Chapter 24: Clothing

Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Clothing

Xu Mo realized he knew nothing about this world. He didn’t know how the disaster began, how long it had been going on, or what the world had become beyond zombies and possibly mutated creatures. He didn’t even know if any semblance of order remained in the country, or on the continent itself.

This utter lack of knowledge gave him an overwhelming feeling of insignificance and a loss of control. Xu Mo felt like a pawn on a chessboard, unaware of why the game had started or what the rules were, forced to move within a tiny area purely on instinct.

’I need to know...’ Xu Mo clenched his fists in the darkness.

’The more I know, the better I can prepare, and the better my chances of survival. If there are more terrifying threats in this world, do I need to adjust my current training methods? If I have to leave this place sooner or later, which way should I go? Where might it be relatively safe? Where can I find more clues about the truth of this world?’

This scouting trip didn’t just show Xu Mo the town’s desolation; it planted a seed of curiosity in his heart—a thirst for knowledge. Survival wasn’t just about being fed, clothed, and powerful. It was also about having a clear understanding of the world he was in.

That night, Xu Mo couldn’t sleep. But this time, his sleeplessness wasn’t born from fear. It came from a powerful desire to take the initiative, to cut through the fog of uncertainty and seize control of his own destiny.

Xu Mo realized he had to add a new goal to his list, right alongside getting stronger and gathering supplies: finding information and learning the truth of this apocalypse. Potential sources of this information could be hidden in residences that weren’t completely destroyed, the town hall, bookstores, or even in diaries and electronic devices left behind by other survivors.

He didn’t know when he finally drifted off to sleep, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts and speculation about the truth of the apocalypse. When he awoke, the sunlight slanting through the window was almost blinding, casting bright patches of light on the dusty floor. He subconsciously checked the countdown in his mind—the timer had already silently returned to zero, quietly awaiting his next command.

After a moment of grogginess, the memories of the previous day came rushing back. The anticipation of what lay behind the security door marked "Warehouse" instantly chased away any lingering sleepiness.

’Open the door and search for supplies first, or eat first?’ Xu Mo didn’t hesitate for a second.

Exploring the unknown took priority over satisfying a known need.

He got up quickly, not even bothering to wash his face or eat. He just grabbed the large, empty backpack and walked straight to the security door that held his newfound hope.

"Open!"

A faint light shimmered, and the scene before him changed. Xu Mo quickly glanced back at the "entrance" behind him, then scanned the space beyond the door. He understood immediately.

’The space isn’t big.’

He estimated it to be only a few hundred square feet, more like a large storage closet or the stockroom for a small wholesale business.

’It made sense when he thought about it. What kind of massive warehouse would use an ordinary residential security door as its main entrance? It seemed the physical form of the door really did limit the scale and nature of the space it connected to.’

’Looks like I’ll have to find bigger, more professional-looking doors if I want to open up truly large-scale locations in the future.’ Xu Mo filed this discovery away. It was another important piece of the puzzle regarding how his ability worked.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Xu Mo began to carefully survey the "warehouse."

The interior was dimly lit. A single, small, dust-caked transom window set high on the wall let in a sliver of sunlight, creating a solid beam of light in which countless dust motes danced lazily. The air was thick with the distinct smell of textiles, mixed with a hint of must and the scent of mothballs.

His eyes fell upon stacks of merchandise that filled nearly the entire space. They were piled neatly on metal shelves, layer upon layer, stretching all the way to the ceiling. And without exception, all of the goods were clothes, packaged in bags and boxes.

Most were vacuum-sealed in thick, transparent plastic bags with labels stuck to them. Xu Mo picked up the nearest one, wiped away the dust, and read the label: Men’s Heavy-Duty All-Weather Jacket, Size XL, Dark Green. He glanced at the other packages. Some contained fleece undergarments, others durable work pants.

A flicker of disappointment was inevitable. Xu Mo had been hoping for food, tools, power sources, or, what he craved most of all, weapons and ammunition.

But the disappointment vanished as quickly as it came.

Xu Mo looked down at his own clothes—a slightly frayed T-shirt he’d taken from a closet in one of the houses, and a pair of casual pants worn nearly through at the knees. A very real sense of need washed over him.

The sixty-second countdown had already begun.

Xu Mo sprang into action, no longer hesitating. He focused on reading the exposed labels or tearing small holes in the packaging to check the size and type, picking out clothes that would fit him.

Instead of pulling out a few individual packages, Xu Mo just grabbed an entire master carton of clothes that fit him and hauled it back to his room. That way, he wouldn’t have to worry about clothing for a long time to come.

Moreover, this exploration once again confirmed Xu Mo’s understanding of the rules governing the "doors."

’Next, it’s time to try some of the more exciting signs.’

Now dressed in new clothes, Xu Mo’s gaze fell upon the stack of signs he’d made. His eyes, glinting with anticipation, fixed on the ones that read "Gun Room" and "Ammunition Storage."

After some thought, his eyes ultimately settled on the most compelling sign in his new stack: Gun Room.

Those two words seemed to carry a certain magic, representing absolute power, a guarantee of safety, and a greater say in this post-apocalyptic world. Until his own power reached the Cowhide Realm and he could physically withstand common threats, firearms were undoubtedly the equipment he most urgently needed—the fastest way to boost his immediate combat strength.

However, impulse didn’t overwhelm his reason. Xu Mo looked at the ordinary residential security door, his brow furrowing slightly as he considered the potential problems.

’If I stick the "Gun Room" sign on this door,’ Xu Mo mused, ’what kind of gun room will it actually connect to?’

’The most likely possibilities are the armory of a civilian shooting club, the equipment room of a small police station or substation, or maybe a private collector’s gun vault.’

’Those places would have guns, sure, but the spaces would be small, and the variety and number of firearms would be extremely limited. On top of that, places like that usually have strict gun control measures. The weapons would almost certainly be locked away in heavy-duty gun cabinets or safes. In sixty seconds, I probably wouldn’t even have time to break open those professional-grade locks. I’d just be left to stare at them in frustration and waste a precious opportunity.’

’No, I can’t use this little door.’ Xu Mo decisively rejected the idea.

This residential security door just seemed fundamentally incompatible with concepts like "large-scale" or "bountiful." It was better suited for connecting to houses, small shops, offices, or small stockrooms like the one he’d just visited. To open a truly worthwhile location—something on the level of an armory, which might hold a significant number of weapons and ammunition—he would likely need a "door" that matched its grandeur.

’I need to find a bigger door. A sturdier one. One that looks like the entrance to an important place.’ A new plan began to form in Xu Mo’s mind.