Chapter 38: Two Hundred and Ten!

Fang Xia only glanced from afar, saw it was a low-level supply crate, and turned away immediately—no point wasting time. After wandering for quite some time, he still hadn’t found a second-tier zombie and had to return home empty-handed, feeling rather disappointed.

Still, today’s harvest wasn’t bad. He wondered about the situation on the girls’ side—maybe everyone would be able to level up. If they could all reach the first tier, his life would be much easier: just stay at home and let them do the hard work.

Turning a corner, Fang Xia suddenly came face to face with a zombie, just a meter apart. At this distance, the zombie only needed to reach out to attack him, and indeed, it did just that.

“Damn, a second-tier zombie.”

It moved so fast Fang Xia had no time to react. In the next instant, the zombie’s claws passed straight through Fang Xia’s head, but there was no grisly scene. Instead, “Fang Xia” faded away and vanished.

Teleportation.

At the critical moment, Fang Xia used his last teleportation of the day, reappearing behind the zombie. With a single slash, the second-tier zombie was cleaved in two.

He picked up the pale green upgrade crystal from the zombie’s brain and breathed a sigh of relief. That had nearly scared him to death—he mustn’t let his mind wander while walking; it’s too easy to get into trouble.

Beside every second-tier zombie, there was always a supply crate—at least a high-level one, a pattern Fang Xia had deduced. After slaying the zombie, he quickly scanned his surroundings and, as expected, spotted a supply crate lying quietly not far away, guarded by a dozen zombies.

After dispatching them, Fang Xia hurried over to loot the crate. It was getting late, dusk creeping in; he had no intention of spending another night outdoors. The big bed and Baixing back at the hotel promised far more comfort.

A kettle, a lunchbox, a combat knife—the usual three items. The fourth: a toilet.

Just what he needed, delivered right when he was lacking. As the saying goes, when you’re sleepy, someone gives you a pillow.

The fifth item: a lamp. Also handy, perfect for the tent; otherwise, it’d be pitch black inside, and even going to the bathroom would be inconvenient.

Stowing everything carefully, Fang Xia rushed back to the hotel. The girls had all returned, but their expressions betrayed a heavy atmosphere.

“Brother Fang, Xiaoyue is dead.”

Fang Xia didn’t know who Xiaoyue was, but someone dying was expected. This was the apocalypse, not an age of peace; countless people died every day, and Fang Xia had long grown numb.

For these girls, though, they’d thought being rescued by Fang Xia meant they’d survive, even if fighting zombies was required.

“Gather everyone here,” Fang Xia said.

Five minutes later.

Fang Xia sat on the sofa, Baixing obediently standing behind him, and all the girls assembled in the living room.

“First, you need to understand—this is the apocalypse.”

“In the apocalypse, countless people die every day; we’re all fighting for survival.”

“In the future, more of us may die, perhaps even me.”

Everyone remained silent. No matter what was said, the sudden death of a comrade was a shadow not easily dispelled by words. Xiaoyue died today; who would it be tomorrow?

[Brother Fang is so strong, surely he won’t die. But me—if not for Baixing today, I’d be dead.]

...

All were lost in thought, but only those thoughts related to Fang Xia did he overhear.

After two minutes, Fang Xia had gauged their emotions through their inner voices. Xiaoyue’s death brought sadness, but more than that, fear—they dreaded ending up like her, turning into zombies and then being slain by their own companions.

“Liu Rui, tell us about today’s gains.”

Liu Rui didn’t know why she was suddenly asked, but since Fang Xia spoke, she opened her notebook.

“Today we found seven supply crates, including one high-level crate.”

“We collected seven lunchboxes, six kettles, two combat knives, one dagger, and a bath.”

The bath was like a tub, but could hold ten people at once—solving the issue of bathing for the female team members.

“In addition to crate items, we also obtained ninety-two upgrade crystals, distributed according to performance. Therefore, we now have nine first-tier fighters.”

No wonder they’d found so many crates; nine first-tier fighters constituted a formidable force in these times.

Fang Xia pulled out two hundred and ten upgrade crystals from his spatial storage, then took off a spatial ring from his hand and handed both to Liu Rui.

“After tonight, upgrade everyone—ensure everyone’s safety.”

Everyone stared at Fang Xia in disbelief.

Since rescuing them, Fang Xia hadn’t demanded anything in return; instead, he had continued to provide support. With Baixing, there were thirty-two people, seventy-four crystals gained yesterday, ninety-two today after losing one member. Now, Fang Xia was handing over two hundred and ten crystals, just so they could upgrade and avoid further casualties.

At this moment, nearly every girl was moved to the point of offering themselves, even if it meant being a mistress.

“Liu Rui, the ring is yours. Spatial equipment will save you a lot of trouble.”

Liu Rui hesitated. Two hundred and ten crystals was a lot, but understandable. But spatial equipment—it was so rare anyone could see that. And he was giving it to her?

“Hurry and take it. You can’t expect me to be your warehouse every day,” Fang Xia said.

Seeing her friend spacing out, Baixing hurried over, took the ring from Fang Xia’s hand, and pressed it into Liu Rui’s palm.

[Why is he treating me specially? Even if I’m Baixing’s roommate, isn’t Li Xiaochun also one?]

Fang Xia didn’t explain. She wouldn’t ask directly, so let her think what she liked. He couldn’t tell her he was from the future and knew she was the real leader, while Li Xiaochun was just muscle.

“Don’t get excited yet—I’ll show you your future living quarters.”

With that, Fang Xia stood and led the way to a corner of the living room where a tent stood.

A flash of white light, and Fang Xia vanished.

The girls watched in awe.

“Line up and go in one at a time.”

Liu Rui, who’d been inside before with Baixing, knew what to expect and quickly organized the others.

Inside, Fang Xia switched on the lamp—it was remarkably useful, adjustable in brightness, illuminating the two hundred square meters perfectly.

Once everyone had entered the tent, they were all stunned, and spotting the pile of mattresses and bedding sets, excitement spread.

Finally, they wouldn’t have to sleep in blood-soaked, doorless rooms.

“Mattresses, quilts, bedding sets—you can distribute and arrange them yourselves.”

“And the bath you obtained today, plus a toilet here.”

Fang Xia produced the toilet he’d just acquired.

“These are yours; how you arrange them is up to you.”