Chapter 21: You're formidable, you call the shots
A man with a brutish face pulled out a megaphone and shouted, "If you want to leave this place, bring out all the food you have."
Some fearful individuals hid in the back, watching, while others, more courageous and hot-tempered, stepped forward, urging, "There are over thirty of them, but we have seventy to eighty people together. Why fear them? Let's charge!"
People exchanged glances and responded, "We must cooperate to break out. Fighting individually won't secure our belongings."
"Why should we give them the supplies we worked hard to gather? Let's charge together!"
"My phone still has power. What if I call the police?"
"It's useless. A few days ago, someone stole things from my house. When I called the police, they just brushed it off, saying to file a report for future handling."
This revelation left everyone disheartened, realizing that if the world had turned into a survival of the fittest scenario, they would have to figure out how to cope.
For now, they couldn't dwell on this; they needed to bring the supplies back first.
With a leader emerging, others followed without hesitation, paddling the boat together.
Arriving at the entrance of the commercial street, the leading man angrily questioned, "The natural disaster is over, and social order will soon be restored. Aren't you afraid of getting caught?"
The gang leader laughed at his naivety, "You're a fool. The government has long fled. There's no one in the government building. Everyone is in danger, and no one cares about you."
Unconvinced, the man retorted, "If you won't let us pass, don't blame us for being impolite."
"Is that so? How impolite can you be? Let me see." The gang leader revealed a sinister smile.
The man at the forefront pulled out a long-handled knife from the boat and swung it towards the man on the opposite side.
"Bang!" A gunshot echoed.
The man holding the knife stared wide-eyed, filled with disbelief. The knife dropped from his hand with a clang, slowly falling into the water. Everyone witnessed a bullet hole in the center of the man's forehead, and seconds later, the water around him turned red.
As some people reacted, horrified screams erupted, and everyone, with pale faces, retreated backward. However, the opposing gang didn't let them leave and directly seized their inflatable boat.
"Today, I'll spare your lives. Next time we meet, hand over your supplies willingly," declared the gang leader, holstering his gun, displaying a fierce demeanor.
Guns were rare, bullets even rarer. They weren't used casually; they were meant to intimidate those who didn't know their place.
People who refrained from charging hid inside the shops along the commercial street. Witnessing the man who stepped forward being killed, they dared not show themselves.
Alice and a few others hid in a fried chicken shop, while the rest dared not come out, trembling in fear.
Arnold frowned, "They have guns. Charging in means suicide. If they boldly guard the entrance, it indicates that other routes are likely blocked."
It was also possible that the entire commercial street was surrounded.
Someone on another inflatable boat asked anxiously, "What do we do now? Are we supposed to just hand over the supplies we worked so hard to find?"
Alice calmly stated, "If you want to keep your lives for now, this seems to be the only option. The one who runs away lives to fight another day."
For Alice, as long as the other side didn't have guns in every hand, she could probably break through.
She pondered for a moment. Where could she buy firearms?
The group remained silent, their eyes filled with despair and reluctance. They decided to stay hidden until those people left.
At that moment, the gang at the entrance shouted through the megaphone again, "Don't think staying inside will keep you safe. Later, our people will search inside. Anyone found will be dealt with mercilessly."
"I'll give you one minute. Voluntarily hand over your supplies, and we'll spare your lives. The countdown starts now."Upon hearing those words, Alice could clearly sense the panic and unease among the group. The pressure made many choose to retreat, voluntarily handing over their supplies.
However, the robbing gang was not one to negotiate. Not only did they forcefully take their inflatable boat, but they also abducted a woman who had come along.
"Husband, save me."
A young woman was held down by several men, their hands behaving inappropriately on her body. The men laughed loudly, "Your husband is just a coward. Come with us, as long as you obediently listen, we guarantee you won't go hungry."
"Let go of me, you beasts!" The woman struggled forcefully while cursing angrily.
"Darn it, offering kindness not taken, punishment it is." Irritated, one of the men slapped her.
The woman's husband, pale-faced, looked on. Wanting to intervene but hesitating, he was powerless. Eventually, the man chose to ignore the woman's cries for help and left with a pained expression.
Despair filled the woman's eyes, and she opened her mouth wide, unable to produce any sound.
Those who were hiding witnessed this scene clearly, caught in a dilemma. Was today the day they would meet their end here?
Alice's beautiful brows furrowed. She turned to Arnold, "Big brother, let's go."
"Don't go out first." Arnold looked at his sister's exquisite face, his initial thought being to hide her away.
"I'm more agile than you." Alice smiled with a hint of confidence.
After observing, she noticed that only the leader of the group outside had a gun. As long as she could take that person's gun, dealing with the others wouldn't be difficult.
Not giving Arnold a chance to refuse, Alice stepped onto the rubber boat first.
The people hiding together with them tried to persuade, "It's too dangerous for you to go out. Let your big brother go and talk first."
"You're so pretty; they surely won't let you leave. Why don't you hide first and come out when they leave?"
Alice thanked them for their concern but remained determined to go out.
Others shook their heads helplessly, watching as the siblings paddled the boat closer to the robbing gang at the entrance. They couldn't help but feel anxious for them.
As the robbing gang saw Alice, their eyes lit up, like wolves who had finally spotted prey after a long hunger.
The leader, upon seeing Alice, showed a greedy gaze, not even sparing a glance at Arnold. "You can go, leave the rest of the supplies and people."
They had never encountered such a beautiful woman to play with; now, they could finally taste that experience.
A cold gleam flickered in Arnold's eyes. He pretended to stand up, and Alice immediately went to pull him, her voice filled with fear, "Big brother, don't leave me alone. I'm scared."
The gang leader reached out to grab her, but Alice's expression turned stern. She grabbed the man's hand and swiftly took the gun from his belt before he could react.
The black barrel was aimed at the man's forehead, and Alice sneered, "Drop your knives, or I'll shoot him."
Furious, the gang leader gritted his teeth, "You damn woman..."
"Bang!" Alice fired the gun before he could finish his sentence.
Others stared dumbfounded. They hadn't even dropped their knives yet; how could she have killed the hostage? It was too disrespectful to them!
Alice pointed the gun at them, squinting, "Leave everything here for me."
The men at the front made surrendering gestures, trying to please her, "You're formidable, you call the shots..."
They slowly put down their knives. Just as Alice turned her head, they seized the opportunity to swing their knives.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone