SWDnovel Chapter 95 Rooms and Missions
Chapter 95 Rooms and Missions
Chapter 95 Rooms and Missions
As morning sunlight streamed into the room, Xu Mo opened his eyes, a fleeting glint of light in them. As usual, he began practicing the "Thirteen Bodyguards' Horizontal Training" in his room, his qi and blood slowly circulating, nourishing his skin, muscles, and bones.
However, unlike his usual calm and methodical approach, today during his practice, he was filled with an overwhelming sense of urgency.
Reflecting on what I saw at Forward Base Six, almost one in five or six people was carrying a firearm. Pistols, shotguns, assault rifles, and even sniper rifles could be seen occasionally.
Those guns might not be as sophisticated as his AWM, but in the hands of a skilled individual, a sneak attack from the shadows could pose a deadly threat. In the apocalypse, human nature is unpredictable; the meticulous ambush he encountered on his way to Jiangcheng was a bloody lesson. In the wilderness, so-called discipline and order often vanish; the law of the jungle prevails.
It was this urgency that prompted Xu Mo to try to find a shortcut to breakthrough yesterday using external objects such as jade. Unfortunately, the result was disappointing. Neither the seemingly warm and smooth jade nor those strange stones and wood carvings could provide him with any energy. His only reliance seemed to be the "Thirteen Protectors Horizontal Training" itself, a path of arduous cultivation that required time and perseverance to hone.
"We need to speed things up." Xu Mo finished his practice and stood up, letting out a long breath. Improving strength requires resources, and in Jiangcheng, resources are obtained by exchanging contribution points.
After checking out of the hotel, Xu Mo went straight to a nearby real estate agency. Staying in hotels all the time was too expensive. He seemed to have around a thousand contribution points, but after seeing the prices of hundreds or even thousands at the weapon shops and consignment stores in the inner city, he knew that his savings wouldn't last long. He had to increase his income and cut back on expenses.
The glass door of the real estate agency was covered with densely packed rental information slips. Xu Mo stopped to look at them.
[Unit 3, 502, Ping'an Street, single room, monthly rent 120 contribution points (private listing)]
[Small courtyard house in the inner city's third district, detached house, monthly rent 450 contribution points (Jiangcheng managed)]
[One-bedroom bungalow near the city wall, monthly rent 70 contribution points (urgent private rental)]
[School district property, two bedrooms and one living room, monthly rent 380 contribution points (Jiangcheng property)]
Prices range from 100 to 500 contribution points per month. At a glance, the relatively cheaper prices are mostly from individual listings, while those marked "Jiangcheng Management" or "Jiangcheng Housing" are generally much more expensive.
At this moment, a young male employee dressed in a slightly formal shirt came out with a smile: "Hello sir, are you looking to rent a room? I can give you a detailed introduction." He then gestured for him to enter.
Xu Mo followed him into the real estate agency. The interior was simply furnished, with only a few tables and chairs and a small blackboard covered with property information.
The staff member warmly poured me a glass of water and began to explain: "Sir, we have two types of properties here. One type is managed housing, which is safe and secure, with relatively complete facilities. During the rental period, any non-human-caused damage to the officially provided furniture and appliances can be reported for repair. Most importantly, there are frequent security patrols, so you basically don't need to worry about theft. The other type is properties from private landlords, which are cheaper, but you will need to negotiate security and facilities with the landlord yourself."
He paused, then added, "Moreover, if you choose a long-term rental, such as six months or a year at a time, managed properties often offer discounts, making them much more cost-effective than short-term rentals."
Just then, a middle-aged, burly man in a dirty, worn-out combat uniform, reeking of gunpowder and blood, passed by the door. He overheard the employee's conversation and scoffed, "Long-term rental? Scavenging outside, risking your life, who the hell has the time for long-term rentals? With that money, you'd be better off staying in a hotel for a few days, buying some good ammunition, and having a few nice meals! Who knows, you might not come back any day. What are you doing renting a place to a ghost?"
After saying that, the burly man didn't even glance at the embarrassed employee, and strode away with a bulging backpack on his shoulder.
Upon hearing this, Xu Mo's heart stirred slightly. He had been talking to the staff inside the store, yet the other person could hear them just by passing by; their hearing was quite remarkable.
The strong man's mentality also reflects the state of many people who frequently go out to scaveng. This "live for today" mentality, lacking long-term planning for the future, is actually very common in a post-apocalyptic environment.
The immense pressure to survive and the extremely high accidental death rate have shattered people's stable expectations for the "future." Investing in the long term is seen by many as a foolish and unnecessary risk. Living for the moment and enhancing immediate survival capabilities are the preferred choices for most survivors struggling on the brink of death. This is a distorted yet practical survival philosophy formed in extreme environments.
The employee, blushing slightly from the choking, said somewhat embarrassedly to Xu Mo, "Sir, please don't mind, some scavengers are just a bit hot-tempered—"
"It's alright." Xu Mo waved his hand, indicating his understanding. "Please continue your introduction."
The staff member composed himself and continued to recommend several properties that met Xu Mo's initial requirements.
After listening for a while, Xu Mo directly stated his request: "Take me to see a house. My budget is about 150 contribution points per month. I hope to find a relatively quiet place, preferably with parking."
"Okay, please follow me!" The employee's eyes lit up, and he immediately picked up a bunch of keys and a file book, leading Xu Mo out the door.
The first apartment wasn't far from the real estate agency, on the third floor of a five-story residential building. It was about 40 square meters, a one-bedroom apartment with a small kitchen and bathroom. The room was fairly clean, but the window faced another building, so the natural light was poor, and there was no dedicated parking space; parking would require payment. Xu Mo looked at it, felt it was a bit cramped, and shook his head.
The second apartment was located in the inner city near the city wall. It was a ground-floor room with a small courtyard of about ten square meters. The staff said the courtyard could be used for parking. However, when Xu Mo entered the courtyard, he found it filled with all sorts of garbage and debris, including several broken flowerpots that had fallen and shattered from upstairs, clearly indicating that the upstairs residents habitually threw things down. This environment made him frown and shake his head in refusal.
The third apartment is on the second floor of another residential area. It has two bedrooms and a living room, with an area of over 60 square meters and good lighting and ventilation.
However, the price exceeded his budget, requiring 200 contribution points per month, and there was still no dedicated parking space. Although Xu Mo thought the house itself was acceptable, he shook his head considering his budget and parking needs.
After looking at three options without finding one satisfactory, the employee showed no sign of discouragement; instead, he became even more proactive. Flipping through his file, he said, "Sir, please don't worry, we have a few more options. They might be a little out of the way, but perhaps one of them will meet your requirements."
In the afternoon, the staff led Xu Mo to an area near the city wall in the southern part of the inner city. The building density here was noticeably lower, with many bungalows with independent courtyards. Although they looked older than the buildings in the center, the environment was much quieter.
Finally, Xu Mo and his group stopped in front of a small courtyard with a wall. Pushing open the gate, they found a courtyard of about forty square meters. The ground was rammed earth, covered with weeds, but it was fairly flat.
Behind the courtyard stood an old-fashioned brick and tile house, facing south, in the style of a "three-room" layout common in old rural areas: one main room in the middle, with a bedroom on each side. Next to the tile house was a separate, slightly low-ceilinged small kitchen.
The staff member explained, "Mr. Xu, this is a managed property. The advantages are that it's a detached house with its own yard, very quiet, and there's parking available. The main house has three rooms, which is spacious enough. The disadvantages are that the house is a bit old, and the kitchen roof is somewhat damaged and needs some basic repairs. The monthly rent is 180."
The contribution points are slightly over your budget, but security is absolutely guaranteed.
Xu Mo carefully inspected the place inside and out. The main room was spacious, and the bedrooms on both sides were of suitable size. Although the furniture was simple, it was sufficient for his needs. The yard was large enough to park his SUV and also provided room to move around. As for the kitchen roof, only a few tiles were broken, causing a leak, but repairs would not be difficult.
"This will do." Xu Mo nodded in satisfaction. In his opinion, the extra 30 contribution points for a relatively independent, safe, and fully functional private space were well worth it.
Upon hearing this, the employee's face immediately lit up with a joyful smile. If the deal went through, he would receive a substantial commission. "Great! Mr. Xu, shall we go back and complete the formalities now?"
The two returned to the agency and signed a simple lease agreement, stipulating a one-year term. Xu Mo paid one month's rent of 180.
He received 360 contribution points as a deposit, plus 180 contribution points for the first month's rent. He then received the key and a rental certificate stamped with the seal of the Jiangcheng Management Department.
"Oh, right," Xu Mo remembered the kitchen roof, "could you help me find someone to repair the kitchen roof? I'll pay for it."
"No problem! Leave it to me." The employee patted his chest and assured him, "I know a professional repair team. For 30 contribution points, I guarantee it will be fixed this afternoon, and the tiles will be replaced. It won't delay your move-in tomorrow at all."
The price was definitely too high, but Xu Mo didn't care. Why would they willingly work for him if he didn't let them make a profit?
This reminded Xu Mo of how many people before his transmigration would ask friends for help, only to complain that their friends had tricked them afterward. In Xu Mo's view, wasn't this perfectly normal? If you don't let your friends take advantage of you, you'll just ruin the friendship, which is unnecessary.
Xu Mo readily paid another 30 contribution points, arranged his accommodation, and felt much more relaxed after putting one of his worries to rest.
Leaving the intermediary and seeing that it was still early, Xu Mo walked towards the Hunter's Guild.
Now that we have a place to settle down for the time being, the next step is to establish ourselves in Jiangcheng and quickly accumulate contribution points.
The air of spring is growing stronger, and the sunshine brings warmth, while also dispelling the oppressive influence of the severe cold on certain things.
As temperatures rise, the activity of zombies roaming the wilderness has become significantly more frequent, undoubtedly increasing the risks for survivors who need to venture out to gather resources. At this moment, relying on a large shelter like Jiangcheng, with its strong defenses and well-organized structure, is undoubtedly a wise choice.
Whether from Guide A-Xing's words or from casual conversations with real estate agents, Xu Mo confirmed one piece of information once again: whether it was the "Eternal Night" that led to mental corruption and a frenzy of mutated creatures, or the "Great Flood" that submerged everything and the ensuing threat of aquatic mutants, for the survivors of Jiangcheng and even the world, these were the first major upheavals they had encountered since the apocalypse.
This suggests that as the apocalypse progresses, humanity may face even more unknown and extreme challenges in the future.
In this environment, unless one's personal strength reaches a level sufficient to ignore most threats, the solo survival mode will become increasingly difficult. Xu Mo calculated his assets. After paying rent and repair costs, he still had over six hundred contribution points left in his identity card. This amount of money seemed substantial, but it was still somewhat insufficient for a long-term stable life in the inner city of Jiangcheng, where the cost of living was higher.
While he could certainly rely on the "Gate's" ability to obtain ample food, water, and other supplies from that world where time was frozen, without having to worry about basic survival, his complete lack of participation in the base's production and exchange activities would inevitably attract the attention of those with ulterior motives.
For the long term, Xu Mo chose to integrate into the survivors' lifestyle, earning contribution points by taking on tasks. This not only maintained his livelihood on the surface but also served as a good cover.
With that in mind, Xu Mo no longer hesitated and strode toward the Hunter's Guild.
The Hunter's Guild hall was still bustling with activity, seemingly even more crowded than yesterday. Huge electronic quest screens constantly scrolled through updated information, and small queues formed in front of the terminals for accepting quests. The air was thick with the smells of sweat, tobacco, and a unique blend of tension and anticipation.
Xu Mo weaved through the bustling crowd and found a temporarily empty display screen, where he began browsing a list of tasks appropriate for his current F-level access.
F-level missions mostly involve basic collection and simple cleanup work, with low risk, but the rewards are also relatively meager.
[Collect] Collect unpolluted wild vegetables (bracken/purslane) from designated areas, and exchange 5 contribution points for each kilogram.
[Collection] Collect scrap metal (iron, copper, and aluminum separately), and price it according to quality and weight, with 1-3 contribution points per kilogram.
[Cleanup] Clear the mutated rat nests in the sewers of the designated area in the inner city. The scale has been discovered to be relatively small. Reward: 50 contribution points.
[Cleanup] Assist the city defense army's outer patrol team in clearing low vegetation near the defensive fortifications to prevent hidden threats. 20 contribution points per day.
[Transport] Transport a batch of supplies from the inner city warehouse to a forward base office. Reward: 40 contribution points.
Rank E missions begin to involve a certain degree of combat and exploration risk, and the rewards are correspondingly increased:
[Hunting] Hunt carrion wolves to obtain their pelts (relatively intact) and canine teeth. Each set of materials can be exchanged for 80 contribution points.
[Exploration] Conduct a preliminary exploration of a residential area marked "Abandoned," draw a simple map, and mark potential threats. Reward: 12
0 contribution points.
[Escort] Escort a small caravan to the Nine Forward Base. Reward: 70 contribution points.
[Cleanup] Clear out the horde of zombies gathered in a small farm, estimated number 30-50, reward 200 contribution points.
[Collection] Collect the fruits or roots of a specific mutant plant. There may be accompanying dangers. The reward depends on the amount collected, with a minimum of 10.
0 contribution points.
Xu Mo's gaze swept quickly across the task list. He needed a job that would suit his newbie status, be cost-effective, and allow him to familiarize himself with the environment outside the city and the task process.
Finally, his gaze fell on an E-level mission: Collaborative Cleanup of Zombies on the Outskirts of Red Star Industrial Zone. Upon seeing this mission, Xu Mo clicked on it.
[Mission Name]: Cooperative Cleanup - Zombies Outside Red Star Industrial Zone [Mission Level]: E
[Task Type]: Cleanup/Cooperative Operation [Issuing Party]: Jiangcheng City Defense Army Logistics Department [Task Description]: Cooperate with the city defense army's cleanup force to clear a designated area outside the Hongxing Industrial Zone. The main target is wandering ordinary zombies. The task taker is responsible for checking for any remaining zombies and clearing any scattered zombies or those hiding in building blind spots.
[Mission Requirements]: F-level or higher clearance, bring your own weapons and ammunition.
[Meeting Time]: 8:00 AM, two days from now
[Meeting Point]: Meeting point at the west gate of the outer city. [Mission Reward]: Basic reward of 100 contribution points, with an additional reward of 5 contribution points per confirmed zombie killed. Loot can be kept after inspection.
[Note]: Round-trip transportation is provided.
This task perfectly suits Xu Mo's needs.
First, this is a coordinated mission by the Jiangcheng organization, with a large force as the main force, ensuring relatively high safety, making it suitable for a "newbie" like him to experience for the first time. Second, the mission location is on the outskirts of the Red Star Industrial Zone. Although previous intelligence mentioned that there might be a new type of aquatic mutant nest deep within the industrial zone, the outer area has been cleared multiple times, and the threat level is controllable.
Furthermore, cleanup missions often offer the opportunity to collect scattered supplies, which can be considered extra income. Finally, and very importantly, the missions provide round-trip transportation, saving his own vehicle's precious fuel. Without using the "Gate's" ability to refuel, every drop of fuel needs to be carefully calculated.
Without much hesitation, Xu Mo clicked on the screen and accepted the mission. The screen prompted him to confirm the information and reiterated the meeting time and location, emphasizing that he should not be late. After clicking confirm, the mission information was recorded in his ID badge and the Hunter's Guild file.
After accepting the mission, Xu Mo did not leave immediately. Instead, he retreated to a relatively spacious corner of the hall and observed the scavengers around him with great interest.
This place truly showcases a diverse range of people. There are team members dressed in uniform combat gear, well-equipped, and with stern expressions. They often gather in front of the advanced mission screen, discussing strategies in hushed tones, clearly experienced veterans.
Some, like Xu Mo, are lone wolves, mostly silent and taciturn, their eyes scanning their surroundings warily before quickly accepting suitable tasks and leaving in a hurry. Others appear to be newbies who have formed temporary teams, their faces showing excitement and unease as they loudly discuss the details of the tasks, drawing slightly mocking or pitying glances from the veterans around them.
In a corner, several ragged, pale-faced survivors cautiously accepted the most basic F-level gathering missions. Their weapons were rudimentary, and their eyes were filled with a desperate desire for survival and the hardship of their situation. Others huddled around the bulletin board, not looking at the missions, but at the missing person notices and team recruitment information, trying to find lost relatives or seek an opportunity to join a team.
A mix of emotions permeated the air: longing, weariness, ambition, numbness, caution, and a hint of uncertainty about the future. This place was like a microcosm of the apocalypse, a gathering place for all sorts of people struggling and fighting for survival.
After observing for a while, Xu Mo gained a more intuitive understanding of the Hunter's Guild's ecosystem, and he turned and left the noisy hall.
Stepping out of the guild gate, there was a shop right next to it with a sign that read "Veteran's Tavern." Faint noises could be heard coming from inside. Xu Mo's heart skipped a beat; in any era, taverns were often among the most active places for the exchange of information.
Pushing open the somewhat heavy wooden door, Xu Mo stepped inside. The tavern was quite spacious, dimly lit, and filled with the mixed aromas of beer, tobacco, and food. Although it wasn't peak business hours, it was already quite crowded, mostly with weary scavengers and some soldiers on leave.
Some people sat around the table, talking and laughing loudly, boasting about their experiences; others sat alone in a corner, silently drinking; still others gathered in twos and threes, whispering and exchanging potentially valuable information.
Xu Mo walked to the bar and spent two coins to order a regular beer. He then found a seat against the wall, sipping the slightly bitter beer while listening intently to the conversations around him.
Soon, the conversation at a table near the center caught his attention. Four or five burly men sat there, each with a fierce aura. One of them, a large man with a fresh scar on his face, was spitting as he spoke: "You didn't see it, that guy's speed was like a ghost, not like a slow, sluggish ordinary zombie." The scarred man took a swig of his drink and continued, "Our Lava Squad took on a mission to clean up an abandoned town. We thought it would be just some ordinary zombies, but while we were looting a hardware store, suddenly one of them pounced down from the ceiling."
He gestured to describe the creature: "It was covered in dark blue-black bruises, had incredibly long fingernails, and landed without making a sound. It pounced straight at Xiao Liu from our team!"
The surrounding patrons were drawn to his story, stopping their conversations to look over with expressions of curiosity and a touch of nervousness. Even the bartender wiping glasses behind the bar slowed down.
"What should we do then?" a younger survivor asked cooperatively, his face showing lingering fear.
"What do we do? Let's take it down!" The scarred man slammed his hand on the table. "Luckily, I reacted quickly and fired a shot from my shotgun. But that thing is too agile; it actually twisted in mid-air. I only got hit in the shoulder, fell down, rolled over, and got back up."
He described the terrifying moment: "When it pounced again, Xiao Liu was terrified. Luckily, our captain was incredibly brave; he activated his ability—Rock Skin—and stood in front of Xiao Liu, taking the zombie's claw head-on. With a hissing sound, sparks flew."
"Rock skin? Your captain is an earth-type ability user?" A customer exclaimed in surprise, looking at a middle-aged man at the table who had been silently drinking with a calm expression, his eyes filled with envy and awe.
The middle-aged man nodded slightly without saying anything more.
The scarred man continued with pride, "The captain blocked it, giving us a chance. My brothers and I opened fire, rifles and pistols all at it. That thing was fast, but its defense didn't seem very good. After taking more than a dozen shots, it finally stopped moving."
He concluded with lingering fear, "Later, when we examined the body, we found that its muscle structure was completely different from that of ordinary zombies. Damn it, we have to be extra careful when we encounter something like this that can climb walls and is fast."
A chorus of agreement and discussion arose from the surrounding crowd.
"Looks like the zombies are mutating too—"
"That's right, I heard there are even creatures spraying acid up north—"
"This world is getting harder and harder to navigate."
Xu Mo listened silently, memorizing the information about the "agile mutated zombie." The Lava Squad leader's "Rock Skin" ability also gave him a preliminary impression of the performance of elemental or enhancement-type defensive ability users. Being able to withstand the claws of the mutated zombie ruler showed considerable defensive power, comparable to his own level of "Bull Skin Realm" strength.
After sitting in the tavern for a while, Xu Mo heard a lot of fragmented information, such as a new mutated beast horde appearing near a forward base, an official research institute acquiring some strange mineral, and a scavenging team making a small fortune by discovering a well-preserved small supermarket on the outskirts of the city.
Xu Mo didn't leave the bar until the beer in his glass was empty; it was already getting dark outside.
Xu Mo first went to retrieve his car, since he was able to drive into the inner city because he had rented a place. When he returned to his rented place, he found that the repairmen were still making repairs, so Xu Mo went back to the hotel to stay for another night.