Apocalypse: Launching a Counterattack Against the Villainess

Page 68

For Shikawa Yu and others who usually have to conserve even water, this was an enjoyment that only existed in their dreams.

Nothing feels better than a relaxing bath followed by a hearty buffet meal.

Unlike Qin Hehuan, Nie Qingyun rarely chooses to dominate in interpersonal interactions.

He prefers to gain genuine trust.

Although he did not intend to be long-term partners with these people, he hoped that at least during the period of cooperation, everyone would work towards the same goal.

In addition, to Nie Qingyun's surprise, there were actually three girls among Shi Chuanyu's group.

After that group of burly boys rushed into the men's bathhouse, Nie Qingyun couldn't very well take the four girls to bathe together.

So the idea of ​​taking a bath together with the young lady fell through.

Moreover, he needed to leave some space for Shikawa Yu and the others.

Although Nie Qingyun spends a lot of time in the library, she still has basic emotional intelligence.

This is similar to how you and a few close colleagues would like to have dinner together on the weekend and certainly wouldn't want your direct supervisor at the table.

So he planned to take advantage of this brief break to go out and test the exact impact of the 20% attack bonus provided by the [Guardian Knight] on the battle.

Unfortunately, he had already killed the zombies near this pedestrian street several times, leaving only severed limbs and remains.

Going to a more distant place would easily attract a large number of zombies, which would be counterproductive.

In conclusion, after wandering around outside for a while, Nie Qingyun returned to the bathhouse, just as everyone else had finished bathing.

Trusting Nie Qingyun, the three girls, including Shikawa Asuka, did not dress up as boys again.

She simply tied up her still-damp long hair. Although she didn't look as stunning as Cheng Yuqiu, she still looked quite cute after washing it clean.

No wonder he deliberately dressed as a boy...

After confirming that the surrounding area was safe, Nie Qingyun postponed his decision to treat everyone to a meal and instead led them to search all the clothing stores in the vicinity.

Sure enough, I found many types of armor clothing inside, but without exception, they were all white F level, providing only a basic 4-point defense bonus and nothing else.

It seems that getting something of a higher level really does depend on luck.

However, something is better than nothing. Regardless of whether the [Data System] was activated or not, everyone was assigned one item.

Amidst a lively atmosphere, everyone then enjoyed a hearty meal at the buffet restaurant.

The fresh ingredients stored in the safe, along with the ice-cold beer, evoked memories of life before the apocalypse.

Faced with this stark contrast, many people burst into tears while eating.

Then the sadness was dispelled by the joy of the harvest.

In the small restaurant, all sorts of emotions were intertwined.

Without exception, the people here are filled with hope for survival.

Nie Qingyun quietly slipped out the door as the dinner party drew to a close.

As the distance between them shortened, the excitement in his heart grew stronger.

He could sense that Senior Lingyuan was waiting for him.

Perhaps it's time to meet up with my senior.

She shouldn't be isolated from the crowd like this.

Chapter 85: A Solo Dance in the Night, A Garment of Light! (4.5k words combined)

A light drizzle began to fall outside the window sometime earlier than I had noticed.

The moonlight was hazy, and there was a slight chill in the air.

Nie Qingyun leaned against the second-floor balcony, carefully sorting out her thoughts and trying to soothe the anxiety that resonated with her own feelings.

Not long after, footsteps came from behind.

As the balcony door opened, the lively chatter from inside poured out, then suddenly faded away.

"Crack!"

The lighter made a crisp sound, and a cigarette was lit.

Nie Qingyun turned her head and saw Han Zheng thoughtfully holding a cigarette in his mouth, looking at the night sky in the distance, before taking one out of the cigarette case and handing it to her.

"I didn't know you could do this?"

Nie Qingyun spoke calmly, took the cigarette and lighter from the other person, and lit it.

He doesn't usually smoke, but similar habits can easily create distance between people, at least that's what those books on social psychology say.

"I always need to find something to relieve stress, otherwise my brain will break down," Han Zheng said, turning away from his gaze and leaning against the railing. Through the glass door, he looked at Shi Chuanyu, who was inside, holding a beer mug and drinking recklessly with his companions.

"Anyway, thank you for your help..."

"It's all thanks to you that Asuka and the others were able to awaken the [Data System]."

"It's just a matter of each getting what they need," Nie Qingyun chuckled and shook his head.

"The real trouble is yet to come..."

"There is very little information about Liu Chengyuan. As for whether we can successfully rescue Ms. Fukada in the end, it depends on luck."

Han Zheng's expression didn't change upon hearing this, as if he had been mentally prepared for this matter and was now simply doing his best.

It's clear that he's different from Shi Chuanyu; he's the type who's quick-witted.

"What should we do next?"

This naturally refers to how to defeat Liu Chengyuan and obtain the 1000 [Primordial Crystals] from him.

In fact, Nie Qingyun had already made some plans after agreeing to this matter, but some details still needed to be carefully considered.

After all, I don't have much experience fighting directly against transcendent beings, or rather, I only had that one time with Liu Zhenyu.

In any case, we should be better prepared this time.

Most importantly, Nie Qingyun could not fully trust Han Zheng and his group. To be on the safe side, it would be best to keep the real plan until the moment before the operation.

So he simply said in a vague and ambiguous tone:

"I will explain in detail to you when the time is right."

Han Zheng wanted to know the plan as soon as possible so he could prepare in advance, but since Nie Qingyun wouldn't tell him, he couldn't force her and could only shake his head helplessly.

The two fell silent. In fact, he still had many things he wanted to ask Nie Qingyun about the Transcendent Ones.

But now he knew very well that he had nothing to exchange for this valuable experience, and for a moment he didn't know how to bring it up.

Not long after, footsteps came again from the balcony doorway.

Looking at the beautiful figure outside the glass door, Han Zheng glanced at Nie Qingyun with a hint of envy, then walked into the room without saying a word.

When Cheng Yuqiu walked towards him, he simply bowed his head in greeting and did not look at him much.

Cheng Yuqiu walked up to Nie Qingyun and saw him flick his cigarette butt away, leaving a trail of fire in the dark night.

The girl blinked and rested her arm on the railing:

"Why are you here all alone? Is something on your mind?"

"Yes...something's on my mind," Nie Qingyun replied absentmindedly, then turned his gaze to the girl and casually said:

"Seeing my princess surrounded by a group of boys, I'm a little jealous."

"You, you shouldn't talk nonsense..." The girl blushed. In the past, she would only feel shy when she heard Nie Qingyun teasing her like this.

For some reason, my heart rate keeps increasing unconsciously these days.

However, she quickly calmed down and said with a hint of concern in her eyes:

"They're talking to you about something serious..."

Seeing that Nie Qingyun remained silent for a long time, the girl seemed a little disappointed.

"Is there something you can't tell me...?"

Nie Qingyun inhaled the fragrance surrounding him, looked towards the end of the night, and gently shook his head.

He certainly had a lot on his mind.

The details of how to defeat Liu Chengyuan, how to confirm the size and location of the government's forces, and the "Trials" mentioned in the "Apocalypse Survival Guide" are all things that need to be carefully considered.

But talking to the young lady about these things won't solve anything; it will only spread anxiety pointlessly.

Cheng Yuqiu seemed to have seen through the other person's thoughts and sighed softly.

"You're always like this, taking everything on yourself..."

"Although... it can make people feel very reliable at times."

"Don't misunderstand, they weren't just praising you on purpose..."

"I just feel... I feel a little uneasy."

"Feeling uneasy?" Nie Qingyun turned his head upon hearing this.

The two were very close, and they could even see the eyelashes above the girl's beautiful, star-like eyes.

"Hmm..." Cheng Yuqiu responded, but couldn't help recalling the scene of being locked in the storage room by Nie Qingyun. The feeling of helplessness and frustration was still vivid in her memory, so she hesitated before continuing:

"Although you're very capable... I... I still feel something's strange..."

"It's like, you might suddenly disappear at any time."

"Hey... you won't die so easily, will you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Nie Qingyun felt the girl's warmth.

Cheng Yuqiu took the initiative to approach him.

That face, so beautiful it was like a work of art, filled his entire field of vision.

The girl's eyes were eager, as if she was waiting for a definite answer.

Just like when I was alone in that dark room back then.

Nie Qingyun could once again read that expectation and unease in the other person's eyes.

Regardless of whether it's true or false, or whether there's any basis for it, Cheng Yuqiu just wants confirmation.

Today marks the day she officially becomes a "Transcendent," and it's also the first time she has defeated a zombie entirely on her own.

Moreover, even if she doesn't know any combat skills, her various defensive attributes alone make her more powerful than most people.

Cheng Yuqiu knew very well that all of this was thanks to Nie Qingyun.

It seems that as long as this man is around, she becomes omnipotent.

As a result, she became more timid in certain matters.

She began to fear losing the only remaining support in the world.

"Aren't you forcing me to make a bold statement?"

Nie Qingyun chuckled lightly, trying to ease the slightly tense atmosphere.

Cheng Yuqiu, however, was surprisingly persistent in this matter.

The girl moved even closer without backing down, until their noses were almost touching.

Faced with those eyes as clear as spring water, Nie Qingyun finally gave in and shrugged, ready to agree.

But as the words were about to come out, he couldn't help but recall the scene when the girl turned back to rescue him without hesitation during his battle with Liu Zhenyu.

After thinking for a moment, Nie Qingyun's expression became more serious, and he said earnestly:

"If one day I find myself imprisoned, I mean, if..."

"If we encounter an enemy that we cannot defeat no matter what, then you must run away."

"Don't look back, and don't think about coming back to rescue me. Focus all your energy on getting yourself out of danger."

"As for me……"

"Do you want me to abandon you?" Cheng Yuqiu's body trembled, interrupting the other person's words, a sudden pain shooting through her heart:

"I don't want that kind of thing!"

"Do as I say!" Nie Qingyun rarely used such a forceful tone.