Chapter 9: Renovation Arrangements

Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Renovation Arrangements

First, Seraphina Sullivan went straight to stockpiling supplies.

It was the foundation of survival.

Seraphina opened her laptop and quickly made a list:

Food: Compressed biscuits, canned goods, vacuum-sealed rice, purified water (the more, the better)

Medicine: Antibiotics, hemostatic bandages, painkillers, disinfectant

Tools: Multi-tool army knife, rope, flashlight, storage batteries

Protective Gear: Anti-Poison Masks, heat-resistant gloves, tactical vest

’I can buy these things in batches to avoid attracting attention,’ she calculated. ’Besides, I have the [Scavenging Backpack]. If it gets full, I can just store the rest in the house.’

Then she thought about the house.

To prevent danger, it had to be reinforced.

Seraphina started clearing out a room, taking out some of the supplies she had gathered in her Scavenging Backpack from the [Alien Apocalypse] instance and placing them inside.

A crafty rabbit has three burrows.

’Keep some at home, keep some in the Space to use in the instances... who knows what kind of apocalypse the next instance will be.’

The Scavenging Backpack contained a lot of miscellaneous supplies, including food and medicine, but Seraphina didn’t think any of it was too much.

After dusting her hands off, Seraphina looked at her supplies.

’Security in the real world is also a problem. I have to reinforce this place. What if some desperate thugs show up?’

「The next day.」

Seraphina didn’t go to work. Instead, she headed to the nearest renovation company.

Seraphina stood at the entrance of the company, frowning as she watched the bustling crowd inside.

The line was longer than a mob of grandmas fighting over discount eggs at the market. Everyone was clutching design plans and shouting:

"I want a blast-proof door! The kind with reinforced steel plates!"

"Replace all the windows with bulletproof glass! Money is no object!"

"Can you add a hidden escape route on the balcony??"

The young receptionist was swamped, yelling while on the phone, "Everyone, please calm down! We’re booked out for the next three months, and reinforcement materials are also in short supply..."

Three months?

Seraphina’s heart sank.

She couldn’t wait three months.

She immediately pulled out her phone and called her friend, Dexter Luther.

Dexter Luther was a bald man.

He had graduated from the same design school as Seraphina. Afterward, Seraphina became a brand designer for a corporation, while Dexter ended up as an interior designer for a renovation company.

Half an hour later, a shiny bald head emerged from the side door of the renovation company.

Dexter, dressed in work clothes and carrying a tool bag, grinned.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in! To what do I owe the pleasure, Eldest Miss Sullivan? Taking a break from conquering the world to visit my humble temple?"

Seraphina handed him a bottle of mineral water. "Cut the crap. I need you to save my life."

Dexter unscrewed the cap, took a swig, and raised an eyebrow. "What’s up? Did your boss fire you? Ready to join me in the renovation business?"

Seraphina lowered her voice. "I want to renovate my house and front door. I need something with very strong defenses."

Dexter glanced at the crowd inside, who were frantically placing orders, and then leaned in closer. "Don’t tell me you’ve actually fallen for those apocalypse rumors?"

Seraphina didn’t answer.

Seeing her silence, Dexter’s eyes widened. "Holy shit! You actually believe that crap on the internet??"

"It’s for peace of mind." Seraphina shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "It’s best if there’s no apocalypse, but if there is, it’s better to be prepared than not. Besides, I live alone. The sturdier my door, the safer I’ll feel."

Dexter stared at her for a few seconds. "Alright, then. You’re usually so quiet and reserved, but when it counts, you’re shrewder than anyone!"

Dexter and Seraphina went to the underground parking garage.

Inside a beat-up van, Dexter spoke.

"You won’t get the kind of high-security door you want through official channels," Dexter said, scrolling through a materials list. "But your big bro has some connections. I’ve got two military-grade security doors stashed in the warehouse. They were originally meant for a bank branch..."

Seraphina’s eyes lit up. "How much? I’ll take it."

Dexter made a hand gesture. "Original price is eighty thousand, but I’ll give it to you for the cost price of fifty thousand." Seeing Seraphina frown, he lowered his voice. "I know your savings are at rock bottom. How about this—you help me with a few design plans, and I’ll give it to you for half the cost price."

"Deal!"

"And we should start the installation immediately."

"I know, I know! I’m the one who renovated your place. I know it like the back of my hand!"

Seeing how casually Dexter was treating the news of the apocalypse,

Seraphina still felt the need to warn him. "It’s better to be careful. The government hasn’t stepped in to control the spread of this apocalypse information, nor has it advised people to do anything. The meaning behind that is already very clear."

They weren’t managing it, and they weren’t stopping it. It felt like tacit approval.

Seraphina believed that some government officials had also become Players.

Dexter, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, scoffed at her words and flicked his ash nonchalantly. "Seraphina, you’re just being paranoid. There are apocalypse rumors online every year. When have they ever come true? If you ask me, it’s just those social media hacks making stuff up for clicks."

Seraphina leaned against the Wall. "But this time is different. Think about it. In the past, whenever there was even the slightest whisper of something, the officials would be the first to debunk it. But this time, the news has been circulating for so long, and there’s been complete silence from the top. Why do you think that is?"

Dexter’s hand paused, and ash fell onto his shoe.

He looked up, the smile fading from his face. "You think the government is tacitly acknowledging this news?" His voice dropped unconsciously.

Seraphina nodded, her gaze solemn. "It’s hard to say. So, it’s best to prepare early and stock up on supplies. Better safe than sorry."

Dexter was silent for a moment. He stubbed out the cigarette on the ground, stood up, and brushed off his pants. "Alright, I’ll listen to you. After I install your door, I’ll put the last one on my own house." His tone was light, but his eyes had become vigilant.

Seraphina breathed a sigh of relief and turned to leave. "I’m going to the mall to buy and stockpile some more food, just in case."

"Go on!"

However, the moment she stepped into the mall, the scene before her left her completely stunned.

The once fully-stocked shelves were now completely bare, with only a few scattered, rummaged-through snack bags left in the corners.

A few employees were pushing empty carts back and forth, their faces etched with exhaustion and helplessness.

Seraphina stood frozen, muttering to herself, "Did the mall... go out of business?" She looked around and saw many others just like her, staring blankly at the empty shelves.

Some were even squatting on the floor, carefully searching for any missed items.

Not far away, a couple hurried past with a shopping cart. The few bottles of water and packs of instant noodles inside were particularly conspicuous.

The wife complained in a low voice, "I knew we should have bought more last night. Now we can’t get anything." The husband sighed. "Who could’ve imagined it would turn out like this..."

Seraphina gave a wry smile and shook her head, thinking, ’Looks like the public’s sense of crisis is pretty sharp after all. Everyone is preparing.’

She took out her phone and sent a message to Dexter: "The mall’s been cleaned out. As soon as you finish with the door, go check other places. Buy as much as you can."

After sending the message, Seraphina took a deep breath and turned to walk out of the mall.

On the street, pedestrians hurried along, a trace of tension and anxiety on every face.

Just then, a voice message from her boss suddenly came through on Seraphina’s phone.

Seraphina ignored it.

The apocalypse was coming. Who had time for work!