Chapter 46: Zero-Dollar Shopping Spree

Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Zero-Dollar Shopping Spree

The world outside had fallen silent.

Not the peaceful silence one experienced during the early hours of dawn.

It was an unnatural silence.

The streets were empty.

The traffic lights continued their monotonous cycle despite the absence of cars.

Shops remained brightly illuminated.

Yet not a single soul could be seen.

Everyone had fallen into a deep slumber.

Whether they would awaken as zombies, zombie virus carriers, or awakeners depended entirely on their luck.

"Seeing this just gives me goosebumps. It’s like the world decided to sleep." Ben muttered, his voice echoing softly inside the elevator.

Kai hugged himself dramatically.

"Brother Ben, don’t say that. You’re making this atmosphere even creepier."

Ben shrugged helplessly.

"Can you blame me? This is like the beginning of a horror movie."

Penelope chuckled.

"Relax. There are no zombies yet."

"Yet." Kai emphasized that single word. "That ’yet’ is exactly why I’m nervous."

Erik calmly glanced at his younger brother and said "If you’re scared, stay behind."

Kai straightened his back immediately. "Who said I was scared? I’m simply respecting the atmosphere."

Ben almost laughed. Almost.

This guy really couldn’t live without acting cool for more than five minutes.

The journey was surprisingly smooth.

There wasn’t a single vehicle on the road.

No honking.

No pedestrians.

No sounds.

The entire city looked like it had been frozen in time.

Even Penelope felt somewhat emotional.

In her previous life, she had watched countless apocalypse movies and read hundreds of novels.

Yet standing in this eerily quiet city gave her a strange feeling she couldn’t quite explain.

Humanity was undergoing evolution.

Tonight would determine countless futures.

Beside her, Erik drove steadily.

Kai sat in the passenger seat while Ben occupied the backseat.

None of them spoke.

The atmosphere was strangely solemn.

Eventually, the giant silhouette of Center Mall appeared before them.

The parking lot was empty.

The automatic glass doors remained wide open.

Bright lights illuminated the entire building.

Yet there was no one awake. Bodies laid everywhere on the floor. Those who fell in a deep slumber unexpectedly while shopping.

Kai swallowed.

"I suddenly understand why horror movies always take place in places like this."

Ben nodded seriously.

"I agree."

Erik glanced at the two younger men.

"Enough."

The two immediately shut up.

Penelope couldn’t help but smile.

’As expected. Brother Erik’s authority remained absolute.’

The moment they entered the mall, a cheerful melody echoed through the empty building.

"Ding~ Welcome to Center Mall."

Everyone froze.

Kai almost jumped.

"Damn!"

Ben clutched his chest.

"You scared me!"

Penelope blinked.

"What are you two doing?"

Kai pointed accusingly at the ceiling.

"It spoke!"

Ben nodded.

"It was too sudden."

Erik pinched the bridge of his nose. "I’m surrounded by idiots."

"Excuse me?" Penelope asked. "Exactly who are you including in this ’idiots’ group?"

"Obviously not you. You’re our Princess Peach. These two are clearly Mario and Luigi." Erik responded dryly.

Kai immediately protested. "Brother, don’t act like you weren’t startled."

"I wasn’t." Erik said.

"You blinked." Ben stated as he pointed his index finger at Erik’s nose.

"No." Erik denied.

"You definitely blinked." Kai assured.

Erik.: "..."

Seeing Erik’s expression darken, Kai and Ben wisely shut their mouths.

Penelope covered her lips to suppress her laughter.

She couldn’t deny it.

This atmosphere really was strange.

Despite the eerie silence, her mood improved considerably.

Perhaps because she knew she wasn’t alone.

Perhaps because these people beside her were her family.

Or perhaps...

Because she was about to go shopping.

Her eyes unconsciously brightened.

Kai noticed immediately.

He tugged Ben’s sleeve.

"Benny?" he said.

"Hm?" Ben replied.

"Look at Penny."

Ben turned.

Then his expression became complicated. "...Why does she look so excited?" Ben whispered.

"Ben. I think Penny has secretly dreamed of robbing a mall." Kai whispered mysteriously.

Ben almost choked.

Erik, who happened to hear everything, calmly replied.

"No."

The two looked toward him.

"I think she’s dreamed of robbing everything."

Penelope turned around and glared at them.

"I heard that."

Kai immediately laughed. "See? She’s not even denying it."

Ben couldn’t help laughing as well.

"Penelope, should we be worried?"

Penelope raised her chin proudly.

"Being prepared is important."

Kai clicked his tongue.

"Listen to her. She’s saying something illegal with such confidence."

Ignoring the nonsense, Penelope opened the map on her phone.

"Ground floor first."

"Supermarket."

"Food supplies."

"Rice."

"Oil."

"Seasonings."

"Water."

"Medicine."

"Daily necessities."

"Everyone, move separately."

Kai saluted dramatically.

"Roger, Captain Penny."

Ben followed suit.

"Roger."

Even Erik nodded.

Soon, the four split up.

Shopping carts squeaked across the polished floor.

Penelope casually touched shelves one after another.

Instantly, countless goods disappeared into her space.

Rice.

Instant noodles.

Cooking oil.

Flour.

Salt.

Sugar.

Frozen meat.

Milk.

Bottled water.

She practically cleaned entire shelves.

Meanwhile, Ben stared in amazement.

No matter how many times he witnessed it, Penelope’s ability still felt magical.

"Penelope."

"Hm?" Penelope asked without looking at him.

"Your space is honestly cheating."

Penelope smiled smugly.

"I know. But it’s our space, not ’your’. Remember?"

Not far away, Kai pushed three carts by himself.

"Brother Erik! We need more carts!"

Erik glanced over.

"...Why do you have three?"

Kai looked offended.

"Three isn’t enough. We still need snacks."

Erik: "..."

Ben: "..."

Penelope: "..."

For a moment, the three exchanged silent looks.

Perhaps...

Kai was the real danger to civilization.

Meanwhile, Kai happily hummed as he hopped while pushing the cart toward Ben and Erik.

"Zero-dollar shopping spree~" Kai said.

"Zero-dollar shopping spree~" Penelope repeated happily.

Ben couldn’t help but ask.

"Doesn’t that sound wrong?"

Kai immediately corrected him.

"No."

"Five-finger discount sounds wrong." Penelope said.

"Zero-dollar shopping sounds elegant." Kai replied to Ben.

Penelope nodded seriously.

"Exactly. Killian had the audacity to call it a five finger discount! I mean, excuse me sir, we are law abiding citizens. We would never steal!" Penelope defended.

Ben stared at the siblings.

"..."

He suddenly felt that his moral standards were being challenged.

Unfortunately...

After spending so much time with this family...

He realized something terrifying.

He no longer found their logic strange.

No.

He was beginning to agree with them.

Thinking about that horrifying possibility, Ben silently looked up toward the ceiling.

Uncle Charlie.

He was trying.

Really.

But your family was too scary.

Completely unaware that poor Ben was questioning his life choices, Penelope suddenly froze.

A familiar chirping voice sounded inside her mind.

"Master!"

"Master!"

Penelope blinked.

Oddy flapped excitedly.

"Treasure!"

"There is treasure!"

Treasure?

Penelope’s eyes widened slightly.

Oddy spun around excitedly.

"Upstairs!"

"Master!"

"Quick!"

"Treasure!"