Strongest Deliveryman In The Apocalypse

CLANK!

The metallic door slammed shut above Sobin as the pair of hands yanked him into the underground darkness.

His eyes bulged like saucers as he struggled against the unexpected grip.

"W-waaaaait! I mean no harm!" Sobin squealed in panic, thrashing like a fish out of water.

The hands gave him a sharp tug, dragging him fully into the passageway below before releasing him at last. Sobin stumbled and fell onto the hard ground with a graceless plop.

"Ouch… my poor back…" he groaned, rubbing himself before glancing around.

The underground tunnel was dimly lit with faint, flickering lights running along the ceiling.

The air smelled of iron and gun oil, and there was the faint hum of machinery beneath the walls. Sobin blinked a few times until his eyes adjusted—and then he saw her.

Standing a few paces away was a girl clad in a militia uniform, her expression hard and wary. She wasn't much older than her late teens, maybe early twenties at most. A battered rifle was slung over her shoulder, and she eyed Sobin as if he might sprout fangs and bite her at any second.

Despite how feisty she looked, there was still a warmth about her presence.

After all, she was the first human he was actually meeting face-to-face in this apocalyptic world.

"You're the Rider?" she asked at last, voice steady but skeptical.

"Yes! I am Sobin. I might be a mere E Rank Rider, but you can trust me with whatever package you have, and I'll get it delivered with no problem whatsover!" Sobin puffed out his chest proudly and flashed a confident grin.

Then, as if on cue, he whipped out his Rider License and held it in the air like it was the Holy Grail.

"Certified, licensed, and never tardy!"

The girl raised a brow, a complicated expression on her face.

"...I wasn't expecting you so soon. The request was only sent out a week ago. Even the fastest Rider should've taken at least another week to reach here."

Sobin froze for a moment. "H-hold on. A week? You thought it would take a week?"

"Yes..." Her eyes narrowed. "It's strange that you got here so quickly. I thought you were a Plunderer pretending to be a Rider, so I almost gunned you down for trespassing on the premises."

Memories of the Gatling guns surfaced in Sobin's mind and he instantly shifted a few steps back.

"T-that was you?!"

"I apologize… but I couldn't take any chances. These resources are solely for those with the appropriate Social Credit Scores. A lot of people are depending on the items here, so I have to defend it at any cost. No Plunderer should get their hands on unearned goods…"

Sobin didn't understand most of what she said, so he simply nodded in agreement.

The girl sighed, stretching out her hand.

"Can I see your RCD?"

"Of course!" Sobin puffed up again, his pride as a professional burning brightly. "Here you go."

The girl observed the device for a moment, alternating stares between it and Sobin's radiant smile.

"Hmm… looks like it really checks out. You're the guy that accepted the request."

"Told you!"

"But how did you get here from Zone E–46 so… ah, nevermind. That's not important right now."

She lightly pinched the bridge of her nose as if she was getting a headache.

After pausing for a moment, she motioned for him to follow, leading him deeper into the tunnel. Sobin trotted happily behind her, humming a jaunty tune under his breath, utterly oblivious to her confusion and suspicion.

The tunnel eventually opened into a wide underground chamber.

It was an outpost of sorts: a makeshift base stocked with supplies, stacked crates, and armed militia members moving about with brisk purpose. Everyone looked tense, every eye twitching at the sound of distant rumbling above them.

Sobin, however, walked in as if he had just strolled into a grocery store.

"Wowww, look at all these supplies!" he exclaimed, eyes sparkling. "This reminds me of the storage room back at the delivery office, except here you have more guns, fewer air conditioners, and definitely fewer vending machines. Do you guys have vending machines?"

The militia girl gave him a look that could curdle milk. "We don't waste power on vending machines."

"A shame. Cold soda during a run is a blessing," Sobin said with a sagely nod, as though imparting ancient wisdom.

Ignoring his nonsense, the girl approached a desk and retrieved a small, reinforced container—no larger than a shoebox but with heavy locks and strange markings across its surface.

She placed it on the desk, then turned back to Sobin.

"This is the package. Your job is to deliver it to the designated coordinates. I'll upload the exact location into your RCD."

The girl tapped a few commands, and transferred the details. A new blinking dot appeared on Sobin's map.

"There. Destination locked." She handed it back.

Sobin peered at the glowing dot. "Hmm. Interesting location. Looks..."

"Far?" The girl's lips twitched. "Of course it's far. That's why it was a priority order. You Riders are supposed to handle long-distance, high-risk deliveries."

"Oh, don't worry. It's no problem whatsoever for me. I'll be sure to deliver your package."

The girl shook her head, muttering something under her breath about. She then slid the package across the table toward him. "Here. Don't drop it. Don't tamper with it. Just deliver it."

Sobin carefully picked it up, holding it as if it were made of spun glass.

"I will treat it like my own child!"

He meant every word.

The girl just stared at him in silence for several seconds before sighing.

"I'm still not convinced you're for real, but your license and RCD check out. So… good luck, I guess."

"Luck?" Sobin grinned as he tucked the package securely under his arm. "Deliverymen don't need luck. We make our own luck."

"Right…"

With that, Sobin marched back the way they came, the girl trailing behind him to ensure he left without stirring trouble. They returned to the hidden tunnel entrance, and after climbing up, Sobin emerged once again into the abandoned warehouse. The setting sun spilled warm orange light across the cracked floor.

Bessie's headlights flashed from where she waited faithfully outside, as though welcoming her master back.

"Bessieee! I'm back, girl!" Sobin shouted with glee, hugging the package to his chest like a trophy.

"Master!" the truck's cheerful, booming voice rang in his head. "Did you crush the enemy and claim victory?"

"No crushing this time, Bessie," Sobin chuckled as he patted her hood. "We're just picking up supplies for delivery. Time to head out!"

The truck gave an audible hum of excitement, her engine rumbling like a beast itching for a run.

Sobin slid into the driver's seat, carefully placing the package beside him. He tapped his RCD, bringing up the glowing waypoint. The girl had already disappeared back into the underground, leaving him alone with his truck and his thoughts.

He leaned back with a thoughtful frown. "She said she wasn't expecting me this early… that it would normally take another week. Hmmm."

For the first time since arriving in this world, Sobin considered the possibility that maybe—just maybe—the Riders here weren't all like him.

"Could it be… that Riders of this world are usually tardy?" he mused aloud, rubbing his chin dramatically.

"Ridiculous!" Bessie roared indignantly. "What sort of disgraceful deliveryman would be late?"

Sobin sighed. "I know, right? But this is the apocalypse. Monsters, ruined roads, survival issues… I guess I can't blame them. Still, still…"

His eyes suddenly blazed with conviction.

He slammed his hands on the steering wheel and leaned forward.

"Even if every Rider in this world is late, I will be different! Sobin the Deliveryman will never tarry, never falter, and never fail! The people will look to the horizon and know—'Our package is coming, for Sobin rides!'"

Bessie squealed in glee and admiration towards her master.

[Sigh… just drive and deliver the package already]

The System seemed annoyed at Sobin for some reason. If it had a physical body, it would most likely cringe after hearing Sobin's words. One could only wonder how much self control the militia lady had to have withstood his overwhelmingly positive attitude.

It was too unbelievable!

[...I don't even know what to say anymore.]

The System's dry voice cut through the moment like a pin popping a balloon.

Where was it supposed to start from?

How could it possibly explain to this idiot Sobin that he had used barely some minutes to cross an entire Zone in what should have taken at least one week? His speed was unimaginable by ordinary standards.

It could almost be thought of as Instant Delivery!

Bessie's engine revved like thunder, responding to her master's fire.

And with that, Sobin slammed on the accelerator.

VROOOOOM!!!

The truck leapt forward like a beast unleashed, tearing across the cracked wasteland road. Dust and wind whipped around them as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Sobin's eyes shone with unshakable resolve, the package secure by his side.

Once again… he had set off!