126 Sheltered Survivors

More survivors.

That's what she had found inside the convenience mall in her quest for more food.

One, two, three, four, five. Five people.

All male and all in famished condition.

I had no idea how long they have been hiding inside the convenience store.

'They couldn't have survived inside the convenience mall for two whole months, right?'

'Who knows. Maybe they really did survive inside the mall for such a long time. It should have enough food for these seven men to survive for some time but it seems like the food they had had run out of stock some time ago.' Lily said.

'Wow! It has not been even two months and people have already started to starve.'

'Well, not all people can survive on mutant meat you know.' Lily said and I smiled before looking at Netra who was in some kind of argument with the five people.

From what little I heard from their argument, it seemed like those five men have some food but don't want to share it.

They denied it even when Netra promised to give them 1st tier crystals in exchange for 1 packet of biscuit.

It seemed like they really don't know the value of crystals in this new world, but it make sense, considering how they've be holed up inside that mall ever since the apocalypse started.

I jumped down from atop the roof and landed beside Netra, scaring the hell out of the five men and irritating Netra for stopping her negotiations.

"Why are you even negotiating with them?" I asked in a bored manner. "If you want their food, then why not just take it from them."

The five men bristled at my words while Netra gave me a stink eye that conveyed the message that said how much she looks down on people who bully others because of their superior strength.

Kind and good hearted. That's so much like Netra.

But the girls back there are starving as well. And after what they've gone through, they need the food much more than these men.

"Oi. How much food do you have on you?" I asked before Netra could say anything else because I knew that her negotiations skills were worse than shit.

Not that mine were any better but I had a distinct advantage over Netra in this field.

I was not opposed to using strength when things don't go my way.

So when the leader of the five men, a middle aged man who had a large build ignored my question entirely along with my presence, I did not find it beneath me to dislocate one of this arm and send his prowling in the dirt.

So much for his tough stance.

The next moment, I found myself pulled back and came face to face with Netra who did not looked pleased with my actions. At all.

Oops.

"Don't hurt them just because they're weaker than you Ashok. Or you'll be no better than the bandits who hurt those girls and took advantage of them." She said and the hurt in her eyes made me feel like the lowest scum on earth.

Really, the things she could make me do with just her eyes.

"I got it. Jeez." I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly but when the hurt look in her face didn't go away I went ahead and popped that guy's arm back in the socket.

The look of fear and anger in his eyes as he looked at me was priceless.

Did this dude really not know that the democratic world he lived in where every one is given equal rights died two months ago.

I almost pity him for his ignorance.

He won't survive long in this world.

But still.

"Sorry about that. Okay." I said and took out ten 1st tier crystals from my black watch and passed it on to him.

At this point 1st tier crystals really did not mean much to me but if giving him some compensation can appease Netra then why not.

He looked at me for a moments before looking back at the crystals incredulously. As if he did not knew what to do with it.

'What is it possible that he really doesn't know what to do with it?' I thought.

'If they've been hiding inside the convenience mall since the start of the apocalypse then I don't see why not.'

"Eat them." I said when I was sure that he didn't knew what to do with it.

I had given him two Blue, Red, Green, Yellow and Black mana crystals each.

It would not help him much now that 3rd tier and 4th tier abnormals are roaming the land but it's something.

He gave me a confused look and I decided that I have had enough of it.

I narrowed my eyes at him and he understood that if he doesn't do what I say then it won't end well for him.

He nodded hastily before eating all ten crystals.

The men behind him looked at him in concern but soon after that, he got a surprised expression on his face which turned to happiness soon after.

"These crystals help you increase your Strength, Agility, Stamina, Perception and Mana. We have more of these crystals and are willing to give them to you in exchange for food. What do you say." I said and saw a gleam in his eyes.

Now that he has consumed the forbidden fruit, he'll become greedy and want more for himself.

And we'll get our food supplies in return.

I looked at Netra and gave her a thumbs up with a smirk while she put up her hands in mock defeat.

"I have to warn you though. We have much food ourselves." The leader of the five said.

"We used to have more but some time ago some bandits came to the mall and took most of our food."

The words were like a jolt of lightening to Netra as the next moment, she was in front of the leader, asking him for the location of the bandits.

In the end, we were not able to know the precise location of the bandit camp but had a general idea about where they came from.

All in all, we got some food for the girls under Netra's care and knew the general location of the bandit camp.

Not such a waste of time if you ask me.