Apocalypse Chapter 73: Supporters and Volunteers

Chapter 73: Supporters and Volunteers

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

Meng Liang worked fast. On the seventh day after Jiang Rong mentioned their needs, the first group of more than three hundred supporters boarded the buses heading to the Spark Base. Their primary task: help build the natural gas pipelines.

The mood inside the buses was heavy. Sure, the radio broadcast said the two bases were friendly, but everyone knew the truth—the Spark Base was dirt poor. So poor, in fact, that they didn’t even have proper heating in winter and had to rely on old-fashioned coal stoves. Worst of all, the Spark Base had no city walls, and barely enough people or weapons to protect themselves. Would anyone even come back alive from a place like that?

The bitter winter winds made stepping outside unbearable; you could barely move your fingers in the cold. If they’d had any other choice, none of them would be making this trip. But they didn’t.

Every day in the Peace Base, they survived on two dry, coarse flatbreads. They were always hungry, always cold. Yet if they volunteered as supporters, the Peace Base promised them one extra bag of instant noodles a day. One bag of instant noodles. That meant if you stretched it out with extra water, you could have one warm, flavorful meal to keep you going.

Almost everyone on the bus was there for the noodles. Of course, the Peace Base wasn’t stupid—they didn’t hand the noodles out early. What if the volunteers grabbed their rations and ran? No, they distributed the first day’s noodles only when the buses were nearly at the Spark Base. The rest would be given out after the day’s work was done.

The team leader tossed a bag of noodles into each volunteer’s arms. “Listen up! You behave yourselves when we get there. Don’t embarrass the Peace Base. And if you work hard, when you come back, the boss says each of you gets ten extra bags of noodles!”

When the leader reached one of the supporters, he frowned. The man was trembling uncontrollably.

“What are you shaking for?” The leader barked and gave him a sharp kick. Yu Han jerked in surprise, shrinking back as he stammered, “I—I’m not… it’s not on purpose, I’m just cold…”

He was wearing only two thin autumn shirts and a filthy old scarf. The wind cut through his clothes like knives, numbing his bones. The leader sneered. “Cold? We’re all cold! Sit up straight and don’t embarrass us!”

Yu Han’s hands were so stiff he could barely hold his instant noodles. Some people tore open their packages right away. They tucked away the seasoning and oil packets for later, then sprinkled the powdered seasoning over the dry noodles. After shaking the bag to spread the flavor evenly, they carefully broke off a piece and popped it into their mouths, crunching happily.

Others, though, clutched their noodles to their chests like treasure, slipping the bags into their packs and then under their coats. They wanted to bring them home for their families—children who hadn’t tasted such luxury in years. The smell of seasoned noodles filled the bus, making everyone swallow their hunger as they stared out the windows.

Since the Great Crisis, the landscape outside has withered. Dead plants lined the roads, the horizon gray and lifeless. Still, for those who rarely left the cramped walls of the Peace Base, even this bleak scenery felt like freedom.

As time passed, they noticed something—there were fewer and fewer broken-down cars on the roadside. They were getting close. Sure enough, a few hundred meters later, a service station came into view. A red banner fluttered in the wind above it, golden characters gleaming:

“Welcome, Supporters from the Peace Base!”

The buses slowly pulled in, and the leader hopped off first. Through the window, Yu Han saw him grinning as he greeted the Spark Base staff. The people from the Spark Base wore thick cotton coats. They stood straight and sturdy, brimming with energy.

After confirming the names on the list, the leader climbed back on the bus. “Get off! And remember—don’t make us look bad!”

The supporters shuffled out, silent and nervous, following the Spark Base reception officer holding a loudspeaker.

“Welcome, everyone,” the man’s voice boomed. “I’m Jia Yuanqing, from the Spark Base. Thank you for coming all this way! Please, follow me into the service station to rest. Our transport team will be here shortly to take you to the base.”

The cold was biting. Every step felt like the wind was drilling into their bones. The service station was only two or three hundred meters away, but by the time they got there, all they could hear was the sound of teeth chattering.

The windows and doors of the service station were long gone, but thick curtains now covered the entrances. Seeing the curtains, Yu Han let out a tiny sigh of relief. At least there’s something to block the wind. Maybe it’ll be a little warmer inside…

But the moment they lifted the curtain, a wave of heat hit them—along with the smell of rice and pickled vegetables. Inside, a long table had been set up as a serving counter. Behind it were several massive insulated containers, and four men in spotless white chef coats worked busily, ladling steaming food.

“Hungry, aren’t you?” one of them called out with a wide grin. “Come on, warm yourselves up with some porridge! It’s freezing out there—get in here and eat!”

“Step right up, folks! Freshly cooked multigrain porridge! Mantou will be ready in just a bit!”

The crowd froze. Yu Han pinched his thigh. It hurt. He wasn’t dreaming. The Spark Base had actually made food for them.

Jia Yuanqing raised the loudspeaker again. “Brothers and sisters of the Peace Base! Thank you for coming all this way. The Spark Base has prepared porridge to warm your bellies and your hearts. Eat as much as you like—don’t hold back!”

And just like that, the dam broke. The volunteers quickly formed four lines, their eyes locked on the insulated containers. The porridge wasn’t thin gruel—it was thick, packed with grains. The chefs handed out bowls the size of a person’s face, filling each to the brim.

Cradling the hot bowls, the volunteers retreated to corners of the room. One sip—and their eyes went wide. The sweetness of the grains spread across their tongues, rich and fragrant.

“If I could drink this every day,” someone whispered hoarsely, “I’d gladly stay in the Spark Base forever.”

“My god,” another muttered, “I haven’t tasted porridge this good in years.”

“Do you know how much grain this must’ve taken? The Spark Base is… actually spending this on us?”

And then, just as they were savoring their bowls, the loudspeaker crackled again:

“Don’t just drink the porridge! We’ve got pickles and mantou, too!”

Everyone’s heads shot up. Behind the chefs, several big plastic containers were piled high with pickles—ruby-red dried radish, dark green snow cabbage, even pickled Jerusalem artichokes dusted in chili powder. Beside them were two massive baskets. Two burly men tipped them over, revealing stacks of steaming white mantou, each one as big as a fist, their sweet, yeasty aroma filling the room. The crowd surged forward. “Give me one!”

“Me first!”

“Save some for me!”

The chefs laughed. “Don’t push! There’s plenty for everyone! Eat your fill!”

Watching them scramble for mantou, Jia Yuanqing’s nose stung. He quickly turned away to hide it. He knew. He had come from the Peace Base once, too. He knew exactly what kind of life these people had led. Not a life fit for humans. And he’d do everything he could to convince them to stay. As the crowd devoured their food, several Spark Base espers walked in.

“Manager Jia,” one of them said, “once they’re done eating, grab a few men to help carry the winter clothes.”

The Spark Base had prepared two full sets of thick winter gear for each volunteer. They weren’t stylish, but they’d keep out the cold better than anything the Peace Base could offer. Jia Yuanqing nodded. “Got it.”

The espers glanced at the crowd—dirty, hungry, reeking from weeks without proper washing—but their expressions stayed calm. They didn’t flinch. They’d been there once, too. One of them raised Jia Yuanqing’s loudspeaker and said: “The Spark Base has also prepared hot water for bathing. After you finish eating, you can all wash up.”

The room went silent. Bathing? The Spark Base had baths?

Each person who entered the bathhouse received a heavy “bathing kit.” Inside were toiletries—and two full sets of thick winter clothing. The supporters stared at the bundles in disbelief. The Spark Base is giving this to us? For free?

Was this real, or just some kind of trick? When they finally lifted the curtains to the bathhouse, an even bigger surprise awaited them. In the center of the room was a wide, open pool—half-filled with steaming, crystal-clear water. The sight of that clean water stunned them for a moment. Then came the shouts: “Water! It’s clean water!”

Since the Black Rain, none of them had drunk truly clean water. The Peace Base only had filtered water, murky and strange-tasting even after purification. But this—this was clear, pure, and warm. Someone dipped a hand in and scooped up a palmful, drinking greedily.

Sweet. Smooth. No strange aftertaste. It tasted exactly like the water they’d had before the Great Crisis. This kind of water… and they’re using it for bathing? Isn’t this too extravagant?!

Just then, Jia Yuanqing’s familiar voice echoed through the loudspeaker:

“Please, use the showers to wash your bodies first. Once you’re clean, you may soak in the pool.”

For a moment, there was only silence. Then—chaos. Coats were shed, boots kicked off. Months of grime and hunger left no room for modesty. The showers roared to life, streams of clear, hot water pouring down. Yu Han stood beneath one of them, tilting his head back. He closed his eyes and let the warmth soak into his skin. Water ran down his face—along with his tears.

They’d been living like rats in the sewers. Drinking foul water. Gnawing on bitter, coarse flatbread. Stripped of their dignity piece by piece. If not for the Spark Base, they might have never realized just how numb they’d become to it all.

But now… with hot porridge in their bellies, clean water on their skin, and winter clothes waiting outside—Yu Han’s chest ached so sharply he almost couldn’t breathe. He wasn’t the only one.

All around him, rough hands trembled under the streams of water. Some people quietly wept. No one mocked them for it. For the first time in years, they felt… human.

By the time all three hundred supporters had bathed, it was noon. When they boarded the buses again, their hearts felt lighter than they had that morning. Now, they weren’t just going to the Spark Base to survive. They were going to see it. To see what kind of place could feed them, clothe them, bathe them in clean water…

The buses rumbled on, heading southeast. The farther they went, the more greenery appeared along the roadside. The roads widened, becoming smoother and cleaner. Finally, they reached a checkpoint. A massive sign hung over the gate: Spark Base.

But before they could feel relieved, someone in the front screamed. Blood-red vines coiled around the checkpoint like living fire, their thorny tendrils writhing. Yu Han’s face went pale. “I-Is that a mutant plant?!”

“Yes…” came the trembling reply. Had the Spark Base lost their minds?! Why weren’t they destroying that thing? And why—why were they driving straight toward it?! Their bus was in the lead. If that monster attacked… they’d be the first to die!

The vines suddenly lowered, blocking the road. Heartbeats pounded in the silence. Then, the driver rolled down his window, stuck out his head, and shouted cheerfully: “Little Guaiguai~!”

A crisp, childlike voice answered, “Mm!” The driver honked twice. “Behave yourself, we’ve got guests!”

The massive blood-red vines twisted and curled back, clearing the way. “Okay~”

With a casual wave of its thorny tendrils, Little Guaiguai returned to its perch on the checkpoint. The driver raised the window and grinned. “Scared you, didn’t I? Don’t worry. That’s Boss Jiang’s pet mutant plant—Little Guaiguai. Looks fierce, but it’s got a good temper. As long as you don’t attack it, you’re perfectly safe. Oh, and if you ever get lost in the base, you can even ask it for directions.”

Who in their right mind would ask a mutant plant for directions?!

Someone in the back shouted, “Why doesn’t Boss Jiang just keep it by his side, then? Wouldn’t that be safer?”

The driver laughed. “Because Little Guaiguai can split its vines. We’ve got hundreds of them stationed all over the base. Don’t worry—they all share the same mind. They won’t hurt anyone.”

The bus went quiet. Suddenly, the Spark Base’s lack of walls made perfect sense. With a defense like that, who needed walls?

The bus passed through the checkpoint, and the world outside changed. No towering skyscrapers. No choking steel and concrete. Instead—endless fields. Clear skies. Quiet, picturesque villages. The fear from moments ago melted away. Pressing close to the windows, the supporters stared in awe.

No wonder the Spark Base could send food to the Peace Base… they actually have this much farmland?!

The bus rolled to a stop in front of one of the villages. “Here we are,” the driver said with a smile. “This is where you’ll be staying. Wait here for a bit—our volunteers will show you around.”

“Volunteers?” Yu Han muttered. In the Peace Base, “volunteer” was just a word for people forced to work without pay. But the driver only grinned. “That’s different here. Our volunteers are people who actually want to help out. I’m one of them—I volunteered to drive this bus.”

Yu Han blinked. As the bus doors opened, a square-faced man climbed aboard.

“Welcome, everyone! My name’s Jiang Fangming. You’ve all been assigned to Tangqiao Village. Grab your things and follow me—I’ll show you to your dorms.”

When they stepped off the bus, the supporters froze.

“…Are those… villas?”

Neat rows of small villas lined the streets.

“Look—there are solar panels on the roofs!”

Electricity. Actual electricity. Jiang Fangming chuckled as he led them down the path. “We’ve prepared two houses for you. We’ll draw lots for the rooms later. Once you’ve settled in, I’ll give you a tour of the base.”

Someone asked, “Captain Jiang, are you an esper?”

He laughed. “Don’t call me captain. I’m just a regular person like you. We’re all colleagues here—just call me Fangming.”

He wasn’t lying. Jiang Fangming was an ordinary man. His only “special” thing was his job—he worked as an electrician on Pan Pan the earth esper’s team. Learning this put the supporters at ease.

“Wait,” someone asked, “so… we can just… walk around the Spark Base? Like, freely?”

“Of course,” Jiang Fangming said with a grin. “Though it’s pretty big—I’ve lived here for years and still haven’t seen it all.”

Yu Han sighed. “How nice… We’re not allowed to wander around inside the Peace Base.”

The Peace Base was nothing but cold steel and concrete. Getting lost wasn’t the problem—bumping into an esper was. After months of living there, he could still count on one hand the places he actually knew.

Jiang Fangming grinned. “We can walk around our base. Do you all know about Lingshan Reservoir? It’s right inside our base. If everyone’s interested, I can take you there later to enjoy the view.”

Everyone looked at him with envy. “Wow… a scenic spot right outside your door…”

They didn’t even have scenery in the Peace Base. All they ever saw were high concrete walls, and even then, they had to stay on guard for any mutated plants or animals that might suddenly appear. And that raised the question—why didn’t Spark Base have any dangerous mutated creatures at all?

As they neared the village entrance, the sound of a car horn came from behind them. Jiang Fangming turned his head and quickly called out, “Everyone, move aside! Let Captain Jiang’s team through!”

The group turned to see a convoy of pickup trucks and military vehicles rumbling toward them. Jiang Fangming straightened his back and beamed. “That’s Captain Jiang Rong’s team! They must’ve just returned from a mission.”

Someone in the group was stunned. “What? Your leader personally goes out on missions?”

The leaders in the Peace Base never did anything themselves. They stayed in their offices where no wind or rain could touch them, simply issuing orders while their subordinates did all the work.

Jiang Fangming chuckled. “Yes, Captain Jiang and his team work incredibly hard. They always take on the toughest missions first. Remember how you asked me why there are no dangerous mutated creatures in the Spark Base? It’s because Captain Jiang’s team eliminated them all.”

From the very beginning of the Spark Base’s construction, Captain Jiang and his team had gone village by village, town by town, clearing out the threats. Only after they passed through could the civilians travel safely. The support team was stunned. “Captain Jiang’s team… is really that strong?”

As they spoke, the convoy slowed to a stop beside them. Jiang Rong stepped out of a truck, smiling warmly. “You must be the support team from the Peace Base. Thank you for your hard work. I’m Jiang Rong—welcome to the Spark Base.”

The people from the Peace Base froze. In their minds, Jiang Rong should’ve been a stern middle-aged man. Instead, he was young—and far better-looking than they ever imagined.

They never thought they’d get the chance to speak directly to a leader from another base. Many of them flushed red. “It’s nothing—it’s what we’re here for,” they stammered.

Jiang Rong smiled. “You’ve all had a long journey. Rest well today, and we’ll talk about work tomorrow.” Then he turned to Jiang Fangming. “Xiao Jiang, I’m entrusting our guests to you. Take good care of them.”

Jiang Fangming’s eyes lit up. “Yes, Captain! Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everyone!”

Inside, he was screaming with excitement. Captain Jiang actually remembered his name. He felt dizzy with happiness. While Jiang Rong was still speaking with the support team, a group of elderly women suddenly came running out from Tangqiao Village, each carrying red plastic bags stuffed with food.

“Captain Jiang! Captain Jiang is here, hahaha!”

“Captain Guan too! Ahhh, Captain Guan is so handsome!”

Every member of the esper squad was called out by name. They all stiffened in unison, instinctively retreating toward the trucks. Jiang Rong gave the support team an apologetic smile. “Sorry, but we’ve got to get to work. When we have time, I’ll give you all a proper welcome.”

With that, he raised his hand. “Move out!”

They had to run before the villagers surrounded them.

And then the support team from the Peace Base saw something unbelievable—Jiang Rong’s squad bolted back into their trucks while the villagers hurled their bags of food after them. Red plastic bags arced through the air, landing squarely in the truck beds or through open windows. Meanwhile, Jiang Rong’s squad scrambled to shove the food back out. In the chaos, Chu Qiang yelled, “Who threw a sweet potato at my head?!”

The Peace Base support team stared in silence. This… this would never happen back home. Back in the Peace Base, they avoided espers at all costs, terrified of offending them. Food was precious—far too precious to waste, let alone give away to espers.

Yet here, as they watched the villagers keep shoving food into the trucks, the support team began to wonder: Were they really here to support the Spark Base… or was the Spark Base the one supporting them?

 

 

This Title is available for faster chapter releases through paid Patreon membership. Any proceeds go to keeping the website running. Check it out HERE.