Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

I already knew the answer to my previous question but I just had to show-off one of my toys to Quinn– who after revealing that their group could armor up any vehicle that they wanted, was getting a little smug. Doing this was in no way an attempt to make fun of her, but in the case we start negotiating stuff, I'd like to keep her in check.

It was because of how things were looking, we might stay here for more than what we intended. And since I was already planning to drop by their Main HQ and possibly learn their trade and fix her car– even if they already had the means to, I wanted every leverage I could get my hands on.

Having something that could easily punch through their best work would be bad news for them– negotiations-wise, and even if revealing one of my cards to them this early could prove to be a bad decision, I wanted to know if they were still hiding cards of their own.

With that said, my Barrett M107A1 was still the fucking menace as it was and I just had to rack the charging handle a few times to assert dominance.

The sound it made while doing that was just music to my ears and every gun nut around me looked like they were smelling a freshly cooked steak. Some of them even looked like they were having an orgasm but to spare them the humiliation, I wouldn't name them… this time.

Quinn's interest was instantly directed towards my gun, "W-Wow, that's fucking big… What do you call it? It's a Barrett or something, right?"

I looked at Quinn approvingly, "It's a Barrett M107A1 but it's commonly referred to as the 'Goodbye Motherfucker!' or if they're a little excited, they'll refer to it as the 'Goodbye Madafaka!'. I rarely get to use this one but if I do, I make the best out of it."

"You're telling me you have a gun like that and you don't bring it out as much as you could? That's impossible," Quinn shook her head before she crossed her arms.

I chuckled, "It's not like we face tanks on a day-to-day basis and it'll be a waste to use this on a regular deadhead. I could make ammo as long as I got the materials for it but I still have my moments when I can be a cheap-ass. I use my blade as much as I can and if a .22 LR is enough, it's enough."

"That's fair, can I shoot it though?"

"Nope," I replied flatly.

Quinn never looked so confused, "No?"

"Not right now… I might need the bullets for this one since I only brought a few. After everything is over, sure, I'll let you use part of what's left."

Quinn just stared at me before sighing, "Fine."

With that said, time passed as they should, and aside from everyone else converging on the same spot as we were, they came back with their own winnings and their own set of useful info. Granted some of them were a little buzzed or a little bruised from going at it at the Cages, we either patched them up or let them get their rest while everything was relayed on me by the ones that just spectated.

It's just that Quinn had already said goodbye and had gone for her tent before Mikhail came back with Artem and Katya, but I guess it would be for the better if the two don't meet for now.

Luckily enough, aside from Artem winning a couple of coins himself, Mikhail bore no resentment with me but he did offer his coin to me so he could shoot for another shot with the one he let slip away. However, I left him with the same words I said to the people who wanted to have a shot with the people in my inner circle of 'friends'.

"Go ahead, I'll yield for as much as I can but if she doesn't want to, she doesn't want to. You get what I'm saying, right?"

Mikhail nodded weakly, "Yeah…"

"If you two hit it off and become exclusive, we'll respect that but if something else happens– even if it's not the outcome that you wanted, you should still respect it as much as we respect it if it doesn't go our way either. And yeah, it's cool that you wanted to talk about it but you don't need to offer me your coin. It just sounds like you're trying to buy Quinn off of me even though I don't have command or ownership over her, and that's kinda weird. Don't you think so?"

Mikhail nodded once more, "Y-Yeah, you're right… but… do you still think I have a chance? After that fuck up and all?"

I chuckled, "Seriously, man? It's the first time I've seen you like this but yeah, let's just say that she still might be interested because something was inquired in a specific stall in the Bazaar and body-wise, the two of you are compatible but…"

"B-But what? And what did you say? Inquired? W-What are you talking about?!"

"Heh. That's something you gotta figure out on your own."

"Wha– C-C'mon! Just finish your sentence, at least!"

"Nah. I already helped you as much as I wanted and you gotta do the work yourself at this point. I'm not gonna get in your way but I'm not gonna be your wingman either because she'll definitely fuck me up if I try again. To be completely honest, I kinda enjoyed my time with her and whatever happens, happens. Can we at least agree on that?" I said as I offered my hand for a gentleman's handshake.

Mikhail looked at me for a moment before accepting, "Fine, whatever happens, happens," then he smiled and chuckled, "Fucking weeb."

"Heh. Fucking normie."

At the same time this was happening, the area from the entrance up to the main 'play' area was being cleared of anything that might impede the games Mr. Cuervo would host later. It was being set almost the same way last time but on a bigger scale. I thought they should've done this in the morning but the people he assigned to it were fucking efficient.

Everything was going swimmingly and they'll be done before the sun even sets.

Aside from the cameras and the sound system getting checked, multiple guards were being spread around the viewing area they put around Mr. Cuervo's gated community, and all of them were fucking armed to the teeth. They were also clad with full-on body armor and they were also wearing earpieces for closed communications with each other.

'He's definitely going all-out. I wonder what the games would be like?'

With that said, I discovered that the enclosures around us had their own viewing area– for the people that were tasked to guard their belongings so that the one here wouldn't be too crowded with random people.

As of now, the seats were getting filled even if the games haven't started yet but tension and excitement were slowly filling the air.

However, it was at this moment when the large screen behind us flashed at the same time the large speakers blasted music, and they played several highlights from the games that were recorded, and some were even before the outbreak started.

I could barely recognize some of them but I did see Luis briefly, getting knocked out multiple times by the supposed champions. However, before I saw his clip where he won, several more champions were shown and it didn't take long before a rough footage of me hacking down a thousand deadheads was revealed.

Cheers just erupted over and over but the one that followed after me was Nikolas, followed by Ilya, Alexei, and Bob who Mikhail just won a coin from. A few more followed before I saw Luis winning a mud fight between a random competitor, but when the next footage displayed, I couldn't believe my eyes.

'No fucking way…'

Our serial macho dancer who only wears red underwear and a red bandana actually participated and won a championship himself. I really thought he was here just to dance his ass off, but the motherfucker got moves of his own.

The people watching would cringe each time his heel would find its way to his opponent's jaw and it was already decided the moment it connected.

From watching the fights, it seemed like the final round was always a tournament with a bracket system, and the only difference was my case because I ended everything while the seeds were still being figured out. However, I was more excited about the initial stages and the games prepared for Tatiana, Cynthia, Quinn, Elena, and the rest of the female competitors.

It was because the games prepared for them were always fun– even though a lot of fan service was involved but aside from that, I had an inkling that they wouldn't be involved in just a single game.

If Mr. Cuervo wanted this day to be memorable, he had to fucking bring it not only with the showmanship and the entertainment, but also with the games he prepared for everyone. Granted the participants had to play a part as well but it'll all boil down or rely on the one hosting it entirely.

After a few more minutes, the highlight reel was completed but it played a few more times before everything went dark and quiet.

However, it was only after a few moments when smoke billowed out and the lights that turned on focused on a lone figure on the stage.