Strog held a flashlight, leading the two women up the non-functioning escalator to the second floor.

The second floor was the maternity section, filled with baby products and indoor playground equipment. None of it interested them.

As Elsa Thomas was about to leave, a man emerged from the purple mist, smiling.

"Elsa Thomas."

Startled, Elsa Thomas turned to him.

"James Lon?"

It was indeed James Lon.

James Lon had returned to Sam's Club, where many survivors had already gathered.

Before surfacing, he cautiously scanned the area with his [Perception], which now covered a 100-meter radius, encompassing the entire store.

"No powerful mutated creatures."

"Roughly 200 people here, with only one ability user in the basement. The rest are ordinary survivors."

He focused briefly on the ability user.

The man seemed to be leading a group of lackeys in looting supplies. His aura was much brighter than Hawson Wer's but still far dimmer than James Lon's.

Additionally, the man's [Core] glowed a golden hue, but it was unremarkable compared to James Lon's.

After confirming that the ability user posed no significant threat, James Lon carefully surfaced in an empty corner.

With so many people around, the chances of a mutated creature targeting him were slim.

Sam's Club's first floor, once prime retail space, was now abandoned. Luxury brands like Chanel, cosmetic shops, jewelry stores, mobile phone outlets, and car showrooms sat deserted.

Once bustling with activity, these stores were now irrelevant in the apocalypse.

Thanks to his 5-star [Perception], James Lon essentially had night vision, allowing him to [see] everything clearly without a flashlight.

He entered a Chanel store.

In the past, James Lon had never set foot in such a place, let alone bought anything. A single outfit here could cost him a year's salary.

Now, he could take whatever he wanted.

James Lon swept all the clothes and accessories into his spatial storage. Grabbing a backpack, he stuffed a few items inside to maintain the appearance of a regular survivor.

Next, he entered an electric vehicle showroom, taking the two display cars inside.

Jewelry stores, cosmetic shops—he cleared them all out, one by one, leaving the first floor completely empty.

Then, he ascended the escalator to the second floor.

The second floor was the maternity section, and like the first, it was devoid of people.

Without hesitation, James Lon stored everything in sight.

That's when he noticed three figures ascending another escalator.

One of them caught his attention.

Her glowing silhouette was striking: long, slender legs and a model-like figure with proportions so perfect they seemed almost unreal.

"That figure looks familiar..."

Curious, James Lon approached the group, walking straight through the purple mist.

Sure enough, it was someone he knew.

[Elsa Thomas]

[Age: 23]

[Appearance: 9/11] (Curvaceous, perfect figure)

[Virtue: 10/10] (Virgin)

[Overall Score: 9/11]

[Ding! Meets system requirements!]

James Lon's eyes lit up.

Elsa Thomas was a fitness enthusiast and a familiar face from the yoga studio where she often worked out with Anna Karenina. They were practically gym buddies.

He smiled.

"Elsa Thomas."

Elsa Thomas looked at him in surprise. She hadn't expected to run into someone she knew here.

"James Lon?"

James Lon openly scanned her from head to toe.

It was clear she hadn't been doing well. Her prized long black hair was unkempt, but her beauty was still undeniable.

"This woman isn't as smart as Lily. She doesn't know to disguise herself in the apocalypse. Instead, she's even wearing lipstick—just asking for trouble."

Elsa Thomas frowned slightly.

She'd always looked down on James Lon, seeing him as just a convenience store clerk.

She had even advised Anna Karenina to stay away from him.

Now, being scrutinized so blatantly, she felt uncomfortable and turned her head.

Strog, standing beside her, grew irritated.

He already considered Elsa Thomas his own. Seeing another man ogle her made his blood boil.

Stepping forward, Strog positioned himself between Elsa and James Lon, towering over the latter with his 195cm frame. His face was full of disdain.

"Hey, buddy, where are you looking?"

James Lon ignored him, pretending to rummage through his backpack while actually retrieving a can of fish from his spatial storage. Holding it up like bait, he grinned mischievously.

"Elsa Thomas, want some?"

Gulp. Elsa Thomas swallowed hard, her eyes locked on the can.

"You..."

She hadn't eaten a proper meal in three days, surviving on frozen buns from Strog's fridge. The sight of fish made her mouth water uncontrollably.

Strog and Ella's eyes also lit up.

"Where did you find that?"

James Lon didn't respond to them, maintaining his focus on Elsa Thomas.

"Come stay at my place. I guarantee you'll never go hungry."

Elsa Thomas's expression shifted.

"James Lon, what are you talking about?"

Strog saw his chance to play the hero.

"Hey! Apologize to Elsa right now, you punk!"

The way he addressed Elsa irritated her.

"You dare call me Elsa? Who do you think you are?"

Ella, noticing her boyfriend's interest in Elsa Thomas, grew annoyed. She had long been aware of his inappropriate thoughts about Elsa.

Additionally, Elsa was a burden, wasting their limited food supply. Ella had been wanting to kick her out for days.

"Hmph."

James Lon smirked, tossing the can to the ground and stomping on it, crushing it and releasing a tantalizing aroma of fish.

All three of them stared at the ruined can with wide eyes, filled with rage.

"What a waste!"

If not for the people around, Elsa Thomas might have crawled on the ground to lick up the scraps.

James Lon, unbothered, looked at Strog and said coolly,

"I'll give you three seconds to kneel and apologize."

Strog froze, then laughed as if he'd heard a joke.

"What did you just say?"

Standing 195cm tall and weighing nearly 200 pounds, Strog was a basketball player with a muscular build.

James Lon, at 175cm and of average build, seemed laughably outmatched.

Rolling up his sleeves to reveal his biceps, Strog stepped forward.

James Lon smirked, ready to act, when he noticed the ability user from the basement coming up the escalator with several henchmen in tow.

These men radiated a malicious red glow, and their intentions were clear.

James Lon turned toward the newcomers, catching Strog off guard.

Mistaking James Lon's reaction for fear, Strog laughed triumphantly.

Mid-laugh, he noticed the beams of several flashlights cutting through the purple mist.

A group of men emerged, led by a bald, scar-faced man.

The leader wore a black leather jacket with nothing underneath, exposing a massive dragon tattoo across his chest. A thick gold chain hung around his neck, and he held a machete in one hand.

The men following him were equally intimidating, with buzz cuts or shaved heads, covered in tattoos and wearing menacing expressions.

"Hey, idiot! Get out of the way!" the bald man barked.

Strog's scalp tingled with fear. Before the apocalypse, he would have fled immediately. But now, with his girlfriend and Elsa Thomas watching, backing down would be humiliating.

Forcing himself to stand his ground, he retorted,

"Watch your mouth!"

"Hoho!" The bald man sneered, his eyes shifting to Elsa Thomas.

"Whoa, what do we have here?"

In the dim light and obscuring mist, he hadn't noticed her at first. Now that he did, his eyes gleamed with interest.

"Boss, look at this chick!"

"Damn, she's perfect!"

"Ha! Ha!" The bald man's gaze grew predatory as he walked straight toward Elsa Thomas, openly ogling her.

Elsa's heart sank as she looked to Strog for help.

Ella, tugging nervously at her boyfriend, whispered her concern, worried he might do something reckless.

The men behind the bald leader toyed with their knives, glaring at Strog with malice.

Strog broke out in a cold sweat, unsure of what to do.