Chapter 48 Post-Apocalyptic Wasteland 11

Ten thousand points?

Zhou Jue looked at the long string of zeros following the "Gene Collapse" potion in the system shop and almost thought the system had a bug.

She quickly checked her energy reserves.

Current energy reserves: 76%

Originally 43%, plus 10% from the original strain, 5% from the rapid-acting type, 5% from the sonic-induced type, 5% from the corrosive type, and 8% from the fungal-coated type, it's not even enough to cover the difference!

76% of the energy is 760 points.

It's a whole somersault cloud away from 10,000 points.

"Is there any other way? Or something cheaper?" This price is so high, she couldn't afford it even if she sold herself.

[Searching for alternative solutions...]

Option 1: 'Annihilation Particle' Bomb. Instantly decomposes all organic matter within a 50-meter radius. Price: 88,888 points.

[Option Two: 'S-Rank Combat Doll' Rental Certificate. Allows you to rent one S-Rank combat doll to assist in combat for 24 hours. Price: 50,000 points.]

Option 3: 'Spatial Imprisonment' Scroll. This scroll can imprison the target in subspace for three minutes. Price: 15,000 points.

Each one is more outrageous than the last.

Looking at that astronomical number, Zhou Jue temporarily and completely gave up the idea of ​​finding outside help from the mall.

These things are probably prepared for hosts who are doing missions in higher worlds. Right now, I'm just a newbie player in a beginner's village, and I've only just begun my cultivation journey.

Just as Zhou Jue was feeling disappointed, a new notification suddenly popped up from the system.

[Additional Note: Due to the unique nature of the world the host currently inhabits, some rules have been changed.]

[World Status: Chaotic/In Conflict of Laws.]

[Note: The 'Heavenly Dao' of this world is currently engaged in a struggle against external higher-dimensional laws (the source of the 'Gaia' virus) and has no time to attend to the detailed evolution of the world's internal affairs. The host's activities of resource gathering and energy extraction within this world will not be rejected by the world's will.]

[Supplementary Explanation 2: When a host kills a 'T-virus' infected entity, it is equivalent to assisting the 'Heavenly Dao' of this world in clearing away the pollution from external laws. This is considered a 'positive action' and will not incur karmic punishment.]

[Supplementary Explanation 3: In order to promote the evolution of native life forms to fight against Gaia, the 'Heavenly Dao' of this world is guiding the world towards 'high-level martial arts.' Conventional metals, energy, and other resources are no longer on its core focus list. The host can collect them without limit.]

A series of explanations made Zhou Jue understand something instantly.

Simply put, the Heavenly Dao of this world is busy fighting the invaders and has no time to care about what its subordinates are doing.

Furthermore, by killing zombies, she is essentially helping the Heavenly Dao clean up the virus, which not only has no negative effects but may also have hidden benefits.

As for strategic materials like shape memory metal, in a world that is preparing for a nationwide upgrade and martial arts training, it is probably no different from iron ore in the eyes of ordinary people. The Heavenly Dao simply doesn't care about it.

This is simply... a godsend!

The Chimera mission is dangerous, but the rewards are sure to be plentiful. However, charging in now would be suicide, so it's better to put it on hold for now.

The immediate priority is to complete the main quest, establish a shelter, and simultaneously amass energy and resources to arm ourselves to the teeth.

Incidentally, I should also try to find the official organizations in this world to see if there's any point in trying to salvage it. A stable and orderly official force can play a far greater role in the apocalypse than I can do alone.

All of this requires an absolutely safe and hidden rear base.

Before returning to Earth after completing her mission, she must establish a stable "two-way passage foothold" here.

With this in mind, Zhou Jue's thoughts became completely clear.

She turned and walked towards the G-floor lobby.

Wang Yong was directing the survivors as they diligently cleaned the bloodstains from the ground using hoses and mops they had found in the fire extinguisher cabinet. Although everyone looked exhausted, their eyes were filled with hope for a new life.

"Stop, everyone."

Zhou Jue's cold voice rang out, and everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and stood up straight like soldiers on parade.

"Wang Yong, come and report on your situation." Zhou Jue's gaze fell on Wang Yong.

"Yes, boss!" Wang Yong stepped forward, cleared his throat, and began to give a detailed introduction.

It turned out that there were eight people in their group, all residents or office workers near the city center hospital. When the apocalypse broke out, they managed to hide in the hospital's underground parking lot.

Wang Yong is a veteran who became a security guard at a hospital after his discharge. He was the strongest and most responsible, so he naturally became the temporary leader of this group.

The young man wearing glasses is named Li Xiang. He is a programmer and has some knowledge of electronic devices.

The female survivor who was frightened and cried was named Zhang Lan. She was a nurse at the hospital and knew some basic first aid knowledge.

The girl who strictly followed Zhou Jue's orders from beginning to end was named Chen Shuqi. She was a lawyer and knew how to handle lawsuits...

The remaining few people included office workers, restaurant chefs, fitness instructors... they were all ordinary members of society.

"How long has the apocalypse been going on? What has been the official response?" Zhou Jue asked the most crucial question.

A bitter look appeared on Wang Yong's face: "Reporting to the boss, it has been 27 days since the first patient went crazy and bit people. For the first two days, there was still cell phone signal, and the TV also broadcasted an emergency notice telling us to stay at home and not go out, saying that the army would soon bring the situation under control."

“But…” Wang Yong paused, his voice lowering, “Starting from the third day, the cell phone signal was completely cut off. We could occasionally hear some intermittent broadcasts from the car radio, saying that several large shelters had been set up in the city and that the survivors should find a way to get there on their own. But we couldn’t hear the specific locations at all. Later, even the broadcasts stopped.”

"When I realized something was wrong, I first went back to the security room to get a riot shield and a spiked club, intending to drive the rioters outside out. But then riots broke out both inside and outside. I witnessed people eating each other and falling to the ground and getting back up. So I... I went through a secret passage in the hospital and hid inside."

“We were hiding on the top floor before, which is mostly high-end wards. I know there are usually very few people there. At first, everyone was able to hold on, but three days ago, we ran out of food, so we risked going up to the rooftop every day to see if there was a gathering to rescue us.”

27 days.

In just 27 days, a modern metropolis was completely overrun.

Zhou Jue nodded. The situation was worse than she had anticipated, but it was also within reason. The virus outbreak was too rapid and its infectivity too strong; the official response mechanism simply couldn't cover every corner in time.

"Which direction are the shelters you know of roughly located in?"

Wang Yong and Li Xiang exchanged a glance and shook their heads: "It was too chaotic at the time. We only heard something about 'the North' and 'the South' being mentioned..."

"The Northern Base is in Kyoto, the Southern Base is in the port city, the Eastern Base is in Haishi, the Western Base is in Tibet, and there is also the Central Plains Base. The five major bases are located in the southeast, northwest, and central regions," Chen Shuqi continued.

East, West, South, North, and Center.

Zhou Jue noted down these five places.

Looking at the few uneasy survivors in front of her, she already had a plan in mind.