Chapter 281: Chapter 281: Application

Once the thought occurred in Ronak’s mind, he took action. With careful steps, he took out a box from his cupboard and opened it. Inside lay a necklace.

If Ivy were present there, she would have realized that the necklace resembled her necklace.

A trace of reluctance appeared in his eyes. When he had first found the necklace, he had hopes for it. He even imagined the necklace being a golden finger.

Who would have thought that even after 6 months, Ronak wouldn’t be able to awaken the necklace at all!

From dropping his blood, to using phrases like ’activate’ or ’Enter!’

Everything was useless. As time passed, Ronak slowly gave up on this unrealistic dream and forgot about the necklace all along.

Now... Silas and Ivy’s repeated help moved him.

Some opportunities weren’t meant for those who grasp them. Even if they hold on to it tightly like their last lifeline... they will never benefit from it.

A hint of determination flashed in Ronak’s eyes as he murmured, "Hope... it becomes useful to Silas or Ivy."

............

On exiting his home, Ronak soon arrived at the location where the new grocery store was opened.

It looked like the base of a tower and had good lighting. What stunned him was the crowd that had gathered around the grocery store.

The people in the crowd were sweating buckets, and some even looked on the verge of fainting; however, they had huge grins on their faces.

"I couldn’t believe that I would get the chance to buy food from any store after the arrival of the apocalypse!" A woman wearing a dirty blue crop top and ripped jeans exclaimed with excitement, her voice trembling from exhaustion.

"Yeah," another man beside her laughed weakly, "I thought we’d all be eating mutant rats or expired canned beans by now!"

Ronak watched the crowd’s joy and disbelief. It had been a long time since he had seen so many people smiling.

The grocery store, though small, had solar panels on the roof, a clean glass front, and even a handwritten sign that read: "Fresh food. Limited stock. Fair trade only."

However, the store was closed, and the crowd could only stare at the store with a deep longing gaze.

They could see the food placed on shelves and the price marked below each of them.

Though the crowd was a bit restless, they could see the notice pasted on the wall.

"In need of an honest clerk. Salary: Free food and 15,000 zombie crystals!"

There was also a set of rules.

1. If anyone dares to rob, they would be kicked out, and repeated attempts would be seen as a threat. If the threat threshold is surpassed, the grocery store will close on its own.

2. Anyone who tries to cause trouble, cheat during trade, or start a fight near the store will be permanently banned.

3. The store operates on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservation or favoritism is allowed.

4. There is a complaint box, and all the customers and the clerk will be given a chance to complain. Based on the judgment of the system, the true criminal would be punished severely!

Ronak blinked in surprise as he finished reading the rules. The neat handwriting and the logic behind each line made him feel that the person behind all of these might truly be a system!

People around him murmured amongst themselves.

"Fifteen thousand zombie crystals? Just for being a clerk? That’s insane!"

"Yeah, but they probably want someone who can be trusted. I bet most of us wouldn’t even last a week here..."

Ronak’s gaze lingered on the sign again. A job meant stability, security, and food, things that had become luxuries in the apocalypse.

Yet, it wasn’t the salary that caught his attention.

It was the temptation of free food!

Suddenly, a small box appeared on the wall of the grocery store. It was titled ’Applications.’

Everyone was smart enough to understand the meaning and rushed back to their home. They were planning to submit their applications.

What if they might have a chance?

Even Ronak was tempted. Just the thought of being provided with free food and a constant salary of 15,000 zombie crystals... gave a stability even he craved.

But...

It would be better if Drake got selected.

His wifey often has headaches, and other than being good at accounting and honest, he hardly has any other hobbies left.

So this job will give him the stability Drake always craved.

After much hesitation, he wrote an application on behalf of Drake and submitted it. Anyhow... the chance of Drake getting selected was low.

When Ronak reached home, Drake was already tending to the small fire in their metal stove, boiling a pot of pasta.

"You’re back," Drake said without looking up. "Was the store real?"

He knew how his boyfriend was concerned about the food matter.

Ronak nodded. "Yeah. Real food and clean shelves. They’re hiring a clerk."

Drake gave a humorless chuckle. "A clerk? In this world?"

Who has the leisure to hire a clerk in the apocalypse? Maybe the rich, however; even those rich people couldn’t be willful to the point of hiring a clerk to manage their food store.

What was a food store in the apocalypse? A treasure house!

With the surging greed for food, who can remain honest?

Ronak smiled faintly. "I applied for you."

That made Drake freeze. He looked up, disbelief flickering in his eyes. "You what?"

"I used your name," Ronak said, pretending to focus on removing his shoes. "The salary’s high, and there’s free food."

"Forget it." Drake sighed and shook his head. "Even if I try my best, with my education degree, no one will hire me."

"How could that be? My wifey is super intelligent. If they can’t see your worth, they are the ones losing out." Ronak consoled.

"How are Ivy and Silas doing now?" Drake decided to change the subject. Why dwell on matters not under their control at all?

"When will the first batch of water bottles be able to be sold?"