Chapter 105 Suitable for Fire Attack
Steven finished distributing today’s rations. With over a dozen deaths in the past couple of days, there was a noticeable surplus of food. Familiar faces, like Alice and Ivy, were conspicuously absent; they had likely succumbed to the lethal cold and relentless hunger.
Returning home, Steven was greeted by Elinor, who emerged from the kitchen with a gentle smile, wearing an apron. "You're back, Master!" she said. Her warmth and gentleness lifted Steven’s spirits slightly.
Over time, Elinor had acclimated to her role as Steven’s servant. She was a shrewd woman, aware that in this apocalyptic world, attaching oneself to a strong protector brought security. She attended to all of Steven's demands, often anticipating his needs before he voiced them.
"What’re you cooking?" Steven asked, shrugging off his winter coat as Elinor knelt to hand him his slippers and place his snow boots on the shoe rack.
"Beef and Potato Stew. I know you like it, so I’m giving it a try! Though I can’t guarantee how it’ll turn out," she replied with a reassuring smile.
Steven, craving warmth, sat on the couch while Elinor brought him a basin of warm water to soak his feet. As he dipped his feet into the soothing warmth, tension melted from his body, a welcome relief after a day in the snow, even with reliable cold-weather gear. Moments like these highlighted how comforting a warm home truly was.
He felt an unusual surge of contentment. The precise location of the military camp was now known to him, promising a lucrative solo expedition to unearth the armory. Visions of the treasures within—ammo, superior weaponry, maybe even military-grade explosives—danced across his mind. Grenades, RPGs, perhaps tanks or armored vehicles, though he dismissed the latter as impractical given the snow's treacherous depth.
But the prospect of a substantial haul of firearms and ammunition was electrifying. Armed to the teeth, he'd be untouchable. His thoughts inevitably turned to darker matters—the ambush by the Crazy Wolfs. It was sheer luck and his well-equipped arsenal that had saved him. Hand-to-hand combat against ten in the snow would have been a suicide mission without his gun.
'The Crazy Wolf Gang must be eradicated,' he mused. Yet, they’d gone to ground, wary of his firepower. A direct assault was foolhardy; the gang had cover and familiarity with their environment, while he’d be hampered by snow and a lack of refuge. Hallways, tight and convoluted, were death traps for attackers.
Steven mentally replayed the ambush, analyzing every detail. Suddenly, inspiration struck—fire. Smoke, rather. He remembered countless news reports of high-rise fires, thick smoke incapacitating the upper floors, leading to suffocation and death.
The more he considered it, the more ingenious the plan seemed. Smoke permeated spaces people couldn’t, and with the low outside temperatures, they'd typically seal windows and doors, accelerating suffocation. If they tried to escape through windows, he’d pick them off, one by one.
Steven clapped his hands in glee. It was a flawless strategy for flushing out hidden adversaries. But execution required a substantial blaze, and every wooden element useful for kindling had already been stripped, save for the doors.
Soon he had a revelation. 'There are plenty of trees outside; I'll chop more in the coming days. The dampness will ensure they don't burn entirely, producing thicker smoke. A bit of gasoline will make it perfect!'
With this plan in mind, Steven felt a surge of satisfaction.
When Elinor brought over dinner, Steven took a bite and beamed. "Your cooking has improved!"
Elinor's face lit up at his compliment. "Really? If you like it, I can make it every day!"
Steven nodded with a smile, yet his thoughts drifted to the problematic neighbors in their community. He resolved to avoid large-scale conflicts for the time being. Any confrontation should wait until he'd stockpiled enough firewood and unearthed a considerable cache of weapons from the military camp. Only then would he have the upper hand.
As they ate, Elinor broke the silence. "It seems like a lot of people in our building have died in the past couple of days."
Steven’s thoughts shifted back to the woman before him. "Is that so? And then?" he asked, curious to see where she was headed.
Elinor continued with concern in her eyes, "I think they might hold some resentment towards you. You should be careful."
Steven reached out and gently caressed her cheek. "Don't worry, if I needed reminding of such things I would have died countless times already!"
With a serious expression, Elinor added, "The death rate has been too high these past few days; someone might have second thoughts. I'm worried they might collude with people from other buildings to harm you!"
Steven nodded but remained unperturbed. "It doesn't matter; if they want to betray me, let them. I never trusted any of them from the start. In fact, I was always going to kill them all eventually."
Elinor covered her mouth in surprise, then sighed, "I was worried about you, but it seems my worries were unnecessary. You're much more ruthless than they are!"
Her initial surprise turned into a sense of security. Having such a calculated and reliable man by her side made her feel safe. Yet a question nagged at her.
"Steven, do you trust me?" Elinor looked at Steven with a hint of expectation, even pleading in her eyes. In these cold and distrustful times, she yearned for a glimmer of warmth and reassurance.
Steven met her gaze and replied without hesitation, "Elinor, you are the only person I trust in this world."
Elinor’s eyes sparkled, her face flushing with happiness. "Are you lying to make me happy again?" she asked, though hope laced her voice.
Steven shook his head firmly. "Of course not. You are unique. No one else will do."
His unwavering gaze made her believe him, filling her eyes with tears of emotion.
Steven smiled gently and offered her a piece of meat, "Here, have some food!"
As he watched Elinor's happy expression, Steven sighed inwardly. Women were so easy to manipulate; he just needed to avoid showing guilt when lying.
Steven did harbor genuine liking for Elinor, but the only person he truly loved was himself. However, making Elinor believe he loved her was essential. In this world, the best way to tame or bind someone was through emotions, ensuring their infatuation and obedience.
After dinner, Steven decided to take a bath. Elinor, blushing, stood up and asked, "Do you want me to help you wash your back?"
Steven considered her offer, noting the affectionate glint in her eyes. "Alright, it's indeed inconvenient to wash the back myself."
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