Chapter 323: If Someone Dies, It's Got Nothing to Do with Me
There are actually zombies that have reached level 4.
Though the number isn't high, it does indicate the start of progression to level 4.
For ordinary survivors and various shelters, this is not a good thing.
It further shrinks the survivable space for survivors.
Originally, a single zombie could still be handled by ordinary people, but now even that is becoming difficult.
Zombies' attributes are continuously improving, but on the survivors' side, awakening abilities remains difficult.
Even if zombie cores are available for purchase, no one is willing to risk swallowing a core to try their luck.
This is understandable since the success rate of taking zombie cores is incredibly low.
Awakening abilities is uncertain enough, but most survivors who consume a core end up directly turning into zombies.
Unless someone is truly desperate, few would gamble their life on luck.
Clang~!
Ahead, a door at a stairwell suddenly toppled to the side.
Five or six zombies rushed out from inside.
They lunged at the rear of the group.
Wu Heng glanced up, "Axe-wielding skeletons, go up."
The axe-wielding skeletons at the rear charged forward, colliding with the zombies and chopping them into pulp.
Soon, the battle was over.
Once Wu Heng finished converting all the bodies.
He ordered them to continue moving forward.
They advanced to the next area, continuing to slay zombie swarms, increasing the skeleton numbers while also gathering experience.
......
The third wave of zombies was cleared.
Two mutated canine corpses were dragged over by skeletons and tossed at his feet.
Mutated dogs possess a decent level of intelligence, making them tough to kill.
The skeletons had to circle around, trapping them in a narrow alley to succeed in the kill.
Wu Heng cast [Raise Skeleton], causing flesh to slough off, and two skeleton dogs stood up immediately.
They shook off the chunks of flesh and moved to the side.
Wu Heng then found two level-1 zombie cores among the bodies.
He stowed them away immediately.
The skeleton warriors began cleaning up the battlefield, while the accompanying convoy organized items, preparing for the return journey.
Wu Heng opened the attribute panel and glanced at it.
The experience for level 13 was already nearly halfway.
Clearing zombies continuously was indeed effective.
In a few more days, he'd likely reach level 15, achieving tier 4 strength.
At tier 4, in the other world, he would be among the top-ranking fighters, not just a leader of some power.
Even within the Guild, as long as one reaches level 15, achievements are disregarded, and if the file shows no negative record, direct appointment to Steward or even higher special roles is possible.
In short, everything ultimately comes down to strength.
Even with a stained past, as long as your strength rises, none of that matters anymore.
The island lord of Gold-Silver Island, "Occam," was once a notorious pirate who, upon reaching level 18, had his crimes pardoned by all nations, even receiving official recognition for Gold-Silver Island.
It has now become a major trade hub on the sea.
Once your power grows, most past issues naturally resolve themselves.
Wu Heng glanced at the attributes panel and noticed the battlefield cleanup was done.
He closed the panel and first cast [Bone Transplantation]. The skeleton warriors with broken bodies stepped onto the battlefield to replace their bones.
Once the replacement was completed, he cast [Battlefield of the Dead] again, and a mass of skeletons rose, joining the ranks.
Once all was done.
Wu Heng boarded the truck, leading the army back.
......
On the way back.
Qi Hancai said, "According to 'Zhao Yanqiu,' a lot of people on the radio are offering to trade supplies for food, and the price of food keeps rising. Should we put out some feelers and see if we can trade with others?"
In this world, the temperature had already begun to drop significantly.
This time of year is also the last chance to stock up on food supplies. Clothes and tools, once scavenged, can last for a while, but without a solid food reserve, starvation will become inevitable.
Once winter arrives, going out to scavenge for food will be far harder.
Plus, this is the one resource in which they're well-stocked.
They could easily use it to trade for whatever they need with other shelters, much like they had done with the transport station in the county.
"Let's check out the military market in a few days and assess the situation," Wu Heng said.
"Understood," Qi Hancai nodded.
Wu Heng thought for a moment, then said, "Also, select an open plot and make some simple renovations; if conditions allow, we can set up a market ourselves."
"Got it, there's plenty of open space."
"Good! Start preparing, and we'll see how things look when it's ready."
They discussed the details, setting up the plans for the market area.
The convoy returned to the old factory site as dusk began to fall.
Large floodlights lit up the yard.
Crowds of survivors emerged to inspect the vehicles and unload supplies.
Wu Heng got off the truck, briefly exchanged words with Qi Hancai and others.
He returned to the dormitory to head back to Gold-Silver Island.
......
Back on Gold-Silver Island, he appeared in the fourth-floor study.
It was late night, with the soft chirping of insects coming through the window.
Leaving the study, he headed to the neighboring alchemy room.
Pushing the door open, the room was dim, with the eerie blue lights within the skeletons flickering around the room.
Wu Heng flipped a nearby switch, brightening the room with electric lights.
Several alchemy skeletons were engrossed in their work.
Skeletons didn't have vision in the conventional sense, so darkness didn't affect them at all.
"Here are some level-1 zombie cores; I'm leaving them here." Wu Heng placed the day's harvested cores on a nearby counter.
Alchemy One shuffled over to collect the cores.
Wu Heng went to another set of shelves with various potions neatly arranged.
[Healing Potion][Mental Potion][High-Efficiency Healing Potion]…
He gathered them all, closed the cabinet door, and left the room quietly.
Mimi and Andviel were already asleep.
Wu Heng silently went downstairs, had 'Chef One' prepare a light late-night meal, ate briefly, then returned to his room to sleep.
......
The next morning.
Mimi's giggles echoed from downstairs.
Wu Heng rose, washed up, and went downstairs.
Passing by the radio room on the third floor, he went in.
To see if 'Philipa' had any new intelligence.
The matter with the pirates was not only about the Guild's bounty but also the blank envelope.
It placed a bounty on him across all pirate networks.
Wu Heng could perceive information on "artifacts" or "magic items," but when faced with the envelope, there was nothing.
The sense of someone lurking in the shadows, watching, was highly unsettling.
This was precisely why Wu Heng felt compelled to support a pirate faction.
Before the skeleton investigator lay a notebook.
As usual, it was filled with notes.
「A new batch of slaves arrived here; should I pick out some women for you to try? Plenty of folks here are buying them.」
「Damn it, those bastards are looking down on me; arrange a couple of merchant ships for me to raid, or I'll have no reputation, making it hard to get things done for you!」
「I and several other pirate crews are besieging your Guild's ships; do something about it, or they won't hold out much longer.」
「I'm not attacking; just following from a distance to gather intel. If people die, it's got nothing to do with me.」
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