocalypse, the zombies were very slow and unintelligent . Those who dared to go out gained more resources . The remaining film was packed away in storage after covering the windows of Luo Xun's used car as well . He had been working away for almost the entire day indoors, so Luo Xun tidied up and drove out to a specific location .

He had lived in the southwestern base for eight years but it had already gone though post disaster reconstruction . Some residential areas had collapsed, others were newly built and public buildings had changed appearances . When doomsday arrived, come supermarkets were completely wrecked .

He needed to familiarize himself with the locations of nearby supermarkets and other stores instead of just ordering online . Although the southwest is somewhat distant, its prosperity may be higher than average . The city was only a metro ride away so many office workers would choose this remote, lowered price residential area . Due to that, there are all kinds of facilities . Luo Xun was surprised to find local supermarkets every couple intersections along the main road . There were also three national chain supermarkets along with a number of convenience stores .

Luo Xun marked all the important places on a city map and planned to do the same to a digital map as backup . He turned and stopped in a large supermarket's parking lot . With credit card in hand, Luo Xun familiarized himself with the store layout while pushing a cart .

Today he had spent 30,000 yuan at the hardware store and farmer's market . Then he spent 7888 yuan during last night's online shopping spree leaving 200,000 yuan . Luo Xun estimated spending 1000 yuan at the supermarket .

He marched forward and grabbed oil, rice, noodles, instant noodles and other food products . As he passed the household goods isle Luo Xun realized his had forgotten to buy bedding and a change of clothes .

He looked at the price tags and compared to those online . He will buy online since it is cheaper and has home delivery, which is more convenient not to mention his cart is already full . He finished by adding various cooking utensils .

Luo Xun refused to apply for a membership card and pushed the cart into the parking lot for loading . After he had put all the purchases in the house, Luo collapsed on the floor and lamented .

"My strength is so pitiful…"

His current strength is hovering at average values . Even compared to his past life's bad living conditions, his current student body lacks strength .

But how could he exercise now? In the future if he world hard and stays diligent, his strength will steadily grow .

He closed his eyes in reflection then added some last minute purchases on his phone before heading to the second floor . He made a makeshift nest of thick clothing and fell asleep .