World of the Apocalypse: Kane’s Evolution System

Chapter 3 The Dinner Party, Hidden Undercurrents

In the ground-floor lobby, Holt glanced down at his wristwatch, his tone heavy. "I have to submit case files shortly and can’t stick around with you. Don’t pick fights anymore when you head back. Hawk has Captain Wade backing him, and crossing him will make your life miserable later on."

"I know what I’m doing," Kane said with a faint smile. "Got time for dinner together tonight?"

"Sure thing. I’ll find you once I wrap up my work."

They parted ways. Kane carried his gear back to the dorm. Hawk and his cronies were already gone, while two other officers shot him cold sideways glances before chattering among themselves on their bunks. Kane paid them no mind whatsoever and walked straight to his bed to neatly unpack his luggage.

Around seven in the evening

Having finished sorting his belongings, Kane waited a long time with no sign of Holt. He strapped his personal supplies into his waist pack and headed out, planning to explore the surrounding area and grab dinner on his own.

He had barely stepped out of the dorm doorway when he ran straight into Holt hurrying over.

"A last-minute emergency meeting ran overtime, so I’m late. Were you about to head out?"

"I figured you’d be tied up, so I was going to wander around and get something to eat alone," Kane smiled. "Wanna tag along?"

"I made plans with a friend. You’re welcome to join us if you don’t mind."

The two walked downstairs and met Holt’s friend Cruz at the dorm entrance.

Veteran officers in the unit all whispered that he was distantly related to Director Cole, yet the two rarely interacted, and no one knew the exact nature of their connection. Cruz was notoriously undisciplined. His most infamous incident occurred when he got drunk mid-shift and openly solicited illegal services, only to be caught red-handed by the internal affairs unit. In the end, he merely received a formal reprimand and a two-week suspension, while two coworkers who’d clashed with him took the fall and were fired instead.

Cruz had a roguish yet handsome look, a stark contrast to Kane’s tough, upright bearing.

Holt briefly introduced them to each other. “This is Cruz—he’s always looked out for me. This is Kane, the new recruit assigned to our unit.”

Cruz stuck one hand in his pocket and raised an eyebrow with a grin. “Heard you clashed with Hawk right after arriving. You’ve got quite a fiery temper.”

“Just a minor disagreement,” Kane said, unwilling to elaborate.

Cruz spoke his mind without reserve. “That crew’s rotten to the core. No point holding your tongue for them.”

Holt scratched his head helplessly. “He’s always blunt and never watches what he says.”

Cruz asked, “Where are we grabbing food?”

“I’m new to this area, so I don’t know any decent diners. You two lead the way.”

Cruz blinked. “Who’s footing the bill?”

“My treat,” Kane agreed without hesitation.

“Then we’re heading to Second Sister’s Diner.”

Holt tried to dissuade them. “The prices there are way too steep.”

Cruz shot him a sideways glance. “It’s not your credits getting spent.”

Kane smiled to smooth things over. “It’s fine. I’ve still got savings stashed away; one meal won’t break me.”

Supplies were extremely scarce across this district. Grain and vegetables were rare commodities, and ordinary residents could barely afford a single restaurant visit all year round. Though Kane winced at the cost, he knew he needed to build connections as a newcomer—this social expense was unavoidable.

They walked two kilometres on foot until they reached a small tavern. Kane stared at the storefront and instinctively patted his waist pack.

Just as they were about to step inside, a shrill roar of an engine suddenly cut through the air, and an ageing off-road vehicle pulled to a halt right in front of the tavern.

The group turned their heads, and Cruz looked utterly astonished. “They can still run gasoline vehicles these days? They must be loaded.”

Radiation wasteland had spread across vast swathes of land, oil fields were inaccessible for extraction, and gasoline had long become an ultra-scarce resource worth a fortune—no wonder he was so stunned.

Four men and a young girl climbed out of the vehicle and headed straight for the tavern.

Kane had seen all sorts of vehicles back in the unplanned zone, so he only gave them a fleeting glance and made to walk inside. Cruz, however, froze where he stood, his gaze fixed firmly on the girl. “That girl’s stunning.”

Kane tugged at his arm. “Don’t stare. She’s got guards with her.”

The girl blinked her bright eyes and glanced around, murmuring softly, “I need to use the restroom.”

A short middle-aged man beside her snapped at her in a harsh foreign accent, “Stay quiet and don’t stir up trouble.”

Just then, Holt’s phone vibrated twice in his pocket. He opened the text message and shot Kane a complicated look.

Inside the tavern’s private booth, the three men took their seats. Cruz casually ordered two meat dishes, one vegetable plate, and the tavern’s cheapest bulk liquor.

Kane politely offered to add two more dishes, but Cruz waved him off. “You haven’t gotten your first paycheck yet—no need to splurge.” He rubbed his cold hands together and turned to Kane. “Word is you came from the unplanned zone?”

“I’m used to hardship. I can survive anywhere,” Kane replied with a faint smile.

The three men were around the same age and hit it off well. Kane noticed Holt went out of his way to curry favour with Cruz the entire time, lowering himself to a subservient posture.

When the food and alcohol arrived, Kane raised his glass. “I’m new here. Let’s watch each other’s backs from now on.”

Cruz clinked glasses and drained his drink in one gulp. “Anyone bold enough to stand up to Hawk is one of us. In this world, you can only rely on yourself; favours from others mean nothing.”

After several rounds of drinks, Holt seized the chance to ask Cruz for a transfer to an administrative desk job.

Cruz picked up a slice of beef with his chopsticks and teased him. “Convenient of you to beg for favours over a free meal. All administrative posts are fully staffed already. If you want a transfer, you’ll need to grease some palms—and you’ve got no savings to spare. You’ll just have to wait.”