Wasteland Survivalist: A Scientific Guide to Post-Apocalyptic Survival

The plume of smoke occasionally flashes with intense red light and lightning, a typical characteristic of large-scale volcanic eruptions.

A massive volcanic cloud, hundreds of kilometers away, is spreading outwards on a large scale along with the winds at high altitudes.

"It turns out that the major earthquake a few days ago was not a normal geological event, but rather a phenomenon associated with a volcanic eruption."

Gu Lang put on his N95 mask and immediately started the light truck.

Fine volcanic ash seeps into everything.

It poses a great threat to electronic products and machinery; we must evacuate as soon as possible.

While driving, he turned on the radio and searched for stations.

FM radio was completely silent, but switching to AM radio finally gave me a signal.

"This is AM1089, Voice of Liaodong. Important news is about to be released. Repeat, now..."

Gu Lang quickly turned up the volume and started recording with his phone.

After about ten minutes, the announcer stopped speaking.

Then a static noise started, seemingly indicating a device switching.

"This is the Liaoning Provincial Emergency Response Department, the province's emergency broadcasting system. I am Wang Zhiguo, the person in charge."

On behalf of the authorities, I extend my greetings to all comrades and compatriots who are still holding fast to their posts…

What followed were all platitudes, which made Gu Lang yawn.

With a slight rustling of paper, he finally got to the key point about the pickaxe.

"...First, regarding the current situation."

"After final confirmation at the national level, the possibility of nuclear attacks worldwide has essentially ended."

Our province and surrounding important areas... have already been directly hit.

Despite extremely difficult conditions, governments at all levels continue to tirelessly organize their resources…

"Damn it, get to the point! You idiot."

Gu Lang grew increasingly agitated as he listened to the rigid, formulaic writing style.

"...Secondly, regarding...uh...the public health crisis."

At this point, the official's tone noticeably faltered.

"The hostile forces used... a biological warfare agent that has never been seen before."

Based on the information obtained and the symptoms it causes.

The condition is tentatively named "mass disorientation disorder"... Its main characteristics are...

His breathing sounded somewhat heavy through the microphone.

"Aggressive behavior towards those around them... The disease has been confirmed to be transmitted through... cough cough... air and bodily fluids."

The incubation period for infected individuals is asymptomatic, and the onset time varies depending on factors such as gatherings of people.

I want to emphasize here that infected individuals release a substance called "frenzy hormone"...

When the concentration is too high, it will trigger a berserk state.

Contact with the bodily fluids of such a patient can also lead to the onset of the disease...

A violent, uncontrollable cough interrupted his speech.

The microphone came through the muffled sound of him hurriedly covering his mouth with his hand, and what sounded like someone whispering a question to him.

"Wang Ting, you..."

A few seconds later, his voice rang out again, noticeably hoarse and with a hint of anxiety.

"Please remain calm! Follow the instructions of the authorities! Avoid gatherings of more than 15 people in enclosed spaces..."

Suddenly, a muffled "bang" came from the radio.

It looked like the microphone had been knocked over by something.

"Hehe...you...you all want to hurt me...don't you?"

This manuscript is problematic! It's utter nonsense! It's all lies! Damn liars!

The question was abrupt and sharp, completely out of place with the broadcast.

It sounded like he was yelling at the other staff members in the broadcasting studio.

"I'm telling you! I'm perfectly clear-headed right now! More clear-headed than all of you!"

This report... all the data in this report is fake!

You've all conspired to deceive your superiors! This is nothing more than a typical case of sleuthing!

Trying to use this opportunity to cause trouble for the vice president! Trying to seize control, is that it?!

Ah, I smell it... that smell... it's a traitor... hahahahaha..."

The voice gradually became indistinct, carrying a chilling greed.

"I'm here to speak! What do you want?! I'll kill you all... I'll kill you all..."

"Sizzle—Clang!!"

The loudspeaker broadcast the sounds of chairs being kicked over and bodies colliding and wrestling in a chaotic manner.

Interspersed with the officials' completely off-key, beast-like howls.

After the piercing screams, all fell silent.

All that remained was the continuous hum of electricity.

Gu Lang felt a chill run down his spine and up to the top of his head.

A senior official, speaking on the official broadcast that represents order.

In front of countless listeners, for just a few minutes.

It transformed from an authoritative figure who read out announcements into a berserker driven by a bloodthirsty instinct.

This is more despairing than any nuclear attack.

This event signifies the last pillar holding society together.

The authority and organization have begun to rot and collapse from the core.

A road sign appeared ahead, indicating that "Shulu Town" was five kilometers ahead.

Gu Lang got out of the car and launched a drone to scout the situation in the town.

This is a small town in a valley, roughly cross-shaped along the river.

The drone's camera smoothly swept across the rooftops.

The footage shows a large number of fences, guard posts, cement piles, isolation barriers, and medical tents, almost completely blocking the road.

The once intact urban area has been divided into grids.

It is evident that the local government had made efforts to control the spread of "Rage Syndrome".

However, the corpses scattered everywhere and the burning houses already gave the answer.

Strong city walls and strict quarantine measures could not prevent the tragedy from happening.

The last glimmer of hope in Gu Lang's heart was completely extinguished.

Any gathering place of people may become a breeding ground for "rage hormones".

It burst open from the inside out at a certain moment.

A strong organizational and mobilization capacity may actually exacerbate the complete outbreak of the virus.

Mass violence is like an unquenchable wildfire, spreading everywhere.

He piloted the drone towards the town center, where there was a relatively open square.

The town’s most magnificent building, the town government building, stands on the north side of the square.

At first, Gu Lang thought the raised, dark brown mounds of earth in the square were fortifications or garbage dumps.

But when the drone lowered its altitude further and the lens zoomed in, he realized something was wrong.

"That's... a human head?"

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of heads were deliberately piled together.

Five chilling pyramids were formed, and the strong smell of blood seemed to penetrate the screen.

"Judging by this appearance, it seems like a special infected has spawned."

Gu Lang recalls the berserker he encountered before.

Most of them lacked unified command and coordinated defense.

It is only the most primitive and cruel survival of the fittest among individuals or small groups.

Building these "jingguan" (a type of mound of corpses) is not an easy task.

This imitates the cruel behavior used in ancient warfare to show off martial prowess and intimidate the enemy.

This indicates that a "leader" capable of leading the group has emerged within the local group of berserkers.

As the drone descended, the sound of its rotors attracted the attention of the roaming rabids on the ground.

Gu Lang quickly pulled the plane up, circled around, and returned to base.