blogombal Chapter 2 Plan
Chapter 2 Plan
The next day, Xu Mo woke up to a familiar, bone-deep weakness. This was a feeling he had experienced before after becoming aroused, a feeling he remembered vividly.
Xu Mo subconsciously touched his forehead; it was cool to the touch. The scorching fever that had nearly consumed him the night before had finally subsided. Xu Mo let out a long sigh of relief, a breath that seemed to carry the trembling of someone who had survived a catastrophe. Ibuprofen had worked, temporarily pulling him back from the brink of death.
But Xu Mo knew very well that this was just a facade. His body felt as if it had been hollowed out, a deep sense of weakness gripping every muscle, and a faint soreness emanating from his joints. Although his throat no longer burned like it was on fire, it was still dry and itchy, and he couldn't help but let out a low cough or two occasionally, which sounded particularly clear in the quiet room.
Xu Mo knew that the inflammation had not completely subsided; the medication had only forcibly suppressed the symptoms. His body was still in a vulnerable state and needed time and more nutrition to truly recover.
Xu Mo ate only half a pack of compressed biscuits and carefully sipped a few mouthfuls of water, not daring to eat more. The supplies seemed plentiful, but he had to be very careful with them until the next 48 hours of cooling-off period were over. He meticulously counted the remaining supplies and reorganized them.
After doing all this, Xu Mo slowly moved to the dusty window in the room. He didn't rashly expose his entire body to the window, but instead turned sideways, using the wall and window frame as cover, and carefully peered out.
As dawn broke, a hazy gray hue enveloped the desolate town. The streets were a mess, with abandoned vehicles haphazardly parked or colliding, and broken glass and all sorts of trash littering the surface. A few old newspapers rustled softly in the wind as they rolled across the empty streets.
What's even more striking are the figures wandering aimlessly through the streets.
They move stiffly and stagger, their skin an unhealthy grayish-brown, and their bodies are covered with horrific wounds and dried, blackened blood. Most of them simply wander back and forth unconsciously, occasionally stopping to mechanically turn their heads a few times and utter meaningless hoarse sounds.
Xu Mo's gaze moved past the zombies and began to examine the buildings on both sides of the street more closely. At first, he only felt that they were dilapidated, but the longer he looked, the more a strange feeling slowly rose in his heart.
The small supermarket's roller shutter door wasn't damaged naturally; it had been pried open from the bottom with some tool, twisted and deformed, leaving clear signs of violence. The shelves inside were not only empty, but most had been knocked over, as if someone had hastily searched for the last possible supplies.
The clinic was the same; the glass door was completely shattered, with most of the shards scattered inside, as if someone had forcibly broken in from the outside. Every drawer of the cabinets inside had been pulled open and overturned on the floor, demonstrating the thoroughness of the search, leaving no corner untouched.
Even the houses facing the street mostly had their doors wide open or their windows broken, showing signs of being broken into.
This place has been searched repeatedly and thoroughly. Xu Mo came to this conclusion.
Just like the room he was in, apart from the heavy, immovable furniture, there was almost nothing of any use. All that remained were scattered scraps of paper, empty cans, broken decorations... all the living necessities that might have contained any value had long since disappeared.
Xu Mo realized that countless people had passed through and searched this place before him, combing through the town like a fine-toothed comb. The hope of finding anything of value in these abandoned ruins was extremely slim.
That cheat code that allows him to travel to another world is not only his greatest asset, but in the current reality of resource depletion, it has almost become his only asset. The supply lines to the real world have been completely severed.
This means his next "door-opening" must be more efficient and targeted. He can no longer be satisfied with finding scattered food and medicine; he needs to systematically gather supplies to sustain his survival in the long run: a larger backpack, more water, staple foods, vitamins, and... weapons for self-defense. The harshness of the real world is forcing him to improve his plundering efficiency in another world.
Outside the window, a zombie knocked over an empty trash can, the sound carrying far in the silence. Xu Mo shrank back and sat down against the cold wall.
Physical weakness and utter lack of external resources created a double burden of survival pressure. Yet, a resolute glint flashed in Xu Mo's eyes. Fortunately, he still had those sixty seconds. He had to make the most of the next day or so to recover his strength as quickly as possible, while also being more careful in concealing himself and considering his next choice to continue in this brutal game of survival.
Xu Mo sat down against the wall, pulled out a half-burnt charcoal pencil from the corner, and picked up a relatively intact piece of cardboard. The harsh reality brought him to his senses; he had to devise an absolutely rational plan for the next "opening of the door," one that prioritized survival.
"Next time, only sixty seconds..." Xu Mo muttered to himself, his eyes sharp. He forcefully wrote three words on the cardboard: food, water, medicine. This was the iron triangle that sustains life, and it could not be shaken.
First priority: lifeline supplies.
Water: Bottled water is absolutely essential; you must take as much as possible. If you can find large-capacity water jugs or unopened sports drinks, those are the best choice.
Food: The goal has shifted from "filling the stomach" to "maintaining physical strength." High-energy compressed biscuits, chocolate, and beef jerky are the basics. I also need vacuum-packed staple foods (such as rice and noodles) and various canned goods (meat, fish, and fruit), which provide more comprehensive nutrition and a feeling of fullness.
Medications: Fever reducers need to be replenished. More importantly, he must find a broad-spectrum antibiotic (such as amoxicillin) and an adult multivitamin. The former is for treating the infection, and the latter is to compensate for the health risks caused by a monotonous diet. In addition, a complete first-aid kit (including gauze, bandages, and disinfectants) must also be a top priority.
After writing all that, Xu Mo took a deep breath and wrote down his second goal.
Second priority: efficiency and containers.
Backpack: Assuming you've secured the aforementioned core supplies, if you still have the resources and opportunity, a sturdy, large-capacity backpack is the next essential item to acquire. This directly determines the maximum potential reward for each subsequent "door opening."
Third priority: tools and weapons.
Tools: High-powered flashlight, fire starter, multi-tool, etc. These can provide great convenience in later survival, but can be put aside for now given the extremely limited resources.
Weapons: More professional weapons can be ranked later, since I am currently physically weak and I can't use these things for the time being, but they are still necessary for the long term.
Looking at the clearer list, Xu Mo's anxiety lessened somewhat, and the plan gave him a renewed sense of control.
"The key is water, high-energy food, antibiotics, and vitamins," Xu Mo repeated to himself, memorizing these items. "Even if the location of the door isn't ideal this time, I must at least make sure I get two of these things."
Weigh the items on the list repeatedly to ensure that when that moment arrives, your resolve will not waver due to time constraints.
The pressure of survival transformed into clear steps, making Xu Mo feel as if a sliver of strength was rekindling within his weakened body. He closed his eyes and began to mentally simulate how, after opening the door next time, he would act like an efficient machine, rushing straight for his target.