Before leaving the area, the drones didn't rush back immediately.
They hovered above the underground parking structure, circling slowly as their sensors swept the surroundings again and again. Heat signatures, sound patterns, movement anomalies—everything within range was scanned and analyzed.
Zombies wandered nearby, but none showed signs of noticing the survivors below.
To the infected, the place was just another pile of concrete.
Satisfied, the drones descended briefly to the entrance.
"Remain here," one Sentinel instructed the survivors once more.
"Food and medical supplies will be delivered."
Relief spread through the group.
No cheers. No shouting.
Just quiet nods and tired expressions.
Then the drones lifted off.
Instead of returning directly to Deejay's condo, they changed course.
They swept through nearby malls first.
Glass storefronts were already shattered, but shelves were still stocked. The drones moved efficiently, collecting packaged food, bottled water, canned goods, and anything with long shelf life.
Items vanished into the Chronos Vault Ring, stored in perfect stasis.
Next came pharmacies.
Medical kits, disinfectants, bandages, antibiotics, painkillers—everything useful was gathered. Hospital-grade supplies were prioritized when available.
Only after completing these runs did the drones ascend back toward the condo.
Deejay was waiting.
The moment the drones returned and docked, he turned his attention inward.
"System," he said, "give me a detailed breakdown of what I earned."
A panel unfolded smoothly in front of him.
[OPERATION SUMMARY]
Gold Coins Earned:
Total: 31,640
Confirmed Eliminations:
Tier 1 Infected: 3,164
Collected Equipment:
Standard Firearms (Police & Military): 47
Ammunition (Various Calibers): Large Quantity
Protective Gear: Moderate Quantity
Supplies Acquired:
Food: Abundant
Water: Abundant
Medical Supplies: Abundant
Deejay scanned the list carefully.
Thirty-one thousand coins.
More than he expected.
He closed the panel with a satisfied nod.
"Not bad for day one," he muttered.
Then, one by one, he confirmed the quest rewards.
Gold Coins were added instantly. System Reputation updated smoothly, no dramatic fanfare—just a subtle confirmation that something had changed.
Finally, he summoned the Advanced Equipment Chest.
The chest appeared in front of him, metallic and angular, glowing faintly along its seams. When it opened, blue light spilled outward.
"Reward distribution complete," Aegis Prime announced.
Three drones emerged from the light.
The first immediately stood out.
It was sleeker than the Sentinels, built with smooth white-and-silver plating instead of dark combat armor. Soft green and blue lights pulsed gently along its frame, especially around its central core. Multiple articulated arms folded neatly beneath its body, each tipped with compact medical instruments—injectors, scanners, and fine mechanical tools that looked far too advanced for modern hospitals.
Its movements were slower, more deliberate, very careful.
"Unit: Seraph-M Medical Drone."
The system's explanation followed.
"Functions:"
Automated injury assessment
Advanced wound treatment
Infection suppression
Accelerated tissue regeneration
Pain management
"Capabilities exceed current medical technology of this world."
Deejay exhaled slowly.
"That's huge."
The remaining two drones appeared beside it—identical to his existing Sentinels. Matte-black frames. Sharp angular wings. Blue sensor lights scanning constantly. Built purely for combat and protection.
"Sentinel Combat Drones x2 added," the system confirmed.
On top of that, additional supplies were deposited directly into his inventory—food, water, medicine in quantities large enough to sustain dozens of people for an extended period.
Deejay felt a genuine sense of relief.
This was stability!
He didn't waste time.
"Sentinels," he ordered, "return to the shelter. Deliver food and medical supplies. Assist with organization and security."
He turned to the medical drone.
"Seraph, focus on the injured. Treat everyone you can."
"Acknowledged," the medical drone replied calmly.
Before departure, Deejay added one more instruction.
"Tell them this," he said. "I'm clearing the condo building. Tell them to stay put and remain calm. Help is coming."
The drones lifted off again.
Down in the shelter, the survivors watched as supplies arrived. Boxes of food. Bottled water. Medical kits.
Then the medical drone activated.
A soft green glow spread from its core, washing over the wounded police officer's leg. The bleeding slowed, then stopped completely. Torn flesh knitted together visibly, muscle and skin reconnecting as if time itself had been reversed.
The pain faded.
The officer stared in disbelief, flexing his leg slowly. "I… I can feel it again."
The drone moved on without pause.
Cuts closed. Swollen joints eased. Fevers dropped. Infections from small wounds were suppressed before they could worsen. Even the exhausted looked a little steadier after treatment.
Quiet murmurs filled the shelter—low voices, disbelief, relief.
People sat straighter. Breathing came easier.
Back in the condo, Deejay organized everything.
Weapons were sorted. Supplies categorized. All of it stored neatly inside the Chronos Vault Ring, frozen in perfect condition until needed.
When he finally sat down, the adrenaline faded.
Silence returned.
He leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
"I saved them," he said quietly.
But saving them wasn't enough.
If he wanted them to live and not just survive—he needed something more permanent.
He stood up and walked toward the door.
The condo building itself.
Dozens of floors.
Unknown threats.
Zombies could be anywhere inside.
Deejay's eyes hardened.
"…I'll clean this place," he said. "Turn it into a base. A safe one."