18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 171

A five or six kilometer distance from the coastline, you'd find what they called the Odeberg Mansion, but it was more aptly described as an estate.

Nestled against the mountains, with guards patrolling every three steps and posts every five, the air was thick with the scent of money.

The estate was massive, security everywhere. Once you parked, you had to pass through a security checkpoint. Any weapons carried would be detected and confiscated.

Stella, holding a portable mini-fridge, entered the mansion.

In the living room, a middle-aged man in casual attire anxiously awaited their arrival. As soon as the medical staff saw them, they rushed over, "Did you bring the vaccine?"

Inside the fridge, a single vaccine was stored. After inspecting it and finding no issues, the medical staff nodded at the middle-aged man.

Warren contemplated for a moment before instructing his secretary. After a while, the secretary returned with a box of exquisite jewelry. Inside was a dazzling gem necklace — the Azure Heart.

"This necklace is part of my collection. I bought it at an auction for 120 million. You can hold it as collateral," Warren offered.

Before the apocalypse, this necklace would've caused quite a stir. But now, it paled in comparison to a yacht.

It was a gem of the highest quality, definitely a piece Arcadia would love, and it was a fair deal.

The medical staff injected the old man with the vaccine and observed him for half an hour for any adverse reactions before allowing Stella and her team to leave.

Upon leaving the Odeberg Mansion, Austin reassured them, "Don't worry. The Warrens are wealthy and influential. They won't turn on us over a tetanus vaccine."

Stella wasn't worried. Even without the yacht, this trip was still profitable.

On their drive back to the villa, they noticed people lurking on the roadside. They ignored them, choosing to continue on their way home and prepare food for storage.

Rosie wanted bread, so Stella brought out the dough mixer and began preparing various fillings.

At dawn, Jasper drove the water truck while Stella drove the seven-seater to trade. They traded 500 pounds of dry goods, filling the car to the brim before driving back.

It was just around five in the morning, with the barest hint of dawn on the horizon. At a bend in the coastal road, Jasper slowed the car to a halt.

The road was strewn with large stones. Without their night vision goggles, they would've crashed into them.

The car came to a steady stop, and they sat quietly without getting out. After about ten minutes, the others couldn't help but show themselves.

One, two...

Over thirty people appeared, of all ages, some wielding sticks, others brandishing knives. Their faces were numb and cold, their eyes glinting with greed.

Stella got out of the car, with a crossbow ready in her hand, and coldly ordered, "Move. I don't want to kill anyone today."

But no one moved. "We don't want to kill you either. Just leave the car and goods."

Stella looked at them, "There's no way around this?"

A young man among them retorted, "You have money. What's a car full of goods to you? If you don't want to die, scram!"

Stella was calm, "So we have money, and that makes us an easy target?"

The young man got impatient, brandishing his sharp knife, "Enough with the nonsense. Leave the car behind or don't blame us for getting rough."

Once it was clear that they wouldn't back down, Stella didn't hesitate. She fired an arrow, hitting one man right in the heart.

The young man didn't fall, instead, a middle-aged man next to him did. He had been silent the whole time, but Stella noticed the way others looked to him. He was definitely the leader.

"Mayor!" Someone cried out, "The Mayor is dead!"

Chaos erupted among them. People began to shout and brandish their weapons, ready to attack.

Stella didn't flinch. She threw her crossbow back into the car and pulled out a submachine gun from Arcadia, her finger on the trigger, "If you're so eager to die, I'll send you to join him."

They were shocked, not expecting someone driving a beat-up car to have a submachine gun. They immediately halted their advance and started to retreat.

Stella sneered, "I don't have many bullets, but I have enough to send you all to hell!"

They retreated now in a speed faster than flash. Under the overwhelming display of firepower, no one dared to make a sound.

She was a madwoman, who was chatting amiably one moment and killing the next. They just wanted to rob for food. They didn't want to kill, or to be killed.

"Stop!" Seeing them trying to escape, Stella warned.

They immediately raised their hands, "Please, don't kill us."

Some were shaking, and some even wet themselves, all the bravado gone.

Stella ordered, "Clear the stones. Throw the body into the sea."

They were too afraid to disobey, scrambling to clear the stones and dispose of the body as ordered. Then, filled with resentment, anger, and a sense of injustice, they scattered and fled. They were afraid they'd be the next one to be gunned down by the madwoman.

Stella returned to the car and put away her weapons. She felt no sympathy for these cowards.

They were clearly novices resorting to robbery out of desperation. Today, they failed because they encountered her. But what if they had come across someone else?

Once they tasted success, their courage would grow. Before they knew it, they would evolve into true monsters.

Apart from trading, the three of them and Cooper stayed in the villa, enjoying the air conditioning during the scorching heat, sleeping when tired and stockpiling food when idle.

Three days went by in the blink of an eye. Austin came over in high spirits, "Dexter is okay now, and you can pick up your yacht tomorrow."

Also, as a token of appreciation for their help in finding the medicine, Warren gifted them 3000 pounds of dry goods. Stella was surprised. She hadn't expected them to be so honest.

"Austin, you made the trip in person. There must be something else you need?"

Austin paused, then laughed, "Nothing gets past you."

With another request coming from Warren, Austin explained, "With the apocalypse ongoing, the pharmaceutical factories can't resume production, and medicine is becoming increasingly scarce.

You managed to find a tetanus vaccine at a crucial time, which shows your capabilities and connections. Warren appreciates that.

“Dexter is getting old and has several underlying conditions. Medicine is becoming increasingly hard to find, and Warren wants to stock up in advance."

He handed over a list of medications. Stella looked at it and was taken aback. The list was filled with medications for diseases like gout, hypertension, and high blood sugar levels. These were common medications before the apocalypse but were becoming rarer now.

Unfortunately, Stella didn't have any of these stocked up, but she did find some while scavenging for supplies. Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

When Cody and Lukas left, they gave her these soon-to-expire or rarely used medications to exchange for supplies. Among them were these medicines, and along with the ones she and Jasper had received, the quantity was not insignificant.

Stella was ecstatic on the inside, but kept her exterior as cool as a cucumber, "Austin, these meds are life-saving, every bit counts. What on earth could Warren possibly have to trade in exchange?"