parentshiftbook Chapter 27 Searching for the Gun
Chapter 27 Searching for the Gun
The countdown in his mind had reached zero. When Xu Mo pushed open the door, he felt not the usual refreshing coolness, but a slight chill.
As dawn broke and the morning glow rose in the east, the sun struggled to break free from the horizon, bathing everything in its light. Yet, faced with this vibrant scene, Xu Mo felt little warmth. He took a deep breath, the crisp, dry air filling his lungs with a distinct chill that even made his nose sting.
"Why did it get cold so quickly?" Xu Mo couldn't help but shiver slightly.
Just two days ago, the morning temperature could barely be described as "cool." But today, Xu Mo felt that the temperature was probably only around ten degrees Celsius. This drop in temperature was extremely unusual and had a strange feel to it.
Was it because the climate changed drastically after the apocalypse? Or was it a weather phenomenon unique to this region? Xu Mo had no way of knowing, but his most direct physical sensations told him that winter was no longer a harbinger; it had arrived with a fierce onslaught.
Now that the sun had risen and dispelled the darkness, it meant that a relatively safe window for outdoor activities had opened. Although the chill was noticeable, it couldn't stop his planned activities.
Xu Mo quickly checked his equipment. The cleaver was securely fastened to his waist in the most convenient position; the spacious backpack sat empty on his back; and most importantly, there was the "Armor Room" sign. Today, he was searching for—firearms.
His destination was clear—the detached three-story villa he had discovered at the end of a relatively quiet street during his last exploration.
The doors of the small villa were relatively well-preserved, especially the dark-colored, rather heavy-looking security door, which left a deep impression on Xu Mo. Compared to the simple security doors of ordinary residences, this door appeared more sturdy and imposing, matching his imagination of a place where "important items might be located."
Stepping out of the shelter, Xu Mo quickened his pace, partly to warm up and partly to reduce his time outdoors. The hilt of his cleaver grew warm in his grip, and his eyes warily scanned his surroundings.
Soon, the three-story villa came into view at the edge of Xu Mo's field of vision. It stood alone in a somewhat empty area, with a deserted courtyard and the walls mostly collapsed.
Unlike most of the buildings in the town, which are completely dilapidated, this small building presents a strange state of being baptized by violence and forgotten by time.
The building's exterior walls, which should have been a bright color, are now covered in stains and mottled watermarks, with large patches of plaster peeling off to reveal the dark cement underneath. Several windows are completely shattered, the dark openings resembling skull eye sockets, with remaining shards of glass hanging jaggedly on the window frames.
What caught Xu Mo's attention was the cement ground near the threshold, where a large patch of dried, blackened, and viscous blood was splattered. The deep, dark red stood out starkly against the gray-white ground.
The dried bloodstains stretched into the courtyard, pointing to a skeleton lying prostrate in the grass not far away. The skeleton was contorted in a twisted position, its clothes long since rotted away, making it impossible to discern its original appearance. It was unclear whether it had tried to escape the building or desperately tried to break in.
All these traces silently tell of the fierce conflicts and misfortunes that once took place here.
Xu Mo first cautiously observed the surroundings for a while, making sure there were no signs of activity, before coming to the front of the building and standing in front of the heavy security door.
This is it!
Xu Mo took a deep breath of the cold air, suppressing the slight racing of his heart caused by anticipation and the unknown. He took out the cloth-wrapped sign from his backpack, revealing three words that were enough to make any post-apocalyptic survivor's heart race—Armor Room.
Choosing a suitable height, Xu Mo pasted the three words "Armor Room" neatly, the bright red lettering standing out starkly against the dark door panel.
Having done all this, Xu Mo took a step back. Looking at the security door, he couldn't help but wonder what lay behind it.
Is it a private treasure trove of gun enthusiasts? Or a small club disguised as a residence? Will it contain the rifles and pistols he dreams of? Is there enough ammunition? Are they locked in a sturdy safe?
All the questions will be answered the moment the door opens.
Xu Mo gave himself one last check. The cleaver was within reach, and his backpack was empty and waiting to be filled. Without further hesitation, Xu Mo firmly placed his hand on the cold door and focused all his attention.
"Open the door!"
As the soft light shifted, the scene before me stabilized amidst the distorted light.
Xu Mo forcefully pushed open the security door with the "Armor Room" sign and stepped inside.
The next second, Xu Mo stood frozen in the doorway as if under a spell, his pupils contracting sharply in shock, and his breath caught in his throat.
The scene before him was completely different from anything he had ever imagined, and even far exceeded his boldest expectations.
This is not a private collection room or a small storeroom in a club at all; it is practically a miniature, well-equipped arms showroom.
The space isn't particularly large, but its layout is compact, exuding a cold, industrial feel and a sense of power. Soft lighting shines down from the ceiling, illuminating every detail.
Xu Mo's gaze was firmly drawn to the walls on both sides.
On the left wall hung rows of long guns with cold, hard lines and a bluish or matte black hue! Among them were sniper rifles that looked intimidating; assault rifles he had seen countless times in movies and games; and shotguns with thick barrels, fierce in close combat. But there were many more unfamiliar firearms whose models he couldn't name, but which were clearly not ordinary, fixed in various positions on gun racks.
The wall on the right was slightly more "approachable," but it still made Xu Mo's heart race. There, various handguns were neatly displayed, from classic military models to futuristic and modern designs, all gleaming with a unique cold light from the combination of metal and polymer under the lights.
On the stage, ammunition was laid out densely, the gleaming yellow bullets reflecting an alluring light under the lamps.
This was the first time Xu Mo had ever seen so many and such a complete array of firearms and ammunition at such close range. The shock of facing the pinnacle of human industrial civilization's killing creations was far beyond what could be experienced through a screen or through imagination. It was an instinctive awe of absolute power, and an irrepressible urge to control that power.
The sixty-second countdown had begun to tick silently, but Xu Mo's mind went blank for a moment. He was completely stunned by this sudden and unimaginable harvest.