Apocalypse: the Most Ruthless Person

“How do you recharge the backup energy bar? Oh, automatic charging, pretty cool!”

Zhang Su observed carefully and found the empty second energy slot had a faint blue gleam flickering, as if capturing energy particles from the void. The progress bar on the far left also showed a thin layer that had possibly recovered… a ten-thousandth?

Specific recovery speed and whether there are other methods to speed it up require further verification. As long as it can slowly recover, it’s good.

“Let’s test if it can actually enhance!”

Zhang Su decided to experiment while his own energy slot was full, and simply activated the second backup energy slot.

Repeating the previous operation, everything sped up in his mind, but when the energy slots fused again, he didn’t feel his body getting stronger. He just felt warm, like a small furnace emitting heat.

“Well… I thought too much.”

Zhang Su licked his lips, touching the ice-cold tank steering wheel, fantasizing about becoming One Punch Man.

Even though it couldn’t strengthen body techniques, the improvement was still considerable. The apocalypse isn’t like before. Even leaders often need to fight; properly using abundant energy can be a lifesaver or a game-changer!

This time’s improvement wasn’t as direct as enhancing vision. Perhaps many hidden features are to be developed, but Zhang Su was very satisfied. It’s like filling a car with fuel and adding two more tanks, giving a full sense of security!

Bang bang.

“Brother Zhang, how’s your research going? I haven’t seen any movement…”

Pan Guoliang, seeing Zhang Su unresponsive for a while, tapped the hatch and asked.

“Come take a look, I don’t quite understand!”

Engrossed in studying his newly acquired skill, Zhang Su didn’t notice the time. Upon hearing Pan Guoliang’s call, he quickly collected himself and opened the hatch, inviting him to explore together.

In the following time, Zhang Su and the others focused their energy on researching the tank, tinkering for quite a while, only to find it was impossible to start. This baffled everyone.

“Damn… I forgot, this thing runs on diesel. Did you guys use the wrong grade, causing it to freeze?”

Zhang Su climbed out of the driver’s seat, feeling parched.

“Military diesel is long gone; it’s probably just regular zero or minus ten degrees. No worries, the tank has a fuel tank warming feature and electricity. It can start!”

Pan Guoliang said, diving into the driver’s cabin and activating the heating mode.

Military-grade diesel can typically withstand minus thirty to forty degrees without issues. However, civilians rarely consider such high grades. In winter, diesel freezing is common, and truckers often use fire to thaw fuel…

After three to five minutes of waiting, it finally started successfully. Zhang Su enthusiastically drove the tank around the camp, gradually getting the hang of it. He found driving a tank not as challenging as imagined, slowly gaining speed. The feel of driving a tank was entirely different from motor vehicles. Just before snapping out of his excitement, the fuel gauge warning light flashed, causing his expression to collapse instantly!

“No way, how much fuel did you add to the tank, why is it gone so quickly?”

Knowing tanks are fuel guzzlers, starting at two to three hundred liters per hundred kilometers, Zhang Su’s journey didn’t even hit one kilometer. Factoring in idle consumption, it should have used no more than five liters!

“I dunno, I wasn’t responsible for that task.”

Pan Guoliang, standing in the command cabin, scratched his head in confusion.

“Go, go! Find fuel quickly and fill it up. We must find a way to drive it back today!”

Feeling annoyed, Zhang Su jumped out of the driver’s cabin.

Pan Guoliang made a quirky expression, pointing at a chaotic area in the distance, saying, “Hit, the diesel and gasoline are all gone… boom, it was spectacular!”

Zhang Su felt his eyelids twitch in anger. He glanced around; none of the other vehicles ran on diesel. Reluctantly, he stepped down from the tank, resolving to find diesel tomorrow and drive this big guy back!

To prevent anyone from quickly snatching the tank and causing a threat, he even removed a few crucial components along with the shells…

With over forty people working together, they quickly packed all the vehicles, not only with various weapons but also other equipment and supplies.

As it was time to return, Zhang Su gathered everyone together.

“Old Ma, are you curious about the corpses we buried earlier?”

Ma Changshou shook his head: “Boss Zhang must have his reasons for instructing us.”

Zhang Su regarded the tactful Ma Changshou. Considering their acquaintance, he felt pretty good about this man, finding interaction pleasant. Now that Ma Changshou was a member of his entourage, it likely eased his mind.

“That group came from Kuanzhuang…”

Zhang Su then narrated the grievances between Celestial Horse Island and Kuanzhuang. Wrapping up, he said, “Originally, there wasn’t much direct animosity between us and Kuanzhuang. Spies and so forth were minor issues, but today it’s different. I hadn’t anticipated Lei Youliang’s abrupt move to seize equipment and rally other factions against me. For the sake of safety and stability in our area, I had to strike first!”

The people of Celestial Horse Island, including Pan Guoliang and Xin Qi, didn’t find anything odd. In today’s world, the massive dark forest, it’s perfectly normal for hunters to clash.

Ma Changshou nodded empathetically, saying, “Boss Zhang, I’m not flattering you; your decision was spot on. Only a leader like you can lead people to survive the harsh apocalypse. Respect, respect.”

The villagers from West Camp Village only lacked leadership skills; it didn’t mean they were fools. Now, sharing the same fate with Celestial Horse Island, they felt secure witnessing their leader’s toughness.

“Kuanzhuang has elderly, women, and children just like you. The grudge between Lei Youliang and I is wiped clean since he fell. However, Kuanzhuang’s villagers lost their protection, so I plan to incorporate them! I’m telling you the truth because I consider you one of us. Be mindful of what to say and what not to say!”

“Boss Zhang, you’re kind-hearted. We will do our utmost to support your work. If issues arise, hold me accountable!”

Ma Changshou straightened his back for the first time since being rescued, confident in his villagers.

“Alright, that’s the situation. Pack up and prepare to move out!”

When arriving, each vehicle was relatively empty. Upon returning, they seemed crowded. It’s fortunate they took three vehicles from Kuanzhuang; otherwise, they’d have no room!

In the FJ Cruiser, Zhang Su personally drove, leading the core team members on a mission. The burden on his shoulders couldn’t be underestimated; he had to maximize his strengths.

In the passenger seat, Zheng Xinyu curiously glanced at Zhang Su.

“What’s up?” Zhang Su sensed the gaze and peeked at Zheng Xinyu, feeling slightly unnatural.

“You’re acting weird.”

Zheng Xinyu seriously stared at Zhang Su, as if his face had sprouted Van Gogh’s artwork.

From the back seat, Zhao Dezhu hummed a tune while gazing out the window. Hearing Zheng Xinyu, he chuckled, “Bro, the lady suspects you have an affair.”

“Zhuzi, you’re nuts! Hey, little girl, how am I weird?”

Zhang Su felt a stir inside, yet remained composed outwardly, pondering whether his vigorous state was so obvious?

“I can’t say, it feels like you’re different from this morning. Did you take some ecstasy? You seem so high-spirited…”

Zheng Xinyu finally found the words to describe her perception.