Chapter 764: Around the Base, Checking the Supplies and Another Problem (1/2)

Day 161 - 1:22 PM - Warehouse, Mountain Base, Mount Malabito, General Nakar, Quezon

After lunch, Mark made his way to various areas of the base.

While Mark left most of the management in the base to Odelina and Huey, he was still the leader. He had responsibilities that he should, at least, fulfill now and then.

It was definitely, one of the reasons why Mark did not plan to become a leader from the start. However, to survive in this apocalypse and remain self-sufficient, being alone, and even leading a small group, would not suffice. Even if he knew many things that he could use to survive, there was no denying that he lacked the expertise.

And thus, it led to him not only being a leader of a group but a whole settlement.

The good thing was that he was able to choose who could join and who could not. He was not running a charity. And it was not a place for people to cause trouble in. Only those he deemed capable, worthy, and could be of use could live in this place.

And as such, Mark managed to create a thriving community in the apocalypse.

”Boss!”

”Boss, good afternoon.”

Greetings came towards Mark from everyone he passed by. Respect, gratefulness, and even fear could be felt from them.

Respect for he had power. Gratefulness for letting them live in this safe place. And fear for Mark since a single word from him could banish them away. There was no need to mention that almost everyone here in the base knew how ruthless Mark could be to his enemies.

Mark entered the warehouse. This time, he was going to check the supplies everyone gathered.

The moment he entered, Mark saw the busy people organizing everything. The one in the lead was Darren Bryce Salvador, the head of the Salvador Family. One of the three leading families in the already destroyed East Port Settlement in Infanta.

Being a businessman back before the apocalypse, organizing the supplies, recording the inventory, and overseeing the process was a responsibility tasked to Darren. His helpers were no other than his two sons. As for his daughter, Annica, she was on another task more suitable for her abilities.

”Mark.”

Darren greeted Mark with a smile. His authority here was not as high compared to when he was in East Port Settlement. However, it was far more peaceful here that he seemed to have gained weight, despite eating the same food as everyone.

”How is it?”

Mark asked, looking at the stacks of boxes in this not-so-large warehouse.

Darren looked towards the stacks of boxes of supplies and replied.

”If we continue our current consumption, this amount of food we had in the warehouse will last for another six months. Less if we had water issues, but that's not existent in this place so far.”

”That's only the food and water here, right?”

Mark asked.

”Yes. We still have two of the more batches inside the Spirit Tree. All-in-all, we can last for a year and a half without needing to rely upon outside sources. We would likely have more if we were not forced to leave supplies behind in Pennsylvania.”

Darren replied, showing regret for the supplies they all painstakingly collected but had to leave behind.

Mark already heard about it. They gathered supplies in Reading, Pennsylvania, and were in the middle of moving the rest back to base. It was when they saw the UFOs leaving Earth in mass that Odelina made an immediate decision.

It was a good call, actually. Things had already gotten out of hand there, even with just the [Infected] behaving oddly. The supplies left behind might be a pity, but their lives were far more valuable.

Panning his eyes towards the surroundings, Mark noticed date labels on some of the boxes and could not help but ask.

”The supplies don't have issues with expiration dates, right?”

”Fortunately, no.” Darren shook his head slightly. ”We did some initial inventory back in the warehouse in Pennsylvania. We managed to prioritize the items with longer expiry dates over those that will last shorter. That is why there is no point in going back for the supplies we left there. Most of them might have expired before we can retrieve them.”

Mark nodded in satisfaction. It was good that Darren and Odelina led the management of supplies while he was gone. Darren was an owner of a Coconut Plantation, while Odelina's husband owned a Car Dealership Business. Both of them had experience in the field, making their work more than just being efficient.

While talking with Darren for a few more details, they made their rounds inside the warehouse.

It was when Mark's eyes fell on a group of young women who were making glances at him. When they saw that Mark noticed them, they nervously scurried away.

”What is wrong with them? They're the new ones, right?”

Mark frowned.

Being called the new ones, those women belonged to the small group of survivors from Pennsylvania. They managed to pass Odelina's few trials and were deemed worthy enough to take into the base. Of course, being brought back by Odelina and not Mark, they had a different view of him compared to the others.

At Mark's question, Darren made a stifled laugh.

”Don't frown about things you started.”

Darren replied.

”I started?”

Mark was confused.

”Remember what you said the moment you returned here? The answer you gave the Green-haired girl? Although most people here don't know what a harem is, they understand that you will not take any other woman as a mistress even in this lawless world. Moral standards are very low in these times. Many women here won't hesitate to answer yes if you want them as a mistress.”

”Me? With this looks?” Mark pointed at his face. ”You got to be joking. Besides, I already said that I will only have Mei'er in my entire life.”

”That's the point.” Darren laughed. ”Many women, especially the young ones, found your answer too dreamy for the situation the world is in. Even more, since you boldly stated it in front of everyone. Now, you're the content of small talks of women in the base. Even my wife is talking about it. Saying that I should follow your steps.”

”So, you played with women before even though you already have a wife.”

Mark stated with a blank look.

”Ahem...” Darren awkwardly laughed. ”That's a thing of the past. I just got swayed by someone who wanted to take advantage of my money. Anyway, what about your looks? It's not bad at all.”

”I know my face.” Mark shrugged. ”You don't have to try hard and compliment me.”

At that reply, Darren shook his head.

”Compared to your high confidence in your strength, your self-esteem about your appearance is just as low, huh. Tsk.”

Mark did not reply to that and continued going their rounds around the warehouse.

Amidst checking the supplies, Mark turned his head to the door. He was sure that someone came for him.