After drinking the potion provided by the system, my strength increased a bit. I carried a bag of rice, held water in my hands, and tied many bread loaves around my waist.

It was high noon, and the zombies have a natural fear of sunlight. They are all hiding now, waiting for the sun to be less harsh before coming out. Some very hungry zombies tried to bite me, but I quickly took care of them. After killing the first one, I no longer had fear or pity for them.

Not long after I returned home, someone knocked on the door. My mom asked quietly, "Who is it?"

After hearing the reply, my mom opened the door. It was our neighbor, Uncle Li. As soon as he came in, he knelt in front of my mom and asked for some food. He said they couldn't even cook at home, and seeing me carrying a bag of rice, he came to buy some.

In the apocalypse, food is more valuable than money.

Moreover, the apocalypse is the time that tests human nature the most.

If we lent it to him, it might attract attention. What if we gave it to Uncle Li and then Mr. Wang, Mr. Chen, and others came? We wouldn't have enough to share.

Uncle Li's son is the same age as me and is also at home. I said, "Uncle Li, we don't have enough rice to eat in our house either. How about this, you let Liang go out with me to find food together, then you both can get more."

Uncle Li glared at me and said, "It's too dangerous outside. What if Liang gets bitten by a zombie? Are you asking me to end my family line?"

I patiently explained to him that it was the perfect time as it was noon, the sun was harsh, and not many zombies were wandering outside. Besides, those zombies moved slowly, as long as we ran fast, nothing would happen.

Uncle Li still refused, threatening me boldly, "Xie Ning, give me your house's food. You go out and find more, or else, I will tell those neighbors about the large amount of food your family has, and they won't be as easygoing as me."

My mom hesitated, she started to waver.

I took out a fruit knife and played with it, "Okay, if they dare to come over, I will be the first to kill you and Liang. Do you see the blood above? The blood of a zombie. If I dare to kill a zombie, do you think I will dare to kill you?"

I stared at him with wide eyes, Uncle Li trembled, and I slowly approached him with the fruit knife, "Get out, not giving it to you!"

Although Uncle Li was angry, seeing the blood above and witnessing me coming back alone from outside, he didn't dare to fight me and could only sneak away.

I said to my mom, "Mom, in this kind of situation, you should refuse. We don't have enough food even for ourselves. If they refuse to go find food with me, they can't just give it away randomly. I risked my life to bring it back, you can't give it away randomly."

My mom has a soft heart. Before the apocalypse, it could be said that she was kind, but now in the apocalypse, she is acting foolishly.

My mom firmly said, "I understand, I won't give it to them."

Next, the system started to train me again. It said the first task was completed, a reward of ten thousand, and when my physical fitness was stronger, I could proceed with the second task.

One month later, from running away from even one zombie to now, I dared to face even ten of them.

The system issued the second task: 【Please go to the most contaminated area of the ocean, extract a sample of blood from a mutant marine creature, and bring back a bottle of water from there.】

I was surprised, "The most contaminated area of the ocean is in the center of the sea, thousands of meters away from the coastline. How do I go there? Moreover, there are so many mutated marine creatures in the sea, I am not a match for them."

This task is too difficult. I might be contaminated by nuclear radiation as soon as I go underwater, and those marine creatures might eat me.

Even before the apocalypse, many marine creatures had mutated, such as dolphins covered in sea urchin-like spines; sharks with two deer antlers on their heads; blue whales with teeth all over their bodies, suddenly carrying toxins.

There are many small animals, their killing power now can match that of non-mutant sharks.

Not to mention the mutated marine plants, going there would be a dead end.

【Host, are you afraid? Do you want to retreat?】

001's words were challenging my reason.

On one side is the fear of unknown danger, on the other side is the hope of returning to a better life.

"Can I have some time to consider?"

【Host, you have one day to consider. We will leave tomorrow. Also, I hope you can carefully read this manual of the aircraft. If you go, you can pilot this aircraft there.】

As it finished speaking, a thin manual appeared on the seat.

【System, where do you come from? Why do you have such advanced things?】

The system remained silent for a while before saying, "I am from 500 years later."

Although its voice sounded mechanical, I sensed a touch of sadness in its tone.

After that, it stopped talking.

I opened the door, and my mom had just finished cooking rice for me. My sister was staring gloomily out of the window.

"When can I go back to school and see my classmates, sister? I miss them and want to go out to play." My sister asked.

"Do you really want to go out and play, Qiao Qiao?"

My sister nodded vigorously, "Yes, I hate the apocalypse. If there was a way to end this damn apocalypse."

My mom chimed in, "Yes, now the power is out, and we can't use the internet. I don't even know how your grandparents are doing."

The day after the apocalypse arrived, the electricity went out. Now we cook using gas, but this gas won't last long either.

I smiled, my eyes filled with determination, "It will end, I promise you, sisters." Even if I may die, as long as there is a one in a million chance, I want to try it. Because I also miss the days before, I don't want to see familiar people become zombies anymore.

After dinner, I told the system that I was willing to do the task.

I carefully read through the manual, and the system also answered any questions I had.

【Host, after completing this task, you will receive a reward of 50 million. Are you happy?】

I smiled. If it was before the apocalypse, getting 50 million would have excited me to the point where I couldn't sleep. But now, I don't want money. I just want to complete the task, get the antidote from the system, and save my mother earth.

Early the next morning, I said goodbye to my family. They have gotten used to me going out to kill zombies every day, from being worried at the beginning to now being indifferent.

My mom said, "Come back for lunch. You always practice so hard. You must be tired." My nose tingled. What if I couldn't come back? What would they do?

I said to my sister, "Qiao Qiao, you must keep practicing what I teach you. You can't always rely on me. When you grow up, if I'm not here, you have to protect mom well, do you understand?"

My sister nodded and said, "Sister, don't worry, I will protect mom well. But you must come back soon and not get hurt."

I nodded.

As I was leaving, tears glistened in my mom's eyes, "Ning Ning, you must come back. Mom will be waiting for you at home." She seemed to know that I wasn't just going out to kill zombies as before.