Chapter 4

A half-pack of cigarettes appeared in Qin Ran's hand.

【Name: Cigarettes】

【Type: Miscellaneous】

【Quality: Common】

【Attributes: Has a small chance to exempt from fear and anxiety】

【Special Effects: None】

【Can it be taken out of this instance: Yes】

【Note: In the face of real fear and anxiety, it is almost useless!】

Along with the cigarettes, a lighter also appeared. Its attributes were no different from the one Qin Ran had obtained before, both classified as miscellaneous, and both were damaged in quality.

Looking at the cigarettes in his hand, Qin Ran put them along with the newly obtained lighter into the pocket of his shirt.

Qin Ran did not smoke.

One reason was his physical condition, and the other was his financial situation.

Genetic virus disease and a pack of cigarettes worth two meals determined that Qin Ran would stay away from them.

However, in the game, Qin Ran did not mind.

Of course, now was not the time.

Qin Ran bent down and carefully searched the body in front of him again. After confirming that there were no items worth carrying, he got up and left.

Night had already fallen, and Qin Ran did not want to wait for a group of thugs to visit in such an obvious building.

He needed to find a more hidden and safe place to hide.

Then, he would carefully think about what to do next.

Walking through the empty corridor and hall, Qin Ran stood by the door leading outdoors. He cautiously poked his head out to observe the scene outside the house.

Collapsed buildings, rubble, and debris everywhere.

A wasteland!

Qin Ran evaluated it this way.

After confirming that there was no one else, Qin Ran crouched and took small steps to leave the house, coming to a collapsed wall.

This wall should have been a load-bearing wall of a building.

Judging by its length, it should have been at least a three-story building.

However, now only a wall taller than a person remained, along with rubble, bricks, and rotten wood.

Qin Ran's body shrank into the shadow of the wall, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

Even though this place had turned into a wasteland, judging by the positions and shapes of the remaining buildings, Qin Ran could determine that this area was originally a residential area.

Moreover, it was a wealthy residential area.

Such a neighborhood would inevitably have facilities like sewers and storm drains.

There might even be independent underground spaces.

This was naturally good news for Qin Ran.

Because it meant he did not have to face more survivors.

Given that survivors could turn into thugs at any time, Qin Ran believed that the less contact he had with these people, the better.

Qin Ran continued to crouch and move forward.

He was looking for manholes or valves that could lead underground.

This search took Qin Ran about thirty minutes.

During these thirty minutes, Qin Ran found two manholes.

However, unfortunately, the first one was buried under a pile of rubble. Although Qin Ran could see the shape of the manhole, it was impossible to open it and crawl in.

Because not only did he need to clear the rubble on top, but he also could not make any noise.

If he made any noise, it would inevitably attract other survivors or thugs who were searching in the dark.

At least, Qin Ran saw two people with weapons wandering around.

They did not see Qin Ran, and Qin Ran did not plan to face them one-on-two.

So, Qin Ran carefully hid and continued his search after they left.

This search led Qin Ran to discover a second manhole leading underground.

However, just like the first manhole, this one also presented problems.

In fact, the problems were even greater than those at the first manhole.

In Qin Ran's line of sight, two people were facing off, one with a wooden stick and the other with a piece of rebar still attached to a chunk of concrete.

Between the two people was the manhole Qin Ran was looking for.

Qin Ran's appearance did not attract the attention of the two facing off.

Apart from Qin Ran being sufficiently quiet, it was also because the two were completely focused on each other, making it difficult for them to notice anything else.

Seeing the two facing off, Qin Ran frowned.

He did not plan to get involved or to benefit from their conflict.

Unless one of them could silently take out the other.

Otherwise, the dying screams in such an open area would be enough to attract a group of thugs with weapons.

As for whether one of them could silently take out the other?

If such a situation really occurred, Qin Ran would be even more grateful for his departure.

After all, someone who could easily take out an opponent face-to-face was definitely not someone to be easily provoked.

After some thought, Qin Ran quickly made a decision.

He crouched down, his eyes fixed on the two facing off, and quietly retreated, trying not to make any sound.

However, such caution became useless when Qin Ran stepped on a piece of broken wood.

Snap!

The crisp sound made Qin Ran's body freeze.

"Damn!"

Qin Ran cursed in his heart. He did not remember there being any broken wood that could be stepped on and make noise on the way here, but now it was too late!

The two facing off had already turned their gaze towards him, their eyes filled with caution and curiosity.

To prevent the situation from worsening, Qin Ran stepped out from his hiding place and raised his hands, indicating that he had no ill intentions.

"It's you?!"

One of the two facing off suddenly spoke, his slightly hoarse voice instantly allowing Qin Ran to recognize him.

A lady he had met before.

With the lady's voice, the other person with the rebar suddenly retreated.

Just as Qin Ran did not want to face two people, the other person clearly did not want to face this situation either.

Although the other person could not understand more,

However, the lady's words already indicated something: the lady knew Qin Ran.

This was enough reason for the other person to leave.

Seeing this, Qin Ran shrugged.

Qin Ran was 80% sure that the lady had deliberately spoken, to resolve the situation in a more relaxed way.

Just like in the previous house.

The lady had clearly been the first to notice Qin Ran's presence.

But to more effectively eliminate the opponent, she did not warn him and even cooperated with Qin Ran, making herself look more pitiful to lure the opponent into a trap.

So, this was a very smart lady.

And facing such a lady, Qin Ran did not want to be hostile.

Plus, the lady had shown a底线 (底线 means "bottom line" or "limits" in this context, but it's better to translate it as "limits" to maintain the flow) of kindness before.

Qin Ran believed she was someone he could 'talk' to.

He did not mind offering some supplies to get more valuable information from her.

"I..."

Bang!

Qin Ran was just about to say something when a gunshot interrupted him.

The head of the person who had just retreated exploded like a watermelon run over by a car tire.

At the same time, two people with sinister smiles emerged from the darkness.

Qin Ran's gaze shifted from the headless corpse to the two preparing to fire again. His whole body trembled, and he quickly retreated behind a wall, curling up to avoid being in their line of fire.

"Damn!"

Just like Qin Ran, the lady also crouched behind the wall as soon as the gunshot rang out, cursing continuously.

"Why are the 'Vultures' here? These bastards!"

Qin Ran could clearly see the hatred and... fear on the lady's face, even though it was covered with dust and dirt.

"'Vultures'?"

Qin Ran repeated the name.

He certainly did not naively think it referred to a real vulture.

It was probably a nickname.

Given such a nickname, Qin Ran did not think the people were kind or benevolent.

After all, in the animal kingdom, vultures are known for scavenging on corpses and eating carrion.

If a person had such a name...

Qin Ran subconsciously thought of the headless corpse, and his whole body stiffened.

"Calm down! Calm down!"

Qin Ran told himself, trying to dispel his fear. Then, he handed the kitchen knife from his backpack to the lady beside him.

At this moment, having one more fighter was better.

And the kitchen knife was clearly much stronger than a wooden stick.

The lady clearly understood Qin Ran's intention, silently took the kitchen knife, and gripped it tightly, her eyes showing determination.

After four months of war, to survive, the lady had experienced a lot.

Facing such a dangerous situation, she was more experienced than Qin Ran.

So, she knew what to do.

"One person attracts attention, one person attacks!"

The lady said.

"One person attracts attention? One person attacks?"

Qin Ran was taken aback.

Obviously, with the other side having guns, the person attracting attention would bear considerable risk.

One wrong move, and it could mean death.

Qin Ran absolutely did not want to die like that.

So, he instinctively wanted to reject the proposal.

However, before Qin Ran could reject it, the lady continued.

"I'll attract their attention! You are good with a dagger, and I am good at dodging—this is the best division of labor!"

Step, step, step!

The lady's words were followed by the sound of footsteps, completely unhidden, clearly not taking Qin Ran and the lady seriously.

"Don't kill me!"

Without hesitation, a hoarse but recognizable female scream came from the lady's mouth.

Then, the lady ran towards the opposite ruins.

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