The Future, Part Two

Assam fell silent for quite a while.

It was not until faint footsteps came from the passage behind them again that he came back to himself.

"I'll lend you a radiation injection first. Just hold out for a month. Once you find something new in the ruins, you can pay me back then. How about it?"

During his explorations of the ruins, he had saved quite a few people, but never had anyone made his heart turn a little sour like Wei He did.

He thought of himself. Back then, he too had clawed his way forward bit by bit. Every time he wanted to give up, he would remember that his wife and children were still waiting at home—waiting for the things he brought back to be traded for money to buy food and radiation injections.

Then he would gather his courage and grit his teeth as he kept walking.

If they had not truly been out of options, unable to survive, who would willingly wear such shabby protective suits and explore the most dangerous radiation ruins?

That was not exploration. That was bungee jumping over a pool of lava—courting death!

"Thank you." Hearing that the other man was actually willing to give him a radiation injection for free, Wei He immediately became even more guarded.

There was no kindness in this world without cause.

He had never believed that some stranger would share supplies and resources with another stranger for no reason.

"How old are you?" Assam patted Wei He on the shoulder.

"I don't remember." Wei He shook his head.

"Fair enough. In a hellhole like this, who has the mind to remember their own age? Living one day at a time is enough." Assam sighed.

He turned and continued walking forward.

"Is there anything you want