Chapter 119: Advancing Toward the Uncharted Wasteland

"Squad Leader?" A male voice filled with confusion drifted from the side as I emerged from the small ammunition depot currently serving as a meeting room within the shelter.

"Hmm?" I turned toward the sound and saw a middle-aged man. "Old Fu? What are you doing here?" I asked, a hint of surprise in my tone.

"It really is you, Squad Leader. You look so different now that I wouldn't have dared to approach you if I hadn't asked around first; I was afraid of mistaking you for someone else." Fu Jian breathed a sigh of relief at my response.

"Are you alone? Where are Xia Yu and Xiao Wei?" I asked out of habit, noticing his solitude. I had already guessed where they might be before the question even left my lips.

"I had them leave on a transport ship. With their current abilities, staying behind would only hold us back, and they are still young—they have much more to contribute." Fu Jian answered with a smile. He was genuinely happy to see that I had returned safely.

"Perfect. You don't have any pressing tasks, do you? Come be my driver. We are preparing to depart." I said, walking toward the other side of the shelter.

"Finally leaving, then," Fu Jian murmured, a touch of melancholy in his voice. He was a native of Maple City, having lived here for three or four decades. He never imagined that in the end, they wouldn't be able to hold it and would have to abandon their home. The only consolation was that the majority of the people had escaped safely.

"Xiao Yuan, where are we heading?" Wen Hui, who had been following close behind, asked.

"Oh, I almost forgot to introduce you. This is Wen Hui, a classmate and good friend from my time in the military department, and currently a Guardian of Maple City. And this is Fu Jian, my subordinate from the logistics group and a veteran driver with top-tier skills." I introduced them as we continued walking.

After they exchanged greetings, I answered Wen Hui's question. "We’re going to get my vehicle. Uncle Feng brought it down here for me."

"Your vehicle? Since when do you have one? It's not a bicycle, is it?" Wen Hui asked, looking skeptical. It was no wonder; she had never seen me with a vehicle, especially since we used to live in the same dormitory.

"Quit the chatter, you'll see when we get there." I hurried into the connecting passage and headed straight for the dilapidated electric vehicle parked there.

"...Is this your vehicle? It’s hideous." Wen Hui’s face fell as she watched me expertly open the door. A beat-up car would be one thing, but this was something else entirely—it had been modified into an eyesore. With an oversized hood, a truncated tail, and a superfluous cargo bay, it was truly the ugliest vehicle she had ever seen.

"Stop complaining. Be grateful we have one at all. It may look terrible, but its durability is top-notch. Old Fu, head to the storage area first." I ushered Wen Hui inside and directed Fu Jian toward our destination.

As the "sturdy" modified electric vehicle roared to life, our escape began. After stopping at the storage area to fill the cargo bay with food and essential supplies, and picking up Guardian Captain Hua Ze, our vehicle seamlessly merged into the convoy heading toward the exit.

In the wilderness about five or six kilometers north of Maple City, the dusty, yellow ground trembled. A square fissure appeared, one side lifting to reveal a pair of eyes watching the surroundings.

"Solo." A series of yellow sound pipes spread out from the center of the square, encircling a vast area. "Follow my command: rush toward the city at maximum speed."

"Awoo!" A few stray demons wandering in the north let out excited roars at my command, charging toward Maple City as if drawn by some hidden treasure.

I scanned the area one last time to ensure no demons remained before closing the hatch and returning underground. "Uncle Feng, everything is taken care of. You can open the passage."

"Acknowledged. Everyone, prepare to depart. Opening the channel." Feng Guoqing relayed the order via radio and pulled the lever beside the passage. Although virtual operation was standard for most, they maintained dual mechanical controls for critical functions, as virtual systems were easily jammed and mechanical ones were more prone to damage.

As Feng Guoqing pulled the lever, the ground began to vibrate. The path ahead, once flat, tilted upward, opening the way to the surface.

"Old Fu, let’s go." I signaled to Fu Jian from the back seat. The vehicle was packed to the brim: Fu Jian driving, Hua Ze in the passenger seat, Wen Hui and me in the second row, and every narrow space behind us stuffed with dry rations and supplies—not to mention the cargo trailer in tow.

Fu Jian slammed on the accelerator. With the engine groaning and a clattering sound that made it seem as if the car might fall apart at any moment, we surged out onto the surface. Behind us, trucks similarly loaded with supplies followed, speeding toward the north. By the time the demons occupying Maple City wandered back, the area had already returned to its original, flat state.

Hours later, the sun began to dip, painting half the sky in brilliant red. Regardless of the era or the world, the sun followed its fixed path, rising and setting as it always had.

"That should be far enough. It’s time to find a place to rest. This area should be safe for now; the demons won't catch up this quickly, will they?" Feng Guoqing’s voice crackled over the radio as we traveled through the twilight-tinted wilderness.

"Yes, according to past records, the demons focus their attention on the cities. Once they occupy one, they rarely pursue beyond it," Hua Ze, sitting in the passenger seat, replied.

With the two most experienced members in agreement, the others concurred. Feng Guoqing issued the order, and the convoy continued forward while scouting for a suitable place to set up camp.