Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies

The formation of factions rapidly deteriorated the living conditions in the lower deck. Initially, there was just a slight food shortage where everyone couldn't eat their fill, but at least survival was manageable. Later, when all pretense was abandoned, people stopped restraining themselves and began using force to seize food. This naturally led to survival of the fittest.

The elderly, physically weaker women, and young children became the first casualties of this brutal system. Some even went three straight days without securing a single bite to eat. The stowaway gang and fishermen alliance controlled most of the food supplies. However, a clear dividing line still existed between the two groups.

The stowaway gang distrusted outsiders, keeping tightly to their own circle. But Lu Dahai actively recruited new members. Anyone he deemed strong enough to be useful in fights was welcomed into his group. Gradually, his faction grew larger than the stowaway gang.

This development made Zagu increasingly uneasy. What he feared most was unity among the Huaxu Kingdom natives in the lower deck. So he changed tactics, deciding to confront Lu Dahai's group directly.

On the fourth day, during the scheduled food distribution, Zagu only sent a few underlings to collect the rations. The leader was Yamate, the Muay Thai fighter, followed by two young men. People from other cabins watched them through door cracks. Some who hadn't eaten for days looked gaunt, with sallow skin and even a greenish glint in their eyes. They stared intently at the trio with a mix of fear and something else stirring within.

But when the group reached the food, they didn't take the two best barrels as usual. Yamate spoke in broken Britannian, ordering his two subordinates to guard the food and prevent anyone from approaching. Then he headed straight for the fishermen alliance's cabin.

Members of the fishermen alliance blocked the doorway, eyeing him with hostility. Yamate shouted, "Call your leader out! Mr. Zagu wants to see him!"

Inside, Lu Dahai's lips curled into a cold smile upon hearing this. Rong Lei reacted angrily, "Since when do we jump when he says jump?" Lu Dahai stopped him, "Ah Rong, don't always be so impulsive." Sitting on his bunk, he suddenly smiled at Yamate and said, "Tell Mr. Zagu I'll be there shortly."

"What's the meaning of this? They're denying us food?"

"They're flexing their power! Are they really trying to push everyone to the brink?"

Even the meekest person would feel rage when facing starvation. Lu Dahai retrieved the sharpened toothbrush from beneath his bunk and concealed it in his sleeve. His followers gathered around him anxiously:

"Big Brother Dahai, Zagu definitely has bad intentions! You shouldn't go!"

"Yeah, we should just fight them if it comes to that!"

Lu Dahai remained silent. He knew exactly how capable his people were - all bluster but likely to beg for mercy when actual fighting broke out. Zagu was a genuine gang leader with several skilled fighters under him. In a direct confrontation, their small group stood no chance.

"It's fine. I'll go talk to him and see what he wants," Lu Dahai said as he pushed through the crowd. The others naturally followed. With Lu Dahai around, they could stay united and eat properly. If anything happened to him, they'd return to starvation. So they trailed behind, unwilling to let him face danger alone.

The large group arrived at the stowaway gang's cabin entrance, where guards immediately blocked the way. "Mr. Zagu said only Lu Dahai may enter!"

Rong Lei and others grew agitated at this. Going in alone meant Lu Dahai would face over twenty gang members by himself - they could kill him instantly.

"This is unacceptable! What are you plotting?" Rong Lei shouted accusingly.

Lu Dahai raised a calming hand. "It's fine. If Mr. Zagu wants to see me, I'll go alone. Don't worry, they won't harm me." Dark currents swirled deep in Lu Dahai's eyes.

With Lu Dahai insisting, the others reluctantly stepped back. The guard opened the door just enough for Lu Dahai to enter before slamming it shut behind him with a loud "clack."

Before Lu Dahai could even assess the interior, someone brutally kicked the back of his knees, forcing him to collapse onto the floor with a heavy thud. Two large hands grabbed his hair and twisted his arms behind his back, pinning him face-down. Blood trickled from his nose from the impact.

Struggling, he shouted, "You can't kill me! You can't! Mr. Zagu, if this escalates, you'll suffer too! Aren't you afraid of those above? Remember you're stowaways while he's Huaxu Kingdom like us! If you kill us and this blows up, guess whose side he'll take!"

Inside the cabin, Zagu sat on a stool surrounded by his men, coldly observing the sun-darkened fisherman like a lion eyeing prey. He stood up, removed his belt, and approached Lu Dahai, looping the belt around his neck and tightening it into a noose. He then dragged Lu Dahai across the floor by the makeshift garrote.

Lu Dahai quickly turned red-faced from strangulation, his expression turning grotesque from oxygen deprivation. "N-no... stop..." he gasped.

Zagu ignored his pleas, dragging him back and forth until Lu Dahai was nearly unconscious before finally releasing him. Lu Dahai collapsed, coughing violently with bloodshot eyes.

Zagu stared down coldly. "You've been making quite a name for yourself lately. Gathering so many followers - planning to oppose me?" His smile didn't reach his eyes, which burned with murderous intent. Only Lu Dahai's mention of Zhang Yi and others stopped Zagu from finishing him then and there to eliminate this potential threat to his gang's dominance.

"Cough... cough..." Lu Dahai gasped. "We... we just want to survive! Mr. Zagu, there's enough food for both our groups. I'm getting enough to eat now - no reason to oppose you. Maintaining the status quo benefits everyone. Killing me won't stop others from rising up. But keeping me alive to cooperate with you... that's your best advantage."

Author's Note