Zombie Surge: My Ascendancy In Wasteland

Chapter 7

After resolving the issue with Sofia and storing all the food supplies and weapons in the house, Eric took a short break. But he didn't waste any time—he immediately used his connections to contact the renowned Eternity Security Company.

Eternity Security Company's reputation preceded it. The company's founder was said to have come from Caelum, a country steeped in traditions of imperial court politics, where intrigue and power struggles thrived behind the scenes.

This background reportedly shaped Eternity Security Company's near-flawless defensive measures. Their services were highly sought after in the Federation, with countless celebrities and even government officials relying on them for protection.

When Eric and Cormac arrived at Eternity Security Company's office, account manager Wesley Reed was already waiting for them at the entrance.

"What? You want to convert an apartment into a safe house?" Wesley asked, his tone laced with disbelief.

Building safe houses was a common request for the Eternity Security Company. Over the years, they had constructed bunkers for wealthy clients and politicians—secure hideouts buried deep in remote locations or beneath urban landscapes. These projects were often driven by paranoia, fear of doomsday, or just a desire for extra security. The idea seemed impractical, if not outright absurd.

But converting a high-rise apartment in a residential complex into a safe house was a first.

Wesley couldn't hide the mix of concern and pity in his expression as he studied Eric and Cormac.

Eric, however, had his reasons.

First and foremost, Sofia and John weighed heavily on his mind. The pain of being betrayed and shot in his previous life had left scars far deeper than he cared to admit. Every time he saw those two, rage and the need for vengeance churned in his chest.

Sure, he could have simply bought or rented a pre-built safe house in some remote location and waited out the apocalypse in safety. But he had to defend himself if Sofia and John took revenge. Some wounds couldn't be ignored, and some betrayals couldn't be forgiven. Sofia and John were like nails driven into his soul, and until he pulled them out himself, he knew he would never find peace.

Sofia lived in the same complex, in a different apartment he'd bought for her. John wasn't far away either, staying put in his own place so he could have more chances to kill them.

The second reason was just as important. In his past life, Eric had survived for a full month in that very apartment during the apocalypse. Zombies, for all their horrifying nature, were ultimately mindless. As long as one prepared carefully and stayed hidden, an apartment could be just as safe as any bunker.

And, most crucially, he remembered hearing on the radio shortly before his death that the Federal government had begun actively eliminating zombies. The apocalypse wasn't going to last forever. If he could hold out for another month or two, the military would likely arrive in his neighborhood, and he would be rescued.

But in his previous life, he hadn't been so lucky. Before the government forces reached him, Sofia had conspired with John to break into his apartment. Together, they had killed him.

Eric smiled at Wesley and said, "That's right. We have our reasons for making this request. Just let me know if you can do it or not."

Wesley considered it for a moment before nodding. In his experience, requests that sounded outrageous at first often turned out to have a solid rationale behind them.

On the other hand, demands that seemed perfectly reasonable on the surface sometimes concealed lies, tricks, or hidden agendas.

"No problem at all," Wesley replied. "Please follow me, and we'll figure out which of our services you need."

Wesley began by carefully asking about the specifics of Eric's apartment and his requirements. Only after gathering all the details did he propose potential renovation plans.

Eric's apartment was located in a middle-to-high-end gated community in the Eastside suburbs of Baroville. The area was home to mostly middle-class residents who valued safety and security. The complex had around 300 households, and Eric's apartment was on the fourth floor of a building with two units per floor.

Eric's main concern was timing. He wanted the renovations completed within 10 days, with a primary focus on concealment and fortification.

Taking these factors into account, Wesley proposed a series of upgrades. After discussing the details with Eric, they finalized the following plan:

First, they would reinforce and fortify the entire apartment. Steel plates and carbon fiber materials would be installed on the interior walls, which would then be thickened with concrete to increase durability and impact resistance. The doors and windows would be replaced with heavy-duty anti-theft doors made of thickened steel and blast-proof glass. These would be fitted with reinforced locks, bolts, and metal frames to ensure zombies couldn't break through.

Second, they would upgrade the ventilation system to include air filtration and odor-cleaning functions. Eric wanted to avoid the constant stench of blood and decay that had haunted him in his previous life.

Next, the open kitchen would be converted into an enclosed one, and soundproofing materials would be installed in the kitchen, master bedroom, and second bedroom. These three rooms would become soundproof chambers. Eric vividly remembered the horrors of his previous life—spending an entire month listening to the endless howls of zombies outside, too afraid to speak loudly, and even using the microwave with extreme caution.

Finally, Eric decided to go one step further by installing a hidden surveillance system. Miniature cameras would be discreetly placed not only in his building but also in other public areas of the community. This would allow him to monitor zombie movements throughout the area and plan his actions accordingly.

With the plan finalized, construction began immediately. To avoid disruptions, Eric and Cormac temporarily moved out of the apartment and stayed near a shooting range.

There, Cormac began putting Eric through strict shooting training. As a complete novice, Eric had a lot to learn, and Cormac wasn't about to go easy on him.

Every day, Eric dedicated his most focused five to six hours at the shooting range with Cormac, learning everything from proper shooting posture and aiming techniques to controlling his breathing while firing.

Under Cormac's meticulous guidance, Eric improved quickly. In just a few days, he went from struggling with frequent muzzle jumps to confidently attempting to shoot moving targets.

As he watched his progress, Eric couldn't help but feel satisfied with his decision to save Cormac. He was dependable.

Meanwhile, Sofia wasn't sitting idle. Fueled by her grand fantasy of becoming a wealthy wife and spurred on by Eric's occasional words of encouragement, she made frequent trips to his apartment, delivering a wide variety of survival supplies.

For food, she brought cases of drinking water, compressed rations, sugar, salt, vacuum-sealed beans, and an assortment of canned goods.

For practical tools, she added items like alcohol, radios, liquor, portable stoves, and more.

For clothing, she delivered waterproof hiking boots, bug-out bags, and other essentials.

She also stocked up on consumable hygiene products like bandages, masks, and emergency medications.

Fortunately, Eric's apartment was spacious enough to hold it all. After clearing out the storage room, study, and closet, they managed to fit the massive haul neatly into the space.

Time passed quickly, and before Eric knew it, more than ten days had gone by. It was now the morning of December 31, 2049—just one day away from doomsday.

The renovations by Eternity Security Company had been completed a few days earlier. Eric stretched and made his way to the balcony of his newly fortified stronghold, taking in the view outside.

Winter had settled over the city, and the cold wind swirled around him. But it could only brush against his coat, unable to pierce the layers beneath.

Everything was ready. The supplies were stocked, the apartment reinforced, and his shooting skills sharpened. There was only one thing left to do—revenge.

For the past several days, Eric had been holding back, resisting the urge to act too soon. Striking prematurely could lead to his arrest, leaving him vulnerable when doomsday arrived. He had spent this time carefully planning how to execute his revenge at just the right moment.

Ring, ring, ring... The phone rang again. Eric glanced at the screen—it was Sofia.

He answered casually, his tone light. "Hey, Sofia. More supplies—"

"Eric, you f*cking lied to me! I'm going to tear you apart!" Sofia's voice exploded from the other end of the line, sharp and furious, completely stripped of her usual flirtatiousness and fake humility.

"You're such a fake rich kid! And all that crap about your aunt, it's all f*cking fake!" she continued.

Eric paused, taken aback. Her sudden aggression threw him off.

Before he could come up with a response, the voice on the other end shifted. It was a man now—John.

"I was wondering where this so-called 'relative' of yours came from," John said. "Turns out you've been taking out high-interest loans. If my men hadn't asked around with the loan sharks, I never would've guessed you were playing such a dangerous game."

"Next month, you pay one billion dollars. Guess God himself wouldn't be able to help you pay off that debt," he continued. "And I hear you've been busy lately—hiring a security company, stocking up on supplies, running around like a maniac."

"What's the plan, huh? Are you thinking you'll live it up for a month and then die? Or do you actually believe that crappy little apartment of yours will keep you safe forever? Stop dreaming. In three days, at most, a whole lot of people are going to come knocking to settle accounts with you." John sneered, his voice menacing.

Eric let out a cold laugh. He hadn't expected them to dig this deep in just half a month. They had been fast—impressively so. But it didn't matter. Their timing was already too late.

If they wanted to come for him, that worked perfectly.

Eric's voice was calm. "How about this, John? No need to wait for three days. Let's make it easier for everyone. Tomorrow at 5:25 PM, anyone who has a grudge against me, anyone who wants to harm me—come to the entrance of my apartment complex. Bring whoever you want. We'll settle everything once and for all. How's that sound?"