The Malinois ran with incredible stamina, its muscular frame moving effortlessly across the icy terrain. Agile and precise, Colby leaped and dodged frozen corpses that littered the path. The only issue? The dog had no idea where Firridge was and kept veering off course. Nadia sighed at its poor memory. "It's where we caught that pig last time." Colby's ears perked up. Oh! Pigs—and rabbits, too! With the new clue, he quickly adjusted its direction, reaching the base of Firridge within half an hour. It was still early, and the mountain was deserted. The bamboo forest was located halfway up the mountain. Nadia didn't want to waste time waiting at the base, so she started climbing with Colby in tow. Bamboo wasn't ideal for burning, so most survivors preferred cutting trees first. Unfortunately, in the short time since the apocalypse began, the trees at the base had already been stripped bare. Here and there, frozen corpses dotted the landscape—some killed while defending their firewood, others murdered in the process of stealing it. Their bodies, encased in ice, looked eerie and grim. But what could anyone do? Without firewood, they'd freeze to death. Survivors had no choice but to risk their lives. The icy path to the bamboo forest was treacherous, making the climb slow and arduous. Pulling the sled behind her only made it harder, but eventually, Nadia reached the forest. The trees higher up the mountain were all dead, their branches laden with snow and ice. Though her thermal clothing kept her body warm, her hands, face, and feet were freezing. Nadia rubbed her hands together, tempted to pull an electric saw out of her domain and clear the entire bamboo grove in one go. Then, she could head straight back and burrow into her blankets. But she didn't dare risk it. People could show up on the mountain at any moment. Instead, she picked up the steel saw Levi had given her and crouched down to begin sawing the bamboo the old-fashioned way. Using a steel saw required a certain technique; improper handling could damage the blade, and with only one saw on hand, she couldn't afford to break it. Not everyone had the luxury of a machete or butcher's knife. Most survivors were stuck with basic kitchen knives that weren't even good for smashing garlic, let alone chopping wood. Nadia crouched down, first chipping away the ice coating the bamboo, then carefully moving the saw back and forth. Colby, as if worried the falling bamboo might hit her, leaped up and hugged the stalk with its paws. "Quit messing around!" Nadia scolded, pushing it aside. "Just stand guard and make sure no one tries to bash my head in." Colby, ever the multitasker, refused to move. It clung to the bamboo, insisting it could protect her and hold the stalk at the same time."If you don't move, I might accidentally see through your belly next," Nadia warned. Deeply offended, Colby finally let go, sulking off to stand guard. After sawing down two bamboo stalks, Nadia stripped off the branches and cut the poles into two-yard lengths for easy transport. By now, other survivors had started arriving on the mountain. "Whoa! A dog!" The first reaction was shock, followed by excitement as the group rushed closer. One man's voice trembled with greed, "Look at how fat it is!" Colby barked indignantly. Fat? You're fat! This is muscle, pure muscle! The group's attention shifted to the lone woman in the bamboo grove. Judging by her build, she was young. What really caught their attention, though, was the steel saw in her hands. If they could get their hands on that saw, chopping firewood would be a breeze.And that dog—at least 70 pounds of fresh, tender meat. It was practically a walking feast. As they approached, their gazes turned predatory. Nadia met their greedy eyes without flinching. Calmly, she drew her saber and offered them a sweet smile. "Tell me," she said softly. "Why do you think I can keep my dog so well-fed even though I'm alone?" Her words froze them in their tracks. Right! In a world where so many were starving, how was she able to keep a dog so plump? Nadia didn't respond to the greedy stares and whispers. Instead, she just smiled—a chilling, sinister grin that sent shivers down their spines. Her cold, calculating eyes scanned them from head to toe as if she were assessing which part of their bodies had the most meat. That gaze, filled with malice, was the look of a predator sizing up prey. It froze them in place. This… This is a devil in disguise! "My dog is picky," she finally said, her voice soft but bone-chilling. "It only eats legs. Fresh ones, still warm." Colby crouched low, muscles rippling as its chest puffed out. It bared its teeth, a growl rumbling deep in its throat. Woof! D*mn right, I only eat legs—the kind still dripping with blood. Think you're tough? Bring it on! The group faltered, staring at the "fattened" dog that had apparently been raised on human legs. One of them began trembling so badly his knees knocked together. Before anything could escalate, three men walked past the group, each armed with knives. One of them, the tallest, was holding the hand of a small girl. Whoa, these guys have guts, the group thought, watching the men approach Nadia. They actually dare go up against the demon woman. The spectators quickly decided to sit back and watch, hoping the two sides would clash. Maybe they could scavenge the aftermath. Alas, their hopes were short-lived. The dog that had been snarling moments ago suddenly wagged its tail and padded over to the men. The three simply turned and stood beside Nadia, their icy stares sweeping across the onlookers. In an instant, the group scattered, their dreams of conflict dashed. Lily hugged Colby tightly, her little face scrunched in mild frustration. "Colby, you didn't even wait for me!" Colby nudged her gently in apology, its soft eyes trying to comfort her. George, watching Nadia chop bamboo, frowned in confusion. "Nadia, bamboo is hollow and doesn't burn well. You need to cut wood." "I'm not strong enough to haul heavy logs," she replied casually. "Bamboo is easier. Besides, it burns quickly, so no one's going to bother stealing it."George nodded, acknowledging her point—mostly. But something about it still felt off. To minimize risks, the Hadids stayed close, chopping wood near the bamboo grove so they could keep an eye on her. With only one steel saw, Harrison was left with a machete. Hollow bamboo was no match for his strength; a few swings and the stalks came crashing down. He stripped the branches with swift, practiced movements, finishing one stalk in seconds. His efficiency left Nadia envious. Still, she resigned herself to working at her slower pace, carefully sawing away. As more people climbed the mountain, malicious eyes began to fixate on their group. A fat dog, a steel saw, and an adorable little girl—it was an enticing sight for the desperate and greedy. Some people openly watched, while others lurked in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity. Colby's sharp instincts kicked in. It scanned its surroundings, growling whenever it caught a suspicious look. Its stance screamed readiness for a fight, muscles tense and teeth bared.Lily, eager to help, mimicked Colby's posture. "Grrr!" she growled, baring her tiny teeth. Her brother had told her that no one would dare bully her if she looked mean enough. And so, she copied Colby's snarl, teeth flashing in what she thought was a menacing grin. Colby glanced at her attempt and let out an unimpressed snort. Amateur. She wasn't even close to pulling off the right look. At that, it puffed out its chest and demonstrated: lift the head, square the shoulders, bare the teeth, and snarl with conviction. Lily tried again, her little face scrunching up as she bared her teeth, but her jaw began to ache. She finally gave up and pulled something out of her backpack—a machete. Yes, a machete. With the blade in her hand, Lily's entire demeanor shifted. Her childlike innocence disappeared, replaced by an ice-cold gaze that settled on the people lurking near the bamboo grove. Without hesitation, she raised the machete and swung it down, slicing cleanly through a sapling. The onlookers froze, stunned. What's going on today? First, a deadly woman. Then, a terrifying dog. And now, a child swinging a machete like it's nothing! They decided it wasn't worth the risk. No one wanted to provoke such a group. Still, as they reluctantly backed away, one thought lingered in their minds: That dog meat must be amazing. If only I could get a bite. It'd be worth dying for.