18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 234

Dealing with a wise and clear-headed person was always a breeze.

Stella was in high spirits as she returned to Building 5 after bidding goodbye.

Mark's house was out of salt, so he took an iron pot and toasted sea salt for half an hour before soaking it in warm water for a drink.

He would be lying if he said he wasn't worried, but knowing that the salt was from Jasper and Stella, he felt more assured than if he'd gotten it from elsewhere.

In his recent excursions, he'd seen a lot of salt, but none compared to the purity and crystallization of what Jasper and Stella had given him, which was free from impurities.

After consuming it for three days, his fatigue had significantly improved. Overjoyed, he turned on the walkie-talkie to contact them, hoping to purchase more.

"Mark, they don't have much either. They originally wanted to exchange a pound of salt for 12 pounds of sweet potatoes. Jasper bargained with them and even offered to owe them a favor before they finally agreed to compromise. We can only get a few hundred pounds at most."

Stella, being a woman of action, took charge. "I'll do my best to negotiate for you. If we go by 3 pounds per person, it should be manageable. The price will be set according to market rates, a pound of salt for 10 pounds of sweet potatoes. We can't go any lower."

Mark knew that there was a limit to how much you could ask of someone, so he gratefully accepted her offer. "Alright, I'll leave it to you."

Being able to secure over 500 pounds of salt made him ecstatic. Truly, Stella and Jasper had ways.

Mark felt a bit embarrassed, but for the sake of the residents of Eastwood Eden, he couldn't afford to be shy. "And one more thing, Stella. What about the seeds?"

"We have corn and vegetable seeds. We might be able to gather a few pounds, but given how long it's been since the disaster, we can't guarantee their germination rate."

Mark understood. Old seeds had a low germination rate. He was grateful to have seeds at all and promptly agreed to take them.

He was honest about the availability of the goods, openly announcing the news and accepting registration from residents.

Upon learning that they could get salt, the residents were extremely enthusiastic. Some even enlisted their children's names in order to buy more. There was no helping it. The lack of salt was unbearable. Families with many members could hoard over ten pounds of salt, which, if rationed carefully, could last several years.

While there was a flurry of activity, Stella was equally busy. The seeds from Arcadia were too fresh to fool Mark. Jasper added some dust and mixed it in, rubbing it repeatedly until it looked old and worn.

On the day of the trade, the duo drove back from the outside, bringing back the salt and seeds in exchange for thousands of pounds of sweet potatoes.

Sweet potatoes grown in extreme heat were not of the best quality, but they weren't planning on eating them. They would be traded when the need arose.

As the residents came to collect their salt, Mark patiently explained how to toast it, ensuring everyone got some.

With the arrival of the third rainfall, the government finally announced a detailed plan for the new city. Construction wasn't a problem. The real issue was the severe shortage of materials.

The government had appropriated materials from Steel World and other construction material factories and stores. However, these supplies were far from enough to build the new city.

In these pressing times, they had to mobilize the power of the masses. Everyone had a role to play in building a better home.

If materials were needed, they could be found, even in the ruins.

The government had a detailed 30-page plan where each type of material had a corresponding point value, with different points for new and old materials. It would take days to go over the entire list.

The neighborhood committee where Eastwood Eden was located had collapsed. The staff had moved with the majority and would relocate to Hope Bay. People could visit the city hall for more information. Mark listened to the radio with furrowed brows.

Christian was anxious. "Mark, what's the plan?"

Newtown was being built in Hope Bay, about 50 kilometers from Eastwood Eden. Once the official military withdrew, it meant the old city area would be abandoned.

Even though the city had been devastated by the earthquake, there were still many buildings left. In the future, these could become hotspots for criminal activity. Even if the people of Eastwood Eden were united, they couldn't resist these forces. They could potentially become food stock or accomplices for criminals.

Living was already difficult enough, let alone settling securely in Newtown.

"If we want to survive, we have to go with the government."

It might be difficult, but it was safer than being alone.

"But we have nothing. What can we use to accumulate points? Even if we accumulate enough points to be eligible to buy a house, we can't afford the exchange materials."

"Don't worry for now. We'll go to the city hall tomorrow to get more information."

As long as they were united, there had to be a way.

Despite the drop in temperature, the sun was still scorching during the day. They set off on foot at 5 am.

The strong earthquake had buried many resources, making the survival environment even harsher. The government had provided shelter for a vast number of refugees, consequently decreasing the pool of potential victims for criminals. So, going out meant taking a risk. For safety, Mark not only carried a knife but also had a pocket full of sand. Even so, they didn't dare to let their guard down and kept a lookout for danger.

The once bustling city was now desolate and dilapidated. The mist hadn't cleared, making the world seem gray and lifeless.

Throughout their journey, they didn't see a single soul.

Christian was terrified. "Mark, if the government really moves, no one will know even if we in Eastwood Eden are hammered into bone dust."

Eastwood Eden didn't collapse during the earthquake, which was both their fortune and misfortune. Once the government's influence couldn't reach them, they would definitely be taken over by others.

Being robbed was the least of their worries. Whether they could survive was the real question.

On this trip, Mark shared his feelings, "Let's get some information first, then decide what to do when we get back."

While they were headed to the city hall, Jasper and Stella had plans too, but they had left later.

The roads were difficult to travel, and walking was too slow. Stella took out her electric scooter, put on her helmet, and rode off with Jasper.

Jasper's long legs were uncomfortable on the small scooter, but he didn't complain. Instead, he kept a vigilant watch on their surroundings.

When they left, it was past 9 am. There were scavengers visible in the ruins. Those who dared to scavenge were rarely innocent.

Out of the blue, a stone came hurling from behind the ruins, targeting them.