Chapter 223 The strong rules the apocalypse.

The announcement instantly caused an uproar. The leaders of the smaller bases exchanged conflicted glances.

One thousand units of resources. That reward was simply too tempting. It was enough food and supplies to sustain an entire small base for a considerable period.

Several people unconsciously swallowed hard, their hearts pounded violently while fear still lingered in their eyes as they looked toward Ivy, remembering the terrifying strength she had displayed earlier yet greed slowly began overpowering that fear.

One after another, several members from the smaller bases cautiously stepped forward, their hands trembling as they raised their weapons, their legs shook uncontrollably as the temptation of Antelope’s reward continued pulling them toward Ivy.

"What?! You’re already at death’s door, yet you’re still standing here giving orders right in front of me?" Ivy asked with a cold scoff. "All I need to do is pull the trigger once, and your head will burst open all over this floor."

The moment the words left her mouth, she lifted her leg and drove a powerful kick straight into Antelope’s stomach.

The force of the kick sent him crashing onto the ground with a painful grunt before he could even react and before he could struggle to his feet, Ivy stepped forward and planted one boot firmly on his chest, pinning him to the ground.

No one dared take another step.

"You literally have no qualifications to negotiate with me, Antelope," Ivy continued, letting out a mocking laugh. "If I were you, I’d leave right now before you provoke me even further and end up receiving a punishment you won’t survive."

Antelope remained silent while his face burned with humiliation. Never in his entire life had he imagined that he would be pinned to the ground by a woman while dozens of people watched. His fists clenched tightly against the floor, hatred boiled inside his chest yet he knew he couldn’t do anything.

It’s better if I leave for now. There will be another opportunity to fight. As long as I’m alive, there will always be another chance to settle today’s humiliation.

After swallowing the bitterness in his throat, Antelope finally spoke.

"Fine..." he said through gritted teeth. "I admit defeat." He took a slow breath before continuing in a calm yet unwilling tone. "You’re right. My team and I did nothing except bark orders that we had no right to give. The one who truly cleared this warehouse and earned the right to distribute these grains is you, Captain Ivy."

"I admit defeat and promise to leave immediately with my team. We won’t cause any more trouble."

Ivy merely scoffed and without another word, she removed her foot from Antelope’s chest and stepped back.

Antelope slowly climbed to his feet, brushing the dirt from his clothes while suppressing the murderous rage burning inside him.

He shot Ivy one final glance before turning around.

"Let’s go," he ordered coldly.

His team immediately followed behind him and within minutes, they climbed into their trucks and drove out of the warehouse one after another, disappearing into the distance.

Silence filled the air as the remaining base leaders stood rooted to the ground, utterly speechless. None of them could believe that the arrogant Antelope who had bullied countless smaller survivor bases, the man who had never admitted defeat to anyone had actually bowed his head today and the person who forced him to do it was a woman.

"You should all begin packing the grains allocated to your bases," Ivy finally said, breaking the silence. "We need to leave before nightfall. I’m sure everyone still has a long journey ahead."

The other leaders immediately came back to their senses and without hesitation, they bowed deeply toward Ivy before leaving.

As everyone busied themselves, Erick slowly walked over to Ivy.

"Do you really think Antelope has accepted his defeat?" Erick asked quietly.

Ivy turned to look at him.

"You shouldn’t have humiliated him like that, Captain Ivy," Erick continued with a worried sigh. "Antelope isn’t someone who accepts defeat easily. Today, you embarrassed him in front of dozens of people and stripped away the reputation he’s spent years building."

He paused before adding gravely. "I know that man. He won’t simply let this go and will definitely come back for revenge one day. If he can’t defeat you directly, then he’ll target the people closest to you just to make you suffer.....that’s the kind of person Antelope is."

"Offended him?" Ivy repeated with a raised eyebrow before letting out a disdainful scoff. "He offended me first and my response today was already merciful."

She folded her arms across her chest. "If he hadn’t refrained from killing anyone while he was here, I would’ve put a bullet through his head without a second thought." Her voice became colder. "This is the apocalypse and the strong make the rules."

Erick sighed heavily. "I understand and to be honest... I don’t think you were wrong but then you have to be careful as men like him will definitely come back to get revenge on you."

"And I am ready for that!" Ivy declared. "Anyways now stop worrying about him and go ahead and monitor the grains being loaded to the trucks. " She added while Erick nodded his head in understanding before leaving.