Late at night, inside the private lounge of the supermarket warehouse, a faint candle flame flickered in the air, stretching Lin Xuan's shadow on the wall into something distorted and massive. Outside the window, the occasional low growls of zombies and sporadic distant gunfire had become the background noise of this world.
Lin Xuan sat in a comfortable swivel chair, his fingertips lightly tapping the tabletop. The system panel projected a pale blue fluorescence onto your retina, the jumping string of numbers representing the foundation of his survival in this post-apocalyptic world.
[Current Biomass: 1.26]
This was the result of Chu Wenhai and Miller spending the entire day clearing all wandering zombies within a radius of several hundred meters, using the supermarket as the center. Those rotting husks were torn apart by bullets, transformed into the purest biomass in the system's database.
Lin Xuan knew very well that if he wanted to turn this campus, which covered thousands of acres, into an airtight steel fortress, his current military strength was far from enough.
He didn't need every soldier to possess terrifying individual combat capabilities like Chu Wenhai; he didn't need too many of those "elite of the elite" at this stage. What was needed more right now were scaled, professionally trained, and absolutely obedient guns. Although the Marine Corps (USMC) was ranked lower than the Black Watch in the system's ratings, they were already a dimension-transcending force when facing ordinary survivors, thugs, or low-level zombies.
"System, summon a Marine Corps soldier," Lin Xuan commanded in his mind.
[1.0 Biomass consumed. Deploying: Marine Corps (Rifleman).]
A familiar energy fluctuation rippled through the shadows of the room. A moment later, a slender soldier with sharp eyes stepped out from the darkness. He was also wearing desert digital camouflage, carrying an improved tactical backpack, and holding a fully-equipped rifle.
"Corporal Reed, reporting to the Commander." The newly summoned soldier snapped to attention and gave Lin Xuan a standard military salute.
"Very good, Reed." Lin Xuan nodded slightly and pointed outside. "Go find Miller; he'll tell you the rules here. From now on, you're in charge of the fire point on the supermarket's second-floor platform, coordinating with Miller to establish a cross-cover network."
"Yes, sir!" Reed didn't waste any words, turned around, and strode out of the room.
When Lin Xuan stepped out of the lounge into the supermarket hall, a depressing silence filled the air. The once spacious checkout area was now piled with sandbags and barbed wire for reinforcement.
Miller was sitting by a shelf not far away cleaning his firearm. Seeing Reed walk out, he only slightly raised his eyelids, and the two exchanged a look that only comrades-in-arms could understand. Meanwhile, Chu Wenhai, standing in the center of the supermarket like a black god of war, let out a low electronic voice:
"New rookie, watch your radio channel. Within my line of sight, any unauthorized moving target will be considered hostile. If I accidentally injure you, the system isn't responsible for recycling your parts."
Reed's movements stiffened for a moment; he clearly felt the almost pathological pressure emanating from the Black Watch Soldier. However, he only snorted coldly: "Watch your own muzzle, man in black. I don't want to have to watch my back while I'm clearing zombies."
Seeing this subtle competitive relationship, the corner of Lin Xuan's mouth couldn't help but twitch.
In a corner of the hall, Wang Peng, Wu Tao, and Zhao Tianyu were huddled around a pile of expired biscuits, their eyes filled with awe and unease. Watching this additional fully-armed soldier appear, the tiny, humble spark of rebellion deep in their hearts was completely extinguished.
"What are you looking at? Get to work!" Feeling your gaze, Wang Peng immediately jumped up and kicked Wu Tao, who was carrying bottled water, in the butt to hide his own fear.
The two newly joined women had different reactions.
Liang Wan sat behind a desk, using her professional habits as the Associate Director of the Academic Affairs Office to try and inventory the supermarket's current supplies. She was smart and knew that in this new order, demonstrating managerial value was more useful than showing off her body.
Shen Jiayi huddled beside Xu Mengya, the two young girls leaning against each other, their eyes filled with confusion about the future.
Lin Xuan walked up to Liang Wan and tapped the desk twice with his finger.
"Ms. Liang, how is the inventory coming along?"
Startled, Liang Wan quickly stood up and handed over a handwritten list, her tone tinged with a hint of flattery: "Mr... Mr. Lin. The dehydrated vegetables and canned goods in the supermarket can sustain us for one year, three months, and eight days, but the drinking water might be consumed faster. Also, if we are really going to the Gymnasium tomorrow, we need more transport tools."
"You don't need to worry about that." Lin Xuan took the list, glanced at it, and tossed it back onto the desk. "If we set out tomorrow, I will distribute self-defense weapons to each of you in advance. Remember, I don't need dead weight. If we encounter danger, my soldiers will prioritize protecting me. As for you, you must learn to survive on your own."
Liang Wan's face turned pale, and she nodded vigorously.
Lin Xuan turned to look out the window; dawn was approaching. Two Marine Corps soldiers and one Black Watch Soldier. This "School Police Shelter" at the Gymnasium—this mission might not be that difficult.
In the shadows behind the supermarket checkout counter, the pale blue glow of the system panel reflected in Lin Xuan's pupils. A row of unprecedentedly generous rewards made his heart skip a beat.
[Current Biomass Balance: 0.26]
[System Mission: Take over the Gymnasium Shelter.]
[Mission Reward: Biomass +100, Special Character: Dr. Karen Parker.]
[Character Description: "Karen Parker." Senior Gentek researcher with four and a half years of virus research experience. Note: This character has a high correlation with Alex Mercer and the blacklight virus. Although her primary field of research is Blacklight, her profound biological background is sufficient to analyze and develop targeted treatments for the mutated viruses of this world.]
Although Lin Xuan didn't know what kind of terrifying entities the so-called "blacklight virus" and "Alex Mercer" represented, the huge figure of "100 Biomass points" and a doctor who could study the virus were enough to make him determined to take the Gymnasium.
"Chu Wenhai, Miller, Reed. Come here," Lin Xuan ordered in a low voice.
The three soldiers, armed to the teeth, quickly gathered around. Chu Wenhai's black special operations suit looked particularly eerie in the dim light, while Miller and Reed maintained standard Marine tactical postures.
"Reed, tell me about the intelligence you squeezed out of that woman today." You pointed at Liang Wan, who was busy at the distant table.
Reed adjusted his tactical vest and reported in a deep voice: "Reporting to the Commander, Liang Wan said there are currently at least 20 survivors inside the Gymnasium, mostly students and teachers. The armed force consists of the School Police team and several teachers from the Physical Education College. They possess firearms, but not many. The opposition has about five police revolvers or semi-automatic pistols; ammunition count is unknown. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that they have seized more weapons."
"Just a bunch of civilians and security guards with guns." Chu Wenhai's signature cruel, metallic laughter echoed in the empty supermarket, making the workers nearby feel their skin crawl. "Commander, in the face of the Black Watch, this level of armed resistance is no different from lambs to the slaughter. I suggest I breach directly. Before their pathetic nervous systems can even react, I will personally blow off the heads of all resistors and turn that place into a silent slaughterhouse."
Listening to Chu Wenhai's merciless plan, the corner of Miller's eye twitched slightly. He gripped his rifle tightly and cursed inwardly, "Damn it, as expected of the Black Watch... these guys aren't soldiers; they're just a bunch of cold-blooded butchers in human skin."
But he didn't speak up to object. As a soldier, he only knew to obey Lin Xuan's orders.
Lin Xuan knew that if Chu Wenhai went, he would likely find nothing but a floor full of corpses. Lin Xuan already had a plan: "I don't need a silent Gymnasium. Wenhai, there are resources I need there, as well as a large population that can be converted into 'labor'."
He paused, his tone becoming indifferent: "Of course, if anyone refuses to surrender, then handle it your way."
"Understood, Commander." Chu Wenhai lowered his head slightly, the electronic eyes of his metallic gas mask flickering with blue light.
Lin Xuan stood up and looked at the civilians huddled in the hall. Mo Xiaotian, Wang Peng, Wu Tao, Xu Mengya, Liang Wan, Shen Jiayi, Zhao Tianyu... these people were his current assets.
"Listen up, all of you!" Lin Xuan's voice boomed through the supermarket, making everyone tremble. "Tomorrow we might be moving. The destination is the Gymnasium. Wang Peng, Wu Tao, Zhao Tianyu—you three take all the transport tools and load up all the canned food and water we can carry. Liang Wan, you will lead the way. If you lead us the wrong way, I'll have Chu Wenhai throw you into a pile of zombies."
Liang Wan's face was deathly pale as she nodded frantically. "I know... I know a shortcut. We'll take the small path behind the Administration Building; there are the fewest zombies there!"
Lin Xuan looked at Xu Mengya and Shen Jiayi again. "You two are responsible for looking after the supplies. Don't try any tricks; Miller and Reed will be watching you. In my team, there are only two kinds of people: useful tools and dead pieces of meat. Do you understand?"
"Un... understood," Xu Mengya replied with a sob. Shen Jiayi bit her lower lip hard, and although her eyes were filled with humiliation, she still bowed her head submissively.
At six in the morning, the last traces of darkness were fading.
The pickup truck's engine let out a low roar. Although the body was riddled with bullet holes and bloodstains, it could still barely run after Miller's simple repairs. Chu Wenhai crouched on the roof like a black crow, his suppressed rifle ready to harvest lives at any moment. Miller and Reed guarded the sides of the vehicle, their eyes as sharp as hawks.
Lin Xuan sat in the passenger seat, holding the pistol Chu Wenhai had given you. Before setting out, Chu Wenhai had privately taught him basic usage.
"Depart."
At Lin Xuan's command, this tiny but lethal armed convoy slowly drove out of the supermarket. Along the streets, wandering zombies let out excited roars upon sensing the scent of living people, but before they could even get close, Chu Wenhai and the two Marines would shatter their heads with precise shots.
[Ding! Biomass +0.02... +0.03...]
Listening to the continuous system notifications, Lin Xuan felt no emotion. Now there was only one goal—the Gymnasium. There lay his first massive startup fund for building a base, as well as a key character who could research the mysteries of the virus.
When Lin Xuan saw the Gymnasium's massive hemispherical building from a distance, he found that the main entrance was already piled with various barricades. Several people wearing School Police uniforms and holding riot shields and pistols were standing nervously on high ground.
"Stop! This is a survivor shelter! Any closer and we will open fire!" A man's voice, sounding brave but clearly terrified, came through a megaphone.
The corner of Lin Xuan's mouth curled into a cruel arc, and he lightly tapped the roof of the car.
"Chu Wenhai, go say hello to them."
"As you wish, Commander."