21 Chapter 21 - Fourth Calamity
The next morning, Zach and the others immediately start working after breakfast. They have only one goal today and that is to build another warehouse and two public bathrooms. As they only left a day to prepare for the next calamity, Zach decided to focus on something that was more useful since everyone could also stay at the warehouse for shelter for the time being before slowly building houses in the area.
Right now, Zach could be found in the place where he had stockpiled the materials that they needed together with everyone who was dumbfounded on just where they came from however, they didn't ask anything since it was one of the rules in this place. After seeing that everything was in place, they then started moving.
If it was before, you would not see a person who would be capable of lifting large logs but due to what was happening to their bodies, such a thing has become possible upon seeing Max and another man lifting one with ease however, that wasn't the most shocking scene after they all witnessed Zach capable of lifting three of them alone.
Everyone was bewildered by how much strength he had but seeing that he was not the type to get flustered by their praises, they then just focused on their jobs. With that, the materials have been moved one by one, and following the instructions of the architect and the carpenter, everyone has their own fair share of work.
Meanwhile, the two plumbers were also working on their project of building two bathrooms together with some idle women who could provide some of their help. Of course, they would also ask for some assistance from the other men from time to time to help them.
Combining everyone's strengths, the project was progressing at great speed since they just copied Zach's method of using logs but this time, it was more detailed after the carpenter gave some ideas on how to make it better and with the help of the architect, the design was far better than Zach's.
Despite the threat of Volcanic Ashes in the air, it was not enough to stop them as they continued working before taking a break to eat lunch that the women prepared for them. Following their short break, each one then started working as their goal was to finish everything that day.
After all the effort and sweat that they had given, Zach and others finished the warehouse at 8 o'clock in the evening seeing them and even the women looking at the building with smiles on their faces as it was really a miracle thinking that they had built something so huge in just a day.
"Good. Take the tents inside the warehouse and use them as a shelter for the time being. Rest well today because tomorrow, our target will be your own houses." Zach then finally concluded today's success as even he could not help but smile thinking that he really made the wise choice of persuading them to come with him.
Following Zach's arrangement, everyone does as he says after everyone starts moving whereas Zach himself has also headed inside their house wanting to take a bath as he was reeking of sweat after working nonstop in the day.
Right now, Zach could be found lying in the bathtub with his eyes closed wanting to savor the moment of relaxation because unlike everyone else, the cramps and body aches in his body have long disappeared after he used Status Recovery.
"This is just the beginning." Zach muttered since what they just did today was only the tip of the grand plan he had in mind but he knew that he could not haste it since it was a large project that needed more manpower than what they had right now.
"Let's wait until tomorrow's calamity to happen and depending on its severity, we might put a stop to some of the projects." Zach followed. He knew that the success they had right now was because nothing was obstructing their work as they only needed to be wary of volcanic ashes, not some serious problems.
After that, Zach then took his time in the bathtub before finally heading straight to bed with Hannah in his arms. Nothing much has happened throughout the night as they just slept peacefully waiting for tomorrow to be better.
The second day arrived and without wasting time, Zach and everyone wanted to efficiently use the remaining time that they could before the calamity, and they successfully built two simple houses that Zach had given to the Architect named Edward and Bob the carpenter which their families were very grateful. Following that, everyone went outside waiting silently for the calamity to happen.
[00:00:00]
[Preparation time has ended.]
[Commencing World Cleansing Procedure 4: Snowstorm Calamity.]
After the end of the message, Zach and everyone could only look up and there they saw snow falling and started replacing the volcanic ashes that were still moving along the winds however, everyone was in great relief thinking that it was just a snowstorm and not a blizzard. Snowstorms also had their fair share of danger but as long as they had shelter, they were sure that they could survive this calamity.
"Looks like the calamity this time was not that bad but we should not become complacent." Zach said while looking at his hand. He could feel his strength have increased again without even looking at his status. He was also relieved upon knowing that it was a snowstorm that they were facing this time but he thought that it might be a simple snowstorm so he couldn't put his guard down at any moment.
"Let us stop for today and see the situation for the time being. Edward. Bob. You can go and move in with your family first. Let's talk again later." Zach followed before telling everyone to prepare for whatever changes that will happen. Following that, he provided everyone with good coats to wear and other essential things to live in the cold.
Night came, Zach was now frowning thinking that this snowstorm might probably last for three weeks since the message hadn't said the end of calamity as it did to the past calamities before. He then just put on a coat as he headed outside to see just how high the snow on the ground had become.
"This is getting bad." Zach muttered seeing that the snow had already reached quite a depth from the ground. He then headed to the other's shelter to see how were they fairing on their side and ask if they had something that they needed.
Following that, Zach and everyone then headed straight to sleep since the weather had started getting colder. As their houses were mainly built with thick logs with no gaps, the cold couldn't go through it easily so they slept peacefully through the night.
The next day came and that was when the problem happened after Zach saw that the snow had almost blocked the door. Thinking about the situation of the others, he immediately took out a shovel and started creating a path, fortunately, his strength was something that no ordinary could have thus he easily dealt with the snow.
After that, Zach started waking up the others and everyone was very surprised upon seeing the state outside. With that, the men started taking the snow out while the women started moving to prepare warm breakfast. Knowing his mistake, he then gave them a number of duplicated radios so they could still communicate without really seeing each other.
It didn't take long for them to get off everything in the area and seems not affected much by the cold which is probably due to their increasing stats. Having their fill of the food that the women made, Zach told everyone that there was no time to waste as they started working again wanting to build another two houses if possible.
Meanwhile, as the men started working, the idle women also helped as they were the ones responsible for taking the snow out in the surrounding area not wanting to let them build up again. Such work was also something hard, but they weren't someone to be belittled with since just like men, their strength has also increased during the passage of time.
After that, both men and women started working together, and with everyone's effort, another two simple houses were built. Zach, this time, gave them to those who have families leaving Max, Rose, and the two women who were betrayed by their boyfriends to temporarily leave the warehouse and join them in their house for the time being.
Meanwhile, as everyone was inside their respective houses, Zach was all alone inside the finally free warehouse after everyone left. Taking out many supplies to fill the place, he felt like it was now enough for the time being. He then just walked and took out the two-way radio on his inventory.
"This is Zach. Is Officer Jenny around?" Zach said after pressing a button on the radio. The current situation needed some attention so he wanted to see how was their side since it had been already a day when the snowstorm started and unending snow and freezing weather were getting worse.
…. Zzzz….
"This is Officer Jenny. What's the problem?" A static noise echoed before Officer Jenny's voice came out.
"There's no problem in here. I called to inquire if you have a problem with yours." Zach replied before waiting for an answer. A long silence occurred and only after a minute did Officer Jenny reply but this time there was a noticeable change in her voice.
"Truthfully speaking, we need help." Officer Jenny replied.
Hearing this, Zach immediately talked about it as he stayed inside for about half an hour before ending their conversation. He looked at the place for a while before heading out while having a serious look on his face.
The next day came, and the snow blocked the doorway once again which everyone then started getting them off. It was completely fine but when they were about to get to work, Zach suddenly gathered them together.
"I plan to leave the place for a while. Officer Jenny from the university called for help last night. I need to leave to check them out. So, for the time being, continue working what we always did since we were probably getting bigger when the time I came back." Zach announced.
"Zach, that was too dangerous." Vanessa immediately announced her refusal to do such an absurd thing as the snowstorm didn't show any signs of ending. Seeing snow falling everywhere, the road must have already disappeared, and moving out now was akin to getting killed from freezing.
It was not just Vanessa who had voiced out for him to reconsider since even the newcomers had also talked to Zach to think more about it but their persuasion wasn't enough to sway Zach as he already decided last night.
With that, Zach talked for a while with the others before gathering Zoey, Hannah, Vanessa, Rose, and Max back to the house as he gave them his last instruction all the while giving them firearms if something happened. Though he trusted that the people who followed him will not do any funny ideas, he, however, does not believe it fully and now that he was planning to leave, this will be the time to test just how loyal they were.
After that, Zach finally bade his farewell as he stepped on the snow heading back to the university to meet Officer Jenny and the people with her who were also already on the move to this place. Standing on the pile of snow, he was just thinking how long it would take them to meet since the storm was very bad and the road was slowly getting buried by the snow but it wouldn't stop him from moving.
"This is Zach. I'll be on my way now." Zach said through the radio before he started running and faced the storm alone. He doesn't know why he wanted to go through that much to save them as he was not a man who would take risks before but he knew that somehow, he felt pleased and satisfied with getting to know and saving other people, a kind of pleasure and satisfaction that was completely different from the ones he received from Hannah and Zoey. It is very foreign to him and so he wanted to explore it on his own.
