Chapter 37
"Woof woof!" Yuanbao looked at Chi Hao who made the sound and barked twice angrily.
Tang Yu'an, who had originally stopped, quickly put down Wangcai, reached out and touched the puppy's head. After calming it down, he took out the Happy Marbles from his portable storage.
He continued to walk towards Chi Hao.
Zhou Qi also discovered that Chi Hao had woken up, so he collected his thoughts and followed Tang Yu'an.
"You're awake." Tang Yu'an spoke first.
Chi Hao, who was originally groaning because of a headache, suddenly became alert. He turned over and sat up abruptly, not caring about his wound even if it affected him.
When he saw that it was a harmless-looking child, he breathed a sigh of relief. But when he saw Zhou Qi following closely behind him, he leaned back nervously against the wall, not daring to relax.
"You saved me?"
Just now on the way back, Chi Hao woke up once, and there were still some memories in his mind that he thought he was dreaming at that time.
I didn't expect it to be true...
"Well, do you want to drink some water first?" Tang Yu'an handed him the remaining glucose solution he had just given him.
“Ah…thank you…”
Chi Hao took it subconsciously, and after taking a sip, he was suddenly stunned. It was the familiar high-concentration sugar water!
He looked around again, and only when he saw the merchandise in the shelves in the front room did he realize that he was back in the grocery store.
"Is this the Ping An Grocery Store?"
Chi Hao blurted out, "You saved me this afternoon?"
He stroked his head. The place where he was injured was also wrapped with bandages in the same way, so his tone was more like a statement. He was certain that it was the two young men in front of him who saved him.
Because he had just discussed this matter with Zhou Qi, Tang Yu'an naturally knew what to say next.
"Yes, we saved you this afternoon." He nodded, acknowledging the favor.
"Then why did you throw me away...send me away and now take me back?" Chi Hao asked with a puzzled look on his face.
He was not blaming or dissatisfied, he was simply confused.
Knowing that it was dangerous in the wild, why couldn't you wait until his injuries stabilized or he woke up before letting him leave?
It would be fine if you really wanted to abandon him, but when he was in danger, running out in the dark to save him again, isn't that a bit of a waste of time?
When Chi Hao was lying in the ditch, he really felt that he was going to die there, but he didn't expect that he could be rescued a second time.
"Well..." Tang Yu'an scratched his head, "We have no choice. The mysterious merchant stipulates that grocery stores cannot receive customers during non-business hours."
"Mysterious businessman..."
Chi Hao's eyes widened. "So you are also employees of the mysterious businessman?"
Tang Yu'an nodded.
Zhou Qi continued, "You should have been hired as an employee, right? And you get housing as a benefit, so we were tasked with rescuing you. You can also enter the Ping An Grocery Store during non-operating hours."
Chi Hao looked at him, then at Tang Yu'an, and felt as if he had had an adventure.
He nodded, and tentatively asked, somewhat confusedly, "Who is that mysterious businessman?"
Tang Yu'an couldn't help but look at Zhou Qi.
Zhou Qi's expression was serious, his eyes determined: "The mysterious businessman is like a savior to us!"
"Yes, yes." Tang Yu'an nodded in agreement.
"Everything in the Ping'an Grocery Store belongs to the mysterious merchant. Only by working hard can we obtain the supplies we need to survive in the wasteland and be protected by the store at night from the mutant creatures."
"That's right." Tang Yu'an nodded again.
Looking at the two young men, Chi Hao frowned.
Perhaps because he lived a relatively wealthy life in the fortress, he was just surprised by the supplies in the grocery store but not very interested. After all, he could still trade them when he returned to the fortress.
As for shelter at night...
Hiding in a building is indeed safer, but avoiding harm from mutant creatures? That's a bit exaggerated. This grocery store doesn't look very sturdy.
Or...is there something wonderful in it that he doesn't know about?
Zhou Qi also noticed Chi Hao's disapproval of the grocery store. He didn't explain much, but just said, "Wait until your injury is better, go out and see for yourself, and you'll know."
Chi Hao opened his mouth slightly, but didn't ask any further questions in the end.
It is indeed as he said, seeing is believing, hearing is not. It would be better for him to go out and see for himself.
He thought for a moment and asked, "What should I call you?"
Tang Yu'an and Zhou Qi introduced themselves and exchanged names with Chi Hao. The atmosphere became more relaxed and both sides had initially gained some trust in each other.
"Then... have you opened the employee panel?" Chi Hao asked again.
"You haven't opened it yet?" Tang Yu'an picked up Yuanbao and sat down next to him, asking knowingly.
Yuanbao nestled on Tang Yu'an's knees, staring at Chi Hao and baring his teeth at him, as if he would pounce on him and bite him if he made any rash moves.
Chi Hao didn't recognize it at all, and never imagined that this cute-looking little dog had any connection with the four-eyed giant dog that scared him away.
We will turn a blind eye to its unfriendly behavior.
"Yes." Chi Hao nodded, "What's the use of turning this on?"
"You can use points to exchange for things." Tang Yu'an said.
"Points?" Chi Hao remembered that it seemed as if it was written on the screen that he was paid 10 points per month. He couldn't help but ask, "What can points be exchanged for?"
"Everyone's is different." Zhou Qi said, "The glucose you drink is redeemed on the employee panel."
Chi Hao suddenly realized that if that kind of high-concentration sugar water could be exchanged, it seemed to be quite valuable!
He really needs it now.
But he soon remembered that he seemed to have not said thank you yet.
No matter who the mysterious businessman is, it is an indisputable fact that these two children saved him twice. He was really lucky to be saved.
In the wasteland, the dangers are not only mutant creatures and the environment, but also humans.
If a stranger appears and is willing to lend a helping hand when your life is in danger, it is truly like meeting a living Bodhisattva.
"Thank you for saving me."
He thanked the two young men solemnly, touched his body, and felt a little embarrassed. "Sorry, I don't have anything valuable on me. I'll find a way to repay you later."
Tang Yu'an certainly wouldn't be so foolish as to say that all the valuables on him had been taken away by them.
Following Chi Hao's words, he asked innocently, "Brother Chi Hao, did you come out of the fortress? How did you end up in the deserted city? And you're so badly injured."
Chi Hao nodded first, then said vaguely: "I was passing by and encountered a mutant creature."
This statement is obviously half true and half false.
Tang Yu'an and Zhou Qi had met him before, so Tang knew that he came to the deserted city for a purpose, and that he also had a companion named Lao Xie who was missing.
But it was normal for him to hide something. After all, they had just met and had not yet gained each other's trust.
"What kind of mutant creature is it?" Zhou Qi asked following up on his words.
"A giant mutant dog with four eyes." Chi Hao whispered, "You'd better be more careful when you move around in this area."
As for the mutant tiger, you basically won't encounter it as long as you don't go to the center of the deserted city.
However, when Tang Yu'an heard this, he almost couldn't control the expression on his face, and Yuanbao, who was nestled in his arms, bared his teeth at Chi Hao even more ferociously.
Zhou Qi raised his eyebrows slightly, "You just fell into the ditch...wasn't that also the reason?"
Hearing the young man bluntly say that he fell into the ditch, Chi Hao's expression became a little unbearable.
Dark history! Absolutely dark history!
After all, he is a captain-level figure. If this matter gets out, not only will he be chased by a dog, but he will also fall into a ditch and almost die. How can he save face?
Chi Hao coughed lightly and said, "It's an accident, it's just an accident."
Seeing his unnatural expression, Tang Yu'an and Zhou Qi guessed that Yuanbao must have run into him when he came back, and he was scared away and fell into the ditch in a panic.
This can also explain why Yuanbao should not have seen him before, but after listening to Yinbi's arrangement and chasing after him, he was able to find him so quickly.
Tang Yu'an touched Yuanbao's head, but couldn't help but think of Chi Hao's employee information.
After all, the comprehensive ability evaluation is only C, which is understandable. At least the potential is still quite large and can grow to S level.
Chi Hao refused to tell anyone about the center of the deserted city, and Tang Yu'an and Zhou Qi didn't mind. They wanted to know more about the world outside the deserted city.
"Then brother, are you a mutant?" Tang Yu'an asked knowingly.
"Mutant?" Chi Hao said strangely, "That's a derogatory term. It's no longer used in the fortress. You can't call others that, or you'll get beaten."
"What's that called?"
"People with special abilities, or simply people with special abilities."
Tang Yu'an nodded. That was similar to people with special abilities. When Old Li heard about it in the future, he probably wouldn't doubt them.
So he said yes and then asked, "What is it like inside the fortress? Can you tell us about it?"
Chi Hao looked at his fair, tender face and his clear, bright eyes and asked curiously, "Didn't you come out of the fortress?"
Why would you ask such a question?
"No." Tang Yu'an said according to the plan he and Zhou Qi had discussed, "My brother and I have never left the deserted city. We heard about the things in the fortress from the mutants in the deserted city... the people with special abilities."
"But he hasn't been to the fortress for a long time, so what we know is not the latest." Tang Yu'an said half-truthfully.
Chi Hao was surprised, "But you don't look... alike?"
They have no worries about food and clothing, and look particularly innocent and harmless. They don't seem like children that can be raised in the wasteland outside the fortress.
Even in the fortress, such children are rare.
"Because we were hired as shop assistants by a mysterious businessman." Tang Yu'an said confidently, "As long as we work hard and earn points, we won't have to worry about food and drink, and of course we'll be healthier."
Chi Hao was silent. He suddenly felt that he might need to study carefully how to use these points and how to exchange them for things.
This grocery store must have what he needs right now, such as that highly concentrated sugar water, or food.
"So what's it like inside the fortress?" Tang Yu'an continued to ask, "Do the children there go to school?"
Chi Hao came back to his senses and nodded, "Of course you have to study, especially those with special abilities. If you want to improve your strength, in addition to training your physique, you also need to have a smart enough mind."
"As for what the fortress looks like..."
Chi Hao recalled the appearance of the fortress and said, "It's probably the place in the wasteland that is closest to the world before the disaster."
"The fortress is surrounded by towering walls that isolate the wasteland. Aside from domesticated pets, ordinary people may never encounter a mutant creature in their entire lives."
"They live peacefully in the fortress, and their lives are relatively affluent compared to those in the wasteland."
Of course, this is only relative.
There are not many people in the fortress who have awakened their special abilities at a very young age like him and were selected into a special ability training base. Not only do they have no worries about food and clothing but they can also receive a good education. When they grow up, they join a special ability team and become team leaders at such a young age.
So, is it to surround a place with a wall? This is indeed a way to resist mutant creatures, but...
"What if a natural disaster occurs?" Zhou Qi asked.
"There are people with special abilities in the fortress who specialize in dealing with this kind of situation. When a natural disaster occurs, they will be organized and the combined strength of everyone will be able to resist the disaster."
Having said that, Chi Hao looked at Zhou Qi and asked, "Have you awakened?"
Just like Old Li, he saw through him directly.
Zhou Qi pursed his lips and asked in confusion: "How did you know that?"
"Generally speaking, people with special abilities are able to sense each other." Out of gratitude for the life-saving grace of the two young men, and since he had nothing to repay, Chi Hao said a few more words.
"You must have just awakened, so your sensitivity is still relatively weak, but it will improve slowly."
Zhou Qi could actually feel that his five senses were improving, and he also developed the ability to sense other things - such as sensing the loss of Chi Hao's vitality before.
But he still asked, "Are there no exceptions?"
"What?"
"If the other person has supernatural powers, will I definitely be able to sense it?"
Hearing this, Chi Hao chuckled.
"That's definitely not the case," he said. "People with special abilities also have different levels."
Levels 1 to 3 are low-level, levels 4 to 6 are intermediate, and levels 7 to 9 are high-level.
"The higher the level of the ability user, the more powerful they are. They can completely crush lower-level ability users." Chi Hao explained, "It's not very obvious at low levels, but from the mid-level onwards, one level higher is enough to crush the opponent."
"Of course, that doesn't mean that those who can't sense it are higher-level than themselves. Some people with special abilities are naturally good at disguise... ahem—"
Chi Hao couldn't help coughing after talking too much in one breath.
Tang Yu'an quickly poured him another glass of water, and waited for him to drink it slowly before continuing to ask, "Then there are no side effects of awakening?"
"Of course there is..."
Chi Hao paused, then glanced at the young man before him. "All I can say is that during the initial stages of awakening, you must control your desires. As for more advanced techniques...how old are you this year?"
"15." Zhou Qi reported his age.
Chi Hao couldn't help but take a look at his figure and nodded, "You have good potential. If you come to Qingmu Castle, I can recommend you to the special ability training base. You meet the requirements at your age."
Chi Hao is indeed from Qingmu Castle.
"At the training base, you can learn a lot, and the instructors will help you develop your potential and become a high-level person," he continued.
Of course, you need to serve in the fortress for a period of time after graduation, but the benefits during the service period are good.
"Thank you, I'll think about it." Faced with Chi Hao's recruitment, Zhou Qi did not directly refuse.
"Well, it's okay. You can come to me anytime." Chi Hao said with a smile.
Seeing that he stopped talking about the details, Tang Yu'an secretly curled his lips. He thought there was no need to ask about parasites and symbiosis, as he probably wouldn't answer.
He thought for a moment and then continued, "Brother Chi Hao, what level of ability user are you?"
"Me?" Chi Hao smiled. "I'm a mid-level ability user. As for my specific level, guess what it is?"
People with special abilities will not reveal their level casually, even if the people in front of them are just two harmless-looking teenagers.
However, Tang Yu'an couldn't help but wonder, is it really intermediate? If the overall ability is only C... then it should only be level 4? It seems to be about the same.
"Then how many level nine ability users are there in this world?" he asked curiously.
Chi Hao shook his head. "So far, no ninth-level ability user has appeared publicly. We don't know if there is a highest level among human powerhouses."
"If there isn't one, then why can this level be divided?" Tang Yu'an asked curiously.
Chi Hao also showed a trace of regret on his face, "There are no level nine ability users, but there are level nine mutant creatures."
So that's how it is...
"Are there many level nine mutant creatures?" Tang Yu'an asked questions one after another like a curious baby.
"Of course not." Chi Hao laughed. "Level nine is already close to the legendary level. If there were too many, humans would have no chance of survival."
That’s true, Tang Yu’an nodded.
He felt a little unsatisfied and wanted to ask more detailed questions, but after glancing at Chi Hao's employee panel and finding that his health had just risen to 27% and then dropped to 26%, he chose to stop.
So fragile! Losing life just by talking!
"Brother Chi Hao, you should take a rest first. We should go to bed too. Can you ask me questions later if you have any?" Tang Yu'an said.
Chi Hao also felt a little depressed, but after hearing his words, he felt as if he had been pardoned. He nodded and said, "Okay."
Watching the two teenagers say goodnight to their three pets, then turn off the lights and go to sleep in the attic, Chi Hao belatedly realized—
There are lights in this small grocery store!
What was it using to generate electricity? Fuel? He had been hearing the rumbling sound of machinery running since he woke up. Could it be a generator?
Everything else is fine, but fuel is also a controlled material in the fortress... Can it be exchanged at the grocery store?
Chi Hao became more and more curious about this mysterious businessman.
Unfortunately, it is impossible for him to stay here forever. He will definitely leave after his injury heals.
Chi Hao did not forget his mission.
The most important thing for him right now is to return to the fortress and report the situation here to the headquarters.
Even if there was a pet base in the deserted city before, the mutant creatures here seemed a bit unusual in both number and level. It was very likely that there really was one in the center...
Chi Hao pursed his lips, and a hint of sadness appeared on his face when he thought of his companions.
He shook his head, quickly wiped away his tears and cheered up.
Why be so pretentious? From the day they accepted the mission, they knew how dangerous the wasteland was and that they could die at any time, but they still went out, naturally prepared for this.
No matter what, Lao Xie’s sacrifice cannot be in vain.
At this moment, a familiar light screen popped up in the void in front of Chi Hao, emitting light in the pitch-black darkness.
[Congratulations on being recognized. The mysterious merchant has opened the clerk panel to you. Click to enter and view it.]
Chi Hao was stunned for a moment, then fumbled to open the page.
There was no longer only text on the light screen, but a brand new interface with two icons: Mall and Performance.
He clicked into the mall first.
Unlike Zhou Qi's dazzling array of items, Chi Hao's mall page currently only has two items unlocked.
【Glucose: 1 point/10g】
[Milk: 50 points/L]
There were many gray icons at the back, which Chi Hao could only browse but not redeem. After a quick glance, he set his sights on the last item.
[Fuel: 20 points/L]
Ping An Grocery Store actually sells fuel! And 1 liter is only 20 points? That's even cheaper than milk!
Chi Hao tentatively ordered the milk.
[If you don't have enough points, please work hard to earn more points. Tips: Points can not only be used to redeem goods, but also unlock gray goods and more benefits.]
Chi Hao blinked, curiously clicked on the fuel tank to check, and then found out——
Wow! Unlocking fuel costs 500 points.
Look at his points balance: 10 points.
Chi Hao: “…”
Okay, he turned his gaze towards "glucose" obediently.
He hesitated for a moment, but still chose to exchange it.
His body is currently in a weak state and needs to be repaired by a large amount of energy. This highly concentrated and easily absorbed sugar is very suitable.
And... he was indeed a little hungry.
I thought that after the exchange, the two boys would come downstairs to give it to him, but after the points were successfully deducted, the text on the light screen changed to -
【「Glucose」exchange successful, please select the delivery address】
[1. Ping An Grocery Store Warehouse (authorization not obtained)]
【2. Portable Warehouse (Not Opened)】
【Failed to receive the goods...】
[The instant delivery function is turned on. Please select a container for the goods (touch the container with your finger to select it)]
Chi Hao stared blankly at the words on the light screen. There were many typos in these words. Could he have misunderstood the meaning?
But he still reached out tentatively and touched the cup of water that Tang Yu'an had just given him with his fingertips.
[Container selected, receiving... Successfully received! Please check carefully.]
Chi Hao stared at the water cup in a daze. In the transparent glass cup, a small pile of white powdery substance appeared out of thin air as if by magic.
He tried to taste it, and it was indeed the glucose he had just exchanged!
xueke
Chi Hao once again stared blankly at the mall on the light screen. He knew that he could redeem goods with points, but it didn't say that it could be redeemed in this way!
Does this only work in a grocery store, or... can the redeemed goods be delivered directly to him when he is in the wild?
Chi Hao was completely shocked.
-
In the attic.
After opening the employee panel for Chi Hao, Tang Yuan lay in the warm quilt, stretched comfortably, and soon felt sleepy.
The shadow-proof umbrella was quietly suspended above them, and Yuanbao and Wangcai were also guarding the stairs of the attic. They did not need to worry about any possible threats from Chi Hao.
Soon, the two teenagers fell asleep.
As the night deepened, the chirping of insects rose, nocturnal animals began to appear, and the desolate wilderness became lively.
A dark shadow suddenly flashed through the ruins, and amidst the frantic flapping of birds' wings, it approached the grocery store...
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