Chapter 650, How About 500?
Zombie World, Medical Room.
Wu Heng sat to the side, watching the two patients in the room.
The man, around 40, had a pale face, messy thinning hair, and an IV tube in his arm with clear fluid dripping steadily.
On the other bed nearby was a woman in her 50s, hair gray and dry, loosely scattered over her shoulders, lips cracked.
Both were watching Wu Heng with a trace of unease in their eyes.
Two skeletons with weapons stood beside each bed, hollow eyes staring unblinking at the patients.
These two were the Korean technicians Wu Heng had revived.
After a day of rest, he came by today to check on their condition.
"Feeling better?" Wu Heng asked in Korean.
They weren't fully trustworthy, but the base needed skilled people.
If they were willing to work honestly, Wu Heng would accept them.
The man replied, "Somewhat recovered."
"You should know a bit about the base by now. My stance is simple: in this apocalyptic world, we should help each other to survive, not harm one another over race or faction. Don't you agree?" Wu Heng said calmly.
The two exchanged a glance. The man spoke again, "You're right."
"Since you've joined the base, do your work well. We'll ensure your safety and quality of life," Wu Heng continued.
"Don't worry. We're just technicians. The attacks by your skeleton troops have nothing to do with us. We'll do our best in the tasks you assign," the man said seriously.
Hearing this, Wu Heng nodded and looked at the woman, "What about you?"
The woman said, "I'll follow your instructions, but I hope the tasks assigned align with our expertise."
"What was your original role?" Wu Heng asked.
The man replied, "I managed and operated ship equipment, as well as supervised installations and adjustments."
"Can you mount a CIWS on the escort ship?"
"Yes!"
Wu Heng thought for a moment. "What about land use? Like attacking targets or defending a building?"
The man answered, "Also possible, but it requires setups like support systems, ammo feeds, and proper mounts."
Saving him wasn't a waste.
That solved the CIWS issue.
"Got it," Wu Heng turned to the woman. "What's your specialty?"
"I'm a communications technician."
Communications, huh...
Wu Heng pondered, then asked, "Given the current conditions, could we build a private communication system? Like connecting multiple bases."
"It's possible with wired phones and pre-installed converters. Think of it as old-fashioned landlines. The challenge lies in power supply and wiring," she explained.
Wu Heng nodded in thought.
Power and wiring weren't a big problem.
"Are old-style phone lines easy to find?"
"Not hard. Modern ones still function similarly, and suppliers aren't hard to locate."
"Alright. Rest up for now. Soon I'll assign some trainees for you to teach," Wu Heng said.
Hearing they just had to teach, both relaxed.
Teachers held status. Once the students were placed in different departments, they'd become useful contacts.
A decent job.
"Understood," they both answered.
Wu Heng stood and left with Qi Hancai.
...
In the corridor—
Qi Hancai asked, "Should we prepare classrooms for them?"
"Yes. I'll send some skeletons to learn, and some of our people too," Wu Heng said.
"Alright, I'll arrange it now," Qi Hancai responded.
With the wounded sorted out—
Wu Heng asked, "Is the convoy ready?"
"It is."
"Good. Today we're clearing zombies."
"Got it," Qi Hancai said, grabbing the radio to mobilize the convoy.
Soon, the convoy and skeletons gathered at the gate.
They departed the base, heading out.
...
Roarrr~!
A dense horde of zombies clashed into the skeleton spear lines.
The tearing and gnawing echoed across the field.
As zombies fell—
Wisps of lingering souls floated upward, like drifting cotton.
Glenda darted through the souls, devouring them to gain experience.
"Can Auntie Glenda become a Hero too?" Xiaoxiao floated nearby, curious.
Beni thought aloud, "We're ghosts. I don't think we can become Heroes."
"True," Xiaoxiao flew over to Wu Heng. "Uncle, what are Level 20 ghosts called?"
Wu Heng shook his head. "No idea. I don't think there are any records."
"So Glenda might be the first?"
"Could be. We'll know when she hits 20," Wu Heng replied with a smile.
Xiaoxiao added, "Ooh, will she hit 20 today?"
"Probably 19 today. 20 comes after that."
"I know that!"
As they chatted, a system prompt rang out.
[Ghost upgraded to Level 19. Agility +1, Intelligence +2, Perception +2, Charisma +1.]
She leveled up.
Wu Heng looked up—Glenda was still absorbing lingering souls.
But the soul density was thinning.
As the remaining zombies fell, the last souls were devoured.
Wu Heng gave the next order, "Advance, full force."
Whoosh~!
The skeleton army surged forward, killing everything in their path.
Wu Heng used his radio to summon Qi Hancai and the convoy to begin looting.
Soon, the battle ended.
Corpses were dragged out, and Wu Heng cast [Battlefield of the Dead]. A wave of skeletons rose and joined the ranks.
After looting was done and corpses converted—
Wu Heng got back in the front seat and returned to base.
The rest was left to Qi Hancai.
Wu Heng returned to his room and went back to the other world.
...
Island Lord Manor.
Minnie and the others were sorting gifts in the room.
When they saw Wu Heng come down, they all greeted him.
"Anyone come by?"
Minnie said, "Lots of people. Steward Sheila Grey even sent her people twice to check if you were home."
"Because of the auction?"
"Not sure why, but definitely not for a crime report," Minnie said bluntly.
Wu Heng glanced at the gift boxes. "Any good stuff?"
"Plenty." Minnie pulled out an elegant sculpture.
Robe took out gem-studded glasses from another box, poking her finger through the lens. "Empty."
Same as last time—noble lifestyle items.
Wu Heng thought they'd be more useful if they just gave him a self-heating bathtub for his new base.
"See where they fit. If not useful, store them."
"Okay, Master," Minnie nodded.
The three maids opened each box with the thrill of unboxing loot.
From time to time, exclamations rang out as they showed off their finds.
Wu Heng sat aside, smiling as he watched them.
Occasionally, someone would come knocking.
Minnie turned them away, saying Wu Heng was out.
...
Near dusk—
Andviel and Shanaila returned.
They all gathered at the dining table for dinner.
After eating a bit, Shanaila dabbed her lips with a napkin and said softly, "You weren't home today, but many people came looking for you."
Wu Heng laughed, "I feel like we could live off selling these gifts."
"Without your status, who would gift you anything?" Shanaila gave him a look.
"True," Wu Heng said, sipping his wine.
Shanaila continued, "The venue is ready. Five potions will be auctioned. Starting price is 500 gold coins. What do you think?"
Thanks to 08a for the reward.