"No way, does the Crimson Desire Shelter really have such pull, to even invite these people?"

The slightly plump man who had recognized Snape’s background earlier was filled with astonishment, muttering unconsciously.

The person next to him nudged his waist with an elbow, asking with a puzzled expression, "Hey, brother, which territory’s boss is this group of people? This lineup looks even more formidable than the Green Wind Shelter’s."

"They’re still wearing uniforms, could they be from the Official Shelter?"

The Survivor who was asked glanced sideways at the questioning Survivor next to him, "Are we close? Do I have to tell you just because you asked me?"

"It’s already good enough that I told you Snape’s identity for free earlier without charging you. You want to freeload on my information?"

"If you want to know, be more proactive."

As he spoke, he rubbed his thumb and forefinger together, making a gesture for money.

"Tsk, how stingy."

Despite his disdain, this Survivor still consciously pulled out an ordinary crystal and placed it in his hand.

"Can you talk now?"

The slightly plump Survivor took the crystal, smacked his lips, looking as if he wanted more.

"Alright, seeing that you are quite amenable, I won’t charge extra."

"You guessed correctly, this is a team from the Official Shelter, the closest one to us in this large region."

Upon hearing this, everyone showed expressions of ’as expected’, then praised, "Awesome, brother, you’ve got some stuff. You know all this so clearly."

"Hmph, of course."

The slightly plump man gave a mysterious snort, then pointed his hand towards the vehicle approaching in the distance, "Look at the person sitting in the passenger seat of that small truck, that’s the second-in-command of the Official Shelter."

"Now you know why I was surprised, right?"

Following his finger, the few people realized that the vehicle driven by the Official Shelter was a flatbed truck with an open rear cargo area.

While the other Survivors were still confused, the moment the Official Shelter members got out of the truck, Snape had already led his subordinates to the side of the truck.

"Hello, are you Team Leader Evan from the Official Shelter?"

Snape held his right hand in front of him, speaking with a slight smile.

The man who got out of the passenger seat glanced at the Survivor in front of him, who was trying to curry favor, and nodded imperceptibly, extending his hand for a loose handshake.

"Heh heh, I’ve long heard of Team Leader Evan’s great name. Seeing Team Leader Evan in person today, you are indeed imposing and an outstanding individual."

Snape gripped his hand tightly, showering him with exaggerated compliments.

It was true that his Green Wind Shelter dominated one area, but in terms of resource collection and information coordination, he couldn’t compare to the Official Shelter.

After all, there wasn’t just one Official Shelter in the Wasteland World, but rather they existed in various places.

In the eyes of the Official Shelter, to put it nicely, Snape was a local tyrant; to put it harshly, he was just a slightly larger earthworm.

Now that he could meet the second-in-command of the regional Official Shelter, he naturally wanted to curry favor as much as possible.

However, his intentions seemed to have been seen through long ago. Evan, the tall and robust man in front of him, didn’t even bother to be polite.

He merely gave him a cold glance, then withdrew his hand and said, "Director Snape, if you have something important to discuss with us, just say it directly. If not, we’ll be leaving now."

He seemed to be earnestly asking Snape, but in reality, before Snape could even react, Evan had already turned around without hesitation and led his subordinates away.

Leaving only Snape, whose expression gradually darkened, standing in place.

Meanwhile, Evan in front narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Green Wind Shelter? Hmph!" He had long known about Snape’s background.

A fugitive murderer from Earth, thriving in the Wasteland World.

Even though it was no longer Earth, as a high-ranking official with an official background, he looked down on such people from the bottom of his heart.

If it weren’t for the fact that the other party had never provoked the Official Shelter so far, Evan would have intended to kill him on the spot the moment he approached.

As for nonsense like harmonious coexistence, that was even more impossible. His Official Shelter disdained to associate with such heinous Survivors.

Slowly, he walked to the very front of the crowd, greeted Lilith, then stood with his arms crossed, waiting for the auction to begin...

At this moment, Lilith also had a solemn expression. The Official Shelter’s presence was a force to be reckoned with wherever they went.

Even if she, Lilith, managed her Shelter well, she couldn’t compare to the Official Shelter.

Not to mention that the Green Wind Shelter was no easy opponent either. The two major forces standing at the forefront now clearly showed some tension.

As the host, Lilith was not lacking in discernment.

If she didn’t say something soon, the auction might start with them fighting on the spot.

She looked down at the time, and seeing that it was only a few minutes before twelve o’clock, she decided not to wait any longer.

"Ahem!"

Clearing her throat, Lilith spoke, "Thank you, esteemed guests... uh, thank you, Survivors, for traveling so far to attend the auction held by our Crimson Desire Shelter."

"It is truly an honor for our humble abode to have all of you here!"

"Time is almost up. As the organizer of the auction, I declare the First Wasteland Auction officially open!"

As soon as her voice fell, a wave of overwhelming cheers erupted from the crowd.

"Good!"

"It’s finally starting, I was almost falling asleep."

"Lead the way, Director Lilith, let us see what surprises you have brought us."

Everyone took time out of their midday to come to the Crimson Desire Shelter, of course, all for the auction items.

Lilith had said that there would be many items that could increase one’s strength among the auction items.

Although most people knew they probably couldn’t afford most of the items, they all held onto the hope of finding a bargain.

Lilith, with a smile on her lips, was about to lead everyone into the Shelter.

But at this moment, another roar of an engine came from not far away.

Smoke and dust billowed in the distance, and this time, the commotion was arguably even greater than the combined arrival of the previous three groups.

"More people coming?" Lilith was slightly stunned, her brows furrowing tighter.

So far, most of the important people she invited had arrived.

Even the Official Shelter, whom she hadn’t held much hope for and had invited on a whim, had shown up.

With this kind of lineup, she really couldn’t think of anyone else... "Wait!"

"Could it be..."

Lilith’s heart skipped a beat, and a person immediately appeared in her mind.

"Beep beep!"

"Director Lilith, sorry, something delayed me on the way. I hope I’m not late?"

Following a loud vehicle horn, a slightly flippant voice sounded.

When everyone present shifted their gaze from Lilith to the honking vehicle in the distance, they were met with a colossal sight.

An off-road vehicle, flawless in its appearance, size, and imposing presence, sped towards the crowd.

A hint of surprise flashed in everyone’s eyes; the appearance of this beast silenced the clamor, and the scene instantly became quiet.

It wasn’t until the vehicle came to a complete stop that they truly saw its condition.

Tires deeply embedded in the snow, a thick and massive metal frame reflecting dazzling arcs of light.

The front bumper was modified with anti-collision metal spikes that completely covered the front of the vehicle, with fresh blood slowly dripping from them.

With just one glance, most Survivors were instantly stunned.

The Official Shelter’s truck and Snape’s car were indeed rare, but as their strength gradually increased, they would have a chance to acquire them.

However, this type of armored vehicle, clearly not a haphazard modification, was something everyone knew they would never get their hands on.

Let alone in the Wasteland, even on Earth, few people had ever seen such a heavily modified off-road vehicle.

The previously lively crowd instantly fell into a deathly silence, with some even rubbing their eyes.

"Did I just get shot dead by someone from Green Wind Shelter?"

"Where the hell did they bring me? Is this still the Wasteland?"

Many people’s eyes were red; with just one glance, everyone present was unable to look away.

It wasn’t until the doors of the imposing off-road vehicle opened on all sides and the vehicle was stored in a backpack space that they finally came back to their senses, their eyes full of lingering fascination.

A group of six appeared in the snow, surrounding the male Survivor in the center who walked with a straight posture and steady strides.

"Hey, fatty, aren’t you supposed to recognize everything? Who are these people who came this time? Tell us, brothers."

In the crowd, the slightly fat man who had previously recognized the Official Shelter was poked in the waist again.

The slightly fat man gave him a speechless look, "Do you really think I’m an immortal descended from heaven, knowing everything?"

"Use your brain, will you? These people’s equipment is even more outrageous than the officials’, they’re armed to the teeth. Even if I knew them, I wouldn’t be able to tell."

"Tsk tsk tsk, you’re right about that."

"These guys are too terrifying. For ordinary people, clothes that provide basic warmth are already the best they can get. Their gear is even more impressive than Earth’s armed police."

With the off-road vehicle stored in space, everyone’s attention naturally fell on Vikram and his group who had arrived.

At this moment, Vikram and the others were all equipped with black bulletproof vests, knee pads, wrist guards, gas masks, and goggles helmets.

Except for their ears, they were truly fully armed.

"Boss, do we really need to dress like this?"

"The way they’re looking at us right now, it feels like each and every one of them wants to strip us bare."

In the crowd, the blatant stares and occasional sounds of swallowing made Draco feel a bit uneasy.

Vikram shook his head upon hearing this, his voice muffled through the gas mask, "Don’t worry about all that nonsense; just stay vigilant of your surroundings."

Vikram was never one to be overconfident. This time, coming to someone else’s territory, he had made thorough preparations.

After all, he wasn’t very clear about how Survivors had developed up to now, so it was always better to be careful. Moreover, the Assassin and Phantom has already become invisible, they were his trump card.

Wearing his goggles, Vikram scanned the crowd and quickly found Lilith’s location.

He slowly walked forward with the five people behind him.

Their equipment had maximum defense, but it was inevitably very heavy.

As a result, as the group slowly walked through the crowd, the sound of their equipment rubbing and their snow boots on the ground was extremely clear.

They didn’t dare to provoke Green Wind Shelter, and they had all seen the equipment on Vikram and his group, let alone go up and cause trouble.

Even when the six passed them, these Survivors would unconsciously hold their breath.

Not to mention these passersby, even Lilith, the organizer of this auction, couldn’t help but feel a sudden panic when she saw such a display.

However, as a powerful woman, she quickly recovered and forced out what she thought was a natural smile.

"Director Lilith, I’ve come as promised. Didn’t you say you had a welcome gift for me?"

Upon hearing this, Lilith’s pupils instantly constricted.

Although she had said many polite words when inviting other Survivors, she had only actively promised a gift to one person.

"You are... Big Boss Vikram?"

As these words came out, the slightly eased atmosphere fell silent once again.