Lyra, now armed with a spear, two machetes, a couple of hunting knives, and an axe, felt confident in her ability to assist Adam against the hordes.
During her time away from Adam, she had been training the twins as adventurers, learning to fight monsters and developing combat skills. Even with her magic abilities locked, her Level 35 adventurer training from the other world allowed her to fight effectively.
Adam and Lyra moved swiftly before sunset. They headed to the pharmacy area, collecting as much medicine as possible, hoping it would be useful later. Returning to the third floor, Adam began sniping zombies in the areas surrounding their truck. Lyra helped pinpoint targets and scanned for any nearby threats.
After clearing the area, both jumped down, Adam using his universal tool as a grappling hook to lower them to the ground. Adam led the way, with Lyra close behind, moving quickly to the truck.
Journey to and Arrival at the Mansion
Adam opened the fuel filler, and using the universal tool, pumped the stored fuel into the truck's tank. With the truck refueled and scavenged items loaded, Lyra took the wheel, driving towards the mansion. Adam stood guard in the truck's bed, his projectile system ready, continuously absorbing surrounding vehicles for ammo as they moved. Zombies and variants continued to lunge at their vehicle, but Adam maintained his assault, obliterating everything in their path.
After a while, they exited the city and drove through roads squeezed between forests. The zombie presence became sparser and easier to manage. Lyra informed Adam they had arrived at the mansion. Adam shot at the gate, allowing the truck to enter the mansion's premises. Lyra and Adam walked towards the mansion door. Lyra scanned the area; no sign of life or zombies inside. Lyra noted the lock and instructed Adam to create a key using the universal tool. They easily unlocked the door, entered the mansion, and then relocked it.
Adam immediately went to the fridge, hoping for anything edible, but was disappointed. The stench of rotten beef filled the kitchen, making Adam cough. He quickly closed the fridge and told Lyra to locate the bunker.
Lyra discovered the bunker was connected to the basement. They went down to the basement and found a bookshelf. Lyra informed him the entrance was directly behind it, and they just needed to figure out how to open it. Lyra scanned the bookshelf, immediately identifying the locking mechanism. She pulled a specific book that triggered a switch, then proceeded to slide the bookshelf away from the door. The metal door was now exposed. Adam's universal tool easily opened the lock under Lyra's instruction.
A Secure Haven and a Blushing Lyra
They entered the bunker, amazed by its comfort-first design: beds, toilets, a heating system, a TV, and even games. Adam found a stock of canned foods, supplies, and medicine—enough to last them years during an apocalypse. Adam returned to the truck, bringing the rest of their scavenged supplies into the bunker.
Adam asked Lyra if there was any reason not to stay in the mansion itself instead of the bunker. Lyra explained that while normal zombies would struggle with houses and mansions, the mana-evolved variants could easily destroy such structures and possessed abilities to detect them above ground. As they finished packing the scavenged items into the bunker's storage area, Lyra instructed Adam to take his bath first while she waited.
Adam was momentarily shocked by Lyra's instruction. This wasn't the Lyra he knew, who wouldn't have been concerned with modesty or ethics.
He moved his head closer to hers, his face inches from hers. "Is that really you, Lyra?" he asked intently, "You wouldn't think twice about bathing together."
Lyra's face flushed, and she playfully pushed Adam back. "Please don't tease me, and go take your bath!" she said, revealing a rare, innocent side.