Dream of the galaxy (Patreon)

OK, here is the English version, due to its length I heavily relied on AI to translate, it should get most of it correct with the occasional name mistakes.

Prologue: A World

In the vast and boundless depths of the universe, an inconspicuous star system quietly spins. There are no abundant resources, nor habitable planets, and it should have been forgotten in the river of time. However, a group of brave human pioneers chose this place as their new home. With wisdom and courage, they conquered this desolate land, building an astonishing Dyson Sphere and harnessing the power of the stars. In this once-silent corner of the universe, they created a thriving civilization, showcasing the limitless potential of humanity.Orbiting the outer edge of the star system is a space station, a spherical structure that rotates slowly. Without nearby reference points, it is difficult to gauge its actual size. On either side of the spherical station are openings that penetrate through to the other side, with countless small dots continuously entering and exiting.Upon closer inspection, these small dots are revealed to be spacecraft. They are refueling within the station, bustling back and forth. The station has multiple areas, each with unique functions, engaging in various production activities. Additionally, numerous factories are manufacturing goods, while shops are busy with transactions.One particularly eye-catching ship has a circular hull, designed clearly to maximize storage space. The hull shows signs of damage, suggesting it has been through battle, with glimpses of the cargo being transported visible through the holes. Below the ship is a massive thruster, emitting flames to propel it forward.Trailing behind this cargo ship is the wreckage of another vessel. The wreck's hull is in tatters, with the internal structure faintly visible. Despite being in ruins, it retains a massive size, being towed by several small robots as it moves towards a large docking station alongside the cargo ship.Typically, when encountering shipwrecks in space, whether due to battle or other causes, merchants will bring them back, as there are enough parts to sell. If it’s from a battle, they can also be used to repair damaged ships.After the transport ship docks, the hatch opens, and a slightly overweight but neatly dressed man steps out. He is wearing an elegant outfit, clearly a well-off merchant. Although his hair is somewhat disheveled, his overall appearance remains respectable. He adjusts the belt above his beer belly and walks towards the mechanic standing in front of him.The mechanic is a young man who appears slightly thin, wearing a work uniform that seems a size too big but is securely fastened with a belt. He looks energetic yet somewhat nervous, forcing a smile. Today marks his first official job as a mechanic, and he is responsible for the entire process. This includes the repair and recovery work he excels at, as well as the interpersonal communication and negotiation skills he is less comfortable with. He first inquires about the services the merchant needs and then begins to negotiate. In the end, the merchant leaves with a satisfied smile, clearly pleased with the agreed price.The young mechanic, Boyu, stands in place, gradually relaxing from his earlier tension. The door beside him opens, and an older mechanic walks in, who has been quietly observing Boyu's performance."How did it go?" Boyu asks the elder with anticipation."Not bad, at least you remembered to ask for payment," the elder replies, chuckling as he scratches the back of his head. He thinks about Boyu's earlier performance, noting many areas for improvement, but ultimately decides not to dampen his confidence too much. After all, it’s his first time, and nervousness is inevitable."You don’t need to reveal all your cards right away, letting him push the price down so much," the elder shares his years of experience dealing with merchants. "Also, they make money much easier than you do; you shouldn’t feel pressured. You deserve what you’re asking for.""You’re familiar with the rest, right, Boyu?" The elder pats Boyu on the shoulder, feeling confident in this aspect."Yeah," Boyu nods, appearing more self-assured now.The elder smiled and turned to leave, but suddenly remembered something and turned back: "Oh, don't forget to eat. There are ribs today. I have to go meet some friends, so I won't be staying with you."Although the elder appeared to be of grandparent age, he still looked like a middle-aged man. This was thanks to technology developed to counteract the genetic damage caused by cosmic rays, which not only repaired but also slowed down aging, indirectly leading to a significant increase in human lifespan.Boyu acknowledged him and walked into the workshop. He received a package from a delivery robot, took out a bag of cut fruits, and poured it into a large cup, placing it in a nearby machine. The fruits were quickly blended, and cooling bubbles were injected, resulting in a smoothie ready in just ten seconds. Boyu took a sip of the sweet and refreshing fruit smoothie and entered work mode, getting busy at the control panel.He first arranged for the robots to unload the cargo while scanning the damaged parts to check the specifics. While the robots were busy, he began inspecting the nearby spaceship wreckage. These were usually spoils from cargo ships that had been attacked. The universe outside the star system was not peaceful, and highway robberies were common. Boyu's job was to extract the last value from these wrecks, turning them into parts for other ships.Sometimes, the wreckage would still have traces of blood and debris, a fate for most who lived by the sword. Initially, it could be unsettling, but one would get used to it over time. Boyu still found it hard to look at, so he had the robots clean it up. Then he directed the robots to cut away the damaged sections, leaving a neat and smooth surface for the smaller robots to dismantle various components.After a few hours, the scanning of the cargo ship was nearly complete. Boyu first checked the areas that needed repairs and then directly cut a whole piece of material from the wreckage. This saved a lot of steps and time. Fortunately, the insulation layer for the outer shell was exactly two layers thick, so he cut it, installed it, and then welded it in place. Although each layer needed to be welded separately, this process was already automated. With the help of a virtual assistant, he easily set instructions for a large number of robots, allowing them to complete tasks autonomously.At that moment, his friend called."Boyu, it's time to eat. Are you still busy?""Oh, okay, I'll be right over."If it weren't for this reminder, he would have forgotten to eat. No wonder he was so thin. After arranging all the robots' tasks, Boyu left the workshop.At the connections between various areas of the space station, there were usually many restaurants, shops, and supermarkets. Boyu's grandfather also ran a small restaurant here. Although it was not large, it was quite famous among noodle lovers. It was said that he made ramen according to the flavors of his hometown, with a perfect chewy texture, along with various beef dishes. Boyu had grown up eating here and had an indescribable fondness for the flavors.As soon as Boyu walked into the restaurant, he saw his childhood friend Jacob. Jacob worked at his parents' company and was skilled in sales and business management. He was handsome and well-dressed, always the center of attention wherever he went, attracting many admiring glances. With his exceptional social skills, he could easily connect with anyone.As soon as Jacob saw Boyu enter, he waved at him. Several girls nearby cast envious looks."I've already ordered; it will be up shortly," Jacob said with a smile, but his hands were fidgeting, clearly eager to know something. Given their long friendship, Boyu could guess what it was.Recently, the Dreamland gaming platform was about to launch a major update, and Boyu's father was a senior researcher at the company. Jacob wanted to dig for some insider information to show off in social situations. For him, such information was like ammunition for conversation, allowing him to chat freely in various settings."I haven't received any news," Boyu sighed. Seeing this, Jacob didn't press further; he knew Boyu's parents were busy with work and had a distant relationship with their child. Boyu had grown up with his grandfather over the years. However, considering the unprecedented scale of this update, Jacob couldn't help but ask.Dreamland was a virtual gaming platform that allowed people to enter a game world while they slept. After multiple updates, the game world had become increasingly realistic. With the help of quantum communication technology, Dreamland achieved a large-scale world with no latency across the universe. The number of players had grown exponentially, and both Boyu and Jacob had been loyal players since the early days."Oh, I actually have an experience package here. Although it's limited to personal space, we can get a sneak peek at the new features," Jacob said, handing over a small ribbon, which was likely an unlock code.In Dreamland, players can have their own personal space, where decorations and furniture can be arranged freely. However, these items must be obtained within the game, and many achievement tasks offer similar rewards. While some players aim to collect all items, this is nearly impossible. After all, the game world is vast, and repeatedly completing tasks consumes a lot of time. Moreover, some achievements are unique, available only to the first player to accomplish them. Display items mainly serve to showcase the player's rich experiences.As the two chatted and waited, a robot soon brought over two large bowls of ramen. The chewy noodles were paired with a rich broth, topped with slices of medium-cooked steak. Beside the bowl was a plate of tender braised beef ribs, which could be easily pulled apart and melted in the mouth. The aroma of chili was particularly enticing."Another extra serving today? That's great. By the way, I have something to ask of you, but let's eat first and talk about it tonight," Jacob said, picking up his chopsticks and licking his lips."Sure," Boyu replied, not thinking much of it, as the aroma stirred his strong appetite. The two quickly dug in.After lunch, they returned to their respective work. Boyu efficiently completed the repairs on the merchant's cargo ship. Since the merchant had gone to sleep and wouldn't be coming for a while, he took on some repair tasks within the space station, completing them remotely through robots. This was a common job for him, and there were always maintenance tasks available in the vast space station. His ability to finish repairs quickly left a good impression on various departments, especially the mining department, which frequently dealt with damaged robots due to their continuous operation.At the end of the workday, Boyu headed home. Unlike most residents, he did not live on the space station but on an agricultural planet in the same star system. His grandfather owned a piece of land there and ran his own farm. Boyu took the interstellar bus back and forth between the star systems every day.In the distance, a green planet was visible, with a structure floating outside its atmosphere. Upon closer inspection, it was found that the building was connected by several specially designed large cables. The other end was linked to the planet's surface at a point where sunlight was scarce, making it suitable for warehouses and similar facilities.Boyu took the elevator straight to the underground level. Here, there was a global transportation network facilitating cargo transport. He hitchhiked and arrived at his doorstep in just a few minutes from the space station.His grandfather's farm came into view, with green crops stretching as far as the eye could see. There were only two exceptions: one was his grandfather's house, which had been Boyu's former residence; the other was the renovated warehouse, which was now his home.Due to the storage of numerous parts and frequent new inventions, the indoor space was insufficient. So, he cleared out the old warehouse and spent almost all his time there, eventually moving in. It was not only spacious but also provided some peace for the elderly couple.He walked into the renovated warehouse, which was his fortress. Although the space was large, it was filled to the brim with various parts and equipment, making it feel somewhat cramped. Despite being organized, it still felt insufficient.The most eye-catching item in the warehouse was the largest spaceship occupying the area. This was Boyu's long-term project, stemming from a relatively intact spaceship wreck he had acquired by chance. According to his grandfather, it was from the Comet series, known as "Camilla's Modified Beast." Due to its excellent compatibility, it was particularly easy to repair, also earning it the nickname "Frankenstein."For years, Boyu had been slowly restoring this spaceship. He spent all his savings on purchasing repair parts. Although spaceship parts were expensive, he could acquire them at recycling prices. Even so, it still required long-term accumulation for an apprentice. Fortunately, he was now a certified mechanic, and at this rate, he could completely restore the spaceship in a year or two.As soon as he entered, the sound of mechanical arms operating continuously greeted him. Boyu assigned all his tasks to the virtual assistant, which automatically generated instructions and controlled the mechanical arms.In this highly automated era, virtual assistants were known to almost everyone. They greatly enhanced work efficiency, primarily serving a supportive role, allowing people to focus on their areas of expertise. While virtual assistants typically required payment for use, Boyu's assistant was different. It was a prize he won in a competition, allowing him to use it for free indefinitely. Although he needed to add functions himself, it was not difficult for Boyu. Most basic functions were open-source, and complex features could either be purchased or created with a bit of ingenuity."Bao'er, report," Boyu asked as he entered. A mechanical eye the size of a basketball flew over, unfolding a small projection screen that recorded the tasks Boyu had assigned and their current progress.He quickly skimmed through it and walked into a nearby room. As soon as the door closed, the busy sounds of machinery outside were instantly cut off. He changed his clothes and suddenly remembered something, pulling out the small note he had received today from his work uniform pocket.Boyu picked up a glowing helmet next to his bed, which was clearly a high-end new version. He inserted the note into a port on the helmet, and a small screen beside it immediately displayed the download progress and the time required."Is it really going to take several minutes? This update is quite significant," Boyu said in surprise. In this technologically advanced era, TB-level information could be transmitted in seconds, indicating that this download indeed contained a massive amount of data.He tossed the helmet onto the bed and took the opportunity to run to the bathroom for a shower, washing off the grime from his repairs.After finishing his shower, Boyu took out the takeout he had brought back. Inside was his dinner for the day, along with a large portion of ribs. He also made a fruit bubble smoothie and opened the screen beside him to browse the updates for Dreamland while eating heartily. Watching the slow progress bar on the helmet, he couldn't wait to experience the new version.Boyu gulped down the remaining juice, quickly washed up, and lay down on his bed to put on the helmet.As the familiar sensation washed over him, Boyu's vision went dark, and he entered the dream world - the Dreamland platform. This place connected all players in the universe, utilizing quantum communication to achieve zero latency, combined with a fully immersive virtual reality experience that made one feel as if they were truly there. The best part was that all of this happened in dreams, without taking up any real-world time.Boyu arrived at the virtual hall, which was already bustling with people. Although this early access experience did not involve game content, it allowed players to try out various new system features. Even if only one percent of players were interested, that still amounted to millions given the vast user base of the universe.Looking around, Boyu noticed that the platform was situated within a massive environmental dome. Through the clear dome walls, he could see countless similar halls outside, all forming a spherical structure. In the center of the sphere floated a gigantic screen displaying a prominent countdown."Wow, I didn't expect to see you guys here.""Of course! You should tell us where you got the experience code."As more people logged in, they gradually formed small groups to chat. Boyu was not particularly interested in this and found a quiet and comfortable corner to sit down, quietly observing the crowd as they arrived, waiting for his friend to come online.While observing, Boyu noticed an interesting scene: a girl walked by, gradually attracting more and more gasps and attention from the crowd. "Is she a celebrity?" Boyu wondered, but he had no interest in that sort of thing; even as the group passed by, he couldn't recognize her, let alone the blurry figure in the distance."Sorry, I got held up by a few tricky clients," Jacob messaged, pulling Boyu's attention away from the earlier scene."No problem, it hasn't started yet," Boyu replied."Alright, invite me to the team."Boyu quickly invited his friend to the team. Before long, the stylishly dressed Jacob appeared around him, immediately drawing a lot of attention."Please take your seats," a voice echoed in everyone's ears simultaneously.Everyone sat down, and the chairs automatically adjusted their angles to face the circular screen above. As the countdown reached zero and disappeared, a young woman appeared on the screen, beginning to introduce the platform's content and background. For an experienced player like Boyu, this information was familiar, but it was fresh for newcomers.What truly attracted veteran players was the testing portal that appeared next. Entering it would transport them to a private space to experience various new features. As soon as Boyu stepped in, he felt something different, and Jacob, following closely behind, sensed it too but couldn't pinpoint what had changed.Before they could explore further, a delicious aroma wafted through the air. On the table in the center of the room were two slices of cake. They approached, leaning in closer, and the sweet scent became even more intense. Dipping a finger into the cream and tasting it, the sweet flavor burst on his palate."Wow, this texture is just like reality!" Jacob exclaimed, and soon he began to taste it as well. Before long, the two had devoured the cake.After finishing, Boyu thoughtfully fiddled with the fork in his hand. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he opened the settings panel to take a look."What did you find?" Jacob noticed his expression and asked curiously.Instead of answering directly, Boyu adjusted a few settings. Instantly, Jacob felt the fork in his hand become heavier. After a moment of thought, he realized, "Gravity!""Exactly," Boyu confirmed with a nod, then set the gravity to zero. They both lifted off the ground, slowly floating up.Jacob also pulled up the panel and discovered the temperature settings. He raised the temperature, and the room instantly became uncomfortably hot."Wow, it's too hot!" They quickly lowered the temperature, only to feel a bone-chilling cold. They hurriedly wrapped themselves in blankets and continued to explore other features.For the next hour, they tested various new functions. Boyu even disassembled and reassembled the furniture and appliances in the room, igniting books with electricity and conducting an ionization experiment with water. They were thrilled to discover that the game not only improved the physics and chemistry systems but also added recording and screenshot features.Returning to the hall, other players were also excitedly discussing their new discoveries."That cake was delicious, just like the real thing!""Did you guys notice you can adjust the temperature?""Look at this, I took a photo!"An announcement appeared on the screen: due to significant changes, players would need to restart with new characters. While some felt regret, most were filled with anticipation."Every major update makes the game more interesting," an experienced player explained, "and this is the best time for new players to join; the popularity will be particularly high."After the event concluded, Boyu and Jacob returned to their private space. Jacob comfortably lounged on the sofa, browsing the latest movies and games. Boyu, on the other hand, meticulously studied the official update summary, contemplating how to integrate the new features with his virtual assistant, "Bao'er," to create a portable smart encyclopedia. "By the way! I almost forgot!" Jacob suddenly sat up from the sofa."Today, two beautiful girls came to buy the latest headsets, and they were absolutely stunning. I checked, and one of them is actually a singer from a bar that recently opened," Jacob excitedly said. His goal of dressing up carefully was to attract girls, and the more popular the beauty, the more appealing she was to him. Just imagining the envious glances from others made his heart race."You mean two?" Boyu asked, immediately understanding Jacob's intention. Mentioning two clearly meant he wanted to involve his friend. However, Boyu had a rather unique personality and preferences, making it rare for him to find someone appealing."Don't worry, you'll definitely like them. But it also depends on whether you can handle it, hehe," Jacob chuckled. Over the years, he had come to understand Boyu's type—he liked those beautiful, dangerous, and sexy "bad girls." Whenever he encountered such characters, Boyu would become unusually enthusiastic. Thinking about chatting with that enchanting singer today, along with the alluring aura of the other girl and her captivating eyes, Jacob felt they perfectly matched Boyu's taste.Jacob never forgot to play matchmaker for his good friend, but it wasn't entirely selfless. If he couldn't distract that "female demon," he wouldn't be able to act.Boyu couldn't help but smile wryly. This wasn't the first time; every time Jacob needed his help, he would also push him towards beautiful girls. But Boyu always felt it wasn't quite to his taste, and due to his peculiar personality, he hadn't had much luck with girls.Jacob told him that having a quirky personality wasn't a big deal in romantic relationships. The real trouble lay with unstable personalities and psychological issues. The former was like a ticking time bomb, prone to crying and fussing; the latter felt the world owed them something and had no moral qualms about doing bad things. Both types of girls had caused Jacob a lot of trouble, making him more adept at reading people."I've already made plans; they'll join us for the zombie apocalypse game tomorrow," Jacob announced.Both were quite familiar with the game, but they had always played solo. Now, bringing in two girls would definitely affect the gameplay. Moreover, since it was a relatively hardcore game, the girls probably wouldn't last long before switching to something else, having been lured in by Jacob.Boyu decided to take care of the newcomers and factor in bringing new players."You've made plans already?" Boyu confirmed."Yeah, that's right.""But we're playing a zombie apocalypse game; won't it be too hardcore for girls?""You just don't get it," Jacob said proudly, "girls like guys who can provide them with a sense of security, and this type of game is a super potential stock for creating that scenario." He imagined himself as a hero saving the beauty, winning her heart in one go, and felt quite pleased with himself.Boyu didn't say much more, just hoping that the two newcomers wouldn't be too inexperienced. Even so, having more teammates would be nice. He just hoped they would enjoy the game; if they couldn't continue, it would be fine for them to play something else.While Boyu was analyzing the official update notes in the holographic dream, inside the space station, the old man and the merchant walked back to the repair bay together to check on Boyu's work for the day. The repairs were nearly perfect, minimizing waste and increasing material stock, though the pay was a bit low."Brother, your work here is really a great deal," the merchant remarked upon seeing the nearly flawless repairs."Still laughing? He got bitten hard by you this time," the old man said."Isn't this what you asked for? Now that the lesson is learned, it's still the same price; this is a huge profit, a win-win situation," the merchant replied with a grin."You're so slick with your words," the old man shook his head."Want to grab a meal?" the merchant suggested."I can't just eat anything; my wife wants me to watch my diet," the old man declined politely."Hahaha, then I'll talk about it next time I come back," the merchant said as he boarded the ship, turning back to add, "With a wife like that, I'd be happy to eat whatever she tells me to.""Get lost," the old man laughed and scolded.The two bid farewell like old friends. The merchant ship slowly departed the port, sailing towards the distant expedition ship along with many other vessels. Once fully loaded, it activated the wormhole engine.The entire ship's surface was enveloped in energy, spreading from one end to the other, emitting light wherever it passed, becoming transparent and almost semi-ethereal, before disappearing from sight. Soon, it would appear in another part of the universe.

# Chapter One: Children of the Stars

## Episode One: Stars from BeyondIn a small living room, a tall woman was engaged in a workout. Her black hair was slightly short and messy, simply tied into a ponytail. She skillfully swung a heavy barbell, her body moving gracefully back and forth, showcasing smooth and beautiful muscle lines. Beads of sweat glistened as they slid down her delicate face.After finishing her workout, she walked over to close the window, shutting out the noise from outside. Then, she lazily sat on the sofa, playing with a new version of a holographic headset in her hands. A hint of disdain flashed in her beautiful eyes, but it quickly returned to calm."Is this what he wants?" she asked, picking up a small square box the size of her palm."I already sent the data disk back; consider this headset our payment," replied the girl next to her. This girl had a well-proportioned figure, wearing shorts, and her large eyes were quite impressive. She had a towel wrapped around her head, revealing some natural curls, just coming out of the bathroom, and took the headset."I don't understand what this thing is useful for us. Plus, I think that salesman was particularly enthusiastic about you; he must have a crush on you," the tall girl said."Isn't that better? His initiative can help us understand this place more easily.""Well, then let me take a shot at it. Thinking about it, he’s actually quite handsome," a playful smile appeared on her otherwise cold face."Regretting it? It's a bit late now. With how fierce you were to him before, he’s probably scared of you. But don’t worry, he brought a friend along. Just don’t go too far and scare them off.""Did I?" she replied with a ghostly and mysterious smile."Alright, hurry up and take a shower; it's almost time."The girl was pulled up reluctantly and walked into the bathroom. After washing up, she lay on the bed and put on the headset."Activate." As her drowsiness deepened, darkness enveloped her, and she entered a dream. She had experienced this before, but sharing a headset with another girl previously was inconvenient, and they couldn't enter the game together. Today was their first time meeting in the game.When she opened her eyes again, her virtual character had appeared in a private space. She was always casual, and her character was only slightly modified, differing a bit from reality. Her space was filled with various furniture, all obtained through game tasks and achievements. The walls remained the default white. Soon, she received a communication from Alice."Kat, can you hear me?"Alice's voice was clear and pleasant, making it enjoyable to listen to."I can hear you," Kat replied briefly."I'll pull you into the team in a bit; first, let’s create your character."Every game requires character creation, allowing for up to a 20% modification based on real appearance. Kat made minimal adjustments and logged in with her virtual image.Passing through a door, Kat entered a dark space. After agreeing to the team application, she felt a few figures appear around her. One was the familiar Alice, while the other two were strangers. One was a well-built man with a carefully styled haircut, likely the sales manager who sold the headset that day. He had previously been captivated by Alice and invited her to play the game. Kat felt a bit annoyed by his pursuit of Alice but was also drawn to his charm. The other slender figure completely failed to pique her interest.After everyone was ready, a few more figures appeared. The system began to explain:"This is Earth in the 21st century, which has fallen into a biochemical crisis for unknown reasons, leading to a collapse of order. This chaotic world is filled with uncertainties, and the story will change based on the players' choices. The fate of the world is in your hands. We have prepared a lot of content that will be gradually unlocked."As the surrounding darkness dissipated, a new world unfolded before them. Their senses were gradually filled, extending from the figures around them to the entire field of vision.Kat looked at the handsome salesman; his game character seemed even more attractive, stirring some impulses within her, but she restrained herself, occasionally stealing glances at him.At that moment, she noticed someone was observing her; it was the previously slender figure.Boyu was checking the team members. He had already noticed this tall woman, and even from just the outline, he could tell she had an almost perfect figure. Her long body, slim waist, curvy hips, and strong, full thighs moved with a wild grace. The muscles on her body were just right, enhancing her femininity rather than detracting from it. Her large eyes were sharp and captivating, revealing confidence and disdain, cold yet wild, making people want to look but not daring to stare directly.Her game name was "Heartbreaker."Noticing the gaze, the girl glanced at him and then walked over to Alice without paying him any mind. The group began to observe the world around them.They stood on a road filled with countless vehicles, stretching endlessly. People nearby dragged their luggage slowly, resembling a scene just before the apocalypse. Many players started to express their feelings:"Oh my god, it's so hot, I feel like I'm melting.""What is that smell? It's so pungent, like something is burning.""The gravity feels strange, is this Earth?""Hey, what's this?" Some players took out the phones attached to their characters, but they didn't know how to use them; the phones were unresponsive, like bricks.The game was set on Earth, continuously updated to enhance the storyline and system. With this system upgrade, the zombie apocalypse officially entered the official section, supported by the developers, bringing new features and abundant resources and funds. Based on existing content, new storylines would be automatically generated according to players' actions, creating a living world.Many new players were shocked by the realism of the sensory experience in this world, especially those using the holographic dream for the first time. In this world, the temperature felt like a wave of heat, especially from the sun, which seemed to be baking the ground. If it weren't for the burning vehicles in the distance, players might think the road was melting. There was a hint of a foul smell in the air, but it was hard to detect due to other odors. Among all environmental factors, gravity affected some people more significantly, as they were used to low or zero-gravity environments and would take time to adapt, so the game also allowed for sensitivity settings."Come, let me introduce everyone," Jacob said, leading the group aside for introductions."This is Alice, the new popular singer at Comet Bar. Her songs are enchanting and captivating, perhaps only her looks can rival her talent." Jacob's introduction sounded more like flirting, and Alice smiled cutely at Boyu, her beautiful smile making him a bit flustered. Moreover, her game name was lovely, Starry Moon; did she really love Earth that much?"This is...""Kat, my best sister." Alice stepped forward, hugging the tall, slender girl at her waist and spinning around, while the tall girl gently patted her head."Everyone, this is Boyu, the most outstanding mechanic of the younger generation I know, and also my best friend." He greeted shyly, his usually expressionless face managing a slight smile. Jacob kept his introduction brief, as too much attention would make Boyu nervous, especially in front of two such beautiful girls.After everyone got to know each other, they prepared to start the game. At this point, many players had already begun exploring the game world on their own, conducting various tests and rummaging for usable weapons, creating a commotion that drew strange and disdainful looks from many NPCs."Wow, is it starting?" a nearby player asked curiously, just recovering from the sensory overload."Don't just stand there, follow the plan and split up," the leading player commanded, prompting many groups to pull out maps and head off in different directions."Shouldn't we go find something too?" Alice asked, pointing towards the town where the players were heading, and Kat silently nodded in agreement behind her."Ha, leave that to us; today we'll let you fully experience the storyline." He patted Boyu on the shoulder as he spoke.Kat looked at Boyu, unable to discern what skills he possessed, but seeing Alice agree, she decided to follow along. If all else failed, she had memorized a few early weapon crafting methods, like sharpening a stick and charring it over a fire to make a spear.Boyu took out the map from his backpack and examined it closely, recording all the details for analysis, while also testing the connection port's functionality.The nearest location was a rest stop that looked like a common highway rest area, but it had more shops to cater to the shopping and entertainment needs of the surrounding residents. In addition to the usual supermarket and fast-food restaurant, there were repair shops, cinemas, gyms, and other daily necessities.Jacob and his group did not follow the other players to search for weapons; instead, they walked along, observing their surroundings. They spotted a golden retriever under a utility pole, and Alice immediately approached to pet it, clearly enamored. Boyu noticed a toolbox next to the dog and looked up to see an elderly mechanic busy at work, prompting him to alert Jacob.Before long, the mechanic reluctantly descended from the utility pole. He was dressed in work clothes, and despite his white hair, he appeared vigorous, giving off a sense of youthful spirit despite his age.Jacob stepped forward and asked, "Excuse me, sir, we just arrived here and would like to know about the situation nearby." He maintained his usual gentlemanly demeanor."Who are you?" the man scrutinized him."Jacob," he extended his hand, familiar with the customs of Earth."Charlie." The middle-aged mechanic assessed the polite Jacob and the cheerful Alice playing with the dog, seemingly appreciating the young people, which raised his favorability by +1. He led the group to a shaded area to sit down and began to share his story."You must have evacuated from the city, huh? Tough luck. It's not every day that a nuclear bomb lands at your doorstep. I remember that day clearly; I thought the end was near and I had to escape, but shortly after those bombs were launched, the sky lit up with all sorts of colors, and those rockets lost control and fell. It seems even God has had enough of humanity's madness, or maybe we've all gone to meet Him. You were smart to get out early; if you waited for the government to notify you, who knows how long that would take."As he spoke, he glanced at the long line of vehicles nearby with a look of dissatisfaction. Boyu walked over to observe the cars being repaired and quickly identified the problem. These vehicles appeared to be incapacitated, but they primarily relied on internal combustion engines. If pushed, they could still run, but there was no space to push them, and even if they started, they wouldn't get far due to the traffic jam stretching endlessly.Charlie continued, "While you don't have to worry about nuclear radiation, the situation here isn't great either. The utility poles along the way are short-circuited, and there's no electricity; you'll need a gasoline generator. And those are hard to come by even if you have money. All the vehicles are stuck on the road, and no one knows where the fuel trucks are. It won't be long before we lose power completely.""You all need to be careful; there are gunshots every night around here. I've heard that there have been robberies at night, and some people have even died. The nearby stores have suffered, so if you stay at a hotel, don't open the door at night. Since you can't make calls and there are no police, you need to be extra cautious if the power goes out at night," Charlie warned, glancing at the two girls in the group."Thank you, we'll be careful," Jacob replied."Oh, by the way," Charlie added, "I saw some people causing a ruckus up ahead; things have been quite unsettled lately. You might want to rest a bit and see how things unfold before moving on, or you could get caught up in it.""Thank you, we'll be on our way." Charlie organized his toolbox, called for his golden retriever, and headed toward the rest area."We're on the way too; let me help you with that, old man," Jacob said, taking the toolbox from the middle-aged man. He felt a bit more admiration for the young man. Charlie's favorability increased by +2.The group followed Charlie to the entrance of the highway. There was a large crowd and a young police officer, and the scene was quite chaotic, with the officer looking particularly grim. The group approached to inquire, and the young officer described his predicament: he was unable to maintain order, and due to recent events, many stores had been looted and vandalized. Store owners came to him with complaints, but he felt powerless. As a single officer, he couldn't manage everything.Charlie stepped forward to inquire, and the police officer gradually calmed down. Through their conversation, the group learned that the officer's name was Mike, and he lived not far away in Boulder Town. Although not particularly clever, he was a decent person, but faced with the situation, he had begun to give up, only stepping in during serious incidents, prioritizing the big issues over the small ones.Suddenly, the golden retriever caught a scent and began barking wildly at the nearby farmland. The group was puzzled but soon realized the problem.At that moment, a large crowd of people suddenly surged from the fields beside the road. They looked disheveled and terrified, shouting as they ran. Some were injured, and those nearby yelled for the wounded to stay away from them. It seemed they were fleeing from something behind them. The appearance of these people caught the attention of the police and others. Behind them, strange figures moved awkwardly, lunging at anyone who got too close. Among the fleeing crowd, some unfortunate souls tripped and were immediately surrounded, letting out brief but horrific screams.The figures continued to close in. The officer jumped onto an RV and began firing his gun, urging the crowd to remain calm and move away in an orderly fashion. For a moment, no one spoke; the silence was eerie, broken only by the sounds of rustling grass and helpless whimpers. But as the strange figures stepped into the sunlight, everyone could finally see what they were.These people, dressed in tattered, blood-soaked clothes, had skin that was a deep red, with bloodshot eyes and mouths wide open, oozing blood and thick saliva. They resembled hellish, human-like demons."Devils! Monsters!""Run!"It was unclear who started shouting, but the crowd immediately panicked, and the situation spiraled out of control once again.In the chaos, many people were knocked to the ground, and the monsters surged forward to feast on them. They kept emerging from the fields, seemingly endless.In the distance, some players who had acquired weapons early on charged towards the zombies for the thrill of battle. A few burly players swung their axes, effortlessly cleaving the zombies' heads in two. This type of axe was one of the best early weapons, boasting high attack power and durability, and despite its weight, it posed no problem for these strong players.However, other players were not so fortunate. Seeing the burly players easily defeat the zombies, they mistakenly believed they could do the same and rushed forward recklessly. Ordinary zombies were incredibly strong, impervious to pain, and exceptionally tough; without suitable weapons, they were hard to defeat. Most of the weapons in the hands of these players were small axes, tool hammers, wrenches, and steel rods, which lacked the power of the axes.Nevertheless, some experienced players managed to handle the zombies safely through teamwork. One would attract the zombies' attention while others launched sneak attacks from behind, working together to take down the zombies and crush their skulls. Even so, faced with an increasing number of zombies, even the burly players felt overwhelmed and ultimately had to retreat."Oh no, I've been infected." A male player felt the pain of a bite; although he wasn't entirely sure yet, he knew it meant he would turn into a zombie, it was just a matter of time."Drop your weapons and get out of here!" A commanding voice rang out from the team. The players began to retreat while searching for supplies. This battle was mainly to familiarize themselves with the new combat system and gather intelligence, avoiding unnecessary casualties."What’s going on? Why wasn’t there any warning before?" An officer complained angrily. Due to communication breakdowns, he couldn't report the situation to his superiors or receive instructions from them.Suddenly, Officer Mike spotted a familiar figure in the crowd. He quickly moved forward and fired at a zombie chasing a young girl. Although the zombie seemed unaffected by the pain, a bullet eventually struck its head, bringing it down."Mary, it's okay, I'm here." Mike reached the girl, who immediately threw herself into his arms, calming her panic slightly.Charlie picked up the injured girl and hurriedly carried her away from the scene."Mike, going to the hospital isn't realistic right now; I have a first aid kit in my shop," Charlie said while running and gesturing for the others to follow.Most of the stores they passed had been looted, with windows boarded up, but many were also damaged. In a corner, there was a shop reinforced with steel plates, and a sturdy iron door was installed. The door showed clear signs of attempted forced entry, but it was evident that it had not been successfully opened.Charlie took out his keys, turned the lock, and the heavy door creaked open. He signaled for his golden retriever to enter first, and then everyone quickly followed and shut the door behind them.Once inside the shop, Charlie led Mike, who was carrying the girl, to search for the first aid kit, with the others trailing behind. The immersive experience put everyone on edge. Bo Yu recorded the viral infection process on video, while Ka followed along reluctantly, seemingly uninterested, as if she had been dragged to watch a soap opera.As Bo Yu walked, he observed the shop's environment. Charlie was clearly skilled; the equipment and materials in the shop were all crafted by him. In the corner, a generator was running, with several barrels of gasoline nearby.While the girl sat down to have her wounds checked, Bo Yu reviewed and analyzed the previously recorded video with Bao Er. He discovered that infected individuals did not immediately turn into zombies; based on the speed at which the red spread from the girl, it would take at least a day to spread throughout her body. Upon closer inspection of the footage, he also noted that if an infected person died, they would quickly turn into a zombie, a process that could take as little as a few seconds to several minutes.With this in mind, he briefly explained the situation to Jacob and then got up to explore the shop. He approached the generator and began to examine it closely."It should be broken," he thought, scrutinizing it. A panel slowly appeared: the engine had been disassembled and was currently inoperable due to an unknown fault. He began checking the parts one by one, enjoying the process.What puzzled him was that the manufacturer and design of this generator did not exist in the real world. Bao Er found no records of this model or shape. However, he understood the principles of engines, and before long, Bo Yu identified the faulty part. He replaced the defective component and slowly reassembled the generator. The moment he finished, he saw a system prompt: Repair +50, Mechanics +50. Both skills had significantly increased, far surpassing the few points gained from other skills.In reality, Bo Yu was a mechanic, and repairing things was second nature to him. He realized that skills from the real world could enhance the learning speed of corresponding skills in the game, allowing him to reach higher levels more quickly.Looking at the various tools and materials in the shop, he began to think about how to create weapons. The axe he had seen earlier left a deep impression on him, so he decided to replicate one. However, he found that there was no equipment to heat metal in the shop, so he decided to make one himself. Using electric heating for metal, he skillfully wrapped wires around a steel pipe and quickly completed an electromagnetic heater.Meanwhile, the men waited outside the room while Alice treated the girl's wounds inside. Although she knew what would happen next, the immersive experience of this storyline was a great pleasure for her. It felt as if she had entered the story and become a part of it; she seemed to have some experience in this regard. After disinfecting the wound, she bandaged it with clean gauze and then called the others in."You'll be okay, Mary," Mike said as he entered, holding the girl, who let out soft sobs in his arms."Mike, those monsters are just ordinary people who were bitten. I will become like them; you should leave and live well," she said."No, I will never leave you," he replied, holding her tightly, their hands clasped together.Alice watched this touching scene up close and instinctively held Jacob's hand. Mike then stood up, taking Mary's hand as they prepared to leave."Where are you going?" Charlie asked."To the church," Mike replied. At that moment, Mary's face flushed with happiness, revealing a smile."Wait!" Jacob stepped forward, momentarily catching them off guard. "We can help you go, but it's dangerous to head out directly; we need to prepare some weapons first," Jacob said. Mike recalled the monsters they had encountered and the few bullets he had left, nodding helplessly.Suddenly, a task prompt popped up for the players: "Doomsday Lovebirds - What do this couple want to do at the church in their final moments? Will you help them?" The task description was extremely simple, with the rewards unknown, requiring players to explore on their own. This was a team task, visible to all members.Jacob turned to Charlie: "Can we borrow some things from your shop to make weapons?""Sure, but my generator is broken..." Charlie hadn't finished his sentence when they heard the generator starting up outside.The task prompt suddenly displayed a new task and then showed it as completed: "Help Charlie fix the generator.""Hey? I clearly remember it was broken." Charlie said, scratching his thinning hair in confusion, recalling how frustrated he was when he couldn't fix it before."It seems my friend has already repaired it; he's quite skilled with machinery," Jacob explained to the old man, realizing what had happened."Then feel free to use it," Charlie nodded, leading his dog and the others to check the situation.Jacob found Bo Yu and briefly explained the situation. After hearing this, Bo Yu decided to make some defensive weapons for them to use when they went out.He placed a steel plate into his homemade electric heating wire to heat it up, then used a cutting tool to shape it into an axe head, followed by grinding it to create a sharp edge. After that, he heated it until it was glowing red and quenched it in the prepared oil. Finally, he welded the axe head onto a steel pipe and wrapped the handle with cloth. The entire process took only a few minutes, and everyone present, except Jacob, looked on in astonishment.The system prompted Bo Yu: "Detected player has completed weapon creation, would you like to generate attributes?" After confirming, a panel gradually appeared:Simple Axe: Attack Power 13-18, Attack Frequency 0.8/sec, Heavy Cutting Damage, Durability 25/25.Bo Yu then found two files and sharpened them into spearheads, welding them onto steel pipes to create short spears.Simple Spear: Attack Power 8-11, Attack Speed 1.4/sec, Piercing Damage, Durability 30/30.Jacob picked up the axe and distributed the short spears to Alice and Mike. Bo Yu watched as his crafting skill experience bar skyrocketed, reminding them to bring back some food.Only Charlie and Ka remained in the room. Charlie sat on the sofa, petting his dog, looking like a worldly old man. Ka had somehow stood beside Bo Yu, watching him craft weapons for the team.When Bo Yu looked up, he saw her so close, her beautiful face, smooth skin, and captivating green eyes made his heart race instinctively."Hey, can you make me a weapon too?" Ka asked. She found "Bo Yu" hard to pronounce, so she simply dropped the "u" and called him "boy." （So when she calls him by name, its actually "boy"）"Sure, no problem. Uh... what kind do you want?" Bo Yu felt a bit nervous, staring at her exquisite and beautiful face, which had a natural hint of allure, momentarily forgetting what to say.Ka noticed the flush on the boy's face and found it quite cute, a mischievous smile flashing in her eyes.After a while, under her description, Bo Yu picked up the steel plate and started cutting. He crafted a long, straight blade that was suitable for both slashing and stabbing while keeping it lightweight. After shaping it, he began to grind it to ensure it was long yet light. However, during the quenching process, the blade developed cracks and deformations, posing a risk of breaking during use. The same result occurred with two consecutive attempts.It seemed to be a material issue; after all, this was ordinary steel, and such results were normal. He examined it carefully, found a solution, and cut and shaped another piece, continuing to heat it. This time, instead of quenching it in oil, he hung the blade with iron wire to let it cool slowly."Did you find the problem?" Ka asked, watching the hanging blade, which quickly cooled to a non-glowing state but still radiated heat."Yes, it's due to uneven internal structure, which creates weak points. This becomes particularly evident when it gets very thin." He pointed to the cracks on the blade and tapped it with a hammer, causing it to crack and break."So it can only cool naturally to allow the structure to become more uniform." After saying this, he picked up the blade that had cooled sufficiently and reheated it. This time, he heated the entire blade, not just the edge, and then quenched it in oil. Fortunately, this time the blade neither cracked nor bent. He immediately took it out and placed it in a nearby oven."What is this?" Ka asked, having been watching all along, eager to learn so she could do it herself later, but still unsure about some aspects."This is a step in heat treatment, which allows changes to occur within the steel. Steel that's too hard isn't good; a slightly softer one is sturdier," Bo Yu explained to Ka as he closed the oven. While waiting, he went on to cut and grind several more pieces, and Ka followed along, quickly picking up the skills despite her initial clumsiness, while Bo Yu watched his crafting skill experience soar.After both had polished several pieces, they worked together to heat them and hang them up. They walked over to check the first blade in the oven; Bo Yu took it out and installed the handle, then began to check the generated attributes.Handmade Long blade: Normal, Attack Power 9-13, Attack Speed 1.5/sec, Light Cutting/Piercing Damage, Total Length 1.02 meters, Blade Length: 0.8 meters, Durability 15/15.The attributes are quite good, with attack power higher than that of a spear and attack speed faster than that of a short spear. Ka picked up the knife and weighed it in her hand, then began to swing it through the air. Her long and graceful movements were as beautiful as a blooming rose. Each swing of the knife produced a slicing sound, giving Bo Yu the impression of a rose in full bloom, thorny and with each petal being a sharp blade.After practicing for a while, Ka was very satisfied, while Bo Yu noticed something: he had used the most appropriate temperature for heat treatment in reality, but it didn't seem to be the best. To test this, he used the same method to bake two more knives at different temperatures, as the other steps seemed fine.After waiting, he completed the knives and generated their attributes, discovering something he hadn't considered before: the physical laws of the game were somewhat different from reality, with slight modifications. This led to different optimal heat treatment temperatures in reality, one higher and one lower. The one at the higher temperature had better attack power and durability.Handmade Long Knife: Exquisite, Attack Power 12-16, Attack Speed 1.5/sec, Light Cutting/Piercing Damage, Total Length 1.02 meters, Blade Length: 0.8 meters, Durability 25/25.Ka came over and immediately found her new favorite, picking it up and continuously polishing it until it shone.This led Bo Yu to a bold guess: the game altered the corresponding values to prevent players from directly replicating real-world inventions in the game. After all, after playing this game for so long, he knew one thing very well: the developers wanted players to explore the various contents and functions of the game on their own. It seemed they had put a lot of effort into this new crafting system.Bo Yu then experimented three more times and finally found the approximate optimal temperature. He had Bao Er record the entire process.After that, he took the knife and prepared to go out to search for other supplies. After all, a knife is just a melee weapon; to survive in this game, one always needs a gun. While the knife is powerful, it is not as powerful as a gun. In such an environment, with Bo Yu's abilities, he certainly had to craft his own. This time, he was going out to find the necessary items, having some ideas based on what he currently knew.Ka didn't need to be called; seeing Bo Yu about to go out, she immediately followed. With her new weapon in hand, she was eager to practice, and even if Bo Yu didn't go out, she wanted to find some unfortunate zombies to test her skills. The two set out towards a nearby large materials and tools supermarket. Soon, the small store quieted down as Charlie stepped out of the room to feed his golden retriever, watching the well-crafted weapons and recalling his younger self.Meanwhile, the four were on their way to the church. Although there were zombies on the road, most of them were attracted by the gunfire around them, and they only needed to deal with a few that noticed them.Jacob led the way with an axe, easily handling the zombies. His strong physique was perfectly mirrored in the game, combined with some combat skills he had learned before and the experience accumulated in the game, fighting was a breeze for him.Mike and Alice each held a short spear, guarding the sides. With the length advantage of their weapons, they could easily pierce the heads of any zombies that got too close. If one strike missed, a follow-up spear thrust was no problem. The short spear was lightweight and agile, with a fast attack speed, making it very suitable for this situation.Injured Mary was placed in the middle of the three, receiving the best protection.Alice also took the time to check the hands of each fallen zombie, quickly removing any rings she found. Initially, she was curious about why Jacob wanted her to look for these, but as she glanced at the couple heading to the church, it all clicked for her.On the way, they passed a photography store, where a mannequin happened to have a pair of wedding dresses, which they quickly stripped off before continuing on their way.After fighting their way through, they finally arrived at the church. After knocking, the priest and a few people inside opened the door to let the four in. The people inside appeared very flustered, both men and women. Some began to panic upon seeing the bandages on Mary.These were people who had previously fled here, knowing that those infected would turn into zombies. In their panic, they revealed another side of themselves that was usually hidden. Soon, someone shouted to kick Mary out, calling her a monster. But when they saw the bulging veins on Officer Mike's forehead and his hand reaching for his gun, despite their bravado, their bodies instinctively recoiled.Jacob stepped forward to explain the situation to the priest. After all, the matter at hand was urgent, and there was no need to clash with these people; they were only here to hold a wedding.The priest was deeply moved after hearing this, as he knew the couple well. He quickly calmed everyone down and had them sit. The two newcomers changed into their wedding attire; Mary's fit perfectly, while Mike's was a bit small, but that didn't matter. Alice took out the rings from her pocket, carefully cleaned them, and handed them to the couple before sitting next to Jacob.Mike and Mary stepped forward, facing each other closely, holding hands.The priest began the ceremony: "Mike, do you take Mary to be your wife? From this day forward, will you love her with all your heart, be loyal to her, in sickness and in health, in wealth and in poverty, until death do you part?"Mike answered firmly, "I do."The priest turned to Mary and asked, "Mary, do you take Mike to be your husband? From this day forward, will you stand by him in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth?"With tears in her eyes and a hint of bloodshot in her gaze, Mary firmly replied, "I do."After exchanging rings, they shared a passionate kiss, and warm, brief applause erupted from the audience, blessing the newlyweds.Once the ceremony concluded, Mike quickly led his new bride out of the church, followed closely by Jacob and Alice. They fought their way back to Mike's home, gathering flowers and food along the way. Eventually, they escorted the newlyweds to a modest little villa.After bidding farewell to the newlyweds, Jacob and Alice decided to continue exploring the town of Stone."Let's go," Jacob suggested. "If possible, let's check out that gun store and grab some food on the way back."The two found a shopping cart by the roadside and pushed it while slashing through zombies in search of supplies. As they approached the gun store, the number of zombies increased, and the gunfire grew louder, making the situation seem increasingly perilous.For safety, Jacob and Alice decided to take cover. They climbed to the second floor of a nearby shop and pulled out a sniper scope to carefully observe their surroundings.Through the scope, they saw that the town center was nearly overrun with zombies, with a dense mass of corpses continuously gathering there. Clearly, the ongoing gunfire had attracted a large number of zombies to that location."It looks like we can't get to the gun store now," Jacob remarked as he checked the attributes of Mike's shotgun through the scope, watching the zombies slowly converge.Mike's hunting rifle:Quality: ExquisiteAttack Power: 35-45Attack Speed: 0.5/secDamage Type: High Piercing DamageAccuracy (MOA): 1.6Bullet Velocity: 800m/sDurability: 30/30Ammunition Type: 308Ergonomics: 55Recoil: 155Weight: 2.5kgAttachments: Hunter 800 Optical Scope (3-20x magnification)Ammunition: NoneMagazine Capacity: 5 roundsJacob carefully examined the shotgun's performance. "This gun is quite good," he commented. "It feels great and is lightweight. However, the magazine capacity is limited, allowing only two spare magazines. It's suitable for hunting but not for sustained high-intensity shooting, as overheating the barrel can affect accuracy.""Let me take a look," Alice said, taking the gun and expertly aiming it at the distant zombies. She focused on her target, unaware that several unsavory figures were already watching them nearby.Meanwhile, on Bo Yu's side, he had mentioned where they were going, and Ka was in front, wielding her dual blades and effortlessly slashing through zombies, one after another, her long body moving gracefully and lethally. Bo Yu was so entranced that he almost got too close to a zombie. He quickly grabbed his knife and swung it at the zombie's neck. The blade got stuck halfway, but fortunately, the zombie was hindered by the blow, allowing him to pull out a short spear and stab it through the head. He retrieved his stuck knife from the zombie, hoping Ka hadn't seen that moment. Unbeknownst to him, he was undergoing some changes in his demeanor.The two arrived at the Hammer Supermarket, which sold all kinds of tools. Bo Yu found a specialized shopping cart at the entrance, perfect for carrying larger items. Ka approached a vending machine, smashed the glass, and grabbed a drink, downing it in one go before snatching a chocolate bar. When she saw Bo Yu pushing the cart over, she emptied her finds into it.Inside the Hammer Supermarket, there was no one but a few wandering zombies. Bo Yu roamed around, placing usable items into the shopping cart. He reached a tool section that had been cleared out, leaving only a few sticks behind. It seemed the previous strongman had taken the best axes from here, and the tools that could be used as weapons appeared to have been taken as well.While Ka munched on snacks and drinks, she slowly polished her dual blades, maintaining her weapons. Bo Yu began testing a suitable propellant. After all, the chemistry in this world differed from reality, but as long as it was flammable, especially gas used for burning, its properties should remain the same.He attached valves to both ends of a steel pipe, injecting gas while maintaining some air to ensure complete combustion. After some testing, he discovered that the ratios differed from reality, so he had to find the right proportions himself. Drawing from his previous experience, he quickly figured out the most explosive combination of gasoline, gas, and air.Bo Yu assembled another steel pipe to the valve as the barrel and loaded a steel nail into the chamber. As the valve opened, the lighter inside ignited, igniting the gas, which heated the air inside to create an instantaneous expansion. The pressure propelled the steel nail out of the barrel, embedding it deeply into the wooden target, showcasing its immense power. Although its energy density was not as high as gunpowder, with a sufficiently large reaction space, its power would not be significantly less.At that moment, Ka, who was lounging on the sofa, caught a whiff of the smell and came over. She glanced at the pipe-like device in Bo Yu's hand and the nail embedded in the wood, realizing that this guy might actually be useful."But your nail is still spinning," Ka pointed out, indicating the nail in the wood. The nail was not inserted with the pointed end first but was standing upright in the board."Oh, I considered that," Bo Yu replied, pulling out his design sketch. "The finished product should look like this."Ka examined the blueprint closely. The back of the nail had been fitted with a tail fin to stabilize its flight in the air, resembling a non-standard projectile. The sketch also included a method for rapid mass production."This head's lethality isn't great," Ka quickly identified the issue.Indeed, the head of the nail was still pointed, and even with that, the damage it could inflict was limited. Bo Yu took a nail, pondered for a moment, and then struck the head with a hammer twice. The pointed end instantly sprouted a pair of blades, transforming into an arrowhead shape.He hadn't expected Ka to spot the design flaw and offer improvement suggestions so quickly. Seizing the opportunity, he began designing a semi-automatic loading system for quicker follow-up shots. Ka seemed to find joy in this; she realized that this boy could understand her ideas and bring them to life. Previously, when she was with Alice, the latter often failed to grasp her thoughts. Moreover, Ka's own ability and time for hands-on creation were limited, so these ideas had only existed in her mind from the moment she arrived until now.Just as the two were engrossed in their discussion, Alice sent a message. They were being followed by a group of people; Jacob had managed to scare off a large portion of them with his shouting, but the remaining 5-6 individuals were persistent and annoying. Ka immediately instructed Alice to return directly, saying she would handle those people.The golden retriever lying in its dog bed became alert upon catching the scent, barking loudly. The smell of these people was reminiscent of those who had attempted to loot the store the previous night. Charlie rushed over, peering through the crack in the door, and spotted a group of thugs closing in. They were pursuing Alice and Jacob but kept a safe distance, seemingly wary of Jacob and the weapon he held. However, it became evident that their eyes were fixated on Alice, who was pushing a shopping cart full of food ahead of Jacob. Ka and Bo Yu observed the situation closely from behind the iron door.As they approached the storefront, a leading thug stepped forward, his eyes filled with desire as he stared at Alice."Hey, little sister, with the situation so chaotic, why not come with us? We have the numbers."Bo Yu was puzzled as to why Jacob hadn't taken action. These individuals appeared to be cowardly bullies taking advantage of the chaos, unlikely to confront a strong opponent directly. Just then, Ka's hand rested on his shoulder."The bald guy in front has a gun at his waist, ready to draw at any moment," Ka pointed out.Following her finger, Bo Yu indeed saw the outline of a gun beneath the man's clothing, and his posture clearly indicated he was prepared to draw."Can you take out the one with the gun? If not, making some noise will do," Ka asked, then stood up, grabbing her dual blades and quietly slipped out through the back door.Bo Yu thought for a moment and decided to win by numbers. He cut several nails into thirds, loaded them all into the barrel, adjusted the pressure to the maximum, and then ran to the second floor."Hey, isn't this the old man's house? Let him open the door; we could use a place to stay," the thugs below had already surrounded Alice, making lewd comments. The thug with the gun stood in the back, completely unaware of the barrel protruding from the second floor.With a loud bang, countless fragments of nails shot out from the barrel. The thug with the gun didn't even have time to react before being hit in multiple vital areas, dying on the spot.The thugs panicked and turned around, two of them were instantly killed by Jacob and Alice. The others hurriedly fled, not noticing the slender figure darting past them. Ka, wielding her dual blades, had a slight smirk on her lips, her gaze cold and enchanting. Her body moved gracefully like a snake, weaving elegantly among the few remaining thugs. Each movement was filled with deadly beauty, the blades slicing through the air with a faint hum. Ka's long hair danced in the moonlight, shimmering with a chilling glow. Each of her strikes was precise, leaving behind a trail of severed limbs. In the blink of an eye, Ka had dispatched the remaining thugs, standing amidst the corpses, the blood dripping from her blades glimmering with an eerie light in the moonlight. She slowly licked her lips, a glint of satisfaction and excitement flashing in her eyes.The group collected the weapons from the thugs and moved the bodies to a nearby thicket. Once back in the store, they began organizing the food they had brought back while chatting casually. Alice hugged Ka and recounted the romantic story of Mike and Mary.Bo Yu listened nearby, his gaze fixed on Ka. He recalled the scene he had just witnessed on the rooftop—Ka's graceful yet deadly figure weaving through enemies, as merciless as the Grim Reaper, yet as beautiful as a rose, and as fearless as a warrior. This perfectly matched the image of the ideal heroine in his mind. Since childhood, he had often fantasized about being the protagonist of a story, embarking on adventures with the heroine. The only difference was that he wished to provide her with more care, ultimately achieving a happy ending.After Alice's story ended, Ka and Bo Yu focused intently on designing and creating a reloading system. Both were fully immersed in the task.Before long, they completed a device similar to a magazine. This device utilized a spring to provide pressure; when the chamber was manually pulled open, a steel nail would be pressed in while the gas chamber was filled. Once the chamber was closed, reloading became very quick and convenient.To improve long-range accuracy, Bo Yu added a tail fin design. They placed rubber rings at the back of the steel nails, heating them and molding them into shape. As for the arrowhead design suggested by Ka, they first shaped it with a hammer and then cut out the tip. This process could also be completed using the same mold—first heating the head, using heat conduction to simultaneously warm the rubber, then pressing the arrowhead into the mold, and finally heat-treating it in oil. This unified multiple processes, greatly saving time. They could produce ten steel nails in one operation, with one person able to complete a batch in about a minute.After Bo Yu carved another mold, they quickly produced a large number of "fire nails." As their skill proficiency increased, their manufacturing speed and quality also improved.Seeing Ka so engrossed in this task, Alice felt a warm sense of joy, as if Ka had found a new hobby. After organizing the food, she went to the elderly kitchen on the second floor with Jacob and Charlie. It was a simple kitchen. Although the ingredients were limited to produce from nearby farms and various canned goods, the meals they prepared still tasted quite good.Charlie sat down in a good mood and shared the background of those thugs. They were a cancer to the town, an outside gang that had appeared at some unknown time, wreaking havoc. Since the police couldn't manage them, they had been getting away with it. At this point, a hint of sadness crossed Charlie's face as he mentioned that his son had once hung out with this group, and due to his naivety, he ended up being a scapegoat, taking the fall for others and ending up in prison.At that moment, everyone received a quest notification regarding Charlie's son in prison. However, the quest description was very brief, lacking any clues or reward information. Clearly, the system wanted players to gather clues on their own to complete the quest, just like the previous story of Mike and Mary.Alice and Jacob stayed behind to ask Charlie for more information, such as the specific location of the prison. Meanwhile, Bo Yu wanted to test the new weapon he had crafted.He took fuel and fire nails up to the rooftop, with Ka following behind, also holding a similar weapon.The sun had set, but the night was bright, and objects outside the shadows were still clearly visible. The zombies moved differently now, no longer swaying like they did during the day; they were faster yet still moved oddly. In the distance, zombies were heading towards the supermarket, drawn by the sounds of ongoing fighting. Although the area was rich in supplies, it was open and hard to defend. Players entering could easily be surrounded by zombies, and chaotic battles would attract even more. Even if a respawn point was established, facing such a number of zombies made it difficult to execute strategies, essentially leading to being overwhelmed until the survival point fell, forcing players to respawn at random locations.Bo Yu explained the attribute generation process to Ka, and together they began generating and checking the attributes, which indeed showed little difference.Homemade Firearm:- Quality: Ordinary- Attack Power: 15-20- Damage Type: Piercing- Firing Mode: Single-shot- Ergonomics: 34- Recoil: 87- Accuracy: 3.5 MOA- Bullet Speed: 289 m/s- Durability: 27/27- Weight: 3.9 kg- Accessories:  - Silencer: Firing Noise -20, Ergonomics -5  - Simple Magazine: Capacity 10, Ergonomics -3Ammunition - Steel Nails:- Penetration: 15- Effects:  - Chance to cause bleeding status  - Severe bleeding status on critical hitsTo avoid attracting more zombies, Bo Yu specifically designed the weapon for low noise, keeping the initial speed of the fire nails below the speed of sound to prevent sonic booms. His usual cautious nature led him to install a silencer, making the sound nearly undetectable from 10 meters away. This was in line with his combat style: to avoid direct confrontation with strong enemies and instead dismantle them silently with this weapon."Ka, what do you want to name this weapon?" Bo Yu asked, realizing his crafting level had reached level 5, allowing him to name and annotate his creation, but he was at a loss. Since Ka had also participated in its creation, he decided to ask for her opinion.Ka looked at the cleverly crafted weapon, considering its usage scenarios, and named it "Black Thorn." Bo Yu found it fitting and updated the weapon's name and added a note.Author: Bo Yu, Ka.She looked at the new panel information, a playful smile appearing on her lips. Then she picked up the Black Thorn, aiming at a few zombies gathered near the bushes where they had previously dealt with the corpses.Ka raised the Black Thorn, her movements fluid and natural, as if she and the weapon were one. She quickly aimed and pulled the trigger without hesitation. With a faint sound, the steel nail flew out, tracing a beautiful parabolic arc in the air, accurately hitting the zombie in the waist. The zombie seemed unaware, but a wound appeared on its body, blood flowing out.Her gaze was focused, breathing steady, as she continued to adjust her aim. The second shot effortlessly hit the zombie in the chest, the trajectory of the steel nail clearly visible in the air. The third shot was even more fluid, the steel nail carving a perfect arc, directly striking the head. The zombie fell silently to the ground as if struck by an invisible force. Ka's shooting skills were evidently beyond ordinary, each shot stable and precise, perfectly controlling the flight path of the steel nails, as if she had long been accustomed to the weapon's characteristics.Looking at the Black Thorn in her hand, Ka couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. If it were just her and Alice, they might have only been able to craft crude bows from branches as weapons. But this industrial product was on an entirely different level. What made her even prouder was that she had participated in the creation process.The two began shooting at the zombies continuously. Each hit improved their shooting skills. Soon, they could easily take down a zombie. Since the Black Thorn made almost no sound from firing to hitting, the surrounding zombies remained oblivious, still gnawing on the corpses in the bushes. The fallen zombies would eventually get back up to continue feeding, showcasing their astonishing recovery abilities.As they practiced, their aiming speed and accuracy noticeably improved. Bo Yu also discovered that the proficiency gained from each shot varied. Missing a target only yielded 0.1, hitting a target at least 0.3, and hitting vital areas yielded even more. The farther the distance, the greater the increase. The bushes were about 60 meters away, so their shooting skills accumulated quickly. Additionally, using homemade weapons also slightly improved their crafting skills.After a while, Jacob and Alice finished their conversation with Charlie and came to the rooftop to check the situation. Bo Yu handed the Black Thorn to Alice for her to try, and she was thrilled. Ka proudly demonstrated how to use it. Alice quickly grasped the basic operations and began shooting proficiently, her aim quite good.Bo Yu went downstairs to fetch some fuel and steel nails, as they had already fired hundreds of rounds, and their ammunition was running low.Before long, he returned carrying a pack full of Black Thorns and fuel canisters. He then began crafting two more Black Thorns. With previous experience, the crafting time was shorter this time, and the workmanship was more refined, resulting in both being high-quality items with improved attributes:Black Thorn (High Quality):- Attack Power: 16-21- Damage Type: Piercing- Firing Mode: Single-shot- Ergonomics: 42- Recoil: 79- Accuracy: 3.1 MOA- Bullet Speed: 298 m/s- Durability: 30/30- Weight: 3.8 kg- Accessories:  - Silencer: Firing Noise -21, Ergonomics -4  - Simple Magazine: Capacity 10, Ergonomics -2At the same time, he optimized the production process of the steel nails with Bo Yu, significantly increasing the single-person production speed.Taking advantage of a break, Bo Yu took out his phone to check. After opening the case, he used tools to conduct a thorough inspection. The result confirmed his suspicions: the phone had been destroyed by a strong electromagnetic pulse. The power grid and nuclear bombs likely suffered the same fate. Such widespread coverage could only mean one thing: a solar flare. The intense radiation had caused military equipment to malfunction. Meanwhile, electrical devices inside reinforced concrete buildings were protected, with simpler circuits being less affected.He thought about the nuclear bombs that had fallen due to the malfunction. Although they hadn't detonated, their landing sites were near densely populated urban areas. Coupled with the zombie infection, this could very well be a precursor to radiation evolution.Bo Yu closed the phone case and put it away. Although it was useless for now, it could be kept for future material recovery.Picking up the two newly crafted Black Thorns, Bo Yu returned to the rooftop, carrying a full bag of steel nails and fuel. Their goal for the night was clear: to have fun, slaughter zombies, and improve their shooting skills. This skill would develop slowly in the early stages without firearms. Archery was difficult to operate and had a slow firing rate; using guns required a large amount of ammunition. Although he had crafted many steel nails today, they consumed quickly. He deeply understood: "So-called sharpshooters are all made from ammunition."Next, Bo Yu shared his findings with everyone. He explained that hitting distant targets and vital areas would yield more skill proficiency. To maximize the effectiveness of their limited steel nails, they decided to focus on shooting the zombies near the bushes.Soon, the zombies in that area suffered greatly. The targeted zombies were subjected to a barrage of attacks, falling after being filled with steel nails. Some zombies would lie down for a while before getting back up, but they would soon be met with another round of intense fire, ultimately falling motionless.The team members quickly improved their shooting levels in this "old six" style of fun. Their accuracy and operational skills significantly increased, allowing them to consistently hit vital areas. The shooting skill also enhanced the damage and negative effects when hitting critical spots. Ka's progress was the most remarkable; by the end of the night, her shooting skill had reached level 10, earning her a main attribute point, increasing her perception by +1.Bo Yu explained that in this game, raising skill levels was one way to gain main attribute points. Different skills would enhance different attributes: melee weapons like blunt instruments and blades would increase strength, agility, and constitution; crafting would enhance intelligence; observation would boost perception; and shooting would improve agility and perception. The increase in main attributes primarily stemmed from corresponding skills; for instance, enhancing perception would improve various sensory abilities, including sight, hearing, smell, and the speed of moving objects.Through continuous output, Bo Yu discovered that even if zombies could revive, they would be somewhat weakened based on their previous injuries, and their recovery speed would slow down. Zombies needed to feed to recover quickly. The steel nails left in the zombie's body would cause secondary damage with their movements, ultimately leading to the zombies dying slowly without needing a finishing blow.After a whole night of practice, Bo Yu's crafting skill was nearing level 10. Jacob and Alice, having interacted the most with NPCs, had the highest communication skills, which helped them communicate more easily and gather useful information during conversations with NPCs.Once everyone had enough fun, they packed up and went downstairs. Bo Yu taught them how to craft steel nails, and they all worked together to produce a batch, replenishing their supplies.As it approached wake-up time, the players prepared to log off. Bo Yu explained that when players log off, their characters would enter sleep mode. If special situations arise, such as being attacked, the system would automatically respond based on the player's skills, preventing players from becoming defenseless targets. Nevertheless, it was best to log off in a sufficiently safe place.They gathered some mats and pillows, lay down, exchanged goodnights, and logged off, returning to their personal spaces to await waking from their dreams.

Episode Two: Monkeys Under the Sun

Inside the space station, a spacious and simply decorated office housed a general seated at his desk. He was intently focused on the projection screen in front of him, which displayed conversations and a list of information from a mercenary organization. The light in the room illuminated his resolute face, and his eyes sparkled with determination.

The information sent by the mercenary organization included a wanted list of criminals from the Free Starry Sky, and they hoped to capture these individuals within the space station to collect bounties. However, since they had no law enforcement authority here, they could only negotiate over the phone.

"You don't need to worry about this," the general replied. "We have our own legal system, and you are not allowed to arrest people at will. Here, any criminal behavior will be subject to legal judgment." He waved his arm confidently, rejecting the other party's request and preparing to hang up the phone.

The other party attempted to persuade him, "General, you may be over-simplifying the situation. Please think carefully. These criminals are dangerous individuals and could pose a security threat to your jurisdiction. If you provide them with shelter, it may attract more of their kind, and their nature is hard to change, which could lead to significant trouble."

"Don't worry about it," the general replied firmly and hung up the call. He felt dissatisfied with the attitude of these mercenaries, believing they were used to living without rules and still wanted to act as they pleased in his jurisdiction.

After the call ended, the general left the office and informed his secretary that the conversation was over. He knew these adventurers would not give up easily, so he arranged for personnel to monitor the mercenaries on the list. He decided to contact an old friend to discuss countermeasures.

Meanwhile, Bo Yu tidied up his appearance and prepared to head to the space elevator. This elevator, located at the poles of the planet, had immense transportation capabilities, allowing agricultural products from the planet to be transported to space at a very low cost, saving a significant amount of energy compared to traditional transport ships. Although modern technology could produce energy in large quantities, conservation remained a fundamental principle in this area.

Riding the elevator through the clouds, Bo Yu arrived at the space interface and boarded an interstellar bus. Looking out at the twinkling stars, he recalled his close encounter with Ka in the holographic dream, his heart racing and his cheeks flushing. He was determined to seize this opportunity, remembering Jacob's advice that understanding the other person's preferences was crucial for enhancing communication.

Considering Ka's outstanding performance in battle, Bo Yu pondered whether he should also learn some combat skills to better connect with her. He remembered that his grandfather had some connections with the military, and his uncle was a military instructor. He planned to find an opportunity to consult with them, as he might see his grandfather at noon.

Upon arriving at his workplace, Bo Yu did not directly communicate with clients this time; instead, he let Bao Er communicate with clients through virtual images, using a cute persona that the clients liked. Although this method seemed somewhat impolite, as long as the work was completed, the clients should not mind. After all, he had faced setbacks in direct communication yesterday and was temporarily reluctant to engage in face-to-face conversations.

Bo Yu ordered fresh fruit again, placing it in the blender to make a smoothie. After drinking it all, he headed to his workstation to begin his daily tasks. With Bao Er's assistance, his work efficiency was exceptionally high.

At noon, Bo Yu went to his grandfather's noodle shop for lunch as usual. Jacob was unable to join him today due to a client meeting. His grandfather personally served a large plate of ribs, smiling as he urged Bo Yu to eat more, saying he was still too thin.

During the meal, a middle-aged soldier in neat military attire arrived at the shop. Despite being retired for many years, his grandfather's friends from the military still visited from time to time. After greeting the elder, Bo Yu and the soldier found a corner to sit down, and his grandfather even took out some treasured wine to share with his old friend.

The soldier exuded a unique aura, sitting upright and displaying a posture that reflected the deep-rooted essence of a soldier in every movement.

As the two chatted, the conversation turned to recent matters. Soon, the soldier brought up an issue regarding the mercenaries.

"I have sent you the conversation with that mercenary. How do you think we should handle it?" the soldier inquired.

After thinking for a moment, his grandfather replied, "Your handling of the situation is quite appropriate. However, I believe the individuals he mentioned are not our primary concern; it seems more like a test of our reaction."

The soldier nodded in agreement.

Grandpa continued, "We don't need to pay too much attention to those people, but it's necessary to keep monitoring them. At the same time, we should be wary that this might be a distraction tactic. We should increase personnel and comprehensively monitor their actions to prevent any unforeseen circumstances."

"Understood," the soldier replied succinctly and firmly.

Grandpa added, "Additionally, the mercenary group known as 'Eclipse' is notorious for their unscrupulous methods and is extremely dangerous. If things don't go their way, they might resort to extreme actions, even harming innocents."

The soldier took this more seriously, diligently noting every detail.

"I will ensure the fleet remains on high alert," the soldier said finally. They exchanged salutes, and the soldier then took his leave. Although the conversation seemed lengthy, it actually lasted only a few minutes.

Afterward, Grandpa ordered another bowl of noodles to share with Bo Yu. Bo Yu excitedly recounted his experiences in the holographic dream to his grandfather, who listened with great interest, sensing his grandson's fondness for that girl.

"Learning some combat skills would be good," Grandpa thought, "I can help arrange that." He picked up the communicator and contacted his son in the military, requesting the best training for Bo Yu. "And also to build up his physique; being stronger will definitely attract girls," Grandpa secretly planned.

Once the arrangements were made, he told Bo Yu, "You should finish work early in the coming weeks to attend training."

A few hours earlier, on the other side, Alice slowly woke up, feeling an unprecedented comfort. It was as if she had undergone a complete rebirth, with all her fatigue vanishing in an instant. This refreshing feeling came from the magical effects of the new version of the Dream Helmet, which not only accelerated users into deep sleep but also maintained stability for a long time, greatly enhancing the quality of rest and providing a more realistic virtual entertainment experience.

Compared to her own comfort, Alice was even more delighted by Ka's transformation. Ka usually loved to sleep in, but today she got up early, energetically starting her morning exercises, her hair soaked with sweat, radiating vitality, which was quite different from her usual self.

Seeing Ka's positive change warmed Alice's heart. She began her day: washing up, swallowing a pill, putting on makeup, and then going out for breakfast with Ka before heading to work. This morning, it seemed like their lives were ushering in a new beginning. They worked at a bar called "Comet," which, like the entire space station, operated around the clock, as there was no distinction between day and night, requiring multiple shifts of staff.

Although Alice and Ka had only recently arrived here, Alice had already become the de facto manager of the bar due to her beauty, sweet voice, friendly personality, and excellent management skills. She was responsible for the bar's drinks and sales management and occasionally performed on stage.

Ka was Alice's capable assistant, able to handle various tasks. Her main responsibility was to protect Alice and maintain order in the bar. Drunken customers were often difficult to deal with, and some would even behave rudely. While locals usually paid attention to maintaining their image, customers from the Free Starry Sky were more indulgent.

Facing these troublemakers, Ka never held back. Whether stopping a disturbance or dealing with harassment, she would take decisive action. Despite her tall and slender figure, she could easily subdue even more robust men. For those who dared to provoke, she would issue warnings or take them down. Although advanced medical technology could quickly heal injuries, pain was unavoidable.

Today, Ka was in an exceptionally good mood, and she handled issues with remarkable gentleness. After dealing with a troublemaker, the police gave her thumbs up in appreciation.

Lunchtime arrived, and Alice and Ka strolled through the food street, admiring the array of restaurants. The cuisine in this star system was not only reasonably priced but also top-notch, making every dining outing a delightful experience.

They chose a restaurant that looked quite nice and found a comfortable spot to sit. After ordering, the two began to chat. Their beauty immediately attracted the attention of the surrounding men, but under Ka's cold gaze, those looks quickly shifted away.

"Ka, you seem particularly happy today," Alice said with a smile, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Ka smiled slightly, a rare expression on her face, "Yeah, maybe because I slept really well."

The waiter brought their drinks. Alice took a gentle sip, her face lighting up with a sweet smile, making her look even more charming.

"By the way, about that weapon from last night, it seems you were involved in its creation?" Alice asked curiously, her eyes wide open.

Ka's eyes suddenly brightened, and a proud expression appeared on her face. "That's right," she said, "I told you before that my ideas are actually quite good; you just never believed me. Many parts of the black stinger were modified based on my designs."

Alice nodded repeatedly, her eyes showing surprise and admiration. "Okay, okay, I didn't see your talent before. But I noticed you and Bo Yu hit it off quite well. What do you think of him?"

Ka's expression became thoughtful, her brows slightly furrowed as she replied, "He's okay. Just a bit too skinny, but he's pretty smart. He stutters a bit when he talks; he must have been scared by me."

"Huh? Didn't you notice the way he looks at you? That's a sign he likes you," Alice said, her eyes wide with playful intrigue.

Ka's expression instantly shifted from contemplation to shock, her eyebrows raised high. "What? This kid likes me?" she said incredulously, then briefly recounted the events that had transpired between them. Her expression changed continuously as she spoke, sometimes confused, sometimes doubtful.

"Oh, I see. After that, his gaze towards you changed. And I noticed you two seemed to get along quite well," Alice said with a smile, narrowing her eyes playfully at Ka.

Ka's face was filled with confusion, her brows knitted together as she thought: What does this kid see in me? Usually, the ones who come to flirt are after Alice. And this kid looked so shy when he first saw Alice; he was definitely attracted to her. But Alice says he likes me; I really don't get it.

"Different strokes for different folks. Maybe he just likes your type," Alice said, leaning back in her chair, happily sipping her juice, her face radiating joy.

Ka's expression gradually softened as she recalled the exhilarating experience of playing games last night. It had been a long time since she had played so freely. Especially the moment she scored a headshot; the thrill was simply unparalleled. She played with abandon, not caring about her image, just expressing her true thoughts. But this boy didn't judge her like others; instead, he seemed to genuinely like her, which surprised her. This difference was even more pronounced compared to the affection everyone had for Alice. However, the thought that someone could also appreciate her made Ka's mood lighter, and she couldn't help but smile, feeling a warmth inside.

Ka pondered for a moment, reflecting on her interactions with Bo Yu. Although he left her with an unusual impression, she didn't pay too much attention. She was never one to be easily swayed by emotions.

"Well, this boy is indeed interesting," Ka thought to herself, "but that's all there is to it." She recalled the deep enjoyment from last night's game and Bo Yu's serious attitude towards her ideas. The feeling of being valued warmed her heart, but she quickly suppressed it.

"Forget it," Ka finally shrugged, "there won't be much interaction between us anyway."

Nevertheless, Ka had to admit that she felt a slight fondness for Bo Yu. This feeling was subtle, a mix of admiration for his abilities and recognition of his attitude. But she remained cautious, unwilling to let her guard down easily. After all, past experiences had taught her not to trust others easily.

She shifted her focus back to the delicious food in front of her, eagerly enjoying the main dish that had just been served. Ka was always a practical person; she preferred to savor the deliciousness before her rather than get tangled up in complicated relationships.

After finishing their meal, Alice and Ka strolled through the bustling streets. Along the way, they became interested in a new type of smart kitchen appliance. Alice was particularly intrigued and decided to ask Jacob if there were any discounts, considering he also dealt in similar products. Ka remained silent, simply following Alice quietly.

After a pleasant shopping experience, the two took a short break before returning to the bar to continue working. For Ka, it was just another ordinary day. She remained focused on her responsibilities, ensuring the bar's safety and maintaining order. As for Bo Yu and his possible feelings for her, although they occasionally crossed her mind, she quickly set them aside. To her, these were just minor episodes in life, not worth too much attention. However, she still held a bit of curiosity, wondering what surprises this interesting young man might bring her in the future.

After finishing repairs on several spaceships, Bo Yu took on some internal maintenance work at the space station. Today, he didn't work overtime but left on time, pulling out the address his uncle had given him and heading to the destination.

He arrived at a military base. The guard at the entrance recognized him, and after a brief announcement, someone came to escort him inside. Passing through a door, he was greeted by the sight of hundreds of muscular men practicing martial arts. They followed a projection, repeatedly practicing their moves, each strike accompanied by loud battle cries, creating an imposing atmosphere. A nearby instructor noticed Bo Yu and, after a few instructions, walked over to him.

This instructor was Bo Yu's uncle, Lei Hu. Dressed in combat gear, he exuded the aura of a martial artist with his well-defined muscles. Lei Hu approached with a broad smile, threw an arm around Bo Yu's shoulder, and led him to a nearby room, contemplating how to train this talented young man.

Previously, Bo Yu had always refused to learn martial arts, believing that studying weapon manufacturing was more valuable. He thought that no matter how skilled one was in combat, it couldn't compare to modern weapons, not even the firearms of the last century. When faced with the doubts of ordinary soldiers, Lei Hu would usually explain that human conflict relies more on intelligence, and martial arts can better train the mind. But Bo Yu's intelligence far exceeded that of ordinary people, which was why Lei Hu had always wanted to cultivate him.

Lei Hu believed that with Bo Yu's insight, he could not only become a top-tier fighter but also develop unique martial arts that would contribute to human martial arts. As a master, he could also achieve lasting fame. With such expectations, Lei Hu began to think about how to persuade Bo Yu to accept martial arts training.

"Do you play in the Dream World?" Lei Hu suddenly asked.

Bo Yu was a bit surprised. "Yeah. Does Uncle want to teach me there?"

Lei Hu laughed heartily. "Not yet; you need to learn some basics first. Don't worry, we have a complete training system. Come on, give me your account name."

Bo Yu sent the information to Lei Hu, who immediately entered it into the computer and began to operate.

"Alright, and this one too, oh, let's activate this as well," Lei Hu muttered to himself as he finished the operation and turned to Bo Yu.

Lei Hu's expression became serious, his brows slightly furrowed, but his eyes still radiated warmth. He lowered his voice a bit, leaned forward slightly, and gently patted Bo Yu's shoulder, speaking in a soft yet somewhat cautious tone, "Xiao Yu, I've granted you access, but you mustn't tell anyone about this." After saying that, he revealed a friendly smile, his eyes reflecting trust and expectation for his nephew.

Bo Yu nodded in acknowledgment, preparing to stand up and thank him, but was suddenly pulled back by Lei Hu.

"Theoretical learning alone isn't enough; practical physical training will elevate your skills and make you more appealing," Lei Hu said with a sly wink, clearly aware of some of Bo Yu's personal matters.

Since Bo Yu had been discovered, he had no reason to refuse. He followed Lei Hu into the training room, warmed up briefly, and changed into a specially designed training suit. The suit looked ordinary on the outside, but once worn, its unique design became apparent, especially its weight and the metallic texture of the fabric.

"This suit is specifically designed for advanced combat training and is very beneficial for physical exercise, especially for beginners," Lei Hu explained before demonstrating how to activate the training suit. Bo Yu followed the instructions and felt the suit change in some way, though he couldn't quite articulate what it was.

"What do we do next?" Bo Yu asked curiously.

"Follow me," Lei Hu said, stepping back a bit.

Just as Bo Yu was about to follow, he suddenly felt a tremendous resistance, making it almost impossible to move his legs. Fortunately, Lei Hu caught him in time, preventing a fall. This resistance was a unique feature of the training suit—when still, it was hardly noticeable, but once in motion, it felt like moving through a highly viscous liquid, making any action exceptionally difficult.

This resistance could also be adjusted for different muscle groups, requiring precise muscle coordination for agile movements, which was entirely different from traditional weight training. Traditional training could only target specific muscle groups, while this training suit allowed for balanced development of all muscle groups.

For the next hour, Lei Hu guided Bo Yu through a series of training exercises.

First was the basic footwork training, where every step Bo Yu took felt like walking in water, requiring coordination of all his muscles to complete. Lei Hu constantly adjusted his posture, ensuring his center of gravity was stable and reminding him to pay attention to his breathing rhythm.

Next was upper body strength training, where Bo Yu attempted various punching movements. The resistance of the training suit made each punch very strenuous. Lei Hu taught him how to properly utilize his entire body’s strength rather than just relying on his arms.

Then came core strength training, where Bo Yu performed various plank and rotational movements. The resistance of the training suit made his abdominal and back muscles tremble continuously. Lei Hu encouraged him from the side while correcting his movements.

Finally, they moved on to comprehensive coordination training, where Bo Yu had to complete a series of complex movement combinations, including quick changes of direction, jumps, and rolls. The resistance of the training suit made each action highly challenging, requiring precise muscle coordination.

Despite having 30 seconds of rest every minute during the training, by the end, Bo Yu was utterly exhausted, drenched in sweat, and his muscles ached, yet he felt a deep sense of accomplishment.

Bo Yu thought to himself that he might not be able to get out of bed tomorrow due to the soreness. He recalled the time he went to the gym with Jacob—just a regular workout, and he was sore all over the next day, barely able to move, taking days to recover. This training's intensity was undoubtedly greater, and the consequences were clear.

"Here, drink this," Lei Hu handed Bo Yu a bottle of a special fitness drink, which was slightly different from regular drinks on the market.

After drinking it, Bo Yu felt a warm flow gradually easing his muscle fatigue and soreness. He slowly stood up, ready to head home.

"Well done, kid," Lei Hu said, looking at Bo Yu's somewhat disheveled appearance with a satisfied smile.

"By the way, I've added the martial arts training courses to your Dream World personal space. You can practice in Dream World at your convenience. But remember, you can't tell anyone about this," Lei Hu reminded Bo Yu once more before leaving.

"Does the military also use Dream World?" Bo Yu asked in surprise.

"Ha ha, do you think how Dream World came to be?" Lei Hu laughed as he sent Bo Yu out, and Bo Yu suddenly remembered that he had heard about the origin of Dream World being related to government research, and now he had confirmation of that.

On the way home, Bo Yu realized he had forgotten to bring dinner. He called his grandfather's small shop to order takeout. While waiting for the delivery for half an hour, he took a shower and then sat weakly in a chair. After dinner, he prepared to go to bed.

Since Dream World went online, Bo Yu had never lacked sleep. In the past, he always felt there wasn't enough time, but now he could ensure ample rest.

Soon, he dragged his tired body to bed. Although his muscles still felt sore, he easily entered the dream after putting on the helmet.

In Dream World, Bo Yu found that others had not yet logged in. He decided to take this opportunity to check out what his uncle had left for him. In his personal space, he discovered a mysterious black door. The door was semi-transparent and seemed to shimmer, even allowing him to pass through it. There was a handprint on the door, and Bo Yu placed his palm on it, which immediately triggered a loading bar. After identity verification was completed, Bo Yu was pulled into a virtual space resembling a game.

In an instant, Bo Yu found himself in a magnificent hall. The hall was lined with statues of many historical figures, each accompanied by detailed descriptions, arranged in an orderly manner, stretching endlessly into the distance. In front of him floated a screen displaying various activated training courses and notes left by Lei Hu:

"Bo Yu, I have activated the basic combat courses for you. You can learn freely; just start the learning assistant, and it will help you study and track your progress. Additionally, there is a new project we developed; please show it to your uncle after you complete the basic courses."

Bo Yu checked the activated training items and found a red unknown option at the end, which was clearly disabled and required specific conditions to unlock. He was filled with curiosity and anticipation, eager to embark on this mysterious learning journey.

"I am your learning assistant, capable of answering your questions and customizing training plans as needed," a mechanical synthesized voice echoed in Bo Yu's ear.

Bo Yu was a bit confused, so he recounted a problem he encountered in the game—why did he deal vastly different damage using the same weapon?

The assistant immediately generated a training puppet and instructed Bo Yu to pick up a similar weapon to attack.

Bo Yu swung the weapon hard, and the effect was similar to what he experienced in the game. The assistant analyzed, "The angle of the blade's entry is incorrect, causing the power not to be fully exerted." It then demonstrated the correct swinging technique and body posture to Bo Yu.

After repeated practice, Bo Yu gradually mastered the correct entry angle, allowing him to strike deeper with each attack.

Seeing that Bo Yu had basically grasped the technique, the assistant suggested, "Next, you can learn a set of melee skills. For beginners, long-handled weapons are more suitable as they help better master core strength. Using long-handled weapons requires full-body coordination, which helps develop your balance and body control. We can start with basic long staff techniques and gradually transition to more complex weapons like spears or halberds. This training will not only enhance your combat skills but also improve your overall physical fitness. What do you think?"

Bo Yu thought for a moment and chose a basic firearms training program. He believed that in a post-apocalyptic environment, longer weapons not only reduce the chances of injury but also lessen the need for medical supplies.

The assistant recommended a martial art called "Hundred Schools of Spear," explaining in detail: "This is a comprehensive spear technique that integrates the essence of hundreds of authentic spear styles, simplified through practical combat. It includes famous techniques such as Shaolin's 'Crouching Tiger Spear,' Wudang's 'Taiji Spear,' and Emei's 'Emei Spear.' The Hundred Schools of Spear is based on the eight techniques of 'thrust, stab, lift, sweep, block, parry, draw, and point,' and it combines four paths: 'straight, curved, round, and square.' It possesses the fierce and powerful characteristics of Northern spear techniques while also embodying the flexible and varied nature of Southern spear techniques. Additionally, the Hundred Schools of Spear includes ten unique footwork styles: 'Dragon's Dance,' 'Crane's Flight,' 'Monkey's Step,' 'Tiger's Leap,' 'Serpent's Crawl,' 'Eagle's Strike,' 'Raccoon's Step,' 'Deer's Run,' 'Bear's Sway,' and 'Butterfly's Flight.' These ten footwork styles can be flexibly combined with the eight techniques, creating endless variations. For example, combining 'Dragon's Dance' with the 'thrust' technique can result in a rapid assault, while pairing 'Butterfly's Flight' with the 'point' technique allows for a light and agile pressure point attack. Different footwork styles give each technique a unique effect, greatly enhancing the practical adaptability and flexibility of the Hundred Schools of Spear."

This set of spear techniques particularly emphasizes 'leading with intention,' focusing on flexible application in real combat rather than adhering to fixed patterns. It also incorporates unique breathing methods and footwork, which help the user maintain endurance and agility during battles.

Most importantly, the Hundred Schools of Spear is highly suitable for modern battlefield environments. Its techniques are designed to consider various complex terrains and multiple opponents, allowing the user to maximize their combat effectiveness in adverse conditions.

After hearing the introduction, Bo Yu developed a strong interest in this set of techniques. He realized that it was not just a practical combat skill but also a profound martial art rich in cultural heritage and wisdom. He decided to fully immerse himself in learning this technique, hoping to gain insights that go beyond mere combat skills.

Bo Yu began to focus on practicing the first move of the Hundred Schools of Spear, the "Thrust." He repeatedly practiced this fundamental action, gradually mastering its essentials. As time passed, he started to experiment with combining the "Thrust" with different footwork styles.

First, he tried the "Dragon's Dance" in conjunction with the "Thrust," experiencing a rapid assault akin to a dragon's strike. Next, he attempted the "Crane's Flight," feeling the light and agile sensation of the thrust. Each footwork style imparted different qualities to the "Thrust," leaving Bo Yu in awe of the depth and variations of this technique.

However, when he attempted to combine the "Thrust" with the "Tiger's Leap," Bo Yu suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of synergy. This combination made his attacks both swift and fierce, as if a tiger were pouncing on its prey. He was delighted to discover that this pairing was particularly suited to his physical characteristics and combat style.

Excitedly, Bo Yu practiced this combination repeatedly, feeling increasingly adept with each attempt. His movements became smoother, and his power more concentrated. In the virtual training arena, both the accuracy and power of his attacks significantly improved.

After a period of diligent training, Bo Yu felt he had initially mastered this technique. He decided to take this newly learned combination into the game to find some zombies and test his practical combat abilities. He looked forward to applying this set of techniques in a real battle environment to further enhance his combat skills.

With eager anticipation, Bo Yu prepared to log into the game, seeking suitable zombie groups to practice his new skills. He firmly believed that only skills validated through real combat were truly effective. This practice would not only deepen his understanding of the Hundred Schools of Spear but also prove whether his strength in the game had genuinely improved. Bo Yu couldn't wait to personally experience the effectiveness of this technique in combat and validate his training results.

After organizing his thoughts, Bo Yu realized that the training system also included firearms shooting training. He decided to head to the shooting range first to give it a try.

He set the environment and technology to a single-soldier combat mode in a zombie apocalypse background. This way, he could avoid overly advanced weapons and tactics, as weapons and strategies have evolved over time. He didn't want to involve too many complex multi-level battles, such as drones, tanks, robots, or mechs.

After engaging with the designated enemies, Bo Yu realized the importance of cover. Among the various combat skills, he found that shooting from cover suited him well and was relatively easy to master. This technique uses cover as a support for the weapon, which not only helps control recoil better and improve shooting accuracy but also allows him to fully utilize cover for protection.

Bo Yu decided to focus on learning this skill. After grasping some key points, he planned to find opportunities in the game to practice and further enhance his practical combat abilities.

Time was running out, so Bo Yu logged out of the training system and sat down to organize his thoughts. Soon, Jacob logged in, and Bo Yu pulled him into his private space.

Jacob smiled and talked about the current situation in Dream World: "I'm now a dealer, and it's a rising period. The number of players is continuously increasing, and I have to run around maintaining relationships."

Bo Yu took the opportunity to ask how to impress girls, as he particularly valued his relationship with Ka. Jacob was an expert in this area; he had many girlfriends in the past, all of whom he pursued actively, giving him rich experience.

Jacob shared some of his insights, but when analyzing Ka, he felt that she was different from others, rarely expressing her emotions, and her way of communicating was also unusual. His experience might not apply, except when it came to one person—Alice—indicating that their relationship was special. If Bo Yu wanted to pursue Ka, he would need to build a good relationship with Alice.

During their conversation, Jacob passed through the training door multiple times, but there was no response. Bo Yu realized that this door seemed to be visible only to him, and it could only be opened by placing his palm on the handprint.

Bo Yu mentioned to Jacob about the special training he received from Lei Hu but did not mention the special training system. Jacob squinted and smiled, "I used to invite you to work out together, but you were always uninterested. Now that you have a crush, you're actively exercising. Indeed, necessity is the fundamental motivation for action."

Bo Yu couldn't help but smile at this. He knew that his change was not just for pursuing a girl; it was also a way to challenge himself and enjoy the game in a different manner.

The two logged back into the zombie apocalypse world.

The next morning, the game's experience system officially launched. Bo Yu and Jacob checked the system and found that their previous actions had accumulated a certain amount of experience points. The equipment Bo Yu crafted and the zombies Jacob killed had both contributed to their experience. Additionally, players who successfully survived the first night would receive a permanent 1% experience bonus as a reward.

At this time, other players were still asleep, while the golden retriever had already woken up, moving back and forth between Alice and Charlie, showing great affection.

After delving into the newly activated experience system, Bo Yu and Jacob realized that this would add depth and strategy to the game. When Bo Yu checked his skill panel, he discovered several optional passive skill talents, primarily related to intelligence attributes and crafting skills. Since his crafting skill was nearing level 10, he could see higher-level skill options. These skills mainly enhanced existing crafting attributes; for example, the first skill could randomly add an extra attribute to an item, the second skill could shorten crafting time and accelerate learning speed, and the third skill facilitated cross-domain crafting, using existing recipes as a basis for learning new ones, thus gaining more experience.

After careful consideration, Bo Yu believed that "Efficiency Expert" was the most suitable for him, as he had strong innovative abilities, and choosing "Innovator" might be a waste. "Efficiency Expert" could increase his crafting speed and reduce crafting time, allowing him to accumulate experience faster and leave more time for exploration and crafting, thus not needing to rely on the "Cross-Domain Genius" skill.

1. Innovator: Each time an item is successfully crafted, there is a chance to gain inspiration based on the experience of that item and the crafter's intelligence, allowing for the attempt to create an improved version of the item. The improved version not only performs better but may also possess additional attributes. Furthermore, a successful innovation has a small chance to trigger an "Inspiration Storm," significantly increasing the probability of additional attributes for a short period.

2. Efficiency Expert: During the crafting process, the higher the intelligence, the easier it is to enter a "flow state," which significantly accelerates learning speed and reduces crafting time. Additionally, continuously crafting same items will accumulate "proficiency," providing opportunities to greatly enhance efficiency and quality with each crafting attempt based on intelligence.

3. Cross-Domain Genius: After successfully crafting an item, there is a chance to gain inspiration for applying that technique to other fields, unlocking new crafting recipes. As more recipes are unlocked, the "knowledge network" expands, increasing the probability and quality of unlocking new recipes in the future. Moreover, crafting items may trigger resonance with related knowledge domains, yielding considerable intelligence experience.

However, Bo Yu's crafting skill has not yet reached level 10, preventing him from acquiring these passive skills. Therefore, he decided to continue improving his crafting abilities. He took out the molds he had prepared earlier and began mass-producing black nails with Jacob. Although each black nail provides minimal experience, the rapid production allows for quick accumulation of experience. Fortunately, Bo Yu had previously created a large number of molds, which now came in handy.

The two focused intently on their crafting, and time flew by. Eventually, Bo Yu's crafting skill reached level 10, granting him a corresponding primary attribute bonus of +1 intelligence. Intelligence correlates with learning ability, enhancing experience gained from any source and increasing skill learning speed, resulting in greater skill proficiency. He immediately chose the "Efficiency Expert" passive skill. This skill not only accelerates his crafting speed but also reduces crafting time, enabling him to produce higher-quality items in a shorter time. As for the Cross-Domain Genius, he felt it unnecessary since he already possessed strong innovative abilities and enjoyed the process.

Bo Yu was pleasantly surprised to discover that his passive skills had room for upgrades. Different talents have varying upgrade requirements; for example, "Efficiency Expert" requires crafting 10 items, each with an experience of 300 points. Although each black nail only provides 0.1 points of experience, the sheer quantity allowed him to meet this condition. Additionally, other weapons he crafted, such as long knives and axes, each provided dozens of experience points. He realized that with the boost from "Efficiency Expert," his crafting speed had significantly improved, accelerating experience accumulation and enhancing proficiency, creating a positive cycle of skill and efficiency enhancement. Due to the previous mass production of black nails, the quality ratio of the nails he produced was now very high, with a few even reaching the boutique level. These high-quality items typically have higher attribute values, with each quality level increase boosting attributes by about 10%. Although they had already discovered boutique-level items, Bo Yu believed that there must be even higher-level items in the market, even if they had not yet been found.

Jacob wasn't as lucky; although he had reached level 2 and earned 1 talent point, none of his skills had reached level 10, so he hadn't unlocked any passive skills and would have to save them for later use.

At that moment, Ka and Alice also logged in, waking up simultaneously. Alice was thrilled to see Bo Yu and Jacob, but her attention was immediately drawn to the golden retriever beside Bo Yu.

"Wow, what a cute dog!" Alice exclaimed, rushing over to the golden retriever. She crouched down and gently stroked its soft fur. The dog seemed to enjoy her affection, nuzzling against her hand.

Alice couldn't help but pick up the golden retriever, burying her face in its fluffy coat. "You're just too adorable!" she laughed, continuously rubbing the dog's ears and petting its back. The golden retriever clearly relished the attention, wagging its tail joyfully.

"Ben, how can you be so cute?" Alice asked, continuing to pet the golden retriever. She was completely immersed in the joy of interacting with the dog, seemingly forgetting everything around her.

After everyone greeted each other, they noticed that Charlie had also woken up. He was pouring dog food for the golden retriever and came over to say hello.

Looking at the newly unlocked content, Ka and Alice began to check the skills they had unlocked. However, since Alice's experience wasn't enough to reach level 2 and her skills were still far from level 10, there were no changes for her. In contrast, Ka had killed the most zombies and NPCs, reaching 20% of level 2, earning a talent point, and her shooting skill had already reached level 10, allowing her to choose a shooting talent.

The shooting talents Ka could choose from were as follows:

1. Eagle Eye: While continuously observing the same target, the hit rate and critical hit rate accumulate over time. It increases the hit rate by 1% and the critical hit rate by 0.5% per second, up to a maximum of 10% for both. If a critical hit lands on a vital point it is guarenteed as a critical hit, the critical hit rate converts to critical hit damage at a 1:1 ratio. If the target is changed or aiming is stopped, the bonuses will gradually disappear over 5 seconds and can only affect a single target at a time.

2. Consecutive strike: Each time a target is hit, it increases the accuracy and power of the next shot on the same targer. Each hit adds 3% to the hit rate, 3% to damage, and 3% to penetration effect, stacking up to 15% for each. The effect lasts for 3 seconds, and hitting the same enemy refreshes the duration.

3. Lethal Weakness: Each attack has a 10% chance to trigger the "Weak Point Strike" effect without needing to hit a vital point, increasing the chance of inflicting negative effects on a vital point by 20% and extending the duration by 10%.

After considering her options, Ka chose Eagle Eye, thinking it was free damage given her shooting experience.

After making her selection, she checked the talent upgrade requirements at Bo Yu's suggestion: to hit targets affected by Eagle Eye, she needed to do so 500 times, with critical hits counting as 2 hits.

Charlie described the situation from last night to everyone. Due to the continuous gunfire, he found it hard to sleep, so he got up to check what was happening outside. Through the window, he noticed that the bodies and zombies in the parking lot had disappeared, speculating that they might have been dragged into the bushes by coyotes. He also saw some remaining zombie corpses being pecked at by birds.

As for the gunfire, it gradually subsided in the late night. Although the distant gunfire had stopped, he just heard new gunshots nearby, seemingly coming from the town center. Jacob recalled the dense zombie presence there yesterday and was unsure what had changed.

The group gathered together to briefly discuss the current situation. Bo Yu was the first to speak, saying, "Our primary goal should be to reach Alice's relative's farm as soon as possible. It's spacious and resource-rich, making it an ideal refuge."

Alice touched her head, recalling her character's background, and said, "Oh, it seems my character has an uncle with a large farm that has enough space and food. That should be our destination for this outing."

Jacob frowned and said, "But how do we get there? We don't have a vehicle, and the road is filled with zombies."

Ka interjected, "Let's check out the gun store."

Bo Yu initially wanted to say something, but upon hearing Ka's suggestion to go to the gun store, he remembered Jacob's words. After pondering for a moment, he expressed his support for the idea.

Bo Yu nodded and said, "Then let's go to the gun store and see what the situation is there. Also, the bullets for the shotgun we got earlier are still in the gun store."

When Charlie heard the group's plan to head to the gun store, he suddenly approached them after being silent. "If you decide to go there, I want to join too. I know the owner."

"It might be quite dangerous there; there were a lot of zombies before, and the gunfire has been constant. The number of zombies seems to be increasing," someone warned.

"Can you help me check the situation? The store manager is named Rockson; he's a nearly two-meter tall muscular guy, and you'll definitely recognize him. If he's okay, please say hi to my old friend for me and see if he needs any help."

After that, everyone nodded in agreement to the plan to go to the gun store, putting the trip to the farm on hold.

They prepared enough food and water, as well as sufficient black nails and fuel, and the team, fully armed, arrived outside. Bo Yu noticed that the zombies from last night had disappeared, and there were dragging marks on the road leading into the bushes, where many zombie corpses lay, along with the remains of the small gang from yesterday, all devoured clean. The nearby footprints seemed to belong to a pack of canine animals that had come to feast on the corpses, but strangely, they had dragged the bodies into the bushes to hide them.

They walked cautiously, not giving the zombies a chance to get close, taking them down with two shots to the head. After last night's training, the entire team found this very easy. As they made their way, many zombies were heading towards the continuous gunfire and did not notice them.

Until they reached a shop, they found players ahead of them, standing in a place where the zombies couldn't reach, continuously shouting to lure the zombies towards the city center. To move forward, they would have to be seen by them.

Bo Yu looked at the building in front of him and noticed there was a rooftop escape ladder that needed to be activated from above. He then took off his backpack and handed it to Jacob before starting to climb the wall. In a short while, he reached the roof and lowered the escape ladder, allowing everyone to follow up and then retract it.

After Alice climbed up, she smiled at Bo Yu and said, "You're really impressive."

Jacob took her hand and said, "That's just the tip of the iceberg; there are many more stories to tell you later."

Alice nodded with a smile and continued to carefully move across the roof towards their destination—the gun store.

They arrived at the town center, where the rooftop decorations concealed them in the shadows, making it hard to be spotted. From this high point, they could clearly observe everything around them. In the center of the town stood a massive rock, surrounded by a parking lot, with a circular street and shops encircling it.

At the entrance of "Rock Firearms," a large number of zombies were being shot down by the personnel inside, with bodies piling up almost blocking the entrance. Zombies continuously approached the gun store, while some players stood on the second floor of other shops, shouting loudly to attract zombies towards the gun store. The people inside the gun store noticed this and began firing from the second-floor windows, hitting those players who were luring the zombies. They fell and were quickly overwhelmed by the horde, while the remaining players took cover behind the rock and continued their operations.

The situation had reached a stalemate, with players trying to use the zombies to attack the gun store to scavenge supplies, but the defenses inside the store were solid, effectively keeping the zombies at bay. Nevertheless, the constant influx of zombies still created pressure.

Bo Yu removed the scope from his shotgun to observe the situation at the gun store. Several young girls inside were skillfully operating various firearms, continuously repelling the zombies. On the second floor, a bald man was aiming at the troublesome players with a sniper rifle; he looked familiar, like a key character, but Bo Yu couldn't recall his specific identity at the moment.

"Do you remember this guy?" Bo Yu asked Jacob.

Jacob took the sniper scope and recalled a character he had in mind—a muscular bald man wielding heavy weaponry. He asked, "Is it the Mad Meat Mountain?"

Ka was busy preparing black nails for quick loading. Upon hearing that name, her expression turned serious. "Let me see." She took the sniper scope and confirmed the figure in her memory. Mad Meat Mountain was a character that left a deep impression on all players; he wore a black bulletproof vest, was heavily muscled, and wielded a machine gun, launching fierce attacks on players. His massive frame and wild roars made him nearly an unbeatable boss, relentlessly pursuing players until they were cornered.

Although his name and face were unknown, the thunderous roars, heavy footsteps, massive muscular build, and seemingly endless ammunition made him unforgettable.

"How can you be sure it's him?" Ka scrutinized the others. While the physique seemed familiar, there were many similar muscular men. Unless someone had seen his face firsthand, it was hard to determine. The nature of Meat Mountain was that he couldn't be communicated with; the only solution was to defeat him. Ka had never accomplished this herself, and even the player armies she had seen were easily crushed by him. She had witnessed many challengers fall under Meat Mountain's firepower; he not only had incredible attack and defense but also possessed immense health and terrifying recovery abilities, capable of exhausting hundreds or thousands of player armies.

"We have indeed seen his face," Jacob said, noticing Ka's confusion. He continued to explain, "It was a chance encounter. After learning the area he was in, we set a trap and successfully lured him out and defeated him. I can't recall the specific details; it was Bo Yu's plan." Jacob saw that Ka seemed to want to ask more, so he shifted the topic to Bo Yu and added a note of admiration. "Wow, that's impressive." Alice exclaimed in surprise, remembering that Ka had mentioned this boss before and even complained about how the developers used him to challenge players.

"What should we do next?" Alice asked.

"We should help Meat Mountain; I think he might be a key figure in the main quest," Jacob suggested.

Everyone agreed and readied their weapons for battle.

"First, we need to eliminate those players attracting the zombies; otherwise, we'll be overwhelmed," Bo Yu said, directing the team's attention to the players hiding in the gun store's blind spot.

They overheard one player whispering to another, "This is a real score; those girls in the store are quite attractive. I wonder if we can catch one alive. Once the boss is done, we can enjoy ourselves too." Although this conversation was drowned out by the zombies' growls and gunfire, the team members could still hear it clearly. Ka adjusted her sniper rifle's aim, activating her Eagle Eye effect, marking a target that only she could see.

The four of them coordinated closely and fired almost simultaneously. The targeted player felt a sharp pain in his leg, followed by shots to his chest and head, quickly losing consciousness and entering the respawn countdown, his body collapsing into the horde of zombies. Another player nearby, intending to check on him, was swiftly hit in the same manner, falling and disappearing into the zombie crowd.

They employed the same strategy to eliminate several other players. With the zombie attractors taken out, the zombies began to scatter, significantly reducing their numbers around the gun store. These scattered zombies discovered players hiding in nearby shops and began attacking them.

The leading player watched the zombies disperse, stomping his foot in anger. "What a bunch of useless fools!" He ordered several players to attract the zombies so that others could attack the gun store from behind.

These players lured the zombies and quickly moved toward the gun store. The personnel inside noticed and opened fire, taking down the approaching players, whose bodies became food for the zombies. Nevertheless, they successfully drew the zombies to the gun store's perimeter. Subsequently, other players opened fire from behind, attacking the personnel inside the store. Some players climbed ladders to the second floor, attempting to break in through the windows. A girl came up the stairs, fired her gun, hitting one person while others dodged. Despite the numbers, this girl was soon hit and fell.

"What are you doing? The boss said to capture them alive!" one player complained to his gun-wielding companion. But before he could finish, the girl stood up again; she was wearing a bulletproof vest, and the bullets had only knocked her off balance. Another player, shot, fell into the zombie horde and became food.

Soon, another girl arrived on the second floor, also wearing a bulletproof vest, engaging in fierce gunfire with the players. The two girls successfully prevented the enemies from breaking into the second floor; due to their bulletproof vests, they only sustained minor injuries.

Meanwhile, our main team operated from the shadows, continuously shooting black nails, taking down player after player, allowing them to be overwhelmed by zombies. Many players only felt the gunshots before they died, unaware of the main team's presence. Among them, Ka, with her Eagle Eye skill activated, shot with a speed comparable to two people, and the effect of Eagle Eye did not disappear after hitting a target; it was a continuous effect.

When the leader of the opposing players saw the heavy casualties, nearly a total loss, he roared in anger. He hadn't expected to fail, and as he looked at the women inside the gun store, his eyes were filled with unwillingness, but it was too late to turn back. He could only order the remaining players to retreat with their few remaining weapons.

At this moment, they were unaware that the main team was already clearing the zombies at the entrance of the gun store, significantly reducing the defensive pressure inside. They could clearly see the remaining players retreating and concentrated their fire to eliminate these fleeing players, ensuring the safety of the gun store.

The girls inside the gun store finally sat down, exhausted. They had been fighting continuously for a long time, and although their bulletproof vests had stopped the bullets, the impact still caused them pain. Without the protection of the vests, their situation would have been much worse. Although Rockson was alert, he noticed something unusual—players who had not been hit were also collapsing, and how had the players behind the rock died?

As he pondered this, he noticed zombies falling one after another, as if something was dropping from their heads. Due to the distance, he couldn't see clearly. These were actually the tail fins of black nails that fell off when they struck the zombies, with the nail part embedded directly into the zombie's body. Those on the large rock outside could see clearly that someone was silently clearing the zombies. It wasn't until all the surrounding zombies were cleared that he could barely see where it was coming from.

At this point, Ka's talent advancement had been completed, enhancing her Eagle Eye effect and updating the upgrade requirements, while her shooting skill had also reached level 13.

Eagle Eye: When continuously observing the same target, the hit rate and critical hit rate gradually increase over time. It increases by 1.5% hit rate and 0.75% critical hit rate per second, with a maximum accumulation of 12.5% hit rate and 15% critical hit rate. If a vital part is hit, the critical hit rate will convert to critical damage at a ratio of 1:1.05. Once the target is changed or aiming is stopped, the bonus will gradually disappear within 5 seconds; this effect can only affect a single target.

Upgrade Requirement: Trigger the critical hit rate conversion effect 200 times (hit the vital part of the Eagle Eye target).

After clearing the nearby zombies, the team decided to approach and talk to the people inside the gun store, a task naturally assigned to Jacob. He slowly called out to the people inside from behind cover.

"Hey, Rockson, I'm Jacob, no ill intentions. Veteran Charlie sent me to say hello; look, I have nothing in my hands." Jacob raised his hands from behind cover, indicating that he was unarmed.

"Did you clear these zombies?" A deep male voice came from inside the store, clearly Rockson. Hearing the familiar name, his tone softened slightly.

"Yes, it was all us; we could have just stood by."

"Alright, move slowly, don't reach for anything." After Rockson said this, he carefully observed Jacob, confirming that he indeed carried no weapons, then lowered his gun to his chest and walked to the door.

Jacob lowered his hands and slowly walked to the door, seeing Rockson and a few girls peeking out from behind the counter, waving friendly greetings, followed by a chorus of gasps from inside the store.

"My name is Jacob; are you Rockson?"

"Yes, do you know me?" The muscular man in front replied.

"Although I don't know why you helped us, I still want to thank you, Jacob," Rockson said, giving off the impression of a straightforward tough guy.

"How's Charlie doing?"

"The old man is fine, very spirited." Jacob shared details about Charlie and the sturdy decor of his little shop, which reassured Rockson.

"Thank you for your timely help."

"I have a friend named Mike who lives nearby. He gave me a hunting rifle before, but now the bullets are all used up. He said he bought a new batch from you but hasn't come to pick it up yet," Jacob mentioned while bringing up Mike.

"Do you know Mike?" Rockson asked curiously. "How is he doing?"

"His situation is complicated," Jacob replied briefly, also mentioning Mary. Rockson sighed after hearing this, and the girls behind him began to whisper among themselves, clearly taken by Jacob's good looks. Soon, one girl ran to the back and quickly returned with a package for Rockson.

"Here are your bullets. These two boxes are Mike's, and these three are a thank you," Rockson said as he handed several boxes of bullets to Jacob.

"Thanks! By the way, I have another friend who needs some things, like a bulletproof vest and a helmet. Do you have any extras, even just materials? We can trade food and water for them," Jacob requested.

Rockson thought for a moment before responding, "We do have some bulletproof vests and helmets, but not many." His tone was slightly hesitant. "How much food and water can you provide?"

At that moment, a girl gently tugged at Rockson's sleeve and whispered something in his ear. Rockson nodded and turned to Jacob, saying, "Also, we need some women's supplies."

Jacob nodded in understanding. "I see. We have enough food and other essentials; let's exchange for the protective gear first." He waved to the team behind him, and Alice and Boyu approached with bags full of food and water.

When Rockson saw Alice and Boyu, he didn't show much caution. He thought the girl resembled his daughter, both appearing harmless, so he allowed them to come closer.

"These are my friends, Alice and Boyu," Jacob introduced. Rockson nodded, indicating he understood. The girls behind him began to whisper again upon seeing Alice, clearly envious of her beauty.

One girl walked over and whispered something in Alice's ear, her face turning red. Alice gently nodded, and the girl shyly walked away. At that moment, Boyu asked Rockson, "Do you need a suppressor?"

Rockson's eyes widened in surprise, showing great interest. "Do you have a suppressor? They're regulated here; while firearms are legal, getting a suppressor is quite troublesome."

"I don't have one right now, but I can make one," Boyu replied, showing the suppressor he had taken off from the black stinger.

Rockson took the suppressor and examined it closely, noticing its fine craftsmanship and that the caliber was different from the firearms he was familiar with. He also noticed that the gun on Boyu's back seemed homemade, possibly the one he had noticed earlier.

"Did you make that one too?" Rockson asked, pointing at the black stinger on Boyu's back. Boyu nodded in confirmation, then took it off to demonstrate its loading mechanism and power principle, a glimmer of hope flashing in Rockson's eyes.

"What do you want to trade for this suppressor?" Rockson inquired. "We have firearms, ammunition, and first aid kits."

"I need bulletproof vests, helmets, ammo pouches, and various firearm parts. Making a suppressor also requires a firearm of the same caliber and enough ammunition for testing," Boyu answered.

Rockson nodded in understanding and instructed a girl to bring out two handguns, one 9mm and one .45 caliber, along with the corresponding ammunition for Boyu to test first. Boyu took food and water from his backpack to trade with Rockson. Under Rockson's direction, an older girl took the food upstairs, and soon the smell of cooking and cheerful sounds came from above.

Rockson handed Boyu two bulletproof vests, stating that the remaining gear would be delivered after the suppressor was exchanged. These two vests were given to Jacob and Ka, as they were the main combatants and more likely to get injured. Afterward, Rockson wrote a letter, folded it, and handed it to Boyu to deliver to Charlie.

Boyu took the letter and then pulled out a long knife from his bag, suggesting Rockson use it to clear zombies first to avoid attracting more with gunfire. "It's a bit small, but thanks," Rockson said with a smile, clearly finding the knife small for his size.

After the trade was completed, they noticed the young man who had been on the large rock earlier, now about 19 years old, walking up to the gun store.

"I just want to talk to her," the young man said.

"I've already told you, she doesn't want to talk to you," Rockson replied coldly.

"Don't think you can see her, you little punk. If it weren't for the current situation, I would have let you meet your brother already."

"He's innocent, he was framed," the young man retorted.

"Everyone in prison claims they're innocent. I warn you, stay away from my daughter, or next time you'll be eating bullets," Rockson shouted until the young man left.

The boy sighed and turned to Jacob and Alice, about to speak, but Jacob spoke first.

"It's fine, no need to thank us. You should find a place to hide; it's dangerous at night," Jacob replied politely and succinctly, and the boy could only nod gratefully as he left with his companions.

Jacob was aware of the harshness of the apocalypse and remained cautious of these strangers. Their backgrounds were unclear, and if they had gang affiliations, the situation could be complicated, so it was best to keep a distance.

After ensuring the doors and windows were locked, Rockson went upstairs and opened a can of drink, taking a deep sip. He hadn't had a drink since he started working out, but this time the taste made him feel relaxed both physically and mentally.

Alice received a secret task from a girl; she needed to find women's supplies and more food. Jacob accompanied her, while Ka and Boyu went to the hospital, hoping to find some medicine. Before leaving, they gathered some supplies nearby, finding a few handguns and bullets from deceased players. Although the quantity was small, it was enough to distribute one to each person, with extra magazines for quick reloads.

The hospital was not far from the giant rock, and the scene was quite tragic, with blood everywhere, suggesting it was the epicenter of the zombie outbreak. Typically, those bitten would be sent here first.

Boyu hesitated at the entrance, checking the map to confirm the exact location of the pharmacy. Then, he and Ka quietly entered the pharmacy through the back door. Inside, a few zombies were trapped; although the lights were off, sunlight streamed through the windows, allowing them to see the interior clearly. Boyu held a short spear, checking the medicine shelves while practicing the spear skills he had learned on the zombies. He tensed up, suddenly leaping, and the spear tip swiftly stabbed into a zombie's face, hitting the target accurately and quickly. He dispatched several zombies in the same manner, but the spearhead often got stuck in their skulls, making it hard to pull out. In an emergency, he sent a help message to his assistant, who displayed a solution on the interface—using a specific movement to extract the spear from the zombie's head. After several attempts, Boyu learned enough of this technique and began practicing combining stabbing and pulling out.

After clearing the zombies, Boyu started searching for medicine in the pharmacy. Although there weren't many supplies, it was clear that previous scavengers had not discovered this place. He selected several different medicines to put in his backpack and found a miraculous gel he had never seen before. According to the label, this gel could heal serious injuries in three days and minor injuries in one day, produced by Elysium Biotech. He also found some gloves, masks, and face shields. Originally planning to find a medically knowledgeable NPC to join their team, they now had to head to the library to search for relevant books.

Fortunately, the library was located in an inconspicuous building right next to the giant rock. The library was almost empty, with broken glass from previous battles providing them with a convenient entry point. After entering, Boyu weaved between the bookshelves, looking for essential survival books on chemistry, agriculture, wilderness survival, and medicine. The titles of the books were the same as in reality, with detailed historical records. Boyu used his scanner to analyze the books by their titles to see if they were skill books. Meanwhile, Ka searched for usable items, including water from the water dispenser, items from the medical kit, and all the food and drinks from the vending machine. Although the library's supplies were limited, they still managed to collect some useful items. After Boyu found all the books he needed, Ka had already started reading comics out of boredom. When Boyu returned pushing a cart full of supplies, Ka had placed everything she found into the cart, including a set of comic books.

After Rockson sealed the windows on the second floor, he looked at the two coming out of the library with a heavy heart. Seeing his beloved daughter eased his expression slightly, and he sat down to have dinner with them.

On the way back to Charlie's repair shop, the zombies began to wander the streets due to the lack of gunfire to attract them, and their numbers had increased compared to before, but fortunately, they were relatively scattered. At this time, the number of players on the street had noticeably increased; they pushed shopping carts full of supplies, carefully avoiding the zombies. Scavenging for supplies had become their main task. Due to limited space, supplies were relatively scarce, and players entered different shops in groups, barricading the doors to search for supplies inside, clearing the zombies at the entrance before leaving. Those without a fixed gathering point used certain shops as temporary strongholds, blocking the entrances with obstacles and leaving only a small exit.

On the way, they passed a nearly emptied post office, which only had some seemingly useless items left. Since their shopping cart was not yet full, Boyu decided to go in and look for potentially useful supplies. In the warehouse, he found several boxes of mailing bags and some tape. Although postal services had ceased after the apocalypse, these supplies might have other uses in the future. Therefore, he also loaded these items into the shopping cart. Considering the large number of players outside and the occasional robbery incidents, both he and Ka drew their handguns and prepared for defense. Fortunately, they encountered no trouble. Although Ka's appearance attracted some players' attention, leading to minor conflicts and a crowd, these quickly subsided as the players returned to their own business.

They continued to search for supplies in the shops along the way, but many had been looted clean, leaving only some abandoned items. In a small grocery store's drawer, Boyu discovered many unopened scratch-off lottery tickets, which he took with him, planning to use them for entertainment later and to test any hidden attributes the game might have, such as luck.

When they returned to Charlie's repair shop, they were warmly greeted by a dog named Ben. Ben was initially excited, but when he didn't smell Alice, his enthusiasm waned, and he wagged his tail before lying back down. Charlie approached to inquire about the situation, showing interest in what had happened at the gun store. As Bo Yu organized the items in the shopping cart, he briefly reported the situation at the gun store to Charlie. Charlie was pleased to hear this and took the letter from Rockson that Bo Yu had brought back, then went upstairs with the letter to retrieve a pair of binoculars and headed to the roof.

Bo Yu began crafting a suppressor. He first sawed a long steel pipe and cut it to the required caliber, then placed different sizes of circular iron rings inside the pipe and secured them by welding. Next, he used a drill bit of the appropriate caliber to make holes in the pipe and tested the suppressor's effectiveness afterward. Once attached, the sound produced was significantly reduced, and the result was satisfactory. He also adjusted the length of the suppressor to ensure that the firearm could still function properly when loaded. After making enough suppressors, Bo Yu's crafting skill experience reached the required standard for leveling up. He then started making a suppressor of a different caliber. During this process, Alice and Jacob returned with a vehicle loaded with supplies. Although they looked a bit disheveled, Alice's face lit up with a bright smile when she saw the golden retriever welcoming her.

In a fierce scramble for supplies, Alice and Jacob successfully obtained what they needed. Due to the large number of people present, they quickly became targets for robbery. Alice used her black stinger to fend off some attackers, but with so many enemies, the bullets for the black stinger ran out quickly. In an emergency, reloading was very inconvenient, and noticing someone eyeing her weapon, Alice cleverly discarded it to draw the enemy's attention, allowing her and Jacob to escape with the supplies. Although she felt a bit sorry for losing the weapon Bo Yu had made, Alice explained the situation to him.

Bo Yu did not blame her, understanding the urgency of the situation, and believed there was still room for improvement in the black stinger, especially regarding magazine capacity and reloading efficiency. He wasn't too concerned about the loss of the black stinger, as these weapons and ammunition were crafted by him, making it difficult for other players to replicate them in a short time. For him, the safety of his teammates was what mattered most.

Subsequently, Bo Yu and Jacob discussed the decision to avoid splitting up during this period to ensure the team's safety. They prepared more food and water and crafted additional suppressors, getting ready to exchange more supplies with Rockson. Jacob handed his black stinger to Alice, while he carried a handgun and Bo Yu's newly made suppressor, primarily using a battle axe as his weapon. As the team prepared to set off, Charlie came down from the roof with binoculars, a notebook, and a detailed map, explaining the next plan to the team. He mentioned that the zombies they had seen were just the tip of the iceberg, and more zombies were moving towards them from the south. If they planned to leave, they needed to find suitable vehicles quickly. Charlie had marked potential vehicles and routes on the map, and their goal was to check the condition of these vehicles and look for tools and items needed for repairs, hoping to bring the vehicles back to the workshop for fixing. Bo Yu demonstrated how to operate these vehicles and crafted a siphon to ensure they could effectively utilize the remaining fuel in the tanks.

Meanwhile, on the other side, a young man wearing a hat and dressed plainly was reporting to his boss, a tall man with an ordinary appearance who was slightly overweight and had an air of authority. He took the notebook from the young man. "All supplies from the northern stores in the town have been collected and are now recorded and stored in the warehouse." "The members have taken over the northwest prison and cleared all nearby zombies; the players and NPCs inside are willing to join our guild, and the vehicles on the way there have been mostly cleared." "The reconnaissance team's report indicates that there are a few traffic jams on the road, leading to a port city to the north; the situation is currently unknown, but there seem to be traces of the military." "To the west is the capital administrative district, where there are currently fewer zombies, but many ordinary people have evacuated due to the nuclear bomb." "The southern team cannot continue south and has discovered a massive number of zombies, which are becoming denser, counting in the tens of thousands or even millions, stretching as far as the eye can see, and are slowly moving north, expected to cover the entire town within a day at most." "And about the recent actions at the gun store..." The young man paused here. "It's okay, go ahead," the boss said. "According to statistics, we lost nearly half of our firearms and 70% of the collected guns and ammunition." The boss stroked his chin, surprised that there were so few bullets in this apocalypse. Most of the guns they had collected were nearly out of ammunition, and this shortage had led him to consider taking over the gun store. However, his momentary obsession, seeing several beautiful female NPCs inside the store, made him hesitate to launch a full-scale attack, ultimately leading to the failure of the entire plan. "Oh, and one more thing, our people found that players had made weapons similar to guns; although damaged, we managed to seize them." The young man took out a steel pipe-like object, the rest of which had been reduced to almost nothing after being snatched by the crowd, leaving only the most intact part, the barrel. The boss took it, examined it carefully, and found it was just an ordinary steel pipe. Although it could not be restored or replicated, it still gave him some inspiration. "Hmm... could it be done this way? Send this to the R&D team and see what they can come up with. How's the crossbow I asked them to make?" "Although it was simply made, it has an effective range of 30 meters, and the quantity is enough to equip the entire team, with plenty of arrows in stock." "Alright, let's use it for now; it's sufficient for dealing with zombies and players. If so many people can't find much ammunition, then other players will definitely find even less, so the crossbow will be more than enough, and it can also improve the shooting skills of his subordinates." "What about the vehicles?" "We have already figured out the repair and startup methods, and two vehicles have been repaired." "Good, then let's use them; all vehicles need to be used to transport supplies, moving everything to the prison before the zombie horde arrives. Have someone take a batch of axes over to chop down the trees outside the prison for materials, so that defenses can be built there in preparation. We just need to wait for the zombies to move north." After completing the arrangements, he went out to collect supplies with the other young men, and he also wanted to try out the newly produced crossbow.

At this moment, the main character team had set off, following the route to the gun store while checking the marked vehicles and similar transports on the map. They filled their portable fuel barrels with gasoline from all the parked vehicles. Although many vehicles were out of fuel, they managed to collect over a barrel of gasoline after searching down a street. However, the condition of the vehicles was not optimistic; due to the previous solar flares causing electromagnetic radiation, many electrical devices were damaged, and fires had destroyed the core components inside the vehicles, rendering them unable to start. Bo Yu had to dismantle the surviving parts to see if he could piece together a somewhat complete vehicle.

At that moment, he had a flash of inspiration, thinking that a way to resist radiation was to place electrical devices in metal boxes or hide them underground. This led him to consider underground parking garages, where the chances of finding usable vehicles would be higher, at least allowing them to find some usable parts. He shared this idea with the team, and everyone agreed it was a feasible plan, so they decided to set aside the vehicle search and focus on finding gasoline.

Upon arriving at the gun store, Jacob took out the map and explained Charlie's plan to Rockson; they were preparing to search the underground parking garage, which Rockson agreed to.

At this point, Bo Yu handed over a package containing two similar-looking suppressors, each packed in separate plastic bags and labeled with their calibers. The craftsmanship of these suppressors was indeed quite rudimentary, clearly homemade. He took one suppressor, attached it to his sidearm, and fired a shot into the sky. The crisp sound was significantly reduced, almost inaudible from thirty meters away, and it did not affect the loading process of the firearm, indicating it had been properly adjusted. Rockson was very satisfied with this suppressor and decided to join the main character team in their actions.

He pulled out several sets of bulletproof vests and helmets for everyone to wear, along with two assault rifles and a shotgun, preparing to provide fire support for the group.

Ka excitedly stepped forward, took an assault rifle, and began to carefully inspect its various parts, appearing quite familiar with it.

Assault Rifle:

Quality: Good

Attack Power: 25-35

Attack Speed: 0.1/sec

Damage Type: High Penetration Damage

Accuracy (MOA): 2.1

Bullet Velocity: 900m/s

Durability: 50/50

Ammunition Type: 556

Ergonomics: 49

Recoil: 92

Effective Range: 400 meters

Shooting Mode: Semi-Automatic

Weight: 4.1kg

Attachments:

   Holographic Sight (1x): Aim Speed +10%

   Flash Hider: Recoil -5%, reduces muzzle flash.

   Vertical Grip: Recoil -3%, Ergonomics +5.

   Magazine Capacity: 30/30 rounds

Ammunition: FMJ

   Penetration: 23

   Destruction: 30

Bo Yu and Jacob also began to check the remaining rifle and shotgun; the rifle's attributes were mostly the same, while the shotgun's attributes were as follows:

Shotgun:

Quality: Good

Attack Power: 8-11 (x8)

Damage Type: Low Penetration Destructive Damage

Accuracy (MOA): 17.6

Bullet Velocity: 312m/s

Durability: 60/60

Ammunition Type: 12g

Ergonomics: 49

Recoil: 198

Effective Range: 50 meters

Shooting Mode: Single Shot

Weight: 3.8kg

Attachments:

   Choke: Recoil -8%, reduces spread of shotgun pellets.

   Magazine Capacity: 6/6 rounds

Ammunition: 12g 7mm Lead Shot

   Penetration: 5

   Destruction: 7

These attributes could be considered heavy firepower, as the health of level 1-2 players and NPCs was around 50-60, and shooting skills increased firearm damage by 1% per level, with the team's shooting skills currently above level 10. Jacob glanced at the other rifle and handed it to Alice while he took the shotgun, and Bo Yu chose not to take one, as he needed his hands free to repair vehicles; he would only use the gun in emergencies. Alice opened the holographic sight and noticed the reticle flickering; Bo Yu explained that this was due to the electronic storm left by the solar flares, which affected all electronic devices, but since the structure of the holographic sight was relatively simple, the impact was minimal. Rockson watched the two girls pick up the rifles and, despite some differences, handed them bullets and magazines to start preparing the magazines.

"Sara, I'm going out for a bit. You take the lead and take care of your sisters until I get back," Rockson said.

"Understood," the girl nodded, responding loudly, while Ka glanced at her as she loaded bullets into the magazine.

The group set off from the gun shop towards a nearby supermarket, where a large crowd of players was gathered, fighting and arguing over supplies, attracting nearby zombies. The players on the outskirts had to battle the zombies, while others seized the opportunity to rush into the supermarket to loot. When the players on the outside saw the zombies entering, they let them in and went to grab the remaining supplies. Next to the supermarket, there was a residential building with many people standing on the balcony, clearly lucky to have found a nearby spot, their rooms already filled with supplies, watching the chaos unfold.

The onlookers cheered when they saw players being bitten by zombies and whistled at the beautiful female players. Suddenly, someone spotted the main team pushing a shopping cart towards the basement, and the cheers grew louder upon seeing Alice and Ka. This caught Ka's attention; she put her rifle behind her, took out the black spikes and many black nails, and began attacking the people on the balcony. The sounds of shattering glass and screams filled the air. She shattered their glass, which could withstand hammer blows but not the hard and sharp attacks of the black nails. After a flurry of glass breaking, she started shooting at the people on the balcony, aiming for their bodies instead of their heads, causing them pain. The players, caught off guard, were hit one after another, and those on the balcony could only hurriedly dodge, while the players below began to mock the clumsy figures above.

Ka continued to load her black spikes and joined the front team, a smile on her face. They arrived at the basement, which was pitch black due to a lack of electricity, with only the light from the entrance illuminating part of the parking lot, where a few suitable vehicles could be seen. The group began to clear out the zombies.

Rockson's muscles were not just for show; he wielded a long knife, slicing through zombies as if they were tofu, and his shooting skills were top-notch, with his handgun firing rapidly to headshot zombies one by one. He was already targeting the next one as he fired, making him the most formidable member of the team. During the zombie clearing, a strange zombie appeared, covered in muscles with steel bars wrapped around its arms, seemingly trying to use them as armor against zombie attacks, but ended up being killed by the zombies. This muscular form was now even more dangerous, and the steel bars could prevent knife cuts, turning it into a troublesome zombie. Fortunately, the main team had guns and dealt with it from a distance.

As they approached a pickup truck, Bo Yu opened the hood for a careful inspection and was pleasantly surprised to find the vehicle in excellent condition, needing only to ensure it had enough fuel to start with a push. Once the nearby zombies were cleared, Bo Yu filled the truck with gas and jumped into the driver's seat, while Jacob and Rockson, the two muscle men, began to push. The engine roared to life after several attempts, finally starting on the third try.

With the truck running, they had lights, allowing them to explore deeper into the basement. They loaded everything from the shopping cart into the pickup and all got in. The zombies inside quickly surrounded them due to the engine noise, but the team, now equipped with a vehicle, could easily kite the horde to death. Since they were using silenced weapons, they didn't have to worry about attracting more zombies as they drove deeper.

Luck was on their side as they soon found a camper van. Bo Yu got out to check and discovered that the oil seemed to be leaking; they needed some tools and new oil, but other issues seemed minor. However, they needed to go to a well-lit place, perhaps Charlie's shop could fix it, but they first needed to get the vehicle running.

Bo Yu returned to the truck, and Rockson drove out of the basement, knowing there was an auto parts store nearby. He guided the team to the store. Although it had been ransacked, many vehicles were unusable in the apocalypse, and the thieves wouldn't repair them, so it had been relatively untouched. Two vehicles were parked outside, and when the players inside saw the team approaching, they panicked and called for the people inside the store. The store was small, and a shout could be heard by those at the back. The team arrived, each armed to the teeth, colliding with the people rushing out.

Rockson holstered his handgun and drew his assault rifle. The team followed suit, brandishing heavy firepower. Ka aimed her assault rifle at the head of a man by another vehicle, unable to suppress her excited smile. The leader of the fleeing group was a fat man, the previous owner, who was startled by the situation.

"Atom, the Rogue, it's you again!" He quickly recognized Bo Yu and Jacob in the team, clearly impressed by the two.

"Uh? Who are you?" Bo Yu replied, recalling the man, Fireball, the leader of the Chaos in the Apocalypse guild, with whom he had a minor conflict before.

At that time, lone wolves and team players were quite annoyed with the guild, and there would be some retaliation, but nothing as extreme as what Bo Yu did, which was to destroy several of his bases, a few arms depots, and dozens of transport vehicles. After finding a cannon, they set up a minefield and bombarded the player bases and arms depots within range, not just targeting the Chaos in the Apocalypse guild but all nearby guilds recorded in the area. So encountering him here could be considered a case of enemies crossing paths.

This statement instantly broke the owner's composure, and seeing two beautiful women in the team made him even angrier. He felt he was so exceptional, but why did these people have better luck and encounter such beautiful girls?

"Fatty!" A loud shout broke the tense atmosphere, drawing everyone's attention to Rockson.

"Everything in this store is ours now," he said calmly, as if stating a very ordinary fact, but it carried a tremendous sense of pressure in this situation.

"W-What? Why?" The fat man stammered, facing Rockson's oppressive stance.

"Because you wanted to rob my store before, and for that I outa shoot you dead right now. But I'm a principled person, so i will give you ten seconds fucking disappear."

The fat man wanted to say something, but looking at their firepower, he knew that if he and his people fought with their bows and handguns, they would be wiped out.

He hurriedly retreated, scrambling into the vehicle, leaving behind a pile of their previous belongings, while Rockson counted down each second, making the group increasingly anxious. After ten seconds, they had already driven far away.

Rockson lowered his gun; he had genuinely been prepared to fight, but rather than spend time on revenge, he wanted to focus on how to leave this place without causing further trouble. He couldn't abandon his daughters.

At that moment, he noticed Ka still aiming at the fleeing vehicle. His impression of her was that of a beautiful but cold mercenary, likely with many lives on her hands. There was a hint of excitement in her aim, but she ultimately did not pull the trigger, which made Rockson think she still had self-control and was not as simple as he thought. However, her gaze towards him held a certain obsession.

The group entered and took several sets of repair toolkits, engine oil, tires, flashlights, batteries, and some spare parts before leaving, driving back to the underground parking lot. Under the light of the pickup truck, Boyu struggled to change the oil and patched a few temporary fixes on the leaking spots. After replacing some long-broken parts, he managed to start the engine after several attempts. Jacob got in the car and followed behind in the pickup, as the team prepared to head to the gun shop. However, Rockson thought of Mike and wanted to check on him along the way.

Upon arrival, everyone got out and looked around at the entrance. Mike did not respond, and inside the house were two zombies that seemed weak, chained together and unable to escape. A closer look revealed that they were Mike and Mary. After observing, the group slowly left.

Back at the gun shop, Rockson went inside and loaded two large bags of bullets and guns into the RV, while also transferring some repair tools into the RV. He then pulled out several military boxes filled with gun parts. Having seen Boyu's skills, he figured these items, which he was about to discard, could be more useful in Boyu's hands. Since they were leaving tomorrow, it was better to do a favor than leave them for others.

After that, he got back in the car and drove the pickup and RV to Charlie's place. Upon arrival, Rockson parked the pickup in the garage, and Charlie came out with Ben. Rockson first petted the happy golden retriever and then shook hands with his old friend. After a brief exchange, they began checking the pickup to ensure everything was in order before Rockson drove off, planning to return early the next morning to set out together.

Boyu drove the RV into the garage and began repairs with Charlie. Most of the RV's components were fine; they just needed to find the leaking spots and replace them with new parts and pipes to restore it to normal. The group started gathering food and supplies, preparing to take them along the next day. At that moment, it began to rain outside, the downpour growing heavier as the previous heat had accumulated a lot of moisture, making the world seem to quiet down, leaving only the sound of rain.

Many players, seeing this, took out whatever pots and containers they could find to collect rainwater, while the team placed their prepared buckets on the roof to catch the rain. This rainwater was fresh water, a precious resource in the apocalypse.

While organizing things, Boyu discovered a spring piece he had removed from a car at the entrance. It was too heavy to carry, so he decided to forge a weapon tonight, as in this environment, he didn't know when he would find suitable materials again after leaving. He remembered that Rockson had once had a large knife before the update and recalled its shape, deciding to try and forge something similar.

After some cutting, the initial shape of the knife was completed, and after polishing, the outline gradually emerged. Next came the heat treatment, oil quenching, and then placing it in the oven to wait. At this time, everyone had also prepared food and enjoyed dinner together. Alice continued to feed Ben from her bowl, and everyone dined in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere before starting to rest, while Boyu walked over to check the oven.

He combined the prepared handle with the blade, finding the feel quite good, and began generating its attributes. He hoped this would be a good knife, as it was heavier than an ordinary knife, with the center of gravity slightly forward, making it more suitable for powerful use. Although it was modeled after Rockson's previous knife, this was just a steel knife, unlike the nearly indestructible metal of the original.

Handcrafted Great Knife: Exquisite, Attack Power 25-35, Attack Speed 1.3/sec, Heavy Cutting/Piercing Damage, Total Length 1.52 meters, Blade Length 1.3 meters, Weight 1.8 kg, Ergonomics 31, Durability 55/55, Note: Requires two hands to use.

Boyu felt very satisfied with this, but he was puzzled as to why the ergonomics attribute, which was clearly only present in ranged firearms, appeared on a melee weapon now. Was it because the handle he made was similar to the original, adding this attribute due to its shape?

Just as he was pondering this, Ka walked over and quickly noticed the knife's characteristics. The elegant curve suitable for chopping, its impressive weight, and cutting power reminded her of her battles with Rockson. She picked up the knife and swung it in her hand, confident that it could cleave a person in two, especially someone as muscular as Rockson. As she wielded it, she couldn't help but admire the knife, which Boyu naturally noticed.

Seeing Ka's interest in the knife, Boyu had an idea but didn't know how to express it. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "This knife is for Rockson. What do you think?"

Ka stopped her movements, feeling a surge of complex emotions within her. She longed for such a handy weapon, but years of experience had made her accustomed to being independent and self-reliant. Suppressing her inner desire, she replied briefly, "Not bad."

Bo Yu noticed that Ka's reaction was somewhat unusual, but he was unsure how to continue the conversation. He awkwardly said, "Actually... I still have some materials left."

Ka frowned at him, struggling internally. Finally, she said, "The team's melee weapons do need to be replaced."

Gathering his courage, Bo Yu asked, "So... what if I make one that's more suitable for you? What do you think?"

Ka's heart skipped a beat. She was both surprised by Bo Yu's suggestion and unsettled by her own feelings of joy.

Bo Yu hurriedly added, "Since I have to make it anyway, otherwise these materials will just go to waste."

Seeing him take it this far, Ka agreed and began sketching her desired improvements on another piece of steel.

As Ka organized her firearms, her gaze occasionally flickered towards Bo Yu, who was focused on crafting the knife. Her dual blades were clearly more refined, and the patience and attention to detail in their creation made her admire them in silence. In the past, she had heard many sweet words from people, mistaking them for the essence of love; however, she understood that passion dissipated like smoke after a night. The sweeter the words, the quicker the person would leave. Would this kid not say sweet nothings? Even if he could, she no longer cared. Nevertheless, his attention still made her feel a warmth, making her feel special, even though deep down, she found it hard to confront this feeling.

Alice, holding Ben nearby, quietly listened to their conversation, feeling the warmth in her heart as she sensed Bo Yu's affection for Ka.

Jacob walked over to Alice and said softly, "Hey, Alice, I was thinking we should take Ka and Bo Yu out for a little trip."

Alice looked up at him, a glimmer of interest in her eyes. "Oh? What do you have in mind?"

Jacob smiled and said, "You know, there are some nice places in our galaxy, especially the newly built Persian Star, which has many beautiful sights that resemble Earth."

Alice blinked and smiled slightly. "That sounds interesting. But do you think they would be interested?"

"That depends on how we guide them," Jacob said meaningfully. "Bo Yu should be fine, but what about Ka?"

A sly glint appeared in Alice's eyes. "I must tell you, my assistance doesn't come freely."

"What do you have in mind, miss?"

"My good sister Ka loves to eat, so you should treat her to a meal, just a regular restaurant will do."

"Alright, I know a nice place we often go to," Jacob agreed with a smile, and they set the date for a few days later, coinciding with Alice and Ka's day off.

On this rainy night, the group filled the RV with supplies, and Ka held the new dual blades that Bo Yu had crafted for her. This knife was a smaller version of the Shishen knife, retaining its original characteristics, with a curved blade, a forward center of gravity, and a slightly thicker body, making it more powerful and durable. Bo Yu also made a sheath and belt for the knife using wood and leather he had collected outside. Although the team had new steel knives, Ka's dual blades had the best attributes.

Before logging off, Bo Yu informed everyone that they could enable the default follow mode, as they might leave early the next day and could not log in immediately. With this feature activated, if any action was needed while offline, the characters would automatically follow the quest NPCs or teammates, ensuring the storyline would not be delayed.

Once the settings were complete, everyone logged off. Bo Yu saw Ka wave at him and softly say goodbye before he logged off as well. In the Dream World, players would enter a brief state of dreamless sleep when logging off, slowly welcoming a new day.