Chapter 181: Threat
The rumble of engines grew louder, echoing across the fields outside Freedom Shelter.
Unlike the deeper sound of his Armored Vehicle, this sound was sharper and faster... Without a doubt, they were motorbikes.
At this time, dust clouds rose as nine riders approached their shelter.
Their headlights could be easily recognized in the early morning haze. They moved in formation, circling once before halting just beyond the rebuilt barricades.
These weren’t strangers to the area.
For weeks, they had been observing the A.I. base from a distance, waiting for the right moment. They had seen the Dragoons and some Sentinels patrol the area...
They had even encountered some D-Grade Sentinels before that led them to discover this place.
But now, the machines guarding this area were gone. Humans had taken over and it disrupted their plans.
Needless to say, they couldn’t just ignore what had happened. Today, they decided to make their move.
The leader dismounted first.
He was tall, broad‑shouldered, with a scar running across his cheek. His rifle wasn’t ordinary. It was a Plasma Rifle that rested in his grip. The others carried standard rifles, worn but functional.
He raised his voice, introducing himself. "Name’s Angelo. We were from Shelter‑28... At least before it was destroyed during the mech siege event. Now, let’s just say we’re Survivors in the ruins of a nearby town. We’re here to say hello..."
There was no way they were only here to greet them... Nonetheless, eight bikers stood behind him, and they were just watching the situation unfold.
They also looked a little nervous, but their leader seemed so confident that they wouldn’t just get peppered with bullets by the guards standing on the wooden ramparts...
Soon, Kai appeared and observed the group.
Their gear was mismatched. They weren’t the Survivor Gear issued by the system. Still, they seemed better even if they were just scavenged armor plates, patched jackets, and helmets with cracked visors.
They looked like men who had fought too many battles and lost too many homes.
Kai stood atop the ramparts as he studied them.
Their set of equipment was functional but crude...
Still, they were armed, disciplined, and clearly experienced.
He called down and started questioning them. In this apocalypse, where resources were extremely important, he couldn’t just trust anyone.
"What’s your reason for coming here?"
Angelo adjusted his grip on the Plasma Rifle.
"Trade. We’re short on food and daily necessities. We can last a month or two with what we have, but it’ll run out quickly. We thought maybe you would be willing to deal with us."
Kai was impressed with his honesty, but it was definitely not everything... Well, he knew desperation when he heard it.
Angelo continued, explaining that even with their ability to plant crops, it would take several months before they could take advantage of it. He also continued explaining that their water was limited. He wanted to continue emphasizing the fact that their shelter had a few extra motorbikes and they wanted to use them to conduct some simple trade, until his eyes shifted.
’What?’
He noticed the woman beside Kai, standing tall with her rifle slung across her shoulder.
Needless to say, it was Mei.
For a moment, Angelo froze.
His eyes widened slightly, shock flashing across his face. Their current shelter lacked women entirely. The sight of Mei, a young, beautiful, confident, and clearly clean as if she’d just taken a bath... stirred something in him.
Excitement, curiosity, perhaps even greed.
But Angelo corrected his expression immediately, forcing his features back into neutrality.
"Ahem... Where was I?"
He cleared his throat, pretending nothing had happened.
Kai caught the change in Angelo’s eyes. Of course, he didn’t miss details, and he didn’t like the way Angelo looked at Mei.
Nonetheless, Angelo finished his piece, and the bikers waited for Kai’s response.
Kai sighed as he could tell that motorbikes could be more useful than their set of bikes.
However, he wasn’t really that desperate to have motorbikes.
"So you’re only trading motorbikes? No fuel?" He asked.
Angelo smirked faintly. "Fuel’s tricky, I’ll admit. But depending on what you’re willing to trade, we might be able to arrange something. Still, our priority right now is food. How about it?"
Kai gently nodded. Even their own armored vehicles were rarely used, the shelter had only a few gallons left, and every trip had to be carefully used. It was the same for the motorbikes. Without fuel were little more than scrap metal.
"How about MREs? I think we still have some extras..." Kai said.
Angelo’s eyes lit up. "Now that’s something we can work with." He stepped forward...
"Right... If you’re willing to trade, I’ll invite you to our place. The shelter we occupy might have more things you’d find useful."
He paused, then added... "The town we settled in was hidden by a thick fog. Most people wouldn’t have found it, but one of our survivors had a Talent that made us discover it. Thanks to him, we discovered a lot of intact structures. A dealership filled with motorbikes... and even a fuel truck."
Kai nodded. It was no wonder they’re on their motorbikes roaming the area...
Of course, there was no way they’d reveal everything to strangers. It just meant Angelo’s group had access to something far more valuable than they were admitting, that they didn’t mind revealing some of their cards.
Angelo spread his hands, trying to look open and honest. "We’re not asking for charity. We’ve got things to offer. But food... food is what we need most."
As he spoke, his gaze turned toward Mei again.
Angelo’s eyes lingered just a fraction too long. It seemed that a shelter with no women was starting to get unbearable for him.
"Ahem... as I said, we’re here to trade." Angelo said as he shifted his gaze.
Kai frowned and shook his head... He didn’t like it.
"Now that I think about it... Food is our lifeline too. We can’t afford to trade it away, not for motorbikes or fuel. Even if your ruins have other things we might find useful, we don’t have enough food to spare."
The bikers shifted uneasily, exchanging glances.
At this time, Angelo’s smirk faded, replaced by a colder expression. He tilted his Plasma Rifle slightly, not in threat, but as if to remind everyone that he wasn’t powerless.
"I see... You’re turning us away. That’s your choice. But remember... supplies don’t stay hidden forever. If you won’t share, someone else will come to take them. And when that day comes, don’t expect mercy."
Kai stared coldly at Angelo and asked...
"Is that a threat?"