Establishing a Forward Base

Hearing my words, Natalie instantly tries to pull herself together. "No. I can still… I can still…"

"You can still what?" I question as I eye her sharply. "You are no good to anyone if you are dead. And if you keep on insisting to follow me despite my words then do not blame me when I'd decided you're too much of a risk to have around. I do not need those who will not listen to simple orders."

Natalie freezes up. "I'm… I'm… sorry. I just don't want… don't want to be…"

"Trust me when I say I will not leave any of my people behind," I tell her before exhaling deeply. "Just stay put until I return. You will be fine as long as you do not attract attention to yourself."

I hand her the backpack. "This should last you at least a week. More if you ration correctly. It is unlikely that I will be gone for that long unless something else comes up."

Or that I am dead. That is also a possibility, and I prefer to remain alive with whatever means possible.

Natalie accepts the backpack weakly. She doesn't want to be left behind without any sort of assurance, but it is impossible to give her any. She just has to trust my words on my promise to return. I will return without a doubt.

"Eric, is it?" I comment as I look at the man.

"Ah. Yes… what do you need, Zander? Want me to stay here with Natalie? I can do that, but we might need more supplies," Eric responses, understanding what has just happened quickly enough. He isn't that bright, but he is not stupid either.

"Stay here with Natalie for a moment, as I need to check something," I tell him before climbing down the fire escape staircase. I check the door on the staircase, as it allows me to enter the building. Sadly, it is locked, but that isn't going to stop me.

Once I am inside, I check the hallway to see any sign of fighting. There are, and there aren't any corpses to be found. They all have been dragged off by whatever monsters that the residents of the apartment have turned into.

The lights within the building are off, and they refuse to be switched on despite there are still powers and waters within the city. I check my phone, finding the screen all distorted. Soon enough, the battery dies.

It seems that magic is interfering with all the electronics, disrupting the flow of electricity. This usually happens within the Zone or places that are pure magical in nature. It is also the reason why humanity has to develop a different branch of tech to combat the interdimensional threats.

This does not have anything to do with me right now. I am merely confirming whether I can still make use of any electronic devices or not. Even if I cannot, I can still sell them for some quick bucks with the Shop System.

Their owners are dead, so it is not really stealing. It might be considered grave robbing though. Meh.

I find a decent size room and activate an ability belonging to my Merchant Profession, and the instant that I do so, a new Headquarter is established. It costs me more than the first Headquarter, and every next Establishments will cost even more.

Once a new Headquarter is established, I head back to fetch Natalie and Eric, as they are safer here.