Chapter 35: The Shelter's New Look
“So, the bearings... are we still producing them?”
stood before the production line that had just shut down, puzzlement filling his eyes.
Although, to be honest, he hadn’t understood from the beginning why the shelter had brought in a bearing production line at all.
Especially after touring the , he understood even less why a shelter packed with high technology would need such a “retro” production line.
But that didn’t matter. Being able to work, being needed—that proved he still had value.
As someone who had once been part of ’s convoy, he knew very well how important being “useful” was in the apocalypse.
Yet the production line had run for less than half a day—without even using up the raw materials shipped in with it—before it was halted again.
Starting up one moment and stopping the next—didn’t anyone consider the cost?
Well, that was possible too. After all, everything about this place was pretty unbelievable.
gave a wry laugh, bewilderment creeping into his eyes.
With the production line stopped, what was he supposed to do next? Get assigned to a field action team?
He instinctively looked toward the plaza outside the dormitory building, which had been specially cordoned off.
A few pieces of equipment salvaged from a city gym sat haphazardly arranged while a dozen or so young men, drenched in sweat, did push-ups in the mud. The “action ” named stood beside them, counting loudly and showing no mercy.
That was the training ground had built with his own hands.
In the soldier’s own words: “Even if you can’t win a fight, you’d better be able to outrun one. Huffing and puffing after every step isn’t going on a field op—that’s delivering yourself as a meal.”
rubbed his surgically repaired lower back. In his condition, he probably couldn’t withstand that kind of high-intensity training.
Maybe he should find a chance to talk to “Leader Zhang” and ask whether he could request a lower training intensity.
Just as the old master worker was lost in thought, the ID card in the chest pocket of his work clothes suddenly gave off a faint glow.
[Hello, Mr. Zhou.]
A steady electronic voice came from the card.
“Ah... h-hello!” jumped, fumbling to pull out the card he understood to be a “special ID.” He answered nervously, “Mr. ? Is there... some instruction?”
[Don’t be nervous, Mr. Zhou.]
[I just want to ask you one question: do you know how to farm?]
“Huh?” froze, his mind momentarily unable to keep up with the abrupt question. “Yes, of course I do!” he answered instinctively. Though he had worked in factories ever since coming to the city, he was from the countryside, after all—turning soil, sowing seeds, applying fertilizer. Those memories were all deeply ingrained in him.
[Excellent.]
[Then please go now to the area near Guard Post No. 2 on the east side of the power station. There’s some new work there that requires your professional assistance.]
***
After thoroughly clearing the wandering zombies inside and around the power station, ’s defensive perimeter had successfully expanded to the edge of the surrounding forest.
With a relatively secure rear base, the focus of ’s group shifted to new tasks.
[ 5: .]
[Mission Description: A true shelter should possess the capacity for sustainable development. The must establish at least one stable supply line each for fruits and vegetables, meat, and staple food within the shelter.]
[Mission Reward: 3,000 ; unlock building: ×1; blueprint: blueprint ×1.]
This new mission, triggered when the shelter’s population passed the triple-digit mark, didn’t seem all that difficult to complete in ’s view.
The fruit and vegetable supply could temporarily rely on the ecological planting pods in the .
As for staple food, one planting pod certainly wouldn’t be enough.
But spending to build more planting pods was clearly poor value for the cost.
So naturally set his sights on the land outside the power station.
had analyzed soil samples from the area and concluded that the land was somewhat barren from prolonged neglect but had not been severely contaminated.
As long as there was enough fertilizer, it could definitely be cultivated.
In other words, there was only one question: who would do the farming?
After making inquiries, quickly screened out more than twenty survivors with farming or livestock experience and formed an .
For crops, after comprehensively considering the soil, climate, and growth cycles, they ultimately chose corn and potatoes, which had relatively low environmental requirements and respectable yields.
As for the meat supply, after discussing it with and the others, they settled on the classic “farmhouse duo”—chickens and pigs.
The chickens were “ones that got away” found in a farmers’ market—more than thirty of them in total, including both roosters and hens, so breeding and expanding the flock shouldn’t be a problem.
The pigs, meanwhile, were found when led a team specifically to a nearby pig farm. They had found only six meat hogs.
Unfortunately, all the pigs had been neutered before the apocalypse, ruling out any possibility of producing piglets.
“Better than nothing, I guess,” had said at the time as he looked at the fat, grunting pigs. “We can search for more later.”
At least construction on all three food supply lines had now begun.
***
When arrived on the east side of the power station, his heart full of doubt, he saw a bustling scene of vigorous labor.
The previously barren land outside the power station had been replanned, and a bulldozer—also driven back by a —was clearing away weeds and rubble.
More than a dozen survivors who, like him, had received the notice were holding tools and measuring and marking out field ridges under the direction of a .
As he watched the busy figures, the hollow uncertainty in ’s heart suddenly dissolved. He had found something new he could do.
Right. People had to eat, so someone had to work the fields.
He took off his jacket, picked up a hoe from nearby, and strode into the field.
Sunlight fell on him, warm and comforting. A long-missed feeling of steadiness finally allowed his suspended heart to settle.
After the initial chaos, the shelter had finally found its own new rhythm.
’s took turns going out, bringing back a steady stream of daily necessities for the shelter.
’s , meanwhile, took on the task of finding raw materials for the ’s ammunition production center.
led the remaining people in slowly building structures such as a chicken farm and a pig farm outside the power station while also clearing zombies from the forest.
There was only one goal: expand the power station’s safe zone as much as possible.
, meanwhile, had thoroughly rooted herself in her laboratory. With new personnel possessing biology backgrounds joining her, her work had accelerated considerably.
Everything was moving in a good direction.
***
At the makeshift firing range, several gunshots rang out in succession.
Bullets tore through the air and drilled precisely into the bullseye a hundred meters away.
[Ten ring, ten ring, 9.8 ring... Overall evaluation: Excellent.] , stationed there, announced the results in its signature synthesized electronic voice.
Thanks to cameras that far surpassed the limits of human vision, it didn’t need to walk up to the targets to provide the most precise report.
This was a training ground the shelter had specially set aside for survivors to practice shooting.
After all, firearms were efficient in the apocalypse.
But an untrained survivor trying to hit a precisely in the head amid the chaos—that was extremely difficult.
Many times, emptying an entire magazine proved less effective than a single swing of a fire axe.
lowered the gun in his hands and smiled. “It’s all right, just average. I haven’t trained much since the disaster broke out. I’ve gotten rusty—slipped a bit.”
[Even an AI has to be impressed.] replied jokingly.
“Heh heh, just stating the facts.” deftly swapped magazines and shifted the subject. “ , next I plan to lead a team to check out District. We haven’t explored that area yet.”
[To search for survivors?]
“That’s right,” said in a low voice as he checked the gun’s mechanisms. “As for food reserves, we’ve already collected quite a bit.”
“Isn’t and the others already working on the agriculture plan?”
He raised his head, his gaze deep as he looked toward ’s city center.
“So I plan to shift the next phase’s search focus back to finding survivors.”
[You should know that as time goes on, the city center will only become more dangerous.]
’s electronic voice sounded again. [The District you’re proposing is already considered venturing deep into the city.]
“Of course I know,” answered without hesitation. “That’s why now is the best time to set out—better than any moment in the future.”
He looked at the gray, hazy sky in the distance, a hint of urgency in his tone.
“The longer we drag our feet, the worse things will get. After all, we can’t expect survivors to keep surviving forever. We can’t even guarantee our own—”
didn’t finish the sentence, but understood what he meant.
[Understood. I agree with your proposal.] After a moment of silence, gave his answer.
[However, for this kind of high-risk operation, we must first hold a meeting to discuss it.]
[Moreover, the team members participating in the operation must also be reselected.]
“I understand.” nodded heavily.
Whether it was or , both clearly recognized that population was the core issue determining whether the shelter could develop.
A hundred-plus people—not exactly few, but by no means many either.
To gain a foothold in this increasingly treacherous apocalypse, restore industry, and resist monsters even more terrifying than the that might appear in the future, this little manpower was far from enough.
It was just that, compared to ’s gradual expansion strategy, appeared more aggressive. Still, could understand ’s concerns.
After all, survivors weren’t resource nodes in a game; they wouldn’t stay in place forever, waiting for you to harvest them.
Arriving one day late might mean the annihilation of an entire group.
Since that was the case...
’s consciousness sank into the system and looked at his civilization point balance, which had just broken past the ten-thousand mark: 10,080 points.
Since his comrade had decided to charge forward, he naturally had to follow suit and raise the stakes.
The familiar, dim slowly unfurled once more in his consciousness.
The currently lit nodes were clearly visible:
[ (Lv.1)]
[ (Lv.1)]
[ (Lv.1)]
[ (Lv.2)]
[ (Lv.3)]
Around these nodes, several adjacent unlocked nodes flickered with enticing light, awaiting his choice.
[ (Lv.1)]: Costs 200 . Increases reactor fuel rod energy conversion efficiency by 5% and reduces loss by 3%.
[ ]: Costs 300 . Unlocks the formulas for “high-strength quick-dry concrete” and “primary steel alloy.” Requires corresponding production facilities.
’s gaze swept past these civilian-oriented options and went straight to the military technology nodes adjacent to “ ” and “ ”—ones far more useful right now.
[ (Lv.1)]: Costs 800 . Unlocks standardized external weapon interface technology, allowing weapon modules to be universalized and freely installed on base buildings or vehicles, forming fixed/mobile firing points.
[ (Lv.2)]: Costs 1,500 . Enables enhanced upgrades to Security Units. Updated configuration: optical camouflage, high-strength kinetic shield, shoulder-mounted micro missile launcher pods.
[ (Lv.1)]: Costs 1,000 . Unlocks manufacturing technology for electromagnetic rifles and electromagnetic machine guns, along with supporting ammunition production lines and corresponding blueprints. (Note: Has requirements in materials science.)
These options were all decent—the kind of solid, steady upgrades.
But ’s gaze ultimately landed on a node farther up the .
[“ ” Drone Combat System (Lv.1)]: Costs 8,000 . Unlocks micro-drone swarm technology.
Includes: 1. Large “ ” mother platform with launch/recovery/charging station ×1; blueprint ×1; 2. “ ” micro bomber drones ×5,000; blueprint ×1; 3. “ ” micro laser drones ×5,000; blueprint ×1.
Eight thousand points!
That was nearly the bulk of his current , but the return was astonishing too.
A swarm of ten thousand micro-drones! The increase in firepower this provided was nothing short of tremendous.
With this kind of three-dimensional aerial firepower network, even if he encountered that winged monster again, he was confident he could kill it.
Moreover, this kind of multipoint saturation attack would be equally effective for clearing large-scale hordes.
The only problem was that it was so expensive!
After a bout of mental struggle, ultimately chose it anyway.
There was no helping it—if he wanted to raise his firepower level as quickly as possible, this was already the most cost-effective choice.
“This is the one.”
no longer hesitated.
The balance that had just broken ten thousand instantly took a nosedive.
[Civilization point balance: 2,080.]
[Confirm selection of “ ” Drone Combat System (Lv.1)?]
[Confirmed.]
The instant the command was confirmed, a massive stream of data surged into the depths of ’s consciousness.
Countless precise blueprints, complex material formulas, and other data unfolded, parsed, and archived themselves in his “mind.”
At the same time, in of the , within several vast, empty rooms:
In the air, countless tiny points of light materialized out of nowhere and converged.
Modular metal components, precision chips, slender rotors... as if controlled by an invisible giant hand, they manifested crate after crate, filling the entire space.
After doing all this, turned his attention back to reality. Through the broadcast system, he summoned all the shelter’s core members to an emergency meeting in the cafeteria.
***
Half an hour later, in the cafeteria.
Around the long dining tables, the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.
, , , , , and , the representative elected from among the new survivors, were all present.
had just announced his plan to venture deep into District to search for survivors.
“I disagree!”
The moment he finished speaking, a middle-aged man abruptly stood up. He was one of the newly joined survivor representatives, named , and had once been a small business owner.
His face carried a hint of agitation and incomprehension. “Leader Zhang, we’ve only just settled down! Here we have food and drink, electricity and internet—it’s as safe as heaven! Why must we take such huge risks going to a godforsaken place like the city?
“Going out for food, that’s one thing—there’s no choice. But forcing us into such a dangerous part of the city just to look for people—isn’t that going too far?”
His words struck a chord with several other new survivors, who nodded one after another.
They weren’t locals from , so why should they risk so much to find people?
“Yeah, the city is way too dangerous.”
“We barely managed to survive. Going out now—isn’t that just walking to our deaths?”
’s brows knitted tightly. He said in a low voice, “Of course I’m well aware of how dangerous this mission is. But you should also understand that our current hundred-plus people simply aren’t enough to support the shelter’s rapid development.
“Whether it’s clearing farmland or rebuilding factories, we need people!
“You don’t actually think we can keep holding on to this little patch of land and live here for the rest of our lives, do you?
“Or do you think the monsters in the city can never come out to hunt for food?
“If we don’t find a way to grow stronger, then when a real crisis arrives, how will we save ourselves?
“Keep running?”
“Just because of some reason you’ve cooked up in your own head, you think you can force us to go die?” refused to back down, slapping the table in agitation. “I’ve got you figured out now—you’re just a goddamn holier-than-thou saint. If you want to go, go yourself. I’m not going, period.”
“You—” ’s blood rushed to his head, and he immediately moved to stand up and retort, but a single look from stopped him.
understood ’s thinking.
Seeking benefits and avoiding harm was human instinct. For people who had suffered so much trauma and had finally found a place to call home, any risk looked especially glaring.
He took a deep breath, preparing to explain the situation in a more conciliatory manner.
Just then, the huge display screen on the cafeteria wall suddenly lit up.
Everyone’s arguing came to an abrupt halt as they all looked up.
The black text on the screen, carrying a calm that permitted no dispute, came clearly into everyone’s view.
[Mr. Liu, please take note: regarding this matter, we never said we would force you to participate.]
The clamor in the cafeteria froze in an instant.
’s face flushed bright red. He opened his mouth but lacked the courage to keep arguing—he knew who in this shelter was the most formidable.
Watching his reaction, found it rather amusing.
This man before him, wearing an expression of righteous indignation as if his freedom and dignity could not tolerate the slightest infringement, had been nothing but the lowest-status scavenger in an apocalypse convoy just a week ago.
What had changed his circumstances was precisely the “harmful kindness” he was now decrying.
When he had been on the verge of death from food scarcity, he had yearned for a “saint” to descend and selflessly save him.
But now that he was safe and well-fed, he instead felt that anyone asking him to take a little risk was taking advantage of him and doing him harm.
At times like this, he remembered fair exchange and started quibbling over every ounce.
As for the salvation he had received before—since the other party hadn’t mentioned payment, it naturally counted as something he was owed.
People like this existed, and as the shelter expanded, there would only be more of them in the future.
So had been prepared for this all along.
Since the simple “pastoral era” had ended so quickly, he didn’t mind taking this opportunity to draw the lines of every rule more clearly.
The text on the screen changed again.
[Mr. Liu makes a valid point—there can be no giving without return.]
[You have every right to refuse participation in dangerous operations and to protect your own safety.]
[As long as you don’t enjoy the water, electricity, security, and food the shelter provides while taking it all for granted, that’s fine.]
[Starting today, will introduce a brand-new contribution measurement system.]
As the words appeared, the screen split in two.
On the left, a rotating, dot-patterned icon composed of blue energy appeared.
[ . They will become the only circulating currency within the shelter. The water and electricity you consume each day, the rooms you live in, and the food you receive will all require payment in the corresponding number of .]
On the right was a golden, medal-like insignia.
[ . It represents the record of your contributions to the entire shelter. cannot be traded and accumulates permanently.]
[It will determine the quality of your living environment, your priority in obtaining supplies, and even your eligibility for more advanced technological support in the future.]
’s voice, transmitted through the broadcast system, echoed steadily through the cafeteria, every word crystal clear.
[From now on, all tasks—including external scavenging, base construction, agricultural production, and research activities—will be clearly priced, with the and obtainable clearly marked.]
[All data will be stored in your ID cards, and I myself will handle unified settlement and distribution.]
To perfect this system, had specifically spent 200 to light up a sociology node on the .
[ (Lv.1)]
Now, he was going to use this new set of rules to build an operating system as efficient as possible within the shelter.
[Based on contribution and risk, shelter members will be temporarily divided into three tiers.]
On the screen, detailed entries began to appear.
[First Tier: .]
[Responsibilities: Handle the highest-risk field exploration, high-intensity combat, and assaults on critical targets.]
[Requirements: Must pass Leader ’s militarized standard training and obey orders absolutely.]
[Benefits: The highest-tier Energy Point and rewards; the best weapons, equipment, and logistics support; an independent dormitory area; and the highest priority access to medical and technical support.]
watched the screen, his eyes lighting up as he straightened his back.
This was exactly what he wanted—a professional force with strict discipline that moved on command.
[Second Tier: .]
[Responsibilities: Handle agriculture, industrial production, equipment maintenance, base construction, research assistance, and so on.]
[Requirements: Possess corresponding professional skills and complete the daily assigned workload.]
[Benefits: A stable income of and sufficient to guarantee a decent life; group dormitories; standard supply rations.]
Among the crowd, electrician , the old master worker who had just found a new job, and others visibly breathed sighs of relief.
This tier gave people like them—those without combat ability but with a skill—a clear place in the system.
[Third Tier: .]
[Responsibilities: No fixed duties. May freely choose whether to participate in temporary low-risk tasks such as cleaning, moving supplies, etc.]
[Benefits: A small income of ; basic survival guarantees including a daily minimum allowance of food and clean water, and a shared bunk in a communal sleeping area. Anything beyond that must be purchased with .]
[Regarding the above, does anyone have objections? If you have objections, you may raise them now.]
When the Third Tier’s benefits were clearly displayed, the cafeteria fell into dead silence.
The few who had been echoing moments before instantly turned pale.
They weren’t fools; they naturally understood what this meant.
Don’t work, don’t starve—but that was all you got.
If you wanted to live like a proper human being, wanted air conditioning, canned food, or even just one extra hot shower, you would have to trade “ ” for it.
And “ ” could only be earned through labor.
They didn’t want to go to the First Tier, but the Second Tier’s requirements clearly excluded them. This was completely deliberate!
was furious inside, but before he could say anything—
“I... I agree!” A younger survivor suddenly stood up. He looked at and said loudly, “Leader Zhang, I want to sign up for training!”
“I agree too! I used to be an electrician—I’ll join the production team!”
“I... I don’t have much in the way of skills, but I’ve got strength. Can I join the logistics team to carry things?”
The crowd’s reactions split into a clear polarization.
The veterans— , , , and the others—wore expressions of pure certainty.
They had been working for the shelter all along; the new system was the greatest affirmation of their efforts.
As for and the others who had come over from ’s convoy, after a brief moment of shock, most of them also looked relieved.
They had long been accustomed to there being no such thing as a free lunch in the apocalypse. Rules that were clearly priced and relatively fair actually put them more at ease.
Especially the members who would join the —many of them hadn’t actually intended to side with , nor were they particularly resistant to taking the risk of going out to search for survivors.
On the public side, it was for everyone’s long-term interests; on the personal side, they had their own good intentions.
This kind of system actually made them feel more comfortable.
Only and the few who had echoed him stood where they were, their faces cycling through shades of green and white, their lips trembling as they failed to utter a single word.
[Since there are no objections, the “ ” pass with a unanimous vote. Please conscientiously abide by them.]
stood up, swept his gaze across the room, and said in a voice as clear as a bell, “I declare that, starting now, the original First and Second Action Teams will merge and be reorganized into the ‘ ’!”
“Anyone who wants to join, assemble at the training ground at 8 AM tomorrow! If you’re afraid of death, afraid of hardship, or thinking of deserting, you can quit the right now!”
His gaze swept over with undisguised contempt.
The text on the screen flashed.
[The right to choose is in your own hands. Those willing to abide by the rules and stay—Dawn welcomes you.]
[Those unwilling—the shelter’s gates can be opened for you at any time.]
These words became the last straw that broke the camel’s back.
Leave?
Leave this impregnable paradise with water and electricity and return to an outside world where they could be torn apart by zombies at any moment?
No one dared.
’s head drooped in defeat, his tightly clenched fists going limp as if all the strength had been drained from his body.
The meeting ended, and the crowd dispersed with mixed feelings.
They knew that, starting today, the shelter would be transformed once again.