Chapter 4: Five-star Hotels Ordering Banquets

Phoenix, accompanied by Mira and Iris, made their way back to the neighborhood, each maneuvering a cart brimming with supplies. Their presence quickly became the focus of local speculation, as curious eyes and murmurs followed them. Phoenix was unfazed by the attention; his trips to the supermarket had already made him a known figure among the residents.

The news of their bounty was bound to spread, particularly with Mira and Iris likely to talk. Phoenix saw little point in concealing his activities, especially with the foreseen calamity he had previously endured. He had anticipated a time when people might attempt to pillage his home, a scenario he had already faced.

Phoenix's role as a Walmart warehouse manager had ingratiated him with the community, who often solicited his assistance for discounted purchases. Now, as they watched Phoenix and his companions return with a surplus, an intrigued elderly lady, Auntie Lin, approached. With her grandson in tow, she appraised the contents of the carts, notably the fresh meats.

Auntie Lin, who held a position on the industry committee, was known to use her status to her advantage. She had a habit of pushing her weight around the neighborhood and had previously taken advantage of Phoenix's goodwill.

Now, seizing upon the sight of the ample supplies, she masked her covetousness with a thin veneer of neighborly concern, suggesting that Phoenix distribute his excess to her and others. However, her true motive surfaced when her grandson, Miller, brazenly attempted to grab a box of luxury chocolates from one of the carts.

Phoenix acted without hesitation, denying her request and securing the chocolates for himself. The endearing facade he once maintained was unnecessary now, with the end times fast approaching. The exchange soured swiftly as Auntie Lin's feigned offer to pay was met with Phoenix's scornful rebuff.

With a cold sneer, Phoenix, Mira, and Iris made their departure, unmoved by Auntie Lin's ensuing tirade. Phoenix reflected on the tough times that awaited Auntie Lin and Miller, whom he had once aided. But in this new reality, his own survival took precedence.

Having transported the supplies to his home, Phoenix bid farewell to Mira and Iris, dismissing their insinuations of a lavish reward. Alone, he transferred his provisions into the alien space and began planning for the apocalypse with meticulous care.

His list was comprehensive: food, warmth, safety, and health. He strategized to acquire these necessities discreetly, contemplating the transformation of his home into a bastion against the coming disorder.

The thought of armaments was not far from his mind. In a world where lawlessness reigned, he acknowledged the power of weaponry. Though no warrior, Phoenix understood that the right tools could make up for his lack of combat skills.

After several hours of strategizing, he indulged in a soothing bath and the comfort of his bed, seeking rest for the challenging days ahead.

Come morning, Phoenix was reassured by the preservation of his supplies in the alien space, a dimension seemingly exempt from the normal flow of time. Yet the sight of dead fish revealed its limits; it was no place for the living. Nonetheless, the capacity to maintain perishables was a boon.

Phoenix's considerations then turned to sustenance. To avoid the tedium of self-prepared meals, he boldly reached out to the city's finest hotel, placing an extravagant order for their culinary creations to be stored within his otherworldly pantry.

The hotel receptionist, taken aback by the request, quickly deferred to the manager, Jack, who greeted Phoenix with equal parts astonishment and curiosity, setting the stage for Phoenix's next elaborate arrangement.