Chapter 2 Gathering the Supplies

• After paying the deposit, Nadia rushed to the largest outdoor supply store in the city.
• Her list consisted of two inflatable boats, four rubber shafts, earthquake and fire emergency kits, tents, fire axes, climbing ropes, binoculars, radios, waterproof flashlights, and large-capacity solar chargers.
• Survival gear couldn't be taken lightly. Everything had to be of top quality.
• As the shop owner saw an esteemed customer walk in, he recommended various items enthusiastically. "We're having a sale today. We guarantee the quality will meet your expectations."
• Nadia was uninterested. "Do you have anything that can withstand temperatures of below 60 or 70 degrees Celsius?"
• The shop owner was taken aback. "This is the south. You can wear short sleeves in winter here."
• "I'm heading to the Askington for a research expedition," Nadia replied.
• As the shop owner noticed her earnestness, he contacted a colleague. "They have polar clothing and mummy sleeping bags. If you layer them, they can withstand the extreme temperatures. However, they're quite expensive and the stock is out of province."
• His colleague ran a highly-rated online store. The owner assured Nadia that they could ship it immediately via express delivery and guaranteed the arrival by tomorrow afternoon.
• Nadia decided to order two sets of each, spending over 6,000.
• At the outdoor supply store, she spent another 12,000. A full cart with gear was loaded up. When no one was looking, she discreetly stored everything in her domain.
• The assault boats required diesel, but diesel wasn't sold to individuals.
• Thus, she went to an auto repair shop to buy an oil extractor and some barrels. She filled up her car at several nearby gas stations, then drove to an unsupervised area to transfer the fuel into the barrels with an oil extractor. After several trips, she managed to collect 500 liters of gasoline.
• In the chaos of the apocalyptic world, bloodshed and violence ran rampant. Nadia made her way to a security supplies store. "Sir, I'm heading to Aglyae."
• The shop owner immediately brought out his best goods. "The scenery over there is unique. You can't afford to skimp on safety."
• He handed her three sets of stab-resistant and slash-resistant suits, along with two bulletproof vests. Without delay, Nadia loaded them into her car and headed to the largest wholesale clothing market in the suburbs.
• There, she bought down jackets, military coats, cashmere sweaters, thermal underwear, scarves, gloves, socks, non-slip snow boots, lightweight sneakers, insulated shoes, and slippers.
• She purchased everything she could think of that might be useful, prioritizing quality over brands.
• Nadai was in a whirlwind of activity at the wholesale clothing market. She dropped 12,000 without a second thought. Her next stop was the neighboring daily essentials' wholesale market.
• She ordered air-conditioning quilts, down comforters, and large cotton quilts that weighed eight to ten kilograms each. She made sure to get three of each and have all of it packed in vacuum bags.
• Besides, she grabbed shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent, sanitary pads, tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, thermoses, lighters, and rubber hot water bottles. She stocked up on an incredible amount of 20,000 heat packs to survive in the extreme cold.
• She discovered an online store that sold rare items, like vintage glass kerosene lamps and waterproof, windproof hurricane lamps. These are antiques from the 1960s and 70s. She bought five of each.
• "Do you have kerosene?" she inquired.
• The seller nodded. But he only had 100 liters in stock.
• Nadia bought it all and requested extra lamp wicks, knowing that these lamps would outlast candles.
• She also picked up alcohol stoves, alcohol blocks, and portable gas stoves. She added a few induction cookers to her cart when she remembered that there was electricity in her domain.
• Next, she stocked up on insect repellents, disinfectants, portable water purification tablets, and Florida Water. She bought everything she could think of. In total, she had spent 20,000.
• The fruit wholesale market was next door. Nadia filled her cart with apples, pears, watermelons, kiwis, bananas, cantaloupes, starfruits, summer grapes, and raisins. She purchased twenty different kinds of fruit which cost 6,000.
• By the time she emerged from the market, the sky had darkened.
• Several missed calls from Caleb appeared on her phone. His WeChat messages indicated that the package was ready.
• Nadia drove to his company, where she found twenty large cardboard boxes filled with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, iodine, alcohol wipes, gauze, and even tetanus vaccines.
• These lifesaving medicines had cost over 40,000, but they brought her a sense of relief.
• Caleb transferred her a 2,000 commission. "Your order is all over the place. Many of them are not available, so I had to source them from my colleagues."
• "I'll deliver the supplies first. Then I'll treat you to a feast in a few days," Nadia said as she sat in the driver's seat. "A super typhoon is coming. Make sure you stock up on fuel and food at home."
• Caleb didn't take Nadia's warning to heart. This year alone, there have been dozens of typhoons. They always exaggerate how terrible it's going to be.
• After stowing the medicines in her domain, she headed to the bustling food street near the university town. She ordered barbecue, beer, and fried rice noodles.
• The area was packed with vibrant young students and couples who were completely unaware of the impending disaster.
• While waiting for her barbecue, Nadia was drawn to the warm glow of the red-hot coals.
• In the midst of her busy preparations, she had nearly forgotten something crucial.
• She immediately asked the vendor for contacts to purchase charcoal, coal briquettes, and liquefied gas canisters.
• She then made several calls, arranging for deliveries to be made on the next day.
• Unfortunately, luck wasn't on her side. The stores were located in low-lying areas, and the authorities had ordered them to relocate their stock due to the impending storm. They were far too busy to fulfill her orders abruptly.
• All three suppliers were situated in the same area. Thus, she abandoned her barbecue and drove over without hesitation.
• Charcoal was cheap but it took up a lot of space. She checked her domain's capacity and decided to buy 500 pounds of smokeless, high-temperature charcoal, along with a charcoal stove and fire starters.
• A single liquefied gas canister could last two months. To prepare for the possibility of losing power in her domain, she ordered ten canisters.
• Honeycomb coal could last a long time. However, due to the nationwide electricity shortage and trade sanctions with Adrela, coal prices had skyrocketed.
• By the time Nadia returned to her apartment, it was nearly 9 p.m. She took a moment to catch her breath before stepping into her domain to organize the chaotic array of supplies.
• To maximize her domain's capacity, she stacked the liquefied gas canisters, coal briquettes, and charcoal in the kitchen.
• She removed all unnecessary packaging from the supplies, compressed the fluffy items into vacuum bags, and stacked them layer by layer up to the ceiling.
• She had spent over 120,000 throughout the day. The small room and kitchen were now packed to the brim, occupying an estimated 50 cubic meters.
• Just as she was done organizing, she felt a forceful kick. The force sent her sprawling out of her domain.
• Nadia was dazed and bewildered.
• She attempted to re-enter her space, only to be met with an invisible barrier blocking her way.
• What the heck? All the supplies have been swallowed by my domain!