Chapter 26

Chapter 26 Loyalty Earned, Strength Rebuilt
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The dogs slowed down, their energy drained, and their spirits shattered. They returned from the road’s edge one by one, their earlier anticipation gone.
They wandered aimlessly now, looking lost and defeated. The owners they’d waited so desperately for were never coming back.
This was the harsh truth of the apocalypse–choices were rarely kind. No one would have left them behind if there had been another way. Yet, people were chosen over dogs when it came down to survival.
Theresa stepped out of the shadows, her voice steady but warm.
“Will you follow me this time? I promised I wouldn’t abandon you. Give me the chance to prove it,” she spoke.
She wasn’t pretending to be some righteous savior. She didn’t need people–she wanted dogs.
The pack stood still, hesitant. For a moment, it seemed like they wouldn’t respond. Just then, the injured dog, Charlie–the one she had spent so much effort to save–limped forward.
It circled Theresa once, let out a soft whimper, and lay down at her feet.
That was all the reassurance the others needed. One by one, the rest of the dogs moved closer, surrounding her as if to say they were hers now.
Theresa led her new pack back to the bunker. A familiar “ding” echoed in her mind as they crossed the threshold.
‘ Ding–Detected 15 Military Working Dogs at the bunker. Loyalty: 100%!
‘Reward: All Military Working Dogs fully healed! The bunker defense doubled! Add 150 points!‘
Her eyes widened in surprise.
Looking around, she realized her bunker had undergone a massive upgrade. The gates were now reinforced with heavy–duty steel, and the barbed wire had doubled in height. Inside, the walls were thicker, the doors brand new, and the entire structure sturdier than ever.
From the outside, it looked less like a bunker and more like a fortress.
Still, the biggest win was the 150 points.
Theresa grinned, thinking, This is definitely worth it.
Wasting no time, she opened the System Store, eager to see what she could afford.
The food section had expanded with ten options ranging from simple energy bars to a super energy drink worth 100 points, promising fullness for days. However, Theresa wasn’t interested in food–she had enough to last her.
Instead, the medicine section grabbed her attention. Alongside the familiar 20–point pain relief gel, two new items immediately stood out: the 50–point Super Band–Aid and the 100–point Emergency Pill.
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Chapter 26 Loyalty Earned, Strength Rebuilt
Curious, Theresa clicked to check their details.
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The Super Band–Aid could instantly heal even the most severe injuries, including arterial cuts. She leaned back, impressed. These are total game–changers! It could even save someone whose neck is practically severed!
The Emergency Pill amazed her even more. It promised to bring someone back from the brink of death as long as they had a single breath left.
Wow, these two are seriously powerful, she marveled, her eyes widening.
She kept scrolling and then froze.
“Zombie Virus Inhibitor: 1,000,000,000 points.‘
Her jaw dropped. “There’s a cure for the zombie virus?”
Her excitement was short–lived when she noticed the price tag–100 million points. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ.net
Yeah, no. Not in this lifetime with my measly 156 points. Theresa sighed, shaking her head.
Still, the thought of earning enough points to unlock it stayed with her. If she could pull it off, this inhibitor would change everything. She made a silent vow to herself. 100 million points, huh? Fine. I’ll find a way to get this –no matter what it takes!
Next, she moved to the weapons section, where her excitement only grew.
The options were impressive–a Standard P5 Gun for 500 points, a Glock Pistol for 1,000, and Submachine Guns and Shotguns starting at 5,000 points.
Meanwhile, the AK–47 that caught Theresa’s eye came with a hefty 8,000–point price tag. But it wasn’t just any weapon–this high–powered gun boasted enhanced durability and unmatched firepower, making it far superior to anything available in the outside world.
Expensive as it was, Theresa couldn’t resist. The AK–47 had her hooked. Without hesitation, she added it to her cart, determined to save up enough points to make it hers.
Further down, she noticed a locked section.
‘Unlockable at 5,000 points,‘ the interface read.
Her curiosity burned. What treasures are hidden behind that lock?
As Theresa closed the System Store, a wave of frustration washed over her. This store has everything I could ever want, but I barely have enough points to afford anything. Ugh! she thought, letting out a sigh.
Determined to fix that, she opened the “Points Acquisition” tab.
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